Chapter 4

The puddle jumper slid smoothly into its slot, yet Samantha Carter couldn't help tensing up at the last moment. Even after all this time – and the time spent on Asgard-tech ships – she still tensed whenever she knew a spaceship was about to make an inertial leap. Those Goa'uld ships with their extreme lack of inertial dampening when they leap in and out of hyperspace had ruined her for life.

Besides, she had a feeling this meeting was not going to be pleasant. In fact, instinct was telling her that, whatever was going to happen today, it would change the course of their lives. She only hoped Jack was wrong in which direction it was going to change.

As the doors slid open, Sheppard turned around and smiled ruefully at her.

"This way," he said, leading the way.

"I'm sure I still remember my way around the city," she reminded him. Yet it was just idle banter to cover her apprehension. The entire flight had been like this: rueful. Something was up with Sheppard and she didn't like it.

Together they made their way into the heart of Atlantis. As she had expected, Sheppard led her to the main tower. But unlike she had expected, they turned towards the infirmary. Along with everything else, this, too, did not bode well.

They went through the main rooms to the small private room. Sheppard stood back and indicated she should precede him into the room. She only smiled and entered. Perhaps the part that worried her the most was his lack of banter. She remembered him as being rather jocular, but today he seemed preoccupied and sullen. Yet there was also a carefully leashed excitement just beneath the surface.

As they stepped into the room, the first thing she saw was the pale figure on the bed; making her stop in her steps. Sitnalta. Then she noticed Elizabeth Weir, who had risen from her seat next to the younger woman. Weir closed the distance between them and held out her hand.

"Colonel Carter, I'm so glad you came," the dark-haired woman said. Sam closed the short distance and shook her hand.

"What happened?" she asked, indicating Sitnalta. But instead of answering, Weir stepped back and indicated another seat on the other side of the bed.

"Please," she said; that look on her face that Sam hated. It was the look the ex-diplomat used when she was about to tell you something you weren't going to enjoy; much less like.

Almost reluctantly Sam sat down on the seat. She looked up just in time to see Weir and Sheppard looking at one another. Sheppard was holding onto Weir's arm and obviously some sort of communication was happening between them.

"I'll be fine," Weir finally said. Sheppard nodded and finally left the room. Sam wondered what exactly was going on between them. The time she had spent on Atlantis had assured her there was more between Sheppard and Weir than they led on. And judging by their silent communication, it seemed there still was. Could they have finally settled their differences?

Just then Weir turned around, gave that little half-step and finally took her seat across from Sam.

"Sorry we have to meet here, but Keller is busy with a number of tests," Weir apologised, indicating a small, blinking device on her wrist. Sam did not buy it.

"Doctor Weir, you knew I was coming. You invited me," she pointed out. Yet she had to admire the way they were manipulating her. As they knew her, they must know the manipulation wasn't working. So this attempt was their way of telling her just how serious the matter at hand was; thus in effect manipulating her with her full knowledge.

"True," Weir replied. "But the tests are real. They are also part of what I have to tell you." And so Elizabeth Weir proceeded to explain how she and Sitnalta were dying. She explained Rodney's decision and how they planned to take Atlantis back to the Pegasus galaxy. Weir told her the story of how they found the ZPM's – and of course how earth could find the rest. And finally she asked that which had brought Sam here:

"We can't do this with all of these scientists and marines on board," Weir finally explained. "Now, we know the Pegasus gate takes precedence over the earth gate, so it will be easy for us to dial out and send those who would not be joining us in the Pegasus galaxy to another planet. But we can't guarantee that they will know how to dial earth again. You will have to go and get them." The other woman looked guilty. "And we will need some time and whatever supplies you can give us," she made her final request.

Sam leaned back. As she did so, her eyes fell on the sleeping Sitnalta. She liked the young woman. In fact, the problem was that the liked Weir and Sheppard and Ronon and Teyla and even McKay and Zelenka and the rest of them. Her duty was to report this, but in doing so she would ruin so many lives. She understood dearly what staying on earth would mean to these people. Some have lives they could return to here on earth. But too many did not. Duncan Beckett, Ronon, Teyla – these were people who would forever be outcast. She only had to look at Teal'c to know that they would never really fit in.

And she could not condemn Sitnalta and Weir to death, no matter how big a part of her wanted to do the right thing.

"This is why you brought me here," she stated, indicating the room and the unconscious Sitnalta.

"I'm afraid so," Weir said, slightly lowering her head in apology. But Sam knew the apology wasn't for bringing her here, but for having had the need to do so. She could not blame the other woman. She supposed it was a good thing Weir didn't know about some of the things she had done on SG-1.

Sam sighed. Then she relented. It wasn't really as if she hadn't expected something like this. The only thing that really bothered her was that if she could guess at their intentions, so could others. She said as much to Weir.

"I know. That's why we will leave as soon as we can." Weir narrowed her eyes at Sam. "You will help us?"

"Yes. But I will have to insist you do not shoot anybody," Sam told her. Seeing as they were two women familiar with weapons that could stun, she knew Weir would understand her meaning.

Weir nodded. "No P-90's. We will use only Wraith stunners." Then she grinned. "And Ronon will set his weapon to 'stun,' I promise."

Sam suddenly wished Weir had asked this from anyone but her. But it made sense that they would: Sam was part of this. She wondered if they realised just how big a part of Sam was invested in the Stargate program. More than ten years now it had been her life.

"How much time do you need?" she asked.

"Two days," came the surprising answer. Sam knew they were moving fast, but two days was very fast.

"Very well," she told Weir. The two women stood and Sam turned to go. But at the door she looked back at the dark-haired woman. A part of her wished she could come along, she realised. She might have seen more and done more than most people on earth, yet for Sam the adventure was drawing to an end. For Weir it was just starting.

"Tell me," she finally said. "Have you and Sheppard finally worked out your differences?" Sam wanted to know. And incredibly Weir blushed slightly as she smiled.

"We're working on it," she replied.