This chapter isn't quite as long or as exciting, but it really leads into the next chapter. Hope you like it, and please read and review!

Imperfect Order

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Subito: Suddenly

A memorial! She thought. She was torn between crying and laughing. She knew that if Carson were alive, he'd say they'd spent their time better if they would just cooperate with in the staff in the infirmary. However, he wasn't there, and that was precisely why they needed to give something to honor the sweet and gentle man's memory.

Deep in thought, Elizabeth made her way back to her office. Back at her computer, she found herself unable to concentrate on anything work-related. Her thoughts kept slipping back to Carson.

Was there anything that we could have done? she thought to herself for the thousandth time. Anything we could have said, to keep him from trying to remove that tumor? Elizabeth stood pacing around the room only to shake her head, lump growing in her throat.

There wasn't.

And yet…

She stumbled and was relieved to see no one around her. Picking herself back up, she rushed towards the bathroom in her office and closed the door.

Elizabeth used her brief respite from the world to curl in on herself, leaning against the door since she couldn't support her body any longer. Hot tears rolled down her face, and she found herself crying brokenly in the privacy of her bathroom.

Again.

Finally spent, she leaned her head against the cool porcelain of the sink, and closed her eyes for a few blessed moments. God, Carson, she thought, anguished. Why did it have to be you? Elizabeth could feel her shoulders shaking with the effort of holding back more sobs. A noise burbled to her lips; whether it was a laugh or cry or a sheer, primal sound of pain, she didn't know.

The weeping began again, but slower this time. Elizabeth had time to try and figure out why this kept happening to her. Heightmeyer claimed that it was natural, though the psychologist's eyes grew dark when Elizabeth asked her why John, Rodney, Teyla and Ronon weren't doing the same. Heightmeyer always sighed, the darkness in her eyes deepening a little as she called them 'special cases'.

Why couldn't I have been a special case? Elizabeth moaned silently. Anything would be better than this! I hate this, I hate this, I hate this!

For a woman whose diplomatic skills were a major part of how she defined herself, such loss of control was not acceptable. Everyone seems to be handling this better than me! she screamed inside her brain. Heightmeyer claimed that what she was going through wasn't any different from anyone else. The only thing was, each person expressed their feeling differently.

It's not fair Elizabeth thought one more time, feeling helpless. Will the memorial really change anything? Or am I going to go insane, right here?

Elizabeth paused for a moment, motions stilling. She didn't feel insane yet, though there was always hope.

"Dr. Weir, this is Sheppard. SGA-1 and SGA-2 are ready to depart from Jumper Bay," her earpiece crackled.

Elizabeth sat up with a start, clenching her shoulder with a hiss as she rammed it into the sink. "Weir to Sheppard. Wait a second." She replied.

Scrubbing her face quickly, Elizabeth checked to make sure her appearance wasn't out of the ordinary, and walked out of her office with smooth decorum. "Dial the gate!" she called down to the various technicians.

Right on cue the chevrons began their journey around the 'gate. Tapping her earpiece again, Elizabeth told John, "Colonel, we are dialing the gate as we speak. You have a go."

"Thanks, Elizabeth. We'll be sure to share the goodies we bring back."

Elizabeth felt oddly compelled to grin slightly, though she had no audience and little good humor. "Of course, gentleman, ladies. Godspeed."

The Puddlejumpers descended into the gateroom, their burnished curves gleaming. The first shot off into the newly established wormhole, its gentle exit proclaiming that John was at the wheel. Less exquisite was Lorne's exit.

"Remember that your check in is in…" Elizabeth trailed off as the wormhole disengaged, and sighed heavily, hoping that between all the members of the trading party, someone would remember their twelve hour check-in.

She ran her hand along the railing for a moment before turning sharply and making her way back towards her office. Once inside, the pleasant mask she wore fell, leaving her feeling a thousand years old.

A sudden headache plagued her and the world swam languidly before her eyes. Elizabeth rubbed them and took a sip of the cold tea. She removed the clip that held her hair back and ran her fingers through the locks casually before allowing the clip to continue doing its job.

"Beep," her computer informed her solemnly.

She sighed yet again, trying to expel all the apprehension that filled her body. It didn't work, so she checked her mail.

It was an email from Heightmeyer, reminding her that they had a session starting in fifteen minutes.

Another sigh escaped.

She lingered over the rest of her tea, checking her watch constantly. Finally, Elizabeth decided that leaving couldn't be put off any longer and left the office, carefully closing the door behind her.

Atlantis was in full swing by now. Scientists hurried through the halls, shouts of misery and exultation tumbling from the labs. The USAF and Marines stationed throughout the halls chatted amiably with all their colleagues. On a corner outside the infirmary, Lieutenant Reed dolefully accepted crutches from a stern Dr. Cole. Both waved as she passed and she returned their greetings, heading past the infirmary and down the short hallway to Dr. Heightmeyer's office. She knocked firmly on the door and was surprised when no voice answered.

She knocked again, a little harder. "Dr. Heightmeyer?" she called tentatively.

"Ah! Elizabeth! You're a little early," Kate said from behind her. Elizabeth whirled, eyes widening, hand racing towards her heart. Kate staggered back and fumbled with the papers in her hands. The end result was that her coffee ended up decorating mostly the floor, the ceramic mug still in one piece against all odds.

"Oh! I'm sorry! Here!" Elizabeth picked up the mug and was torn between giving it back to Kate and holding on to it in order to be doing something useful. Kate smiled warmly, and placed a hand on the door. It slid open on her command and Kate ushered her patient inside. She dropped the stack of files onto her desk unceremoniously and walked over to the cupboards. "It's my fault, really. I shouldn't have come up behind you like that. It didn't occur that you wouldn't notice me."

Elizabeth hovered until Kate gave her some paper towels with which to help clean up the spill. "I should have been paying attention," Elizabeth insisted.

"Well, it doesn't matter. What's done is done." Kate finished philosophically.

The pair cleaned the floor to the best of their abilities. "Still, I really am sorry about spilling your coffee," Elizabeth admitted as they threw out the soggy paper towels.

Kate shrugged. "To be honest, I'm just glad it spilled out there. Do I really need to remind you how many computers I've fried by spilling coffee all over it? I thought McKay was going to have a heart attack when he found out I'd done it again. He came in screaming as if I'd just purposefully run over his cat." Kate was happy when she achieved her goal; Elizabeth laughed for the first time in ages. It wasn't for long, or loud, but it meant there was some progress being made.

"So, what's your schedule for today?" Kate asked casually once they were seated comfortably in her office.

"I just need to finish up the reports before the Daedalus arrives. Colonel Sheppard finished all his paperwork and I just need to finish up mine. All the supply requisitions are done, so I sent Lorne and Sheppard's teams to finish that trading mission with the Lirians today. Dr. Keller wants me to look over the work that Dr. Keer's team has done on that genetic code. I still haven't told either Keller or Keer that Dr. Black will be joining them. Zelenka is searching for the reason for some energy signals he's been picking up. I think that might be it," Elizabeth ticked each matter off on her finger, and furrowed her brow. "At least, I think that's it."

"Sounds like you've got a lot on your hands. Once the Daedalus drops of the supplies and leaves, things should settle down though, right?" Kate looked out of her window into the middle distance.

"Yes, I suppose," Elizabeth replied slowly. There was a beat of silence. "Is there something you'd like me to do with this down time?" Elizabeth prodded curiously when Kate didn't finish the thought. The psychiatrist sighed.

"Don't take this the wrong way, but if you can, I'd like for you to take a vacation." Kate held up a hand to forestall any replies. "Not necessarily back to Earth, and I'm not saying you have to do it. I think a change of scenery might help you, well, get away from it for a little while. Maybe you can visit the Athosians with Teyla for a few days."

Five minutes passed, and the only sound in Dr. Heightmeyer's office was the sound of the ocean. "I haven't been sleeping." The confession was followed by more silence. "I can't take the pills, Kate. I just can't." Kate waited patiently for her to continue, politely averting her gaze to the sunlit seas. "Captain Lyczmanenko and Lieutenant Cadman talked to me this morning. They want to set up a memorial for Carson in the city. It was like my worst nightmare came back during daylight. I don't know how long I sat in the bathroom, crying. I do know that the only reason I got out was because I had to see Lorne and Sheppard's teams off. Each time they go through that damned gate, I fret about if they are going to get back safely. Now it's even worse, because Carson isn't here to patch the up again." Elizabeth's lip trembled.

"I feel like there's something wrong with me."

Elizabeth brushed away some tears. "I always get caught unawares. When we were talking about his memorial this morning, when something medical comes up, when we get someone coming through hot, every time is like the first time. Is it like this for everyone?" she asked desperately.

"Every case is unique," Kate reminded the expedition leader, but the woman was already continuing.

"The worst is the staff meetings. I keep calling Dr. Keller, Dr. Beckett! And then Rodney makes this sour face, likes he's swallowed a lemon, and John looks away. Dr. Keller always flushes, and I hate having to apologize. I don't want her here sometimes!" Elizabeth exclaimed brokenly. "It's not her fault, and she's one of the sweetest people I've ever met, but I want Carson back. I trusted him, he was one of my best friends!"

Elizabeth curled up in the chair. "Maybe you're right. Maybe I'm just too stressed to deal with this all. Maybe I need a few days to get my head back in order. I just didn't want him to die," Elizabeth murmured numbly. The tears stopped, leaving a shadow of Elizabeth's former self crouched in the chair.

"He was a good man. One of the best. We will never forget him. Who knows what will happen? This is a crazy galaxy. We've not lost hope," Kate comforted tenderly. "You can't forget that he died doing what he loved best. He saved a man's life, Elizabeth."

"I still wish he'd stayed alive."

"Don't we all."

"Carson didn't take vacations. I'd keep trying to encourage him that it was alright, but he never seemed to get it. That fishing trip was the first time he'd ever been away from Atlantis for more than a few hours for anything besides mission purposes. I don't…I don't know if I can take one right now."

"Elizabeth," Kate leaned forward intently. "We are not talking about Carson. We are talking about the fact that you look like you're about to fall apart. As a therapist, I'm trying my damndest to save you, but you've got to take some time to sort through things by yourself. I can't unscrew the top of your head and fix your brain, as much as I'd like to do it to people some days."

"That bad, huh?"

"Yes. But Elizabeth, don't belittle the work you've done. It's important. You are important, as a friend and leader. Please at least consider my suggestion. Of course, I can't force anything, but I think a couple days off with just Teyla or someone, and some fresh air, might really help things."

"I'll think about it," Elizabeth agreed quietly.

"That's all I can ask."

As soon as they were through the wormhole, John nudged the controls to the left and the 'jumper responded to his call by sweeping out in a huge arc, glittering brightly under the force of the planet's two suns. It was a pretty picture, the orbiting gate and 'jumper.

"Huh, binary system," Rodney leaned forward over John's shoulder, pressing again the pilot chair. "This is the first solar system in which we've seen this sort of binary arrangement. There were theories, you know, that only single star systems could feasibly support life. This, now this…" Rodney stared out of the window in awe, features transforming from the angry scowl of just minutes ago to joy and wonder, already reveling in the new discovery. "I can't wait to study this system! Does the double system increase the ellipses? Or does it change the weather? Usually, that's a part of planetary tilt, but with two suns, anything is feasible." Rodney snatched his radio as Teyla and Ronon exchanged amused glances at Rodney's renewed enthusiasm for science that had been lacking lately. John simply tried to concentrate on flying towards the settlement.

"Lorne, you didn't think it was important to mention that this planet has two suns? And why doesn't the increased radiation have any affect on our equipment? What about moon? How many planets are in this system? And does this planet have a tilt?" Rodney said in an eager tone while drawing up as much relevant information as he could on his data pad.

"Ummm…I didn't think it mattered, and I'm not sure. For all of the questions. Does it matter?" Lorne's voice emanated from the radio sounding slightly confused.

"Of course it matters!" Rodney snapped back into the radio.

John rolled his eyes. "Rodney," he drawled, a reminder for the astrophysicist to check his tone. Despite that, John had to admit being pleased, because even these days Rodney's tone was far gentler than it had been when the scientist first joined the team. Once upon a time, bitter harshness seemed permanently etched into his voice. However, as Rodney finally it opened up to his friends the tone had faded away almost completely, until even a mild reprimand made Rodney check his tone automatically.

"Of course it matters," Rodney exclaimed again, but not before sending the colonel a quick roll off the eyes. "Your answer might very well change how we consider the composition of the universe in terms of human life."

A beat of silence.

"I plead the fifth," Lorne informed Rodney tartly. There were dimly heard chuckles in the background of Lorne's 'jumper. Rodney sighed gustily, and furrowed his brow. Instead of responding, Rodney pulled out his laptop, opening a new file and recording his observations.

"Bet you're glad you came now." John allowed the humor to escape into his voice. It had been a long time since he'd been so comfortable.

"That's right, mock the genius who is most likely going to save your butts in the next twenty-four hours," Rodney muttered dryly as Ronon and Teyla joined John's chuckling.

Atmosphere considerably lighter in the Grand Scheme of Things, John was pleased to see the large town peeking out from the rolling hills that carried farms. He slowed the 'jumper with a touch of his mind, allowing Lorne to take the lead. Lorne led him steadily towards the town before banking with considerably less grace than John. A couple hundred yards outside the town a space had been cleared and an elder Lirian man waved with a wide smile on his face. Behind him stood another three men and two women who seemed more cautious than their leader.

John hovered for a few moments, allowing Lorne to settle his craft before making his usual exquisite landing. The back hatch opened and landed with a soft thump on the green grass. "Alright boys and girls, the ride has now come to and end. Please disembark carefully."

"Of course, John," replied Teyla, humor glinting in her eyes, and walked off confidently. Ronon and Rodney snorted at the same time, before exchanging slightly amused glances. John made sure everything was in order before following his team.

Lorne had already disembarked and was waiting for all of them with the Lirians.

"Welcome to our fair town!" the eldest man exclaimed as they approached. He did something complicated with his hands before bowing. Just as John was wondering what he should to do greet the man, the Lirian smiled warmly.

"Ummm…hey," John greeted, forgoing the hand gesture and bowing instead. He didn't remember reading anything about hand gestures in Lorne list of do's and don'ts, but it was better safe than sorry. He might accidentally sign something rude.

"Friends, we welcome you to our town of Garta." The woman who spoke had a lined face, belying her earlier appearance of youth. She stepped forward, and her raised chin told the Atlanteans that she was in charge of matters here.

Lorne took the lead, in keeping with Lirian tradition. "Colonel John Sheppard, may I introduce to you Mayor Isa Delgatia of this esteemed town?"

John nodded, and spoke the next part of the Lirian's complicated introductions. "I say with honesty, yes."

Lorne turned to the mayor. "Our leader greets you with honesty."

A younger man stepped forward next to Mayor Delgatia and proceeded to act as Major Lorne had. "Mayor Ise Delgatia, may I introduce to you Colonel John Sheppard, of the offworlders?"

"I say with honestly, yes" Mayor Delgatia responded.

"Our leader greets you with honestly," the male told the Atlanteans.

"We present you with our thanks and plea that you harbor our bodies, mind, and souls." said Lorne, moving onto the next step in the greeting process.

"We accept and honor the plea. Our thanks for this chance to speak and trade with you." The man said.

Some invisible signal passed through the group and they relaxed, warm smiles appearing on their faces. As was custom, Lorne allowed the words to finish ringing before introducing the other members of the group. "Teyla Emmagan, Dr. Meredith Rodney McKay, Specialist Ronon Dex, may I introduce to you the members of Garta: Dr. Jorr Het, Phy Orlarianophe, Litilia Camme, Dr. Idi Gar, Soreph Glik and Government Official Tylironte Yzdemmat?"

Teyla and Ronon replied in unison, "I can say with honesty, yes." with Rodney a ragged beat behind.

"Our people greet you with honesty."

"Dr. Jorr Het, Phy Orlarianophe, Litilia Camme, Dr. Idi Gar, Soreph Glik and Government Official Tylironte Yzdemmat, may I introduce to you the members of the offworlders: Teyla Emmagan, Dr. Meredith Rodney McKay and Specialist Ronon Dex?"

"I can say with honesty, yes," the group replied in unison.

"Our people greet you with honestly," Phy said formally.

Another signal passed through the group, and the Lirians began to intermingle. "Colonel Sheppard," Mayor Delgatia smiled warmly. "I am truly happy that you have agreed to trade with us."

"It was our pleasure." John answered with a half-shrug. The mayor let lose a laugh.

"Come, all! We have prepared a meal for our guests in the main hall!" the woman extended a hand, and John belatedly remembered that the leaders of two parties always walked together as a sign of friendship. They linked arms and led the party.

Behind them John could hear Telya begin extending hands of friendship to those who were near her, engaging them in the customs of her own culture, and expressing her own interest in the customs of the Lirians. A born diplomat John thought with a flash of pride. Teyla always did well as a member of his team.

Ronon was being talked at by the government official, whom John later discovered was the elderly man who originally greeted them. He couldn't hear their topic of conversation, but Ronon's rumbling undertone reassured the colonel.

Rodney was eagerly pestering the female doctor, who worked with the planetary geology and meteorology of Ophedia. He kept up a steady stream of questions about the binary star system, spouting off complex equations that had Dr. Gar either nodding along or shaking her head, explaining the differences. She seemed equally stunned to find out that a planet could exist with one sun, and when Rodney paused to take a breath, she asked him questions at a speed that even he was hard pressed to keep up with. It was nice to see Rodney take his mind off the present for a while, delving back into the world of science that drove his passion.

In a comfortable silence, Mayor Isa led John the main hall. They passed many people, and the entire party bowed in greetings, and the townspeople bowed back.

The streets were wide and cobblestones. Many of the natives were carrying grains towards the 'jumpers, often staring at the newest offworlders with ill-concealed awe or shock. Children peered at them from windows, interested in the latest novelties, while some of the women whispered excitedly as they caught a good look of John, Lorne and Ronon. John kept his face carefully blank. Not only was he not interested in allowing his Kirk reputation to be extended, it was absolute taboo to show an interest in a woman without an intricate ceremony that made the greeting ceremony look like a quick hello.

Instead, he began to make ask some generic questions of his host, which she answered with refreshing easiness. They spoke of the weather, of the town and of the trade.

The walk took nearly fifteen minutes, but the Atlanteans were astonished to see the main hall.

It was almost Ancient looking in design, with four elegant spires that reminded John of Atlantis. It had the same burnished metal sheen, while beautiful stained glass windows depicting images from Lirian history threw sprays of color across the grass. Wooden doorways and shutters had been thrown wide open, gently accenting the curvature of the building. The effect was similar to that of a gothic church being seen in its prime.

"It's wonderful," Teyla breathed.

"Thank you," the mayor proclaimed, smiling with inherited pride. "The main hall of our town has been standing for at least six thousand years. Our scientists have yet to discover much about the metal, as our technology only advanced enough in the last decade or so. However, it has withstood many Wraith attacks. We have indeed been forced to replace the windows and doors, but the building itself has been undamaged by anything the centuries have thrown at it."

The minute the mayor mentioned 'standing for at least six thousand years' John could practically sense Rodney's desire to go into full scientist mode and study the building. John also had a feeling that his teammates and Lorne's team had the same thoughts he did; similar style, longstanding, high quality metal…

Was the building at least partially created by Ancient hands?

Ronon put a restraining hand on the astrophysicist. Rodney glared at him, and shook off the offending appendage, but didn't stray from the group.

"Shall we enter and partake of the food that has graced our tables?" Phy asked of the group.

The Lanteans were barely half a second behind the Lirians in declaring, "We shall enter and give thanks for our food."

"Excellent!" The mayor declared, and with John, led the way into the building.

Inside was a feast that could have fed half a dozen Rodneys and Ronons, and still have leftovers to spare. The Lirians immediately moved to sit at the long table, but the Atlanteans hesitated. Lorne caught Sheppard's attention and subtly indicated at the chair beside the mayor. Teyla caught the exchange, and turned to Lorne, who indicated towards the women that Teyla had spoken with during the walk. Ronon was directed near the government official, Tylironte Yzdemmat. When Lorne finally managed to catch Rodney's attention, Lorne slyly pointed towards where the other doctors were seated. As his own team settled, he sat in his own chair, near to the Speaker of the Lirians, Phy.

Rodney stared unabashedly at the food, until Teyla have him a not-so-subtle kick. She ignored his offended features, returning to her conversation with Litilia.

"Honored guests, we partake off this food that has graced our tables in the hopes that it will fill out hearts, souls and stomachs. May we be bonded together in friendship, and our peoples will have a bountiful harvest." Everyone brought their hands together in a way that reminded the Earthlings of an oriental style.

The entire party, now free to dig into the food, did so with gusto. John noted at least five different vegetables (well, based on their green color they were vegetables), a kind of meat (remarkably similar to chicken), and something that appeared similar in appearance to a fish (tasted like crab though…John could see Ronon happily taking seconds already) and some sort of grain (it tasted vaguely like rice that had been soaked in some vinegar; vile on it's own, but when paired with the vegetables, quite tasty).

Lorne couldn't resist sending a triumphant look towards Colonel Sheppard, who acknowledged the glance with a wry smile. Yes, fine, trading with these people was a brilliant idea John conceded happily, and grinned easily and with more pleasure than he had for the first time in ages at the subordinate who was becoming more and more like a friend.

Lunch passed without incident, and John found that he was beginning to genuinely like these people. Though they seemed formal to a fault, and loved their culture, if the Lirians liked you, they put all their effort into liking you. Even McKay, who had gotten on the bad side of more than one person had been kept out of trouble by Dr. Gar, who, even more strangely, seemed to genuinely like the man.

I'll have to ask him who is the real Kirk here John noted idly, watching Dr. Gar flip her hair over her shoulder with an unmistakable flirtatious smile. However, when Rodney didn't seem to notice, John raised his eyebrows. I guess he likes Dr. Brown more than I thought.

"Colonel John Sheppard," Mayor Delgatia intoned in a voice just loud enough to be heard by the entire room. The noise slowly settled, expectant eyes turned to the two leaders. "I am pleased to formalize our trade agreement. I believe that you Atlanteans are good peoples, and it would be an honor to represent you to the Delegation next time you are here to visit."

"It is we who thank you. This trade agreement will greatly help our people. With hope, we will have a long and true friendship with Liry," Sheppard scrambled to remember the general tenure that Lorne had insisted he say when accepting the trade agreement. From the broad smiles that began to grace the open faces of the Lirians, he had chosen his words well.

"Come then! If we have feasted and given thanks, let us uphold our part of the bargain. As we have spoken here, the townspeople have been carrying supplies to your ships."

"We have carried the texts you desired with us, but we wanted to ask what time would be most convenient for our doctors to come and work with your people," John responded, the formal tone beginning to feel more natural.

"Thank you. Shall we?" Mayor Delgatia gestured back in the general direction of the puddlejumpers.

"Can I steal Colonel Sheppard for just a moment?" Rodney interrupted, sounding, to a certain degree, as high as a kite.

John sent Rodney a concerned look. "Yes?" he asked quietly.

"Sheppard, we've got to come back here! There are symbols all-"

"Of course," John interrupted smoothly. "But right now we have to get these supplies loaded up. When we arrange for the doctors to come over, we'll see what we can do with getting you to come as well, okay?"

Rodney looked vaguely disgruntled at the comment, but Dr. Gar had already sidled over, looking eager to continue their conversation. John made a 'shoo, shoo' motion, and Rodney rolled his eyes grumpily.

"Sorry about that," John apologized to the mayor, who grinned, eyes sparkling. "We have an obsessive scientist in our midst." John shot a glance at Rodney, but luckily the man hadn't heard.

"Of course. Aren't we all like that to some degree?" Sheppard nodded his agreement. "Shall we?" Mayor Delgatia repeated, and the gathering exited the building, chattering lightly with one another.

At a stately walk, the two peoples proceeded back to the 'jumper. Once the arrived, they discovered that the entire area was surrounded by covered wagons. "Unfortunately, we cannot spare enough people to help you load all these things onto your ''jumpers', as you call them, so you will be forced to load these things by yourself…" Mayor Delgatia trailed off as if it were something to be ashamed of.

"Please, do not worry," Teyla hasted to reassure the elder woman. "It is not a problem. We are accustomed to loading the puddlejumpers."

"Yup. Let's get started," Ronon's deep rumble agreed, and he went to the nearest wagon, hoisting a box from inside with minimum effort. Sheppard, Teyla and Lorne's men followed the Runner's example, though they lifted the boxes of grain with less ease.

Before the loading truly got underway, however, Lorne placed his box in the 'jumper and rushed back out, the stack of books in his arms nearly toppling over. "Some help would be nice," he muttered through gritted teeth. Ronon easily grabbed the top half. "These are the books that you asked for."

"Many thanks!" Dr. Het beamed. He scrambled over, grabbing a book from Lorne and paging through it. Government Official Tylironte Yzdemmat scurried to join him.

"Excuse our rudeness," Mayor Delgatia admonished sharply. The two men looked up guiltily.

John laughed. It wasn't his normal laugh. It was the laugh of someone who hasn't laughed in so long that even though the situation is not truly that funny, all hell has already broken loose thanks to too many stored endorphins.

The rest of his team looked on askance as John tried to stop laughing, hiccupped, and began to laugh harder. The Lirians seemed unable to respond, caught between laughing themselves and being affronted with the outburst.

"Sorry…sorry…" John managed to gasp out between giggles. Mayor Delgatia smiled strangely, and nodded.

"It is alright," she spoke tentatively, unsure of how to judge Sheppard's strange reaction to her scolding.

"It's just- I just- well, you see…" John trailed off, and nearly started to giggle again.

"Sheppard, where do you want these boxes?" Ronon interrupted.

With the attention shifted off of him, John was able to compose his face and say quite seriously, "Just bind them to the 'jumper floor with that rope we brought, okay?"

Meanwhile, the Lirians decided silently how they were going to deal with their allies' peculiarity. They ignored it quite studiously, pretending it never happened.

John's random outbreaks of laughter were considered not to exist.

Rodney complaints, however, were more prevalent. It was to hot, he was going to strain a muscle, and he was going to drop the boxes were among the most prevalent of the running commentary, largely ignored by his companions. Occasionally they made sure to trod on his feet when the complaints became too noticeable, but he was generally held as being the same old ridiculous scientist.

The last of the boxes were being loaded, so Sheppard paused long enough to go back to the mayor. "Thanks again," he said with the proper farewell bow, managing to keep a straight face.

The mayor recovered her serenity and returned the bow. "May our lives be filled with peace and happiness."

"May it be granted until the stars-"

"McKay!"

John twisted and found McKay laying half under a box, unconscious.

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TBC