"Where are we?" Woolsey asked as he entered the briefing room. Not waiting for him to sit John said.

"The city is clear. We're safe, for now anyway."

"That's good to hear. How about the damage?"

"Critical systems are operational, but not at a hundred percent." McKay answered. "Non-critical systems range from operational to screwed beyond belief. Some of them can not be fixed without new supplies from Earth."

"I assume you have filled out a requisition form?"

"Yes."

"I have managed to get the long range sensors working, they're not perfect, but good enough to allow us to track the Wraith."

"And?"

"And, none of the other Hives are moving towards us. The signal that was transmitted was actually relatively low power. My guess is that the other Wraith are too far away to have picked it up."

"Guess?" Milton asked unconvinced.

"Yes guess." McKay replied, not hiding his annoyance. "But right now it's all we got."

"But your educated guess tells you we are safe for now?" John asked.

"Yes."

"Good." Woolsey acknowledged before looking round the table at Jennifer who looked liked she had not had any rest for weeks. Trying not to focus on her dishevelled hair and bruised face he asked.

"How are things in the infirmary?"

"The gym has been cleared. Most were released back to their quarters, those requiring supervision are on the Daedalus. The infirmary is still full of critical patients, but they should all, with time, make a full recovery. We're using six hour shifts to allow enough cover, whilst allowing the team to get some rest."

"Good work." Woolsey smiled encouragingly before John asked.

"Where's Hamilton?"

"In the infirmary sleeping. We had to sedate him." Jennifer said.

"Alright for some." McKay muttered glaring at his still present IOA shadow.

"Where's Ms Muarto?" John asked, noticing Woolsey's shadow was also missing.

"In her quarters. She was one of the walking wounded and has been ordered to rest." Woolsey explained.

"Are you going to get into trouble for losing so many IOA reps?" John questioned, only half in jest.

"I'll find out in a few days. Moving on. Where are we in terms of knowing what happened?" Woolsey asked.

"The signal came from an artefact in Lab 209-kilo." McKay stated, sounding less sure than normal.

"Remind me which one that is?" Woolsey requested to tired to think.

"The one we opened a month ago." Rodney said.

"The one you didn't trust anyone to go in?" Milton asked.

"Yes. The only ones who went in were Zelenka, Milton and I." McKay confirmed, glaring again at Milton.

"So one of you triggered the activation?" John asked.

"That would be a safe bet." Rodney said, almost squirming in his seat.

"How and who?" John questioned.

"I don't know yet." Rodney confessed.

"Because?" Milton probed.

"Because I have not had enough time to investigate."

"Wrong. It is because you don't keep appropriate notes. You have no idea if you even touched that artefact." Milton said smugly.

"This is not the time for finger pointing." Woolsey stepped in. "Right now we need to find out how and make sure it never happens again."

"I disagree." Milton argued. "Poor process at best has hindered the ability to work out what happened and at worse caused the attack. This must be investigated now."

"Dr Milton, last I checked I was in charge of Atlantis." Woolsey shot back. "If Dr McKay is to blame I have no doubt that he will find the evidence and present it to us. If that is the case he will be punished appropriately. However, right now my concern is the safety of this city and its people. Dr McKay does not need to jump through hoops or change his working style to do that."

Milton opened his mouth to speak, but Woolsey shot him a look that put the scientist back in his place. Knowing that he had won the battle for now he looked round the table to ensure no one had anything to add. Seeing the weariness in everyone he knew he needed to wrap things up.

"Okay then. If no one has anything else to add we'll call it a day. Ronon please escort Dr Keller to her quarters and make sure she rests." As Jennifer started to object Woolsey raised his hand to silence her and went on. "Dr Keller, your staff has everything under control. The last thing they need though is you collapsing from exhaustion. If anything happens they'll radio you."

Not waiting for any more arguments Ronon stood and went over to Jennifer, pulling her chair away from the table to encourage her to stand. Wearily Jennifer stood and allowed Ronon to guide her from the room.

Once she had left Woolsey turned back to McKay and said. "Dr McKay I want to know as soon as possible how it happened and I want safe guards in place to stop it happening again."

"Already on it." Rodney assured him.

"In that case I suggest we call it a night." John said taking charge. Looking at Woolsey he said. "Go rest. I've got it."

"Thank you Colonel." Woolsey said gratefully before wearily disappearing from the room.

-00-

"How you doing?" Ronon asked as they walked down the corridor.

"Great." Jennifer mumbled sarcastically, before sighing and saying. "Sorry, I'm just tired and there is still too much to do."

"It'll get done." Ronon said as they entered a transporter. He watched as Jennifer leaned against a wall and shut her eyes. As much as he wanted to say something he couldn't find the words. Eventually he said. "He'll be okay."

"Who?" Jennifer asked sleepily.

"Lorne. He's a fighter, he'll be okay."

"I hope so." Jennifer said, too tired to be confused by the direction of the conversation. Ronon started to say something else only to be interrupted by the doors opening. Noticing Jennifer not moving he said.

"We're here."

"Hmm?" Jennifer asked, her eyes still shut.

"Your stop." Ronon said, unsure if Jennifer was actually awake.

When he did not get an intelligible reply he moved closer to her and lifted her up. Shaking his head when she didn't stir he carefully carried her to her quarters.