Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Stargate Atlantis or the awesome characters but I enjoy keeping the series alive.

Many thanks to bailey1ak for all your help and encouragement… couldn't have done it without you!


Chapter 8

Sheppard walked through the event horizon on his return trip from checking on the Ori supporting one of his team members. Six weeks later and he still hadn't found a good mix, his frustration showing in his attitude. It'd been another freaky accident leaving one of his men with a broken ankle, which only added to his thinking that there was nothing easy when it came to off world missions regardless of what galaxy you're in. He was hoping that wasn't the case for Jennifer … she'd been gone too long and he was starting to worry she was pushing her luck.

After reporting to General Landry, Sheppard heard the gate begin to dial hearing the off world activation warning.

"Hold on, Colonel. You may get a kick out of this." Landry smiled leading the way to the control room. "This should be General O'Neill on his scheduled check-in from Atlantis."

"He went back, sir?"

"Woolsey needed a little back-up. Apparently the Ancients find him a bit trying," the General chuckled. "Imagine that!"

"Mmm!" Sheppard agreed.

Landry and Sheppard arrived in the control room just as Woolsey and Jack appeared on the video screen.

"General," O'Neill greeted

"General," Landry answered.

"Is that Sheppard there with you?" Jack asked.

"Yes, sir," John said leaning in toward the camera.

"Talks are proceeding at an acceptable pace; but the real news is that the Pegasus Replicators are heading back to Atlantis to make another run at the city," Woolsey said jumping right into his briefing.

"They are?" John stated nervously.

"No-one here seems to be that worried about it," O'Neill replied shrugging.

"Why not?" Landry asked.

"They're Ancients!" Jack answered sarcastically.

"Apparently these Replicators have a law in their base code that makes it impossible for them to harm their creators," Woolsey explained.

"And they're expecting to find us," Sheppard added.

"According to Helia, they're gonna run into some kinda nasty surprise," O'Neill said.

"So you can pass it on to Doctor McKay that if you and he hadn't rescued the Ancients and returned Atlantis to their care ...," Woolsey began only to be cut off by Colonel Sheppard.

"I'd have lost the city anyway."

"Right." Jack affirmed.

"We'll also be sending Major Lorne's team and the medical personnel through the gate later this afternoon," Woolsey informed.

"Well, we should get back to our talks ... and talks and talks. O'Neill out."


Major Lorne had everyone up early eating breakfast before they broke camp. Jennifer met last night with healer Prina leaving detailed instructions on what symptoms to look for and how to administer emergency care should anything else arise while Major Lorne updated Official Maylor asking for safe passage as they returned to Anora.

Jennifer could feel the unspoken relief flowing in and around camp as they readied themselves to leave. Hopefully she'd be spending the night safely enfolded in John's arms catching up on the last six weeks… that's how long it'd been since she'd seen him but more like two plus months since she'd had a real shower with hot water. Sitting with one final cup of hot tea around the campfire she watched the men take down the tents.

"Penny for your thoughts," Laura teased sitting down beside her.

"A penny … what happened to inflation and cost of living?" she snorted.

"Okay, quarter for your thoughts?"

"Just thinking about the really hot shower I plan on taking tonight before crawling into a real bed," Jen sighed deeply.

"Anyone else you're thinking about?" she grinned.

"Just wondering if anyone else is thinking about me?" Jennifer softly growled. "What will you do once you get back?"

"Not sure. Probably resume my duties on the Daedalus although if they kept to schedule I missed my ride so I may have to wait at the SGC till they return from the Pegasus," Laura explained. "We may have time for that girl talk after all," she added wiggling her eyebrows.

"Not till I've had my hot shower!"

"Okay Doc, it's time to move out," Lorne announced giving Laura a hand up. "We'll check in with Belna and then gate back to Atlantis. Hopefully by tonight we'll be eating pizza and smelling a whole lot better, especially you Booker," Lorne announced prompting a laugh from everyone including Booker. "Let's go home people," he added as they all began the walk back to Anora.


Colonel Sheppard really wanted to talk further to General Landry about the Replicators but his commanding officer didn't want to dwell on it since it looked like O'Neill and Woolsey had it all under control. John still felt it was a lot more dangerous than they could possibly know. His worry was heightened knowing he still had personnel in the Pegasus galaxy … Jennifer was still in the Pegasus galaxy. Hopefully by this afternoon he could relax having everyone home in one piece. This may very well be the one mission Jennifer eeks by on without a problem.


Jennifer walked into the clinic on Anora spotting Belna across the room. The healer had a look of relief wash over her face at the sight of Jennifer and Marie causing the women to wonder what had happened while they were gone.

"Healer Jennifer, I am so thankful to see you."

"Belna, are you okay?" Marie asked worriedly.

"We just got word yesterday that our village in the mountains has been hit with the disease. I can't leave all these patients and my volunteers are helping those who are sick around the town and outlying farms."

"Let me talk to Major Lorne for a few minutes … we are scheduled to return to Atlantis today but I'll see what we can do."

Jennifer felt obligated to see to the sick even if it meant a few more days of inconvenience. She'd seen how devastating something like this could be in these small communities and didn't want their abandonment to be the last thing the people of Anora remember about the Lantians. Finding Evan she quickly explained the situation and after conferring with Belna, they came up with a plan of action.

"I'd like to send everyone home and the two of us make the trip. We haven't encountered any resistance or hostility toward our group so I feel pretty confident we can handle it. How much would we have to take with us?" Evan asked.

"I should be able to fit most everything in one duffle and my backpack with room for food." She summarized. "Belna said it was about a day and a half walk from here so that'd be three days travel and one day to administer the treatment and hopefully have enough time to give someone some basic training. I can leave most of our supplies with the village and our trip back will be more comfortable."

"What about a guide?" Evan asked.

"Their healer stayed in town waiting for our return so she and her companion will guide us to the village."

"Sounds like a plan, I'll round everyone up and give out the new orders," Lorne said sighing as he thought about the plans he'd had for a hot shower and a more private evening with Laura.

Jennifer pulled Marie aside to a corner of the infirmary and gave her a quick note she'd jotted to John. Her friend had agreed to be discrete with the errand and thankfully hadn't asked any questions.

Time for good-byes … Jen took the time to properly hug Laura promising a night of girl talk once they were together again. Moving over to Marie she hugged her colleague and whispered another thank-you for all her help and for delivering her note. Turning around, she laughed at Lorne's team as the men lined up insisting on their own hugs. She truly cared for each and every one of her friends and felt the tears threaten as she thought of the close bonds they all now shared after spending so much time together. It was especially nice to see Marie edge closer to Sergeant Rains as they prepared to leave.

Lorne had robbed everyone of the remaining supplies they had in their field kits as well as any food they might have left before walking them to the gate. As they disappeared round a bend in the trial she saw Evan reach down and take Laura's hand to hold during the few minutes they had left together. Just this simple show of affection caused a single tear to escape down her cheek. She was so grateful for such good friends in her life and found herself whispering a short be safe as they disappeared from sight.

While she waited for Evan to return, Jen repacked the duffle bag and both backpacks leaving all the unnecessary items at the infirmary until their return. She took one last tour around the clinic checking to see how the patients were doing and gleaning any information she could from Belna about the settlement in the mountains. She finished up as Evan returned and they left immediately with their guide hoping to get halfway before dark.


General O'Neill greeted Marie and the returning military as they crossed over the event horizon into the gate room. Lieutenant Booker handed Major Lorne's mission report to the General and explained the changing situation. They left their gear in a pile on the gate room floor awaiting orders from O'Neill.

"Okay, listen up people," Jack barked. "You will all be gating to the SGC immediately … hot showers and hot toddies are waiting for you on the other side except for you Cadman, you'll return to the Daedalus and continue your tour. They're in orbit above 788 awaiting your arrival.

"Thank you sir," she replied moving to the back of the room.

"Dial the SGC," O'Neill instructed.


Sheppard paced back and forth at the bottom of the ramp not caring anymore who might be watching. For the time being most of the military were being absorbed back into Stargate Command until transfer orders could be cut but Sheppard didn't see it that way. Until his people, military or civilian, actually stepped off the ramp and entered into the Cheyenne Mountain complex they were his responsibility and he wouldn't rest until everyone was present and accounted for.

As the gate came to life shifting and locking in chevrons, Dr. Beckett joined Sheppard waiting for the Atlantis personnel to make their appearance. Meyers and Booker were the first across the event horizon with Marie following as Rains brought up the rear. All were heavily laden with supplies and equipment left over from the mission.

Carson greeted Marie helping her with the packs and duffle she was carrying. The two spent a few minutes off to the side of the main group while Marie briefed Beckett on their current situation.

"Lieutenant," Sheppard quietly snarled as the man approached. "Where's the rest of the team?"

"Sorry, sir, Major and the Doc were asked to check on a mountain settlement once we got back to Anora. They'll probably be another three days," Booker explained quickly. "Lt. Cadman rendezvoused with the Daedalus in the Pegasus galaxy."

"Damn," Sheppard growled under his breath. This was not what he wanted to hear.

Allowing Colonel Sheppard a few minutes with his people, General Landry watched from the control room before slowly making his way to the embarkation room as soon as the gate closed down.

"Welcome home SGA-2. I see you're missing Major Lorne and Dr. Keller."

"Yes Sir," Lieutenant Booker stated as he stood at attention before the general.

"I assume everything is okay," Landry said raising an eyebrow in question.

"Yes Sir, last minute change of plans."

"I'd like a full briefing with all of you including Colonel Sheppard in three hours. That should give you plenty of time to get checked in, showered and something hot to eat," Landry instructed.


After the briefing John was frustrated and angry at the way things were going. Jennifer was supposed to be home. He'd cleaned his quarters and spruced the place up complete with a huge bouquet of flowers sitting on the bedside table. They were supposed to be eating pizza and making plans for the future together. Instead he was sitting alone in the mess hall running his hands through his hair wondering how hard it would be to hijack a jumper and go get her himself.

He was just finishing up his coffee when Marie walked in. Sheppard watched her scan the room and lock eyes with him before heading in his direction.

"Good evening Colonel," she smiled shyly.

"It's good to see you Marie, please have a seat," John nodded at the chair across from him.

"Sir, Dr. Keller asked me to deliver this to you and I'm afraid this is the first opportunity I've had to find you," she explained handing John the small envelop.

"How's she doing?"

"She was very disappointed at the turn of events today but felt responsible to finish the job we'd all started," she replied. "She's been wonderful and done an amazing job but I could see the strain and stress of being away for so long beginning to take its toll."

"How long do you think it'll take her to finish up and get home?"

"I'm sure it shouldn't be more than four to five days and I've no doubt that Major Lorne will be sure she gets home safely," Marie assured him, standing to leave.

"Thank you Marie, you're a good friend," he sighed with a small nod.

Sheppard looked at the sealed envelope turning it over several times in his hands. He thought about taking it back to his quarters for a little more privacy but couldn't stand the thought of sitting in his room without her beside him. After filling his coffee mug one more time he settled back at his table and opened the envelope.

Dear John … I almost had a perfect mission with no mishaps – surely an upset with whoever is holding the betting pool. But then we had to go and extend the mission. Does that count?

I miss you. I miss you terribly and had such grand plans for our reunion tonight. Please forgive me. I just couldn't leave a whole community of people without a cure just so I could be in your arms once again…but please know that's where I want to be right now.

I should only be another few days so please don't be mad.

My love, Jen