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Spoilers: Through Midway in Season 4
Chapter 8
Colonel Carter called Dr. Keller asking her to join the briefing with SGA-1 at 0900 hours. Lt. Colonel Samantha Carter was the Atlantis Expedition leader and well liked by almost everyone on the base. Jennifer respected the woman very much and enjoyed her company whenever they'd free time together.
Colonel Sheppard had planned a trip to M5H-322 later that morning and wanted to include Jennifer on the mission. It'll be good to get her back into the off world routine plus they could use her help with this mission.
Sheppard briefed the team and Carter on what was planned. They were going to visit a village, which was in need of supplies having been ravaged by an extremely hard winter. They planned to put together a list of basics that would help them get by until they'd be able to harvest their crops. SGA-2, Major Lorne's team would return with the supplies. Sheppard thought it would be good to take Doc along to check on the general health of the villagers at the same time. She'd send any medical supplies needed back with Major Lorne.
Colonel Carter gave the mission her approval. After agreeing to meet in the gate room at 1100 hours they adjourned. Ronon volunteered to swing by the infirmary and help Jennifer with her supply bags.
Jennifer returned to the infirmary, putting together the supplies she would need. She also had time to finish up some needed paperwork before Ronon arrived.
"Hey Doc, you ready?" Ronon asked picking up her bags.
"Yes …maybe a little nervous," Jennifer answered sighing.
"Don't worry, this'll be an easy one. We'll be home for dinner," Ronon assured her.
Jennifer and Ronon joined Sheppard and Teyla in the gate room. They discussed the mission while waiting for Rodney to show up.
"Hey Teyla, how are you today?" Jennifer greeted her friend.
"Good morning, Jennifer. I am pleased you will be joining us today," Teyla smiled.
"Hey … does anyone have a pool going on today's mission?" Rodney asked as he joined the rest of the team.
"No need for one this time … I'm sure this will be an easy mission," Sheppard said smiling at Jennifer.
"Okay Chuck, dial it up," Sheppard called up to the gate tech.
"Have a good mission everyone," Colonel Carter called down to the group as they headed toward the event horizon.
They walked through the gate into a beautiful meadow. Sheppard and Rodney took the lead with the girls in the middle. Ronon had their six as they took the path toward the village. It was a beautiful day; Jennifer was actually starting to be thankful to be off world. She felt safer with SGA-1 than the other teams, with the exception of Major Lorne's group. Jennifer and Evan had such a tight bond; she placed her trust in him completely despite having their fair share of "mishaps" on missions. Still, she thought if she had to be on a mission that went bad at least let it be with someone she trusted.
Jennifer looked around thinking this would be the perfect setting for a picnic. The meadow was filled with flowers, looking so inviting. They had a lunch packed in one of Jennifer's bags so if they finished their survey in a timely fashion, maybe they could turn their lunch into a picnic on the way back to the gate.
It was a short walk to the village, looking around it was evident that the people had endured some hard times. Rodney made notes on his data pad as Sheppard talked to the villagers. Dr. Keller asked about their general health adding medical needs to her own data pad.
They spent about two hours in the village talking with the leaders and encouraging the people. Saying their good-byes, Sheppard promised supplies and medications would be delivered later in the week. The team decided to head back toward the gate and eat somewhere along the way.
"How about we make a picnic out of our lunch and eat in the meadow?" Jennifer suggested hoping everyone would like the idea.
"That sounds wonderful, Jennifer," Teyla smiled, delighted with the idea.
"As long as we don't take too long," Rodney added, checking his watch.
"Why … you got a hot date tonight?" Sheppard teased.
"As a matter of fact, I do have plans for this evening," Rodney answered proudly.
The women exchanged a knowing look while Sheppard and Ronon rolled their eyes.
"You and Radek gonna watch a movie together?" Ronon snickered bringing chuckles from everyone.
"Oh ha ha. Actually, I have a date with one of the new geologists," Rodney stated rather smugly. "A very pretty geologist I might add."
"Good for you, McKay. I'm sure we'll have you home in plenty of time," Sheppard assured.
The team arrived back at the meadow. Finding a level spot they began to unpack the food. They relaxed enjoying their time together under the sun surrounded by flowers. Jennifer talked of picnics back home playing baseball or tossing a Frisbee.
"What's a Frisbee?" Ronon asked confused.
"Well, it's a round plastic disk like thing that you play catch with," Jennifer explained.
"Sometimes you play it with your dog," Sheppard added confusing Ronon further.
"It's a piece of plastic that you throw to your dog … and he throw's it back?" Ronon asked raising his eyebrows.
"Pretty much," Sheppard answered with a smirk.
"Your …..,"Ronon started to say something but was cut off.
Rodney, Jennifer and Sheppard shouted in unison at Ronon, "We know … our planet's weird!"
The group enjoyed the banter as they finished their lunch. Teyla and Jennifer took a short walk while Sheppard took advantage of the situation taking a nap. They spent another hour relaxing before the Colonel brought the picnic to a close.
"Okay people, it's time to pack it up and head for home before we're late," Sheppard called out. "We don't want Major Lorne having to come for us," he looked over at Jennifer and grinned.
"Hope none of you bet against me today … I'd hate to see you lose your hard earned money," Dr. Keller said smiling at having an uneventful mission … finally!
Everyone grabbed the leftover food and packed it away again. Grabbing their packs they began to move out.
"Ooh … I ought to pick some flowers for my date tonight," McKay exclaimed as he put his pack down.
"That is a lovely idea," Teyla agreed.
"We'll help you," Jennifer offered for both of the women.
Colonel Sheppard and Ronon picked up the extra packs and slowly headed for the gate. They made it back to the path, continuing down toward the DHD.
Jennifer, Teyla and Rodney walked over to a beautiful bunch of multicolored flowers; they began to pick enough to make a nice bouquet. The threesome was so intent on gathering the perfect colors for the arrangement that they failed to notice a mist emanating from the broken stems of the flowers.
Sheppard and Ronon watched the merry group from a distance. Suddenly the scene became very Wizard of Oz-ish. One by one, Teyla, Rodney and Jennifer collapsed, sliding to the ground.
"Crap," Sheppard exclaimed hurrying back down the path.
Ronon started to charge back out into the field when Sheppard stopped him.
"Wait, we need a plan," Sheppard shouted after Ronon. "They must've touched something poisonous," John added.
"We can't leave them there, I'm going after them," Ronon told Sheppard. "I won't touch anything."
"I'm right behind you. Hope we don't need a plan B," Sheppard said as he quickly followed Ronon to the unconscious team members.
Ronon reached Rodney first; he squatted down to check for a pulse. Rodney's pulse was strong and he just looked like he was sleeping. McKay was still holding the flowers putting Ronon right in the line of fire for the sleeping potion. Before Sheppard could reach the group Ronon keeled over beside Rodney.
"Whoa …," Sheppard said to himself as he came to a complete stop. "Time for plan B."
Sheppard decided that it wasn't a touching thing since Ronon had been careful not to touch anything but McKay. Maybe it's something they inhaled.
The Colonel ran back to Jennifer's medical supplies looking for a facemask. He found one in an outside pocket and hurried back stopping just before he reached the meadow.
"If this doesn't work at least Major Lorne will be able to find us right away," Sheppard said to no one.
He took a deep breath, put on the mask and ran to the Doc first. He grabbed her and hustled back to the path gently lying her down. Sheppard repeated the process with Teyla. At this point the Colonel figured it had to be something to do with the flowers.
John took another deep breath, donned his mask once more and raced to Ronon. He grabbed Ronon under the armpits and groaned as he lifted the behemoth more or less to his feet. Damn it Chewy he thought, how much can one man weigh? Sheppard started to lean down so he could pick Ronon up using his shoulder for extra leverage. Grunting and sweating Sheppard struggled to carry Ronon toward Teyla and Jennifer. He repeated this process with Rodney once he'd removed the flowers from McKay's hand.
Now he had all his team members back on the path away from the flowers he wondered what to do next. He decided to give them 20 minutes to come around before radioing for Major Lorne to come pick them up in a jumper.
Slowly Jennifer and Teyla started to come around. They both looked like they'd just been awakened from a deep sleep.
"What happened?" Jennifer asked rubbing her eyes.
"I'm guessing the flowers emitted some kind of sleeping spell," Sheppard answered shrugging.
Ronon and Rodney slowly woke up about five minutes later. They all rested a few more minutes before Sheppard started moving them all toward the gate.
"I don't see why we have to tell all of Atlantis about our little 'There's No Place Like Home' adventure for the time being. I think we can keep that to ourselves for now. No use adding to the Doc's reputation," Sheppard instructed the group.
"Wait a minute … Rodney was the one who wanted flowers. He would've picked them even if I'd stayed home," Jennifer complained pointing at McKay. "I think that makes this a SGA-1 blunder!" Jen said defending herself
"Doesn't matter," Sheppard answered. "As soon as you stepped through the gate it became a Dr. Keller mission … sorry Doc," Sheppard announced.
Jennifer kept walking mumbling to herself about men, betting pools and dumb luck as she neared the gate. "Now all we need is a lion and a tin man to make this day complete," Jennifer grumbled to herself as they crossed the event horizon.
