Kajos: Hey, here's an update. Big thanks to everyones great response to the last chapter. Hope you like this one as much.

John stepped through the gate grinning from ear to ear, his arm slung across Rodney's shoulders. He had a bag full of civvies and fully intended to get the debriefs out the way and enjoy a few days on earth with Rodney. The gate room was just how he remembered it. He looked around at the rag tag senior staff of Atlantis. The looked tired but they also looked united. As the blast doors to the left of the gate opened Dr Weir stepped forward and John straightened into a more military posture. General JO walked in accompanied by a group of SFs.

"General, it's good to see you again." Atlantis's leader said carefully eying the escort.

"Welcome back Dr Weir. I'm sorry that we have to begin your visit on such a sour note. I'm afraid I must place Major JS under arrest for neglect of duty and murder." The SFs moved towards the Major.

"What the hell?" Rodney shouted trying to step in front of John who simply held out an arm to keep him back and slowly reaching for his gun with his other hand. The SFs stopped and raised their weapons training them on him.

"Hey, calm down. I'm just going to disarm and then turn round okay?" They didn't lower their weapons but they also didn't open fire as he eased his side arm out of it's holster and knelt placing it on the ramp removing his boot knife at the same time. Then he stood up.

"John, you can't just go with them."

"I don't have a choice here, Rodney. Don't worry about me, just make sure you get some sleep okay? I'll see you soon." He turned and allowed himself to be cuffed and lead towards the door. He stopped next to the General. "Make sure he's protected. If he gets hurt I don't care what the hell the charges are or what I have to do. I will find him and help him and after that I will find you and kill you." He said before leaving the gateroom and Rodney behind, his fists clenched behind his back at that thought.

Rodney just stood there lost and aghast. John was gone. He was really gone.

"Rodney...Rodney." Elizabeth said giving him a little shake. He cringed back from the touch suddenly feeling very exposed and vulnerable.

"What?" He sounded confused so Elizabeth treated him gently.

"Rodney all we can do now is go with the General to the debriefing where I'm certain he will explain what this is all about."

Dr Jackson was sat in the briefing room clearly waiting to try and calm the Atlantis expedition after their loss. Rodney stormed in and the others followed behind slightly more restrained but no less annoyed about the events in the gate room.

"Hello, I realize you are all wanting an explanation." He said as JO moved to stand next to him. "If we could all sit down then we will do our best to tell you what is happening." They reluctantly seated themselves. JO reached over and held Daniels hand as though needing reassurance as he looked at McKay.

"Please, Dr Jackson, start talking." Dr Weir said her voice sounding as though she was straining to be diplomatic.

"The reports we received back since the start of your most recent incident were sent as is protocol to the military commanders. Particularly all reports about serious incidents resulting in deaths or injuries. It was decided based on these that Major JS was guilty of neglect of duty in allowing civilians to enter dangerous situations with out military support resulting in two deaths. Military command also doubted the report pertaining to the deaths of now two Colonels whose command he was under. We tried to call for a fair hearing considering the unknown circumstances but the decision was made and he has been found guilty on both counts. We're trying to hold of his execution with an appeal but theres not much we can do inside the military courts." Daniel spoke quickly and clearly.

"They're going to kill him!" Rodney shouted.

"Not if we can do anything about it." JO said.

"Is there any reason they might reconsider." Dr Weir said sternly.

"Well, one loophole would be that a married SO cannot be separated from his charge. The Major would still loose his command, be busted down to private most likely and be given no more privileges than those required to do his duty to his spouse but he would be free and able to return to Atlantis with you." He looked at Rodney questioningly.

"Damn it. I proposed but we decided to leave it until we got back from this trip."

"Great, there's no chance your pregnant, is there, Dr McKay?" JO drawled.

"No, General, there isn't." Rodney said through gritted teeth. Daniel put a hand on the generals arm to calm him.

"I apologizes Rodney, Jack hasn't taken this well. I think we're both fairly uncomfortable with what has happened. I know you and the Major weren't that close, or at least, you weren't but I think I speak for us both when I say the idea of having Jack taken away is my biggest nightmare."

"Danny's right, I'm just stressed, you didn't deserve that Dr McKay."

"So what are we looking at for the appeal?" Dr Weir asked.

"We're hoping to supersede the military reports with your testimony's."

"What sort of thing do you mean, laddie?" Carson asked.

"Well, if Dr Weir could explain why on occasion scientists were allowed into dangerous situations without military escorts in particular during the incident on the satellite. And if we can prove that at least the second charge of murder and use that to cast doubt on the intentions of the first murder."

"We can do that." Dr Weir said firmly. I have my report on that incident with me and I can have Atlantis transmit the video of the Colonel dieing last week. That should be fairly convincing."

"I have the medical report with me as well. I also have Rodney's medical records with me which might interest them."

"Really? What's so interesting about my medical records?"

"Since JS became your SO your blood pressure has dropped back to near normal, you haven't had an allergy attack, despite the foreign environment and food. Your caffeine intake has gone down. Your sleeping. JS is a miracle for your health." Carson listed off.

"Now, that we can definitely use." Jack said pointedly at Carson.

"We have two days to put our case together in the mean time the Major is being held elsewhere, they refused to tell us where and I'm afraid you will be assigned a new SO Rodney. He's waiting for you now."

"He a good man McKay and he knows the deal, he's going to follow you around for the next couple of days, go easy on the boy." JO said standing and indicating that Rodney should follow him while Daniel took Dr Weir and Beckett else where to discus their contributions to the appeal.

Rodney followed JO reluctantly to the cafeteria. He really didn't like the idea of a different SO, even for a few days, it felt like a betrayal of John. They entered and a Major stood to attention at a table near the door.

"Dr McKay, I'd like you to meet Major EL. He will be your escort for now."

"Dr McKay." The Major said offering a hand.

"Major." He said shaking it.

"I spoke to Major JS before he shipped out. I gave him my word I would make sure you ate, slept and didn't get too wound up about this whole situation."

"You saw him? Is he okay?" Rodney suddenly interested in what the military man had to say.

"He seemed worried about you but otherwise he was calm and balanced." EL said with a small smile at the normally hostile doctors care for his SO. He was a reserve SO, he was never fully. trained as an SO but was trained in an SO unit for a period before dropping out. He had been transferred to the SGC to cover for SG personal who were killed in action or off world or otherwise incapacitated. He saw a lot of worried other halves.

"That... thats good."

"Right, well how about we head down to the labs, I believe Colonel SC wished to speak to you." He said indicating they leave through the door Rodney was still stood next to.

Kajos: Well, I know it was short but I'm going to give you two at once to make up for it. Enjoy!