500 Words. It's not spelled out, but there's implied swearing ahead, if that makes sense.


John and Woolsey stood side by side at Chuck's console as the static filled transmission came over the speakers.

'Do… hear… lantis…Rod… ay… lling Atlan…'

Woolsey leaned in over Chuck's shoulder as the gate tech furiously typed at his keyboard. "Is there anything you can do to clear that up?"

Chuck didn't even spare Woolsey a glance. "It's not looking good, sir. The problem is at their end." Chuck stopped typing, glared angrily at his board and renewed his work with increased fervor.

John leaned in over Chuck's other shoulder and spoke loudly into the mic. "How are you guys holding up, Rodney?"

'How the he… you thin… we… ing…you…'

John glanced at Woolsey over the top of Chuck's head and received a knowing look from him.

'The go… amn… olar flar… last… other …few fuc… min…'

The right side of John's mouth edged upward into a smirk. Despite the seriousness of the situation- the situation being Rodney, Zelenka, Ronon, Teyla and Lorne's team being stuck on a planet whose sun was experiencing dangerous solar activity- John knew Rodney was swearing like a sailor and surrounded by reliable witnesses.

He had him.

John moved to the balcony and leaned over far enough to check on Jennifer who was waiting with her team in case any of their friends needed help.

'That's… close… gate so… can dial… See you soo… hope.'

"Good luck, Doctor," said Woolsey before motioning to Banks to close the gate.

A moment later the gate fell dormant. John glanced once again to Jennifer who looked ready to pounce as the gate started coming to life again. He watched the event horizon explode from the gate and stabilize and felt immense relief as Rodney and the others emerged from the silver puddle.

John headed for the stairs, taking two at a time on the way down. By the time he'd reached his friends Jennifer and her team were already checking them out.

"Everyone okay?" asked Sheppard as he looked at the group.

"We're fine," answered Rodney. "Just a little overcooked and in serious need of showers."

Sheppard nearly laughed at the way Rodney's eyes darted to Jennifer and the way the younger woman suddenly found her stethoscope very interesting. John filed that tidbit away for later teasing and said, "You swore."

"I did not."

Sheppard blinked. It was a bold faced lie and he knew it, but Rodney had sounded so… adamant. "You did."

"He didn't," announced Ronon before stalking off towards the exit.

"But…" tried John, only to be interrupted by Teyla.

"Rodney did not say anything I would not want Torren to hear, John," she said before she also moved towards the exit.

With the exception of Lorne, the remaining returnees walked away from John leaving them alone in the middle of the gate room.

"He saved our asses, sir," explained Lorne. "We never heard a thing."

As Lorne walked away Sheppard took in a deep breath and let it out slowly, saying as he did, "Shit."