AN: To reward you for your patience, a longer chapter, with some minor Shep whump. TheNaggingCube, thanks for joining us, and don't worry, Shep will be plenty whumped in the next few chapters. Thanks to all of my reviewers, and readers who don't review, but are still faithful.

Like I said, classes start tomorrow, so things will be crazy for a bit. I'll try to keep this updated as often as possible.

Did you all see the latest episode! Multiple heart attacks were had by me. I totally called what would happen, though. Hooray for more intrigue in the Wraith world!

Okay, on to the story. Enjoy!

o0o

John watched with concern as Jill entered the training room. She looked preoccupied, and she threw her bag onto a chair before sinking into another. She ran her fingers through her hair, and looked for a moment like she was going to cry. Then she looked up, saw John raise an eyebrow, and shook her head, smiling a little to assure him that she was fine.

Jill sparred with Teyla first, but it was obvious that she was distracted. She soon had several welts from Teyla's sticks, and she was getting angry. Teyla soon forced Jill to the mat, and suggested that she and John spar for awhile.

John joined Jill on the mat, silently asking her if she was ready to begin. She seemed to be more focused now, and she just gave a short nod before attacking aggressively. She smacked him on the thigh much harder than she ever had before. John took it without complaining, realizing that she had a lot of issues that she had decided to take out on him for some reason.

They circled each other, feinting a few times to see if the other would react, but they knew each other's styles, now, and John wasn't about to get smacked by a stick again.

Suddenly, Jill reversed directions, attacking with both sticks at once. It was a move John had seen Teyla do many times, but he wasn't prepared for it from Jill, and he fell back, feeling stings on his arms, back and legs before succumbing to her attack, falling to the mat. Jill pinned him, placing her knee on his chest, and bringing the sticks to his neck.

If it had been real combat, it would have been a kill shot, and for the first time, John was a little disconcerted by the look in Jill's eyes. She wasn't the kind-spirited, care-free girl that he had gotten to know over the past few days. John realized that something had unleashed a different side of her, and he knew that the look she gave him now was one reserved for real enemies.

John waited a moment, and then bit his lip. "As much as I may like this, it's probably not the best position for my lungs."

Jill looked confused, and then seemed to realize what he was talking about. She blushed scarlet, and then sat up, giving him a hand to help him up as well. She looked embarrassed, and mumbled, "Sorry", before throwing everything into her bag and heading for the door.

John ran behind her. "Wait!"

She hesitated, and then slowed until he caught up with her.

"What happened back there? I've never seen you like that."

"I'm sorry. It was just…I had a lot of frustration to work out."

"Look, Jill, that was more than frustration. Now, I will happily play punching bag to your Ali anytime, but I think there are some deeper issues here. I know you probably don't want to hear this, but maybe you should talk with Dr. Heightmeyer. She's a pretty good listener."

Jill shook her head. "Thanks for the advice, but the last thing I need right now is a shrink. I'll see you later." She sped up into a jog, and took off down the hall.

John didn't follow. He knew his presence wouldn't be welcome at the moment. Besides, he didn't think the welts all over his body would allow him to move faster than his current ginger limp down the hall.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-

Jill reached into the crevice of the device she was studying, and watched the different lights blink as she tried different combinations of buttons. It appeared to be a short-range weather controller, hence the reason she was sitting on the balcony with an umbrella over her head, sunglasses in her hair and combat boots on her feet. She made a note of the current weather, brilliant sunshine that hurt her eyes, and depressed two of the buttons. A jagged fork of lightning spiked down in front of her, and she quickly changed it to a soft snow.

The device was truly amazing, but all she could think of was her lunch date with Carson in a few hours.

It's not a date. She had been arguing with herself for the past half hour. It's reconnaissance. I'm just getting to know people. She knew that was a lie. Her sparring session that morning had brought up a lot of memories, and she had been grateful to John for trying to help. That, of course, had only made her more upset. She wasn't sure why she had reverted to combat mode, but she would have to be more careful in the future. In the meantime, Rodney was finally beginning to relax around her, and she was really beginning to like Carson.

She was breaking her rule about attachments, but at the moment she didn't care. She hadn't been kidding when she had said she didn't remember a time when work wasn't on her mind. For an hour yesterday, she had managed to forget all about her assignment, simply enjoying Carson's company.

She checked her watch, and then tucked the umbrella away so she could get her laptop. Rodney would be sending the weekly message to the SGC in a few minutes, and she had to get ready with her own report. It was short and to the point, and she knew it wouldn't make her superiors very happy.

The computer pinged to indicate that she had a signal on Earth. She quickly uploaded the file and then shut everything down. If she had done it correctly, there would be no chance of tracking the signal, but Rodney would know that someone had piggybacked something to his message. Dr. Weir hadn't reacted to the search of her office, at least not a reaction that Jill was aware of, so perhaps this would cause a little more worry.

She put up the umbrella again, and caused a short rainstorm, after which she made a rainbow.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-

"Yes, General. The reports should be on their way. We're not anticipating any trouble, so we'll contact you again in a week. Atlantis out."

As the Gate shut down, Elizabeth headed back to her office, determined to catch up on her reports. She slowed when she noticed Rodney's expression. Hoping it wasn't as bad as it looked, she raised an eyebrow and then indicated her office. He nodded and joined her a minute later.

"Rodney, what's wrong?"

Rodney slumped in his chair. "Something was piggybacked onto our reports. I can't track the signal, I can't open the file, and I have no way of knowing who sent it or why. Either it's a faulty relay, or it's more evidence of our spy."

Elizabeth shut her eyes in frustration. Neither Colonel Sheppard nor Major Lorne had made any headway into finding whoever had searched her office. "Do you have any idea what was in the message?"

"Your guess is as good as mine. It could be something as simple as an extra report, or it could be a virus meant to wipe out the SGC! This thing could shut down the Gate network, or overload the system, or anything! I can't -"

Elizabeth held up a hand. "Rodney, I need you to calm down. Keep working on the signal. I'm going to dial Earth again and warn them about this. For now, let's hope it's something innocuous."

-X-X-X-X-X-X-

Jill managed to get three steps away before Dr. Weir's office door opened. She tried to look as though she hadn't just been eavesdropping. "I'm sorry, Dr. Weir, I was just looking for Rodney. The technician said he was in your office, but I can come back later."

"No, that's all right. Rodney and I were discussing a situation offworld. He'll be out shortly."

Jill tried to look innocent. "Anything I can do to help, ma'am?"

Dr. Weir looked at her with a curious look in her eyes. "Thank you, but I'm sure Rodney can handle it. Just some crossed signals. If you'll excuse me."

"Of course, Dr. Weir." Jill moved out of the way, following Weir with her eyes as she reached for the dialing device. Rodney came out then, looking distracted, and she quickly intercepted him. "Rodney, I think I've worked out all of the combinations on this device. Should I go help Dr. Zelenka with the jumpers?"

Rodney just nodded, not quite hearing her, and Jill took that as her cue to leave. As she moved to the stairs, she heard the Gate activate, and Dr. Weir's voice.

"Stargate Command, this is Atlantis. I'm afraid we may have a situation."