-Months Later—
Jennifer and Kiryk walked hand in hand back from a trip into the woods smiling at something inconsequential. Both feeling like they were moving past their dark histories. They were approaching their home, a simple, small, wooden structure when Celise charged towards them.
The girl immediately latched onto Jennifer's hand and started tugging. Were the girl not wearing a huge smile Jennifer and Kiryk would have been concerned. Yet the grin on the girls's face immediately put them at ease.
"What's wrong?" Jennifer asked.
"Nothing. It's good. I have a surprise for you." Celise replied, rushing her words in excitement.
"What surprise?" Jennifer asked.
"If I told you that it wouldn't be a surprise." Celise said her eyes' rolling.
"She has a point." Kiryk whispered to Jennifer.
"Come on." Celise said impatiently.
"I think she wants us to follow her." Kiryk commented before adding. "Again."
"Come on." Celise continued tugging on Jennifer's arm.
"Where to?" Jennifer asked, slowing further, adding to Celise's frustrations.
"Your place." The girl answered. "Come on."
As they approached Jennifer's and Kiryk's home Celise released Jennifer's hand and said. "It's in there."
"Aren't you coming?"
"Erran said I wasn't allowed to." Celise explained, clearly disappointed. "But you have to find me later and tell me about it. Now go inside." She ordered before scampering off.
"Any idea?" Jennifer asked Kiryk.
"No. Only one way to find out." The former runner said striding to the house. As he reached it he pushed open the door and let Jennifer enter first
-00-
"Doc?" John asked in disbelief when Jennifer stepped into the hut.
On seeing the Colonel Jennifer felt her knees go weak and confusion flood her mind.
"You're….you're…how did you survive?" Jennifer stuttered.
"Survive?" John asked, concerned with how white Jennifer had gone. His attention was also split to the well built stranger who stood behind Jennifer like a shadow.
"The attack, the Wraith. I destroyed Atlantis." Jennifer tried to explain, her words only confusing John's team.
"Jennifer." Teyla said stepping towards Jennifer. "The Wraith has not attacked Atlantis since you meant missing. Atlantis still stands."
"No." Jennifer said stepping back hitting Kiryk's chest. Spinning round to face him she stammered. "I saw it, it was my fault. They couldn't have survived."
Not knowing what to do Kiryk wrapped his arms round Jennifer trying to offer her comfort as he wearily looked at the group assembled before him, relieved that he recognised Rodney and Ronon.
For a moment John's team looked at each other in a state of confusion until Carson stepped forward.
"Well now, it would seem we have ourselves a bit of an interesting, although not entirely unique for this Galaxy, situation."
"Carson?" Jennifer questioned as she turned from Kiryk, noticing the doctor's presence for the first time.
"Aye lass." Carson smiled. "Now was I on Atlantis when you left for your last mission?"
"No. I don't know."
"Okay." Carson said clearly hoping for a different answer. He paused then went on. "How many teams are off-world at any given time, on average?"
"Three maybe." Jennifer said, keeping her back pressed against Kiryk.
"So even if what you saw really happened there should be at least three teams left in this galaxy as well as myself who probably wouldn't have been in the city at the time." Carson argued. In the background John elbowed Rodney, stopping the physicist interrupting and complaining about assumptions. "So if what you saw really happened we could all still be here. Or what you saw didn't really happen. But either way we're here and we're very much real."
"It was so clear." Jennifer said, the doubt creeping into her voice.
"I tell you what. Why don't you let me take a look at you and make sure you're okay? The others can wait outside."
Jennifer was torn, but her trust in her mentor and friend caused her to nod her agreement, although she remained attached to Kiryk.
"Good. Well then, I suggest you four give us a bit of peace and quiet." Carson said looking at John's team. The Colonel was clearly not happy about the suggestion but was pushed out of the building by Teyla.
"So why don't you tell me what happened?" Carson asked as the door shut.
"I don't know. I woke up on a Hive, no memory on how I got there." Jennifer said, immediately picking up Carson's change in expression and stated. "You think I'm a clone."
"It's a possibility. The missing memory is definitely consistent. We thought you were dead. There was a body, well parts of a body." Carson confessed. "I'll take some samples and have them tested." He then smiled and added. "But speaking from experience there are worse things to be."
"What's a clone?" Kiryk asked.
"Well it's something or, in some cases, someone that is genetically identical to the parent." Carson explained. Seeing the confused look on the other mans face Carson simplified.
"It is possible to make an exact copy of someone. That copy is a clone."
"You're saying Jennifer is a copy?" The former runner asked, not hiding his scepticism.
"As I said it's a possibility, but we can find out easily enough." Carson smiled.
"Who'd make the copies?" Kiryk asked.
"Probably the Wraith." Carson stated.
"But what about the note?"
"Note?" Carson asked confused.
"Jennifer's note from…" Kiryk started only for Jennifer to finish.
"Evan. I had a note from Evan in my pocket. A note that only he and me would understand."
"Well that may mean cloning is less likely, but how about we run these tests before jumping to conclusions." Carson said before looking at Kiryk and suggesting. "Maybe it'd be best if you waited outside," not sure how the well-built stranger would take to him poking Jennifer with sharp objects.
In response Kiryk remained motionless until Jennifer looked from Carson to Kiryk and said.
"It's okay."
Kiryk paused and looked at Jennifer. Content she was in control he squeezed her shoulder and said. "I'll be outside if you need me."
A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing. Next chapter up on Monday.