Chapter 10
Jennifer said one last goodbye to Merna before donning her pack and joining Lorne at the door. Their return trip should be somewhat faster having used many of the supplies they'd brought with them. Unfortunately, they were leaving much later than they'd initially planned forcing them to maintain a much faster pace.
The two made good time taking only one rest break. By dark they'd made it to a large meadow bathed in moonlight. With the aid of both moons they were able to clearly see the path and decided to keep going. Lorne guided Jennifer to the far side of the meadow before setting up camp for the night.
"How ya doing Doc?"
"Do we have to set up camp? I think I could sleep standing up right now," she grumbled from sheer exhaustion.
"I want you to sit here while I start a fire," Evan instructed helping with her backpack.
Jennifer quickly complied using her pack as a pillow. Soon her thoughts drifted to memories of her times with John settling on their first weeks together playing their silly card game. She'd learned a lot in college but right now she was extremely grateful for all the times she'd played My Choice with her fellow students. Jen found it ironic that she discovered her "choice" while playing the game.
Lorne made quick work of getting a fire started and setting up the tent.
"Come on sleepyhead," Evan called pulling Jen from her daydreaming. "I need you to help me with this log." Actually the log wasn't that heavy but he wanted her awake enough to eat something before she fell asleep.
"Honestly Ev, I'm too tired to get excited about another MRE," she complained frowning. "I'd just as soon wait for breakfast."
"That was a long walk and I don't want you going to bed on an empty stomach. Besides, who said anything about MREs?" he grinned. Once they'd both taken seats on the log Evan lifted his pack into his lap and reaching inside he pulled out a small bundle wrapped in a thin cloth placing it in Jennifer's lap. "A parting gift from Merna and the townspeople."
"Oh my goodness," Jen giggled examining all the wonderful goodies inside. "We will feast tonight," she exclaimed.
"Thought that'd perk you up," he laughed.
They ate in front of a roaring fire filling their bellies until they could eat no more. There was still enough for breakfast making their trip back to Anora much more pleasant.
"What's the first thing you want to do when we get back to Earth?" Jen asked leaning closer to Evan for the added warmth.
"Take a hot shower followed by a hot meal!" "How about you?"
"The same only I want to soak in the tub after the shower until my fingers and toes wrinkle and the water turns cold."
"What about your special "friend", are you going to try to find him?" Evan asked sheepishly.
"You've been spending way too much time with Laura," Jen snorted.
"Actually, I've been given strict instructions to follow you around the SGC until I find out who the mystery guy might be. Maybe you can give me a head's up … do I sniff around the military barracks or lurk among the science labs?"
"What makes you think he's either? Maybe it's someone off the Daedalus or from the medical staff, " she teased. "Point is, there's a lot that's happened in the last few weeks and starting a new relationship might be the last thing on his mind," she sighed. "I promised Laura a long girl talk as soon as we find time when we're both in the same galaxy again so hopefully she'll stop bugging you."
"She can be a pill sometimes but she just wants to see you happy."
"I agree … she's definitely a pill but she's our pill," Jennifer grinned.
"I think it's time to get some sleep. You go ahead and get settled while I straighten up."
John Sheppard definitely woke up on the wrong side of the bed. He should have gotten right up when he woke but instead he laid in bed a few extra moments thinking about Jennifer and what she might be doing this morning. His random thoughts quickly turned to worry and by the time he hit the shower he was determined to find Rodney and light a fire under him.
"Rodney," Sheppard called as he entered the control room. "Is the gate operational yet?
"Still working on it," McKay grumbled. "You'll be the first to know when we have it fixed."
"Well how long's it going to take? We have people off world and we need to get them home," he growled.
"Not helping! I'm working as fast as I can."
"Just keep me updated," John sighed running his hands through his disheveled hair.
He knew the man had been working practically non-stop since they'd reclaimed the city but he needed someone to bark at and McKay was the logical choice at the moment. Finding no satisfaction from their conversation, John headed toward Elizabeth's office with Plan B in mind.
"Good morning John," she greeted seeing her military commander standing in her doorway. "What can I do for you this morning?"
"Just got through talking with McKay and think we should start thinking about other ways to get Lorne and the Doc home," he explained moving to the empty chair across from her desk.
"What did you have in mind?" she asked feeling a measure of the same frustration.
"Unless he gets that gate fixed today, I was thinking we should take a jumper and head to the nearest gate. From there we can jump to M7R- 332 and bring them home."
"I'd like to see them home as well. Put together a plan and we'll meet with Rodney this afternoon for an update. If he doesn't have any good news then you have a go for 0800 hours in the morning."
Jennifer and Lorne ate a quick breakfast before breaking camp and heading to Anora. The trip took just over six hours putting them back at the infirmary in early afternoon. Jennifer immediately checked in with Belna while Lorne walked to the gate to request a jumper to move all the equipment they'd left with Belna.
The healer made a pot of tea and motioned for Jennifer to follow her to the back room where she'd made a place at her desk for the women to sit and talk while enjoying the warm drinks.
"Healer Jennifer, please tell me about the settlement and how the people are fairing," Belna asked anxiously.
"You'll be happy to know we arrived in time to treat the whole population and all those infected are recovering nicely. I told Merna I'd leave extra antibiotics here with you should they have any problems."
"We are so grateful for all your help," Belna said appreciatively. "We will forever be in your debt."
"That's what friends are for and you have been good friends," Jennifer replied squeezing her hand. "Now, tell me, how are things between you and Cabell? Has the crisis helped ease the tension?"
"I am sorry to report that the situation with our neighbors is falling back to the old arguments. I fear fighting may begin soon, thankfully you will be home safely should that occur."
Jennifer saw Major Lorne stick his head in the room nodding for her to join him. She finished her conversation quickly and said goodbye to Belna before joining Lorne outside.
"Is the jumper on the way?" Jennifer asked as she approached the Major.
"I couldn't get through."
"What do you mean you couldn't get through … it's not like there're on the phone."
"I mean I tried several times and the last symbol wouldn't lock in. I'll keep trying every hour but right now I'm worried something's wrong with the gate."
"Do you think the Ancients locked the gate down?" Jennifer asked worriedly.
"I don't think so … there's no reason especially with us depending on them. Something must be wrong on their end."
"What should we do?"
"Let's set up a temporary camp next to the infirmary and I'll keep trying the gate till we get through. Don't worry, this is just a small setback," he assured her hugging her shoulders.
Jen and Evan returned to the old campsite and made a small shelter for the afternoon. Jen explained the problem to Belna and then settled in to wait. She pulled her journal out to document the latest development while Lorne walked to the gate for another try on dialing in.
Day 57 – Anora
We made it back to Anora this afternoon – our trip to the mountain village was very successful and everyone was given the antibiotic just to be safe. The trip back was harder on me than the trip there … I feel very worn out and could use a few days of sleep!
Lorne has been trying to dial Atlantis since we got back. There must be something wrong on their end. We've set up a temporary camp next to the infirmary … all I want to do is cry. We are so close! I need a hot meal, a hot bath and a hot man to hold me all night long. Am I asking too much!
Hopefully we'll be home soon. Please be waiting for me John.
After a dozen or more trips to and from the gate Jennifer insisted they finally call it a night and try again to make contact in the morning. She'd set their sleeping bags up and even attempted to start a fire while Lorne tried one final time to connect with Atlantis.
"No luck?" she asked as Evan trudged back into camp.
"No, still won't lock in." he answered dejectedly. "Let me help you," he added smirking at her attempt with the fire."
"I guess I should have paid better attention in survivor skills classes," she frowned. "I saved you some dinner … Belna brought us some food while you were gone."
"Why don't you get ready for bed while I finish eating. I'll start trying the gate again at dawn," he suggested knowing they both needed the sleep.
Jennifer crawled into her sleeping bag praying sleep would come soon. All she could do was think about their predicament and worry. She needed a game plan to hold on to.
"Evan, what are we going to do if we can't dial into Atlantis," she asked as the Major settled himself next to her in the tent.
"I've been thinking about that … I think we should give it a few more days and if we still can't make contact then maybe we should try to find the Athosian settlement."
"How are we going to do that?" she asked perplexed.
"I think if we gate to a few planets and ask around we may find someone who's traded with them recently. It shouldn't take long and in the mean time we'll keep trying Atlantis. Hopefully this is just a temporary problem."
Evan gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze encouraging her to get some sleep.
Sometime in the wee hours of the morning they were awaken by gunfire. Lorne sat bolt upright looking for his gun. Before Jennifer could even ask a question he was outside the tent instructing her to stay put.
A few minutes later Belna came rushing over to the tent checking to see that her guests were okay.
"Jennifer, are you awake?" Belna asked urgently standing in front of the tent.
"Yes … come inside," Jen answered pulling the flap aside.
"Cabell has launched an attack and you must leave immediately," her friend explained frantically. "Where is your protector?"
"Major Lorne went to find out what is happening." Jennifer answered just as Lorne returned.
"Get dressed Doc, we're about to be overrun," he ordered gathering up their packs and supplies. "We need to leave."
"Here, I have written down the symbols of a dear friend on another world. Her name is Ari and she will help you."
"How will we find her?" Jennifer asked concerned.
"I have drawn the path to her house as well but if you can't find it then ask at the tavern for healer Ari and someone will direct you. They are good people on this world so do not be afraid," she said helping them collect their belongings. "Do not leave before I get back," she pleaded. "I will hurry."
Evan took the tent down and quickly packed it up setting it with the packs and duffle they'd been carrying. True to her word, Belna was back in five minutes.
"Here," Belna urged thrusting two cloaks into Jennifer's hands. "Cover your clothing with these as you walk to the ring of the Ancestors. You will call less attention to yourselves but you must hurry before the soldiers of Cabell reach the ring." Jennifer quickly wrapped herself in her cloak and took the wrapped bundle of food that Belna pressed into her hands.
"Thank you Belna," she choked out as she hugged her friend. "Please give this to anyone who comes looking for us from Atlantis," Jennifer placed a note in Belna's hands that she'd written as they packed.
"You have been good friends to all the people of Anora … may the Ancestors go with you."
"Come on, Doc … we need to hurry," he said after giving Belna a hug goodbye.