Chapter 12

Jennifer and Ari laughed together as they cleaned up the breakfast dishes shooing the men out of the kitchen. It felt good having a few minutes of female companionship. After Ari's husband went out to tend the garden, Lorne left for the gate and his daily attempt at reaching Atlantis leaving the girls in the living area with cups of tea. Ari brought out a large bundle of clothing and began sorting it into piles.

"Jennifer, thank you so much for sharing all the news from Anora. I worry about Belna but at least I know she was okay when you left."

"What'll she do once Cabell reaches Anora? Does she have some place safe to stay?" Jennifer asked worriedly.

"I'm sure she'll stay in the settlement as long as she can treating the sick and wounded from the battle but if it gets too hopeless she'll most likely retreat to the higher settlement in the mountains," Ari explained. "Belna also knows she's always welcome here as well." Ari took a few moments to formulate her next question. She didn't want to worry Jennifer any further but felt it necessary to warn her new friend about possible dangers. "What world is your home?" Ari finally asked.

"Actually, we'll be gating back to our home world in another galaxy. We've been in a temporary city for a few years but now its time to go home," she explained rather cryptically.

"You and your protector are wise to hide your identity," she smiled knowingly. "There are many who would do harm to those from the City of the Ancestors." Ari watched Jennifer give her a cautious look as she began to fidget with her hands. "Do not worry we are not among those to be anxious about."

"Thank you Ari, is it our clothing?" Jennifer asked as she looked to the insignia on her uniform.

"Yes," she smiled. "That is why I'm going through my clothing. I'm sure we can find you something more suitable to wear that would not call attention to yourselves."

"Ari, we can't take your clothing, you've given us so much as it is," Jennifer protested.

"Do not concern yourself, these are things we can easily part with. At one time me and my husband were both closer to your sizes but we've been blessed with strong children and ample food that have stretched our bodies to a more contented size," she giggled wiggling her shoulders for emphasis. Help me pick out something for both of you," she insisted nodding to the piles of clothing.

Jennifer quickly picked out a few things for her and Evan delighted with the idea of wearing something different. She'd found a couple of shirts for Lorne that were more fitting for the farming community and the cloak worked well to hide the tac vest. Jen picked out a set of work clothes and a non-descript dress that was bound to fit in on any world. Pleased with her choices she gave Ari a firm hug of appreciation and quickly left the room to change.


After unsuccessfully trying to contact Atlantis all morning, Lorne finally gave up and spent a couple of hours wandering around town getting a feel for their new surroundings. He didn't see anything to be concerned with but at the same time he felt it prudent to remain on alert until they could reach Atlantis.

Jathan and Reese watched Lorne from a bench they were seated on in the town square. The men were down to meager rations of food and even less currency to trade with. They needed a big score and soon. Neither had worked an honest day in their lives and wouldn't know how to till a field if their lives depended on it. If they didn't come up with a new scam soon they'd probably have to put that to a test.

"Hey," Jathan said nudging Reese in the ribs. "See that guy over there … this is the third time I've seen him this morning," he sneered.

"So, maybe he likes to walk… or maybe he's the town keeper. Don't do anything to cause him to remember us," Reese ordered.

"I've seen him somewhere before. Doesn't he look familiar?" he asked searching his mind for any clue to Lorne's identity.

"I said, don't make a ruckus," Reese hissed.

"I'm not but I've seen that man before … his face, I know I've seen it not that long ago."

The two men watched Lorne till he faded from sight before heading to the tavern for the afternoon. Jathan couldn't stop thinking about the stranger in town and where he'd seen him before.

"Stop fidgeting," Reese snarled.

"I can't help it … I almost had it."

"Had what?" he growled.

"Oh, oh … that's it," he exclaimed standing to leave. "I'll be right back," he whispered as he hurried to the door. Once outside he headed to their meager campsite nestled in the woods outside of town. After clearing most of the main buildings, Jathan took off at a slow trot so as not to arouse suspicion. The trip to their camp took five minutes and the man was breathing hard by the time he located his pack. Not finding what he was looking for after digging furiously he upended the pack spilling the contents all over the ground. "Aha," he exclaimed picking up a folded piece of paper. "I knew I'd seen him somewhere." After stuffing everything back in his knapsack he took off running back to the tavern with a grin on his face and visions of a huge windfall.

"I told you," Jathan smirked sliding the paper to Reese across the table. "I never forget a face."

Reese opened the paper revealing a picture of Major Lorne with something scribbled in different languages around the edges. "Jackpot," Reese grinned folding the wanted poster and sticking it in his pocket. "If we plan this right we should make enough to get through the winter. The Ancestors are smiling on us today."


"McKay this is Sheppard, please respond," John announced into his radio as he walked to the mess hall. "Rodney, respond," he repeated, anxious for an update.

"What!" McKay barked, frustrated with his lack of results on the gate repairs.

"Is the gate fixed or not?"

"No, but I think we might be close," he answered, fudging on the truth just a little.

"Pack a bag, we leave in an hour," Sheppard ordered, exasperated with all the excuses and false hope. It was an 18-hour jumper ride to Athos where they'd spend the night and check on things in the Athosian settlement before gating to M7R-332 on foot to retrieve Lorne and Keller. He was tired of waiting for something that might take another week to repair and intuition told him to step up his timeline. He wouldn't relax until Jennifer was home safe and sound.

"Fine … I'll meet you in the gate room," Rodney huffed.

John entered the mess hall with a list of requests for their trip. Captain Sutter nodded after looking over the order.

"I can have this put together in about twenty minutes, will that work for you Colonel?" Sutter asked, noting Sheppard's nod of approval. "Will you be going after Dr. Keller sir?"

"Yes, Captain, and Major Lorne as well."

"It'll be good to have them back in the city." Sutter was thankful to be back in Atlantis. He'd been reassigned to the Daedalus when they were forced from the City. Once the Replicators were defeated he was allowed to resume his duties beaming in with the others who Caldwell had temporarily reassigned until the added personnel arrived in a few weeks. Sutter had a soft spot in his heart for the young doctor ever since he helped her with a game she was involved in a few months ago. He saw her as a very sincere person, which was hard to find these days.

John loaded up a tray and moved toward Teyla and Ronon who'd just sat down at the team table for breakfast.

"Are you guys packed?"

"Yes John, we will be ready," Teyla answered.

Ronon nodded his head while consuming his breakfast.

"Colonel, I was hoping to remain on Athos to visit with my people while you travel to Anora," she asked questioningly, desiring to spend more time with her loved ones.

"I'll make radio contact with Lorne as soon as we get to Athos and if everything is routine then you may as well stay until we get back," he offered anxious to get started. "Make sure you both have full tac vests and grab a first aid kit from the infirmary."

"Why the extra kit?" Ronon asked frowning.

"They've been gone a long time, just want to be prepared," he explained. He knew he was being overly cautious but life hadn't gone according to plan lately.

Sheppard collected his order from Captain Sutter and handed it off to Ronon agreeing to meet in the gate room in ten minutes. Stopping by his room, he collected his pack, which contained an extra set of clothes and a few toiletries then reported to Weir before joining his team. If all went well maybe they could announce their relationship once they got back to Athos if he could refrain from sweeping Jen into his arms the moment he saw her. On second thought, maybe it would be a good idea to announce their relationship as soon as he saw her. Yes, much better plan he thought to himself.


Jathan and Reese could hardly contain themselves at the good fortune they'd stumbled upon, deciding to splurge with a huge bowl of stew to celebrate. It would take some planning but the end of the rainbow was almost in their hands.

Jathan raised his hand to catch Vira's attention. They placed their order just as Lorne and Jennifer entered the establishment sitting at a table across the room.

"Hello," Vira greeted cheerily as she passed Lorne's table. "I'll be right with you as soon as I deliver this order."

The boys watched Vira from across the room excited that she might know something about the strangers.

"Here you go boys," she said setting the large bowls in front of the hungry men.

"Say, Vira, do you know the strangers in town?" Jathan asked nodding toward Lorne and Jennifer.

"Just met them yesterday. They're hoping to find traders who might trade with the Athosians … you boys aren't traders by any chance?" she asked almost snickering. She'd seen these two in the tavern every day for almost a month and the most ambitious thing she'd seen either of them do was pick up a crust of bread that'd fallen on the floor.

"Actually, I have a cousin who does a lot of trading with many worlds," Reese answered confidently, sitting a little straighter. "Perhaps he could be of help."

"I'll let the folks know you might be able to help," she said rolling her eyes as soon as she turned to leave.

Vira returned to the kitchen after taking Jennifer and Lorne's order to prepare their food. She hadn't decided if she'd even pass on the information Reese gave her concerning his cousin for fear he's try to wrangle a reward out of the nice couple. She'd already decided the boys were lazy connivers looking for easy money and doubted they'd actually be of any help.

"Here you go," she announced cheerily setting down their bowls of stew.

"Vira, do you know those gentlemen sitting over by the window?" Lorne asked after observing them several times looking their way.

"They've been in town for several weeks now doing what you see," she said sarcastically as she nodded toward the two. Don't think they've done an honest day's work since they got here. They aren't bothering you are they?"

"No, not at all," Jennifer said shaking her head. "We've just noticed them looking over at us several times and were a bit concerned."

"Sorry, that's my fault. Seems they were wondering about you being new to town and all and I told them you were looking for traders," she explained apologetically. "I'll tell them to mind their own business."

"Not a problem, I'd be glad to speak with them. Maybe they can be of help," Lorne assured her. "Again … you make a mighty fine bowl of stew Vira," Lorne said with a grin.

Evan waited till Vira had removed their dirty dishes before discussing the opportunity with Jennifer. After thoroughly considering their situation, they decided Jennifer would return to Ari's house while he went to talk with the strangers. He'd make a decision once he'd heard them out.

Lorne approached the table introducing himself before taking a seat across from Reese.

"I hear you're looking for traders, thought we might be able to help." Reese began looking Lorne over carefully.

"My cousin lives on Cyree and travels all over for their government to many planets," Jathan added. Looking at his partner in crime he saw the small frown knowing that was his cue to shut up.

"Perhaps we could introduce you to Karl and he could give you the information you seek," Reese suggested.

"Who said I was looking for information?" Lorne asked trying to get a feel for the men and what their objective might be.

"Vira said you were looking for some help from traders. We were just trying to be friendly," he explained. "Doesn't matter to us."

Lorne thought about it for a few moments and decided to press a little further before trying elsewhere for help.

"So, you just want to help out of the kindness of your hearts?" Lorne asked sarcastically.

"Actually, we're a little down on our luck and were hoping you might possibly be willing to offer a small reward for our help. Just a little something to help us get by until harvest season when we can get some work."

"And why would we trust you to give us the correct information?" Evan asked.

"Tell you what, we'll meet you on Cyree and introduce you to Karl ourselves. You won't have to give us anything until you get the information you're looking for. Does that sound fair?" Reese inquired doing his best to sound genuine.

"How about you give me the address for Cyree and I'll talk it over with my partner. If we decide to take you up on your offer we'll meet you in the tavern tomorrow at noon and you can introduce us to Karl," Lorne proposed.

"What about a reward," Jathan asked, unable to keep silent any longer.

"If all of you show up I'll give you a small reward. If Karl has the information we need I'll make it a large reward. Does that sound fair?" Evan asked, still not trusting the men.

"We'll be there," Reese promised as he wrote down the address on a scrap of paper.


Lorne made it back to Ari's apprehensive about the arrangement but also feeling a tiny bit hopeful. Looking back over the past couple of months he felt they'd put in their dues … being rewarded with a swift answer to their problem didn't seem out of line even with Jennifer's track record.

"How'd it go?" Jennifer asked as soon as Evan entered the room.

"They said they know another man on Cyree who might be able to help us. I think they're just looking to make a quick buck but Reese made an arrangement that might work for us," he explained tentatively, still rolling the details around in his head.

"If it doesn't work out you are always welcome to return here," Ari quickly offered.

"I'd like to leave our supplies here if you don't mind and then we can return here after our meeting."

"My husband will make room for it in our shed, it will be safe there," Ari agreed.

"When do you want to go?" Jennifer asked excited with the thought of finding the Athosian settlement quickly.

"I thought we'd leave in the morning. I set the meet for noon but I'd like to do a little recon of the area before we show up."

Jennifer and Lorne spent the evening with the family feeling more relaxed than they had in weeks. Jennifer told stories to the children after dinner while Lorne helped cut and stack firewood. She would miss Ari and silently made plans to visit if they ever made it back to the Pegasus galaxy. Soon it was time for bed and Jennifer excused herself hoping to get a few words written in her journal before Evan joined her.

Day 59 – Baltron

It was a good day today … maybe our luck is changing! We found some men at the tavern who know someone on another planet that trades a lot and might have the address for Athos. Evan continues to try the Atlantis gate numerous times each day but so far he hasn't connected. I worry that something has happened to our city but haven't voiced it to anyone. I keep thinking that if we make it to Athos then we will have a better chance of making it home. My hope is the Daedalus might be able to find us and the Athosian settlement would be a logical place to start; at least in my mind it makes sense. I'm so thankful that John is safely tucked away on Earth … please wait for me. I'm so sorry it's taking us so long to get home.

We leave in the morning to meet with the men and hopefully purchase the gate address for Teyla's people. It will be so wonderful to be with Ronon and Teyla again. Just the thought of sitting around their campfire tomorrow night lifts my spirits completely.

My eyes are heavy – time to blow the light out. John, I hope you know I'm thinking about you. You are always on my mind and in my thoughts … stay safe my love.


Jathan and Reese stayed late at the tavern in their own private celebration. They'd figured this time tomorrow they'd be rolling in money, their biggest score ever. They'd already accomplished the hardest part, getting the strangers to a secluded planet. Yes, this would be easy they thought as they ordered another round.


Sheppard listened to the sounds of snoring as he flew through the night. Checking the HUD he determined they were within an hour of Athos. Looking at his watch he decided it was too late in the night to try and contact Lorne, morning would be soon enough.