Deadly Intent

Chapter14

After leaving the infirmary, Teyla and Beth they went back to their quarters where Torren was waiting with his childminder. John returned to his office as he still had a couple of hours of duty time before he could call it quits for the day. He decided to call in the men and women whose promotion had been approved. Now that Lorne had been forced to inform the General of his new rank, there wasn't any point in keeping it secret anymore.

Although it happened all too frequently, John noted that the tension on the base had steadily increased over the last day or so. It was the very nature of their location and the continuous threat of an enemy attack that normally caused such apprehension. This time around it seemed Trumble's presence was having an adverse effect on morale throughout the city, especially among the military personnel. John didn't like that situation one bit as a disheartened crew could endanger the city or be a distraction on off-world missions. Well, at least some of his people were about to receive some good news, including gate technicians Amelia Banks and Chuck Campbell.

Over the next hour, one by one John congratulated the newly promoted, telling them that they would have an official ceremony just as soon as the General was out of their hair. No one uttered their disapproval of that decision. In fact, most of them expressed their desire to see the General leave when the Daedalus did. Of course, they couldn't come straight out with it and condemn the high ranking officer, but their facial language said it all. They were also concerned about the General's disrespect for him. John assured them that he would do his best to keep things as they were.

Lt. Colonel Lorne arrived last of all. Once again he apologised for letting the cat out of the bag. John screwed his face up at the mention of a cat but dismissed it because it was just a harmless idiom. He got Lorne to sit down so they could talk over some staff reshuffling and the like, anything other than the dreaded General and his menacing presence.

Several hours later, John finally entered the family quarters to find the floor completely free of toys. Torren was reading a storybook while Beth quietly played with a wooden figure of a horse-like creature that Halling had carved for her. There was no sign of Teyla.

"Hi kids, it's great to see a clear floor. Well done. Keep up the good work. Now, where's your mom?"

Torren put down his book and ran over to him, throwing his arms around John's good leg. "In the kitchen, daddy, making soup."

John tried not to show any distaste at that. Teyla tried very hard, but culinary skills just weren't her thing. They had never been. "Really? Hope it's not that Tuttle root soup." The children turned their noses up at that because, like their daddy, they weren't too keen on it either.

John decided to go and investigate. He found Teyla sitting quietly mixing a few things in a bowl. John peered over her shoulder and looked into it. The contents smelt vaguely floral. He bent down and lightly kissed her cheek. "What kind of soup is that then?"

Teyla looked up at him with a surprised expression. "Soup? What gives you the impression it is soup?"

"Torren said you were making soup."

Teyla laughed. "I believe he misunderstood me. I am making some Athosian soap as Amiera brought me some dried flowers, essential oils and other necessary ingredients when she came to visit yesterday."

"Amiera was here?"

"Yes. However, she did not stay long as she wished to return to help gather the ground berries as they are ripe and plentiful on New Athos II at the present time. Anyway, I did not want the children in the kitchen because soap making is a little messy and I wished to make some gifts for friends. When they are older, the children can certainly help me if they want to."

"Okay." John really didn't have much of a clue about soap making, and he was slightly surprised to learn that Teyla was interested in that sort of thing. The one thing he did know was that soap needed some form of oil and caustic soda. "I can see why you didn't want the children's help as that stuff can be lethal. I hope you're being careful?"

At first, Teyla wondered what John meant and then it dawned on her. "I did not make the basic soap myself as that has to be done with great care. Amiera brought me some bars of pure natural soap. I warmed them in the microwave then added fragrant oils, colours and flowers. Now I am nearly ready to pour the liquid into some forms that the chief cook kindly gave me." She held up a silicon cake mould for John to see.

"How much longer do you need then?"

"Not much longer as I have already done the most. When this one is finished, we can go to the mess for supper." John's stomach chose that moment to rumble in agreement. They laughed as Teyla stood to pour the last of her soap concoction into the mould. "You seem happier today?" she commented.

"Yeah, I received a message from General O'Neill. He told me they have no intention of replacing me and they even have the President's backing on that. Also that I was to keep my ear to the ground as they believe certain elements are trying to undermine Stargate operations yet again. Believe me, it's not the first time an I.O.A. or government official has tried to bully their way in. Guess it won't be the last."

Teyla reached out to kiss him. "Well, at least we will not have to worry about your position here being in jeopardy. At least for the time being. You know I would go wherever necessary to be with you, even if it means not seeing my people as much."

John silently thanked her for that with a gentle kissed on her lips. "I hope it never comes to that. Atlantis is my home. I don't think I could settle back on Earth even with you and the kids by my side. That aside and talking about your people, tomorrow is Sunday, so I was wondering if you'd like to go and see them. And those ground berries sound very appetising. If I remember rightly they're something similar to wild strawberries on Earth. I'm sure the kids will love them."

"And no doubt you too."

John smiled. "Yeah, that's one fruit I could never get enough of. We could also talk to Halling about the final arrangements for our union ceremony. I really don't want to leave it much longer. At the moment things are quiet with the Wraith but that could all change and…."

Teyla silenced him with her own kiss. "Have no fear, John, we will be married soon. And I would love to go and see my people tomorrow. I must also speak to Amiera and see what she plans for the future. I had the feeling yesterday that going back to pick ground berries wasn't the only reason for her quick return. If she no longer wishes to stay on Atlantis because of her new found love, then we will need to find another childminder as I wish to resume my liaison work for the coalition as soon as possible." She could see John was about to protest, so she quickly added. "Much organisation can be done from Atlantis. However, having the children around does not allow for much peace to concentrate on it."

"Yeah, I know. Unfortunately, it also seems that Angie has an important project going on at the moment, which means she has less time for their lessons." He sighed. "I'll talk to Richard again and ask him if we're getting a full-time teacher anytime soon. In the meantime, if we could find one of your people willing to do it that would be great. It would help the kids as I know you want them to learn all about Athosian culture and language."

Teyla nodded. She covered the soap mould with a cloth. John left her to it while he went to get the children ready to go for supper.

oOo

Much to John's relief, he never encountered the General at all during supper or breakfast the following morning. It seemed the man had decided to leave him alone at the moment, which suited John just fine.

Entering the gate room with his family, John was surprised to find Ronon and Amelia waiting for them. "What are you guys doing here?"

Ronon straightened from his slouched position. "We're going too. You okay with that?"

Amelia looked at Ronon. "I thought you'd already asked the Colonel? I'm sorry, sir, I…."

John held up his hand. "It's alright, Amelia." He turned to Teyla and she nodded. "I'm sure the Athosians won't mind at all. And when we're off duty you can drop the sir bit, you know that." He had requested it because the technician was officially Ronon's girl and maybe one day soon his wife.

Amelia nodded. "Yes, I do but that…," She looked around for a moment as if checking before whispering, "That overbearing General could be within listening distance, so I'd rather use it at the moment just in case."

John smiled at her. "Thanks, Amelia. Hopefully, he'll be out of our hair soon, then things can get back to normal," he added.

The children were beginning to get a little impatient with the adults. They wanted to go and play with the Athosian children. Beth tugged on her father's arm while Torren looked at him with pleading eyes that he had quickly learnt could get him almost anything he wanted. John exchanged a smile with Teyla. He made to tell Chuck to dial it up when a voice with a very clear Scottish accent called.

"What's this then? Going off-world without my approval are we, Colonel?"

John froze and turned to face his friend. He noted that the lovely Julia Ross was with him. "Carson, it's not a mission. We're going to visit Teyla's folks."

"Oh, aye, and where's your walking stick then?"

Rolling his eyes, John put on a smile. "I really don't need it anymore. My leg's fine." He didn't admit that he hadn't used it now for a day or so. Well, ever since just after Trumble's arrival. And he wasn't lying when he said his leg felt good.

"Can we go now, daddy?" A little voice interrupted. Torren was getting really fed-up with the delay.

Teyla decided to move things along a bit. "Why not come with us, Carson? And you are also welcome to accompany us, Dr Ross, as I am sure you would enjoy seeing another world."

"Oh, I'd love to! Thank you for inviting me."

Carson smiled. That was just what he wanted to happen without even having to ask. "That's a grand idea," he said. "Then I can keep an eye on our wayward Colonel here and make sure he doesn't overdo things." John rolled his eyes again and was just about to order a dial-up when Rodney and Jennifer arrived with baby Peter.

"Hope you don't mind, but could we join you? I had to practically drag Rodney away from his lab as he doesn't seem to understand what Sunday means anymore." Jennifer asked before Rodney could say anything.

"Why not. The more the merrier." John commented as Teyla voiced her agreement. "Dial it up, Chuck or we'll never get out of here."

Down below in a side corridor, away from the Gate's departure area, a solitary figure stood watching as the event horizon spring to life. A satisfied smile crossed Finnegan's face as the small group stepped through the Gate. Now he could prepare for their departure later without having to worry about Trumble and the Colonel clashing. For two days now, the geologist had been on edge wondering if the General would ruin everything for them. Not that he really needed the General once the man had smuggled the items onboard Caldwell's ship. The Colonel certainly wouldn't question a General or search his belongings for illegal merchandise before heading back to Earth. Still smiling, the visiting geologist headed to meet with Dieter Stein to make the final arrangements.

Unfortunately for Finnegan and his plan, at that very moment, Colonel Caldwell had just entered the control room with news concerning a change of schedule. Steven had really wanted to speak to Sheppard. He sighed heavily when told that the Colonel had already departed through the Stargate. No matter, Sheppard would find out soon enough when he returned. With one last glance at the now silent Stargate, the commander of the Daedalus turned tail and headed for Woolsey's office. Chuck watched him leave and wondered what was going on. The technician had relayed an urgent message to Colonel Caldwell about an hour ago during a routine check-in with SGC. Something must be up as the Colonel didn't look at all pleased.

Richard Woolsey looked up to greet Caldwell as the man strode into his office. He also wondered what was going on as the Colonel had kept out of their way for days now, stating that he was needed onboard for various reasons. Of course, everyone knew it was mainly to avoid the General. He noted Caldwell's tense posture, so he immediately offered the officer a seat.

Caldwell took it with a sigh as Woolsey asked. "What can I do for you, Colonel?"

"Sheppard is not going to like it, as I've been ordered to return to the Milky Way without delay. Seems the Apollo has run into a little trouble and may need some backup."

Woolsey looked surprised. "Surely even at full speed, it will take many days to reach them?"

"I know that, but it doesn't change the fact that I've been ordered to leave Atlantis immediately as you currently don't need any assistance."

"And where does that leave us? Will we be stuck with the General?"

Steven's sighed even louder. "I've already informed him of our intended departure, but the man is refusing to leave saying his work here isn't done yet. I'm afraid that means you're stuck with him for the foreseeable future. I've also just learnt that Doctor Ross has gone off-world to New Athos II with Sheppard and the others, meaning she can't return either. Under the circumstances though, I guess that's not such a bad thing as we won't be going straight back to Earth. I only hope Sheppard doesn't do anything rash because the General is staying longer than expected."

It heartened Woolsey a great deal to know how Caldwell felt about the younger Colonel now. He knew there had been a conflict between the two of them in the early days. Surprisingly over the years, Sheppard must have earned Caldwell's undying respect.

Woolsey tried to reassure the Colonel with his next statement. "We'll do our utmost to keep the peace and once the General has finished with whatever he still needs to do, we will open the Stargate and boot him…I mean send him through, along with the others directly back to Earth."

Grateful for that, Caldwell nodded. "Well, I'd best prepare for our departure then. Tell Sheppard I'm sorry that I couldn't take the General out of his hair." With that, the commander left to head for his ship having completely forgotten about the other visitor to Atlantis, a certain Doctor Frank Finnegan.

TBC

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