A/N: This is the last update for a while I think. I need to take a break.

Disclaimer: NO OWN SGA, if I did it would be going into a seventh season

All comments welcome.

Generals Landry and O'Neill stood waiting in the embarkation room for the contingent from Atlantis. Carter and Jackson had yet to join them, and Dr. Lam was still assembling her medical team. They weren't expected for another half hour or so but the waiting gave the men a chance to talk.

"Damn shame about all this." Landry said.

"Yeah, Carter's really upset… McKay's really grown during his time on Atlantis."

"He sure has changed a lot." Landry agreed.

" I've been reading his mission reports. He's quite the hero these days." O'Neill replied.

"Not to be crass, but do you have any thoughts about his replacement?"

"Now Landry let's not go there yet. Give the meds some time to work."

"I know Jack, but I hate to say it but Mc Kay may be irreplaceable. There's no one short of Carter that can fill his shoes."

"What about that Z-Zinka fella?"

"You mean Dr. Zelenka? He's a brilliant scientist, but he doesn't have the off world skills of Mc Kay, and let's face it, it's Mc Kay's quirky way of thinking about a problem that ends up saving everyone's asses at the last minute. He's Atlantis' Hail Mary Pass."

"Yeah I know I really hate to break up SGA-1's team, they're almost as good as SG-1."

"Do you mean my SG-1 Jack, or yours ?"

O'Neill smirked at that. "Well there's nothing like the real thing, you know."

The men chuckled.

"You don't think they'll try to send Carter do you?" Jack asked.

"No, not with the Ori still being dealt with."

"Good." Jack O'Neill had enough of Carter being in another galaxy.

Samantha Carter couldn't believe what was happening today. She would get to see her Atlantis family in just a few minutes, an occasion that should bring her nothing but pleasure, but only filled her with dread.

Ever since she found out about Rodney's illness she'd been going crazy trying to find an answer, a cure, in anything she'd read or heard about. Sam even sought out a Go'auld sarcophagus, but Jack and Daniel found out and put a stop to it. There was also a thought of seeing if the Tok'ra needed a host, but Sam knew that just like Jack, Rodney would never go for having a "snake" in his head, no matter how noble a snake it may be, or how it may save his life.

Now all Sam could do is be sad. The worst moment in all of this so far was the moment she had to tell Jeannie. The look on her face broke Sam's resolve and they sat on Jeannie's couch and cried together. Jeannie was here today also, another reunion that should have been for such better reasons.

So, as she waited to join everyone in the gate room, she tried to let all of her tears out, so that when they arrived she could focus on Rodney and what he needed, and on finding a way to save him.

Jeannie sat on the bed in the guest quarters the SGC provided her with, missing her big brother already. She wasn't a fool, she knew what sending him here meant, what intrathecal chemotherapy meant. Rodney was as close to dying as you could be; the odds were not good for his full recovery. It was a fact everyone seemed to ignore or simply refuse to agree to. It didn't make her more hopeful, just more angry. She was no fool she knew she was here to say goodbye.

Daniel was walking down the hall towards Sam's lab. Sam was having a hard time with Rodney's cancer and Daniel knew she needed a friend who at least understood the cantankerous physicist a bit. No one else who'd ever worked or met Rodney in the SGC could really appreciate the man he was now. Daniel had a new perspective on Rodney since working with him on Atlantis, and hearing of his bravery and selflessness on countless occasions. He also understood what it meant to be the scientist in the middle of a military team, the geek to the jock in the group, the unlikely best friend to a military leader. The fact is that Daniel had a soft spot for the Rodney, and he found himself saddened by what all the Lanteans were going through.

Daniel walked in to find Sam staring at her monitor not really focused on what she was reading, he knew her well enough to know that even throwing herself into work wouldn't help the way she was feeling she needed to talk. She couldn't really talk to Jack he didn't know Rodney the way they did, so it was up to Daniel.

"Sam?"

"Hey Daniel." She sighed.

"Uh you okay?"
" I'm okay. It's just hard to imagine him like that."

"Yeah I know. He's always so animated I can't imagine seeing him sick."

"You know we really got to be good friends while I was on Atlantis. He really is an extraordinary person. I was so happy to hear he and Jennifer were engaged, now…"

She choked up a bit and Daniel walked over to her and put his arm around her shoulder.

"Hey it's going to be all right. This is the Stargate program we don't give up and if we don't find miracles we make them."

Sam smiled at him and wiped her tears away.

"You're right, let's get Jeannie and head to the gate room."

They found Jeannie about to leave her room and head to the gate alone.

"Hey it's almost time, thought we'd walk with you."

"Thanks Sam, Daniel."

The walk was quiet and quick each with their own thoughts to keep them company.

The trio walked in to see the two generals and Dr. Lam's medical team waiting at the foot of the ramp to the gate.

"Hey Carter, Daniel, and Mrs. Miller."

"Hello Dr. Carter, Dr. Jackson, and Mrs. Miller, we're just about ready." Landry said.

Just then, Harriman called out from the control room, "Incoming wormhole. Dr. Mc Kay's IDC."

Sam swallowed hard when she heard they used Rodney's IDC it was a sign of respect, and it may be the last time he ever used his IDC, or the gate. The meaning was not lost on the rest of the somber group either.

"Open the iris Walter." General Landry said, and the iris scraped open to reveal the shimmering event horizon.

First through the gate was Ronon who was pulling Rodney's gurney, then Teyla, Jennifer, Carson, surrounding Rodney, and John, Radek and Richard Woolsey.

It was all they could do to keep from gasping at the sight of the frail man only recognizable as Rodney by his impossibly blue eyes. He gave them a wan smile, and closed his eyes. By the time the gurney was at the bottom of the ramp, it was as if Rodney had used up all of his energy to make the journey. His O2 sats began to plummet; his heart rate became more erratic. There was no time for pleasantries; the three doctors and the medical staff ran Rodney to the infirmary to get him stabilized.

No one said anything as they rushed Rodney past all they could hear was the medical team calling out stats and directions as they went down the hall.

It became eerily quiet, like the moment was expanding the silence was broken by the gasp of Jeannie Miller.

"Oh my God John, he really is dying."

John was by her side in a second his arms around her and comforting her.

"Shhh Jeannie, it's just a shock for you seeing him like this, we've had time to adjust, you haven't. He's stronger than he was, and he is tougher than he'll ever admit, don't give up on him. He's here to fight, and we're here to help him."

She nodded and cried some more into John's shoulder.

Daniel had his arm around Sam's shoulder, and the rest of the company while all stoic in nature were also visibly moved by Rodney's appearance.

Landry spoke next. "Why don't we go up to the conference room and wait until Dr. Lam says we can go visit Dr. Mc Kay. We have some things we need to discuss."

Rodney began to stabilize quickly he suffered a minor seizure, but that was to be expected and his anticonvulsants were doing their job. He was asleep and resting comfortably so they left him in the capable hands of the infirmary staff and joined everyone else in the conference room.

"Come in doctors come in. We were just about to discuss Dr. Mc Kay's status, and what the plan is to help him."

"Yes well he had a seizure but it was minor, his O2 is back up he is resting comfortably. I think we can schedule his consult with Dr. Morgan in the morning as we hoped." Dr. Lam said. Rodney was now her patient, and Jennifer and Carson could go back to being his family members.

"Thank Dr. Lam that's good to hear. Given the advanced nature of his disease, do you feel he has a good prognosis?"

Not one of the doctors said anything. That was answer enough for all of them. The mood grew even more grim.

"Dr. Zinka why are you here?" Jack asked.

"That's Zelenka sir." Carter scolded.

"Oh sorry. Yeah, so Dr. Zelenka why are you here? Shouldn't you be on Atlantis?"

"I was wondering the same thing Jack." Landry agreed.

"Woolsey why is he here?"

"Well generals I have left Major Lorne and Dr. Simpson in charge of Atlantis they are both very capable and can take the watch while Colonel Sheppard and I are here. As for why Dr. Zelenka is here it's best if he tell you himself."

"Please do Zelenka." The tone was skeptical but interested. It was a voice Landry used when he wanted people to cut to the chase.

"Yes, I have been searching Ancient database since Rodney became ill. I have found mentions of healing device throughout the database, but two days ago I found an obscure text that not only seems to describe such device, but has possible location. The problem is translation, is very difficult dialect. I need Dr. Jackson's help."

There was a sudden glimmer of hope in everyone's eyes.

"Let me get this straight, you think there's an Ancient doo hickey out there that can cure McKay?"

"Yes, General O'Neill, is my hope."

"Good then you Daniel, and Carter go to Daniel's lab and get started. Sheppard, you and Woolsey need to meet with Landry and me in private. Teyla, and Ronon take Mrs. Miller to get something to eat and then when these three say you can, you have my permission to sit by your team mate's side.

Doctor Lam I want you to find this Navy guy and tell him we want a meeting in two hours. Oh and Doctor, tell him that's an order from two generals.

Dr's Beckett and Keller familiarize Dr. Lam with Dr. Mc Kay's medical history before Morgan shows up; any fool can see Mc Kay doesn't have time to waste. Okay people you all have your orders get going."

After the bustle of the different groups heading out to their tasks O'Neill noticed Landry looking at him.

"What?"

"Nothing really… It's just last I checked this was my command."

Jack grinned, "Oops sorry Landry. Old habits…"

Landry laughed, "I'm kidding Jack! Now can we get on with our debriefing?"

Woolsey and Sheppard sat nervously during the exchange between the generals and were visibly relieved when things remained friendly.

"We are aware of the emotional issues surrounding this situation, but we want to let you know that Dr. Mc Kay's health is a priority to this command and we will use every resource available, and offer you whatever support you need to find a way to cure him."

"Thank you General, that means a lot."

"Mr. Woolsey, given the likelihood of Dr. Mc Kay is going to be away for quite some time we need to know how Atlantis plans to cope with his absence."

"Yes general we have given it much thought. Dr. Zelenka will take over for Dr. Mc Kay as CSO and spread his duties around the department so that nothing gets missed. We are prepared."

"Glad to hear it. You are dismissed until it's time for the medical briefing to begin, we'll get word to you when it's time. Now get something to eat and take it easy, we have a big day tomorrow ."