Title: Family and Home
Author: Cindy Ryan
Pairings: Sheppard/Keller. Lorne/Keller friendship
Notes and summary: See part one

Leaving for this mission had been harder than most. John had lingered as long as he could in their quarters.
Knowing it was only a two day mission didn't help matters.

Shifting Melanie to her left arm Jennifer reached up and lightly touched John's face. "Be careful."

John leaned in to kiss her as he said. "Always, angel."

After they broke apart John took one of Melanie's small hands in his. He was still amazed at how much of a bond had formed in such a short time.

"Don't let her do anything interesting until I get back."

Jennifer laughed. "I'll do my best."

John returned her smile as he backed towards the door. "I mean we don't know how fast she'll grow…she could take her first step while I'm gone."

Melanie giggled and Jennifer shook her head. "She's not even to crawling stage yet."

"She's a Pegasus Princess, angel, you never know. I'll be back as soon as I can."

Jennifer raised one of Melanie's hands to wave. "Say Bye."

The door hissed open behind John as he waved at his adoptive daughter.
There had to be a way to keep her here…to keep her safe.

"Bye, Princess."John stated softly. His gaze rested on his wife's once more before he turned and left.

**********

Some days Radek didn't know why he bothered.
Then other days when Rodney came up with a way to save them from potential disaster he knew why.

Why he put up with the insults and grousing.
Because deep down Radek knew Rodney McKay was a decent man.

Zelenka placed the tray of food on the desk next to the astrophysicist. He picked up his own plate before moving back to his own work station.

"Rodney, you may want to eat that before it gets cold."

McKay didn't look up but his hand twitched towards a piece of toast. "Not hungry."

Radek smiled. "It has been proven that one can not live on coffee alone."

"I'm working on contradicting that."

"Eat. You have a few minutes."Zelenka prompted not missing the fact that Rodney's fingers grasped the piece of toast and pulled it towards him.

"No time."McKay stated as he glanced at the computer's clock. Dial out in less than ten minutes.

Standing Rodney put the piece of toast in his mouth as he grabbed his jacket. He picked up his backpack and tablet and left the lab.

Radek shook his head, muttered something in Czech before turning his attention back to his work.

********

It was nearly midnight by the time Jennifer returned to her quarters. She thanked Marie for watching Melanie.

"Anytime."Marie replied as she left. "Get some rest."

"I'll try."Jennifer assured her friend as she moved towards Melanie's crib. She was beyond exhausted. Emotionally and physically. Her normal twelve hour shift had turned into almost sixteen.

SGA-9 and ten had run into an unfriendly native population on MSV-227 and there had been a heavy fire fight. Multiple surgeries fortunately no casualties.

It was shifts like those that Jennifer couldn't help but think of John. She knew one day it'd be inevitable that he'd come back hurt. He had many times before they were married. She had hoped her luck wouldn't rub off on him and so far it hadn't.

Jennifer leaned over Melanie's crib and watched the little girl sleep. She wasn't sure if she could endure watching her husband be operated on.
That thought had entered her mind a lot today as she watched young men and women fight for their lives as she stitched and spliced organs and skin back together.

Melanie stirred as Jennifer pulled the blanket up around the baby. She lightly rested a hand on Melanie's head before retreating to the bathroom.

Jennifer stripped out of her sweaty clothes and dumped them on the floor. She grabbed a clean pair of pj's and put them on. After finishing her nightly routine Jennifer turned the bathroom light off and collapsed onto the bed.

Sleep overtook Jennifer as soon as her head hit the pillow….not even having time to pull the covers over her.

********

John Sheppard stifled a yawn as he glanced at the setting red sun. As much as he enjoyed not being shot at on missions this one he wished he could leave in Teyla's hands. The two day mission had been a meet and greet with a culture Teyla thought might have some information on the murdered villagers and Melanie's background.

As always before they'd gotten to the question and answer part they'd had to go through the ritual ceremony section. Luckily this time there was no eating of strange things or reptiles. But it'd taken all afternoon and wasn't looking like the ceremony was ending any time soon. Teyla had already accepted several gifts, worn a ceremonial headdress and been given a warrior staff made of wood with metal tips.

John was almost at the point of asking her if she'd been deemed leader yet when Teyla looked his direction and smiled. He relaxed at that. The smile meant things were going smoothly, that these people were on the up and up.

"You awake?"John asked Ronon with a grin as the Satedan stood to his left leaning against a white pillar.

"Think so."Dex acknowledged as he pushed away and stretched. "Wonder how long the night is here?"

"Six Earth hours."Rodney replied automatically. His tablet rested between his hands but his attention wasn't on it. "Temp should drop also."

"Good."John commented as he wiped sweat off his forehead with the back of his right hand. The planet the natives called Xela was almost swamp-like. Not quite Dagobah but hot, sticky and with lots of weird vegetation. The clearing the village was in was large but a canopy of spidery trees overhung covering ninety percent.

"I think we might be getting up to the food part."McKay pointed out as he gestured to a few middle aged women bringing wooden bowls and plates to two large, long tables at the opposite end of the clearing from Teyla and the leaders.

"When aren't you hungry?"John teased as he took a step forward trying to get circulation back to his feet.

"A brain like mine takes lots of….."

"Colonel."Teyla called as she moved towards them. "We have been given a meal in our honor."

"Always a plus."Sheppard replied. "Unless there's some kind of strange eating ritual we don't know about it."

Teyla shook her head as she handed the staff to Ronon. "That part I believe has passed."

"Nice look by the way."Rodney commented with a smirk as he reached out to touch the feather and bead headdress.

"I remember one you had to wear."John interjected.

Rodney glared. "That was not supposed to be brought up again."

"Pink wasn't it?"Ronon added with a smile.

"Had silver earnings too."Sheppard stated side stepping away from McKay as he raised a hand.

"Ornaments!"Rodney corrected adamantly. "There's a difference!"

"Sure."John said with a wide smile as he remembered that mission. "Whatever helps you sleep at night."

Teyla gently patted Rodney on the left shoulder just as one of the leaders approached. "The meal is ready."

"Thank you."Teyla acknowledged.

The dark skinned male smiled as he turned. "This way."

"At least I didn't have to wear a dress."Rodney muttered as he followed Teyla with John stepping in behind.

"It was not a dress."

"What quacks like a duck."Rodney countered with a smile.

John's eyes narrowed. "It was more in the kilt category."

"Sure."

Teyla laughed as the group settled around the head of the table. The leaders settled in next to them and the rest of the villagers followed suit.

As the meal progressed John felt himself getting restless. He hadn't wanted to leave Atlantis with the adoption deadline so pressing. But when he'd heard the details of the mission John thought it'd help. Help convince the IOA that Melanie was safe on Atlantis.
Safe with him.

The IOA dealt with facts and figures.
If John could get them the right information it might just tilt the scales in their favor.

"You are quiet."Teyla commented as they were well into the fourth course.

John met her concerned gaze. "Just thinking about Melanie."

Teyla smiled. "You are a wonderful father."

John returned her smile. "I never thought I'd be good at it. I enjoy spending time with her. I can't wait to teach her stuff….to watch Jenn tuck her in at night…read her stories."

Teyla lightly covered John's right hand with hers.

"I feel like I'm failing her right off the bat."John continued softly

"It will work out."

John nodded as he withdrew his hand. He glanced down at the elders before turning his attention back to Teyla.

"Did you figure out which of them would be the best one to talk to?"

"Kasim told me that he knew of an ailing elder who often told the children stories."

"Sounds like a plan to me."