Stargate SG-1 and Stargate: Atlantis, the characters and universe are the property of Stargate (II) Productions, Showtime/Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, Gekko Productions and the Sci-Fi Channel. The content of this story is solely for entertainment purposes and no copyright infringement is intended.

A/N: I am NOT in the medical, military, mathematics or science professions so what you read is just 'winging it'. Hope it all sounds plausible. Also in my stories there will always be Dr. Weir and Dr. Beckett.

This is the fifth and final story completing the story arc I've written dealing with Colonel Sheppard's disability. Preceding order: Three for the Price of Two, Conquering Adversities, Unexpected Surprises, Life Altering and now New Beginnings.

The story was beta read and any remaining errors are my own. Enjoy.

New Beginnings

Author: kwillads

Laura Cadman lined up the couples. Ronon was Teyla's escort tonight and as they entered the hanger Lorne introduced them. "Specialist Ronon Dex of Sateda and Ms. Teyla Emmagan of Athos." Ronon led Teyla to the center of the room where a large round table had been placed in the middle of the four isle intersection. "David Sheppard and Dr. Katelynn Heightmeyer." David didn't know what to do so he just followed Ronon's lead. "Colonel Steven Caldwell and Mrs. Evelyn Weir."

As soon as those six were at the table Col. Lorne made another signal. Another group of Marines, sixty this time lined the walkway to the table. Music played softly in the background as the Marines in all their drill precision marched in time with the music lining the walkway.

"Lorne I'm hungry so is the Misses."

"My profound apologies to you Ma'am, Sir. But the Marines wanted to honor you, show you their respect and support. Better get used to it the third squad will be up when you're ready to cut the cake."

"Thanks for the warning."

"Okay Sir that's my cue from Cadman. Go ahead Sir and start I'll announce you." Lorne gave a caring pat to his CO's shoulder to send him off. When his boss was a third of the way down the long isle between the tables Lorne announced them. "Ladies and Gentlemen, Colonel John Sheppard and Dr. Elizabeth Weir-Sheppard."

Within minutes of entering everyone stood and started clapping. John and Elizabeth took their seats at the center table as dictated by the small white and silver place card with their name eloquently scrolled upon it. John finally took a look around the room at how much it had changed from that first day when the table linens arrived. The fabric draping across the ceiling and down the walls softened up the place quite nice. Twinkle lights cascaded down from the ceiling over the tables and dance floor giving a depth as to how large the hanger was. Candles burned fragrantly on the tables adding the warmth and glow to the big open space. If John was honest this place looked better than his first wedding reception hall had.

Elizabeth noticed the etched stemmed glassware, the linen napkins, the silverware, the place card with 'Elizabeth Sheppard' upon it. The calligraphy was elegantly done. She had yet to release John's right hand when a white gloved Marine placed her dinner in front of her. The plate she noticed first thing. It was not the customary mess hall plate, it was fine china. There was more food on her plate than she and John had talked to Rose about too. That same Marine popped the cork on a champagne bottle and poured her a glass as well as John. She noticed that there were three other Marines at their table doing the same thing.

"John did you do this?" Elizabeth asked leaning in close to whisper into his ear.

"It depends on what you mean by this Elizabeth. If you're talking the Marines no that's all their idea and Cadman's I think. If you're talking about the table linens, plates, glassware and silverware then yeah I did that. The draped fabric covering the walls was Rose's idea I hope you like it. In fact I don't know who or where the table decoration came from, or the twinkle lights. And if you're talking the 96 Moet et Chandon Dom Perignon Champagne then no I didn't. I don't know where that came from. But whoever it was brought enough for everyone. Look."

Elizabeth let her eyes roam over the other tables Marines dressed in dress uniforms were popping corks and pouring champagne for everyone.

"Sheppard what'd I tell you about the food. Amazing isn't it?" Rodney was seated at the next table over behind John's left shoulder. His plate piled high as he suspected it might.

"Wonderful Rodney. Hey do you know anything about the champagne?" John asked in return.

"Only that it cost somewhere between $300 and $400 per bottle." McKay managed to inform his friend in between bites of his dinner.

John quickly did the math in his head. Figuring it would take at least four hundred bottles of champagne to serve two thousand people. That would mean…$120,000 to $160,000. John's eyes went wide for a brief instance. Who could afford that? His thoughts turned to his brother. "Dave did you?"

"No John I didn't. In fact I don't have a gift for you. I was…"

Elizabeth spoke up before David could finish his statement or John had a chance to reply. "David you being here is gift enough for both of us. You being John's Best Man was more than I would have hoped for after our first meeting three days ago."

"What she said little brother. Thanks for being here for me."

"You're welcome John. And Elizabeth welcome to the family." David stated in kind.

Elizabeth smiled brightly seeing that John and David were getting along.

"I can say the same to you young man. Welcome to my family." Evelyn stated proudly. David smiled in return.

"Then might I suggest we make a pledge? To family, old and new." Teyla proposed.

"To family." The table said in unison.

"Colonel do you know…?"

"Not for certain but you might want to ask General Brankovik. He ordered two crates of sports drinks."

John chuckled at the thought. "Thank you Sir. I will. If you'll excuse me for a moment I want to thank Rose for the wonderful meal. It's more than what Elizabeth and I talked about having." John stated to the table but before he got up he leaned closer to Elizabeth to whisper into her ear. "I won't be gone long. I promise." Sealing his promise with a kiss.

Colonel Sheppard had ulterior motives for wanting to speak to Rose. Sure she did a top notch job of preparing, organizing and serving the food but she went way beyond that. Colonel Sheppard knew that the men and women on duty in the infirmary and in the command center still had another hour or more left on their shift. After thanking Rose he helped prepare several plates of food locking them away in one of the hot/cold boxes. He rounded up glassware, silverware, napkins and two bottles of the bubbly. Sneaking out the side door he pushed the hot box to the transporter selecting the infirmary first.

Dr. Valado, Nurses Pasha and Becky were on duty with two patients who couldn't attend the wedding or reception due to their illness. But had watched the ceremony on a large screen that was rolled in for the occasion. After getting Dr. Valado's permission he poured a thumbs worth of champagne into the glasses for the two patients. Leaving behind five meals.

Taking his hot box to the gate room he served up plates to the six guards and three control techs on duty. "Don't let Dr. McKay catch you eating at your console." John joked with them knowing full well Rodney was still stuffing his face. He poured another thumbs worth of champagne into the glasses passing them out to the nine member staff. "If anyone asks, this is water. You're welcome to more once your shift is over."

"Thank you Colonel. Mighty nice you bringing us dinner like this." The Marine Sergeant stated.

"I had too. You haven't seen what Dr. McKay and Ronon have put away so far and they're still at it. There's more where this came from too fellas once your shift is over. I expect to see everyone there. That is an order."

"Yes Sir." Rang out from the six Marines and he heard a "will do" from the command deck. John took the rolling hot box back to the banquet hanger slipping back inside hopefully unnoticed. He resumed his seat next to Elizabeth as if nothing had happened.

This time Elizabeth leaned in to whisper. "That was very nice of you John Sheppard."

"I don't know what you're talking about Mrs. Sheppard. Oh look…cake time."

"We'll talk about this later." She said in her negotiator voice.

"Actually Elizabeth I had other plans. Talking wasn't one of them," raising his eyebrows up and down a few times to get his point across as if it wasn't obvious.

Sixty more Marines lined the isle leading to the dance floor where a three tiered cake appeared dwarfed by the presence of the Marines. Again Lorne took his position at the far end nearest the cake. He shouted out, "Officers, Draw Swords." Sixty Marines drew their swords in unison from their scabbards in one continuous motion, rising gracefully into the air. "Invert Swords" Commanded Lt. Col. Lorne. Immediately all sixty swords turned quickly so that the cutting edge faced upwards. The Marine 'Arch of Swords' drew more 'oohs' and 'ahs' from several more of the surrounding seated guests.

John stood holding out his hand for Elizabeth to take as they walked underneath the sixty swords towards the cake. Walking around the table to stand behind the cake they waited for Lorne and the Marines to conclude the 'Arch of Swords' ceremony. John was honored that his men felt this way about him. Since his first days in command of Atlantis he only wanted the men's respect. He knew he had to earn it since he was an Air Force Officer. So he gave his best, took what they dished out as they tested his fortitude without complaint. He demanded nothing less of each soldier that he himself was not willing to do and somehow over time he had earned their respect. John was committed to each and every one of the men and women who served beside him, as they were committed to serve beside Colonel Sheppard.

The three tiered cake was covered in a light blue icing reminiscent of a pale blue summer sky. The icing was smooth and crisp with sharp edges. At the base of each stacked layer was a silver ribbon no more than half inch wide. Off white scroll work wound its way around all three layers. John and Elizabeth took in the cake top. It was a one of a kind top. No where else in the world or galaxy would you ever find another.

"Rose the cake top is beautiful." Mentioned Elizabeth.

"You'll have Mr. Dex to thank for that."

"Ronon?" Both John and Elizabeth replied in question.

Rose nodded in affirmation. John yelled for Ronon to join them at the cake table. "Hey Buddy." John greeted clasping his hand in thanks. "Ronon this is beautiful. Rose said we have you to thank." Elizabeth added pulling Ronon closer to give him a kiss.

"Thought it needed something." Ronon understated. The cake top was a carved replica of the stargate from the gate room down to the smallest detail with a white Pegasus coming through it. Its wings spread open as if in flight. Ronon used his memory of an Earth horse he saw at John's father's wake to complete the body of the winged horse. The details were unbelievably accurate.

"I didn't know you carved. I thought your only hobby was to keep your knives sharp. I can't thank you enough Buddy."

"Thank me by cutting it already. A large piece will do."

"Right. You heard the man Elizabeth he wants a big slice. Let's get cutting." Moving back behind the cake John looked for something to cut with. "Ah…Rose…"

"Here, use this." John smiled at Ronon as he was handed a knife. "Never leave home without em." Ronon added with a grin.

"I knew that." John transferred the sharp knife into Elizabeth's delicate hand placing his over top as they made their first cut. Somehow cutting the delicate wedding cake with one of Ronon's hidden knives seemed so…normal. Not that long ago he would have found a regular knife to use. Camera flashes bombarded them from all directions. Following Earth tradition John and Elizabeth fed each other cake before cutting a semi-large piece for Ronon. The wedding cake was traditional white, safe for everyone to eat. The newlyweds let Rose take over as they went hand in hand, mingling through the tables visiting with their guests. Cake was being served from the same four serving locations so no one needed to wait long. Coffee urns sat at each location along with the mess hall cups. John opted for a bottle of water instead. John saw the six Marines who were on duty in the gate room walk in, showered and changed into either their dress uniform or what John would call nice street clothes. Colonel Sheppard made it a point to seek out those who were on duty at the time dinner was served. Making them feel welcomed and not missed.

"Rodney who won the Best Man pool?" John asked as he was making his way back to his table to get a drink of water. Talking and being congratulated had made him thirsty.

"As if you didn't know. I'm not falling for it this time."

"What are you talking about McKay?"

"Oh come on Colonel…I'm talking about you using a false name to place a bet in the pool."

"Honestly Rodney I didn't. Who won?"

"A Lieutenant C John. Sound familiar?"

"Actually it does. But I'm a full Colonel now McKay, not a Lieutenant Colonel. Stay here I'll be right back."

"Where…?" It didn't matter where the Colonel ran off too Rodney turned back to his third piece of cake he'd managed to get. Catching the deep blue of an Air Force dress uniform from the corner of his eye Rodney peeled his attention away from his piece of wedding cake to see Colonel Carter heading for the dance floor. "Hey Sam! Enjoying yourself?" Receiving only a wave back in reply Rodney returned to his cake.

A few minutes later John, followed by one of his Marines approached the table. "Dr. McKay, I would like you to meet Lt. Corey John, USMC. Lieutenant, this is Dr. Rodney McKay PhD. The PhD stands for 'pretty dumb'. Lieutenant you seem to have won the betting pool as to who my Best Man would be. Make sure you collect your winnings from Dr. McKay. And McKay you better pay out or you'll find yourself in combat training with Lorne and Ronon."

"Yes, yes of course. Come to my lab tomorrow afternoon. I'll have it waiting for you. Bring help…lots of help."

"Yes Sir. Tomorrow, your lab. Thank you Sir." Corey crisply stated before saluting his superior office.

"Go enjoy yourself Lieutenant."

"Yes Sir."

John noted the change in the music that had been playing softly in the background. It had become a bit louder now. Radek announced it was time for the newlywed's first dance. John guided Elizabeth to the dance floor showing off his flare for dancing. Soon others joined in, partners were traded. The men on the base outnumbered the women five to one. And what woman wouldn't want to dance with a military man in uniform?

John managed to take Evelyn away from Col. Caldwell for a dance. "Enjoying yourself Mrs…sorry. Enjoying yourself Evelyn?" He restated not wanting to get on the bad side of his new mother-in-law.

"Yes John. What you did for my daughter is beyond words. You gave her a fairy tale wedding that every daughter wants and every mother wishes for her child to have."

"All this…I didn't do all this." Swiping his arm in a wide arc. "I just brought in a few dishes and linens. Everyone else here did the rest. I don't know how I'll ever thank them appropriately."

"Your promise to keep them safe is all they require as thanks. I've had time to talk to a few of the men and women stationed here John, they trust you."

"And I trust them." John whispered back. "Hey…I gotta know what do you think of Hermiod?"

"He is quite the something I'll have to say. He told me of the time you first met. Did you really stare?"

"Yeah he still holds that against me. But I see tonight he actually put on clothes for the occasion."

"A black tie is not clothes John." Evelyn laughed.

"It's a start."

TBC 54/60