It continues…

Izzi Raneri had packed all she thought she would need. Just a few bags and her computer was all she thought she would need. She hadn't been on Earth in so long and the thought of merely being provided or being able to buy whatever she needed was a privilege that seemed so foreign. It was amazing. When she had first left for Atlantis, and they'd become trapped, she'd cried each night. Despite the opportunity to explore another galaxy, despite all that they had experienced and the family that they had become, they were isolated, in constant danger and alone. She'd remembered when they'd finally made contact with the Daedalus, when she'd heard her father speak to Dr. Weir. She'd sagged down in her chair, tears streaming down her face in spite of herself, as if a weight was suddenly lifted. And in a matter of hours she would be stepping through the gate with her dad, the assigned marine detail to Stargate Command. She looked down at her breakfast parfait, hardly touched and then back to the ocean. She was going to miss this view. At least until they came back. If they came back.

"Here you are."

She looked up to see Commander Sheppard walking up to her table. "Y'know," he continued, grunting as he sat," you're a hard person to track down."

She returned his smile. "Sorry, sir. I just wanted to see the ocean one more time before the trip through the Gate."

He smiled again, this time a full one that met his eyes. "How's your dad?" She knew that Colonel Sheppard and her father didn't really get along, which always struck her as odd because when you broke them down to the bare bones, they had a lot in common, one being that they truly cared about those under their command. John Sheppard definitely exuded big brother energy in his emotional attentiveness. He wasn't a total softy. He didn't tolerate unprofessionalism or anything. But there was a familiarity he had with his staff. He seemed to know something personal about each and every one of them. They weren't just soldiers under his command. Even now he was doing it to her and she wasn't even technically a member of his team. He was trying to check up on her. Her dad was the same. The only difference was Sheppard made sure that the soldiers knew it. That and he didn't mind people calling him by his first name.

"He's better. Dr. Carson said that the ribs will take a couple of months to heal but that as long as he does physical therapy (which he probably wouldn't) and he takes it easy (again, he probably wouldn't) he should make a full recovery."

She looked at him in time to see him nodding introspectively, as if he could hear her inner monologue. "So basically what you're saying is that he'll probably do things the hard way and not follow Carson's orders?"

"Yup," she nodded, forcing herself to take a large spoonful of the parfait.

"Well, you can't really blame him for that. It's a military thing. Something in the water they give us." That earned him an Izzi chuckle and he continued, stealing an uneaten orange slice from her plate. "Anyway, I came here to tell you that you're up for a Commendation."

Izzi stopped mid-spoonful. "Me?"

"Um-hmm," he affirmed. "Right after you get back. I mean you have to admit you deserve it, right. Stargate Command does as well. You saved all of us, you know, the Athosians and the crew of the Daedelus when you think about it. Just wanted you to be ready for all of the pomp and circumstance when you get back, y'know. Oh and the Athosians might have a few things as well. Hermiod may even have something on behalf of the Asgardians. So make sure you get yourself a spa day in preparation."

"Ugh…" Izzi grimaced, covering her face with her hands in embarrassment. "That really isn't necessary. All I did was my job." The thought of so many people looking at her, congratulating her, saying thank you and telling her how great she was made her stomach turn.

"Against a Goa'uld who was hiding in your dad. Let's not negate how hard that was." She looked up at him though her fingers, to see him smiling slightly. "I know how hard dads can be." Her dad could be, she could hear him saying in her head.

"Thank you sir," She said, " for the warning." a beat later, " and ….for not shooting him."

John Sheppard's grin faltered for a moment. He thought back on that day, the look he had given Weir when the Goa'uld had shown itself through Colonel Caldwell. Dr. Weir's look had been a sort of command for him to do whatever he had to in order to get the codes. But when she started to walk out of the room he saw a second set of large brown eyes watching him, red and brimming with tears, horrified, quickly shifting between his eyes and the gun. It had been only a brief moment but that had changed his entire plan, caused him to use the taser rather than force and in essence changed everything. He nodded slowly, looking up to realize that she was staring at him with those same large brown eyes. Normally he would find a way to joke away this heroism but decided against it. "You're welcome," he said, patting her hand and picking up the tray of remaining items, "Lemme throw this away for you."

"Colonel Sheppard?" Izzi called again, softly as he got up from the table. Before he could reply she slowly launched herself towards him, pulling him in for a hug. " Sorry," she said, muffled through the hug," I'm a hugger. It's the only way I know to really say thank you."

Sheppard outright laughed at this. "It's ok, Izzi," he said into her hair, hugging her back. "You're welcome." His grin grew as he continued to hug her. "Y'know, some people say thank you with gifts and since you're going back to Earth.."

"What do you want me to smuggle, sir?"

"Some mint ice cream and some Oreos would be nice."

Izzi broke the hug feeling a bit lighter. "I'll do what I can, sir," she said now laughing as he rubbed her head. Yup. Definitely big brother vibes.

"That's all I ask," he tossed back as he threw the trash into the receptacles. She then watched him radio for one of his Marines, Lt. Davis, to help take her things from the cafeteria to the Gateroom. But before she could say thanks again, he was gone.

She shook her head laughing to herself, walking up to the pier and sitting on one of the benches. She looked at her watch, noting that she was still good on time and tried to drink in a bit more time with the ocean. And now that she had given up the facade of actually trying to eat anything, she could actually spend time with it. Colonel Sheppard's visit had certainly been a great respite but her nerves were in shambles. She had eaten very little and slept even less. What would happen to her dad once they got back home? What would happen to him? She let the ocean breeze comfort her, soothing her until she felt her eyelids become heavy. She felt her head sliding, sleepily lobbing back and forth on the wall when she felt her head impact something beside her and the rumble of chuckling. Mentally, she expected it to be Colonel Sheppard again. But she opened her eyes to see someone completely different.

" Lorne," she said, blinking quickly. "I thought Colonel Sheppard sent Davis."

"He did. But I figured since everyone else was saying their goodbyes I would get to say mine too. Didn't expect to find you passed out snoring and scaring the birds away." Izzi looked at him, eyes widening, mortified. "Kidding," he said finally, earning him a playful shove.

"You know you have all of these women fooled," Izzi said. "All I keep hearing is how awesome and gentlemanly Major Lorne is. If they only knew." He only shook his head and chuckled in response. She knew what would come next. How are you? How is your dad? It wasn't that she didn't appreciate it. She really did. But after having to steel herself to hug Colonel Sheppard rather than start crying again, she wasn't looking forward to being so close to tears again. To Lorne's credit, he didn't say anything. He just sat with her quietly, giving her room to make the next move. "So, do you want anything from Earth?," Izzi asked. " Your boss has me sneaking him Oreos and ice cream. If I'm going to be a fugitive, I might as well bring you something too."

"No. I'm good," he said. "You'll have your hands full enough trying to pull that off."

"True." In spite of herself, In spite of not wanting to talk about it, the question slip out." When we get to Earth, what types of questions will they ask?"

Lorne, being, well, Lorne, couldn't exactly lie to her. He owed her an honest answer. "They'll do what they can to get inside his head. To know what the Goa'uld knew and any other possible connections to the Trust."

"You think he'll lose the Daedelus? Get court martialed?

"No!" Lorne's response was immediate. "No….." Stargate Command can't allow classified information to get out. Little chance he would be released to the wilds of home. "Nah… Don't worry about it. It'll be harsh to witness. I'll grant you that. But when it's done, it's done. And they'll let him go back to serving as he's always done.

Dr. Raneri, report to the Gateroom.

Lorne smiled at her. "Come on. I'll walk you."

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