They enjoyed their breakfast after that. The talk changed to other topics – mostly Melony, since now that she had told them she was definitely planning on sticking around, they wanted to know a bit more about her. She let them in on her childhood and relationship with Jack O'Neill, but Beckett noticed she didn't share anything about Brad Anderson or the other lost members of the SG-2 team that Melony had once led.

He, of course, didn't say anything. If Melony didn't want to share, then he wasn't going to press her to. It did make him feel good that she'd shared it with him, though. Everyone needed someone to share with their pain with – that was what made it more bearable, right?

One by one they finished eating and drifted off to carious duties, well aware that there would be plenty of time for more storytelling later – who knew how long they had, after all? Eventually it was just Melony and Carson. Melony because she hadn't quite decided whether she was ready to try her tired legs again, and Carson because he knew when she did try them tired legs she'd probably end up needing a bit of help.

A cook came and cleared the dishes before they had a chance to deal with them, and Beckett turned to Melony.

"What are your plans?"

"For the Wraith?"

"No, for the rest of the day."

She smiled.

"I don't know... I figured I'd hobble around a bit. Try to get some mileage on my feet while staying out of the way. Maybe go looking around a bit more. How about you?"

"I don't have anything to do." He admitted. "I suppose I could go inventory tongue depressors and band-aids."

"Or you could come keep me from falling on my face..."

He smiled.

"Or I could come keep you from falling on your face – or at lest be there to help you up when you fall over from trying too hard."

"That'd be nice."

"Are you done?" He gestured to her empty coffee cup.

She nodded.

"You really don't have anything to do?"

"Nope. I rarely do unless someone gets hurt – so I don't mind being out of work, I assure you."

"I bet."

She started to get to her feet and found that was a struggle in itself. She'd been in one position too long, apparently, and not even Talon could really do much to help her get the stiffness out.

I'm not a Stair Master, you know

Yeah, yeah.

She staggered, held tightly by Carson who had anticipated the problems and was close at hand to help her.

"God..."

"It won't be long," he promised her, smiling reassuringly. "You're young and healthy, you'll recover quickly."

Not to mention you have me

Melony nodded, and draped her arm over Beckett's shoulder, trying not to use his help too much but knowing that she was going to need it for a few minutes at least – until she worked the stiffness out of her legs from sitting at the breakfast table too long.

You know, a better symbiote would probably have me running the 3 minute mile by now, she told him playfully.

A better symbiote would have you tripping so the good doctor would be forced to carry you in his arms back to your bed where he'd be forced to lavish you with all sorts of pampering and maybe even-

Stop! You win.

She was already blushing, and even though he hadn't said anything else, she had felt from his amusement exactly what he was going to say next – and it was going to be naughty.

What'd I say?

She gave him a purely mental poke, and tried to get her blushes under control before Beckett noticed. Hopefully if he did, he'd just assume the redness was from the effort of walking – even though they were going slow.

They walked out of the commissary and headed down the hall towards one of the elevators, but before they'd gone more than half the distance, Major Sheppard was there.

"Colonel Mitchell...? Do you have a minute?"

She nodded; she had all the time in the world, apparently. Which was a good thing, since it'd probably take her half that just to get back to her quarters at this rate.

"Sure."

"I wanted to talk to you for a minute..."

Melony nodded again. "I was hoping to get a chance to talk to you, too, Major."

"I'm not going to listen in on what is probably some boring tactical Military chatter," Beckett told them both, transferring Melony's right arm that was draped over his shoulder over to Sheppard, who took his spot willingly. "Take her out into the sunshine, Major and let her get some fresh air while you talk. I'll come find her in a short while."

It was his way of giving them privacy, and John appreciated it. He helped Mitchell walk out onto one of the decks that overlooked the city, and Melony leaned heavily against the protective railing, allowing him both hands free.

Sheppard reached behind his back and pulled out the Beretta she'd handed to him the night before her Wraith hunt.

"I thought you might like this back." He told her, handing it over.

She took it from him with a genuine smile, and nodded.

"Thank you, Major. I appreciate you holding onto it for me."

"You're probably going to need it more than I will – and I think General O'Neill would kick my ass if he knew I'd let you go Wraith hunting without it."

"Jack's a pussycat."

"Uh huh."

Mitchell smiled, and looked down at the various parts of the city below, and then out at the water that surrounded them.

"Major... I just wanted to tell you... what you did, shooting Colonel Sumner before the Wraith could kill him? You did the right thing."

John shook his head. It was something that he agonized over often – especially when he was alone in bed staring up at the ceiling and his thoughts managed to get the best of him.

"I don't know..."

"I do." She said. "I know – knew – Marshal Sumner. Knew him as well as anyone did and better than most. We were good friends. I also happen to be very well aware of just how much a feeding Wraith hurts – and I'll admit that if you had missed the Wraith and shot me when you fired the Jumper's weapon, I would have appreciated it."

She looked over at him, her pale eyes filled with sincerity.

"You did him a favor killing him."

"Do you really believe that?"

"I wouldn't say it if I didn't, Major. There was no symbiote to save him, and no way he could have survived. You ended the pain. I would have done it for him, too."

"Without hesitation?"

She shook her head.

"No, and not without having my doubts about it later. You're only human, you know? We're good at thinking and rethinking what actions we take and trying to find new ones for next time. In this case, though, I don't think you could have."

He was quiet for a long time, looking out over the water. She didn't say anything, either, knowing that he was wrestling with something he'd probably never had to face before. She'd never faced it either, so she could well understand. Finally, though, he nodded.

"Thank you, Colonel."

"I thought you should hear it..."

"I needed to."

She nodded, and he noticed that even though he felt better, the sadness in her own eyes was still there, lurking behind the rest of the emotions that he could read there. He wondered what had happened to her that caused it, and wondered what – if anything – could make it go away.

"I'd better get back to my duty charts," he said, reaching out and putting his hand over hers for just a moment – a gesture of thanks. "Do you want me to help you get anywhere?"

She shook her head, giving him a slight smile and squeezing his hand for just the briefest of moments.

"Nah, if I make him come looking for me, Becker will probably just give me one of those doctor lectures... doctors are very good at lecturing wayward patients, I've noticed."

"That they are."

"A little sun won't kill me, and it feels good out here. I'll talk to you later, Major."

"Yes, you will."

They had quite a while, after all. He let her hand go, and headed back inside, leaving her standing at the rail looking out over the ocean and the city. Her new home.

For now, anyways

Yup.