As it turned out, Ford needn't have worried. When he and Mitchell woke up the next morning – which was only five or six hours later – they were still the only two in the room. Neither of them commented on this fact as he helped Melony get changed into a clean uniform – which was impossible to do on her own – but they would catch each other's gaze every now and then and start snickering for no apparent reason.

By the time Kale came to wake them, they were both dressed and ready to start the day, and in high spirits, despite the fact that Melony's leg and shoulder were still aching abominably because of the chill in the air and the awkward position she slept in the night before.

"Ah, you're awake! The Council wishes to speak with you – if you don't mind?"

She shook her head, looking over at Ford, who shrugged. He was ready for the day – although he wouldn't say no to breakfast if they had something hot.

"No, we don't mind? Are we to meet them in the same room?"

"No, they're on the way here," Kale answered immediately. "We don't want you on your leg any more than necessary."

That was nice of them.

Sheppard walked into the room just then, looking tired and disheveled, and Ford hid yet another grin at the slightly guilty expression on his face. Mitchell schooled her features before Ford could get her giggling again, and John tried to ignore both of them as he went over to his pack for something to change into.

"The Council's coming, Major," Mitchell told him. "Change fast or they'll catch you with your pants down."

Ford was suddenly overcome with a terrible coughing fit, and Sheppard threw a sharp look over at Melony, who gave him an innocent, wide-eyed look.

"Thanks for the heads up, Colonel," he said, grabbing a clean uniform. No sooner had he dropped his pack, though, then the Council arrived, and the room was suddenly filled with overly tall, naked people once more.

"Colonel Mitchell," Lora smiled a greeting as she and the others walked over to where Melony was sitting with her broken leg propped up. "We apologize for intruding so early, but we have a request to make of you and wanted to give you plenty of time to decide how you wanted to handle it."

"Oh?"

Sheppard came over to stand next to Ford so he could hear what was being said as well. Lora nodded.

"We have decided that we'd like to renew our acquaintance with the humans of the planet. We've been isolated from them for a long time, and feel that to regain the kinship we once had would be beneficial to both our peoples. My people aren't the best of farmers, and have discussed this and decided that we would gain from trading with the Humans for grains and fruits instead of growing our own. In return we could hunt for them, since to go out into the forests is dangerous for them. It is up to them, of course, but we'd like the opportunity to ask, and we feel it would be best for you to introduce us to them – since we fear if we simply showed up in the middle of their community, it might cause undue panic or fright."

Mitchell looked over at Sheppard, who scratched his stubbled chin.

"Are you taking us to them today?" he asked.

Kale nodded.

"If you wish."

"We need to get back to our own people," Melony said. "They're going to be worrying about us if they don't hear from us, soon and we don't want them to come looking for us and maybe run into the dark ones."

"We can be ready to go whenever you are," Lora said. "There is only one way to get you off the mountain, unfortunately, and we're fairly certain it will be uncomfortable for you because of your injuries..."

"Flying us off, you mean?" Sheppard asked.

"Yes."

"You really should get some clothes on if you want to meet the farmers," Ford put in. "We don't know them well, but they seemed a bit conservative – and there are children to consider..."

Kale frowned.

"Clothing does not transform when we change – which is why we don't bother with it most of the time."

"We could carry it for you, and you could get dressed once we land," Sheppard said.

You aren't going to enjoy a flight, Hot Shot

I know.

But they needed to get home.

"Well, I'd say we owed you guys for saving us from the Dark Ones," Mitchell said, glancing at Sheppard again, since she didn't want to arbitrarily make the decision.

He nodded his agreement.

"We could at least let them know who you are and assure them you're not going to eat them or anything."

"We won't eat them," Lora assured them with a smile. "I'll have those who are to take you find clothing for themselves while you and your companions have your breakfast."

The Atlanteans all nodded, and the Council left.

"Would you like breakfast here?" Kale asked Melony.

"If you don't mind?"

He smiled and shook his head.

"Not at all. I'll have someone bring it to you, since I need to seek out some clothing of my own, but I will see you soon."

"Thank you, Kale."

He left them, then, and they heard him murmuring a greeting to someone right outside the opening. A moment later, Teyla came walking in looking refreshed and relaxed.

"Good morning."

Ford was suddenly coughing again, but Melony had her mind on other things, now – mainly the damage an uncontrolled landing was going to do to her nowhere near healed leg.

We'll figure out something

Uh huh.

She'd have to ask Kale and the others. Of course, it was entirely possible that they were already working on the problem.