You know, in retrospect it might have been a good idea to warn the others about the potency of that special drink those farmers make

Mitchell sighed, looking over at Sheppard, who had passed out about two hours before dawn and was now sprawled on the floor in a corner, covered with a blanket to keep him warm but otherwise left where he'd fallen. Near at hand were the other members of the team, all passed out as well. They weren't the only ones, of course – several of the farmers had found a nice little space of their own to pass out and sleep off the drink – but Mitchell was the only one of the Atlanteans who was awake and there were very few farmers left awake in Koren's house. Those that had remained sober – most of them – had gathered up their children and headed for their own homes, promising Lira and Koren that they'd be over later to help clean up, and telling Mitchell that they'd have the wagons ready at sunrise.

Yeah, probably.

Melony had no idea how she was going to get them sobered up in time to head back to the gate. She'd leaned over and nudged Rodney McKay with a stick – he was the only one she could reach – and he'd mumbled something she couldn't understand and had rolled out of reach.

"Are you all right?" Kale asked from where he was sitting beside her. He'd been close at hand all night, acting as her legs if she wanted anything and had heard her sigh.

"I'm okay," she told him, looking from Sheppard's sleeping form over to Kale. "Just trying to figure out how to get them all home."

"Perhaps you should wait until they wake up?"

She shook her head, looking at her watch and doing some quick math. Already, the people at Atlantis would be wondering where they were – although they shouldn't really be worrying, but you never knew.

"If my people get worried enough, they'll send some others looking for us, and the last thing we want is to risk them running into any Dark Ones."

She'd been attacked by Kale, and had been no match for him – even though he hadn't actually been trying to hurt her. There was no doubt that of another team was sent, and ran into a pack of the Dark Ones they'd be decimated.

Kale nodded.

"Perhaps they'll wake before the sun rises..." He didn't look all that convinced, though, and Melony didn't feel all that confident about that. The sun was going to be up within a half hour – certainly no more. Already she could see the sky lightening through the windows.

Maybe monkeys will fly out of your ass...

Mitchell was glad she hadn't been drinking anything, because Kale would have been wearing it – undoubtedly snorted through her nose. As it was, she grinned, hiding it as well as she could by rubbing her face.

"I don't think so, but we'll see."

"Are you tired?" He asked. It had been a long day for her, and she was injured, although her leg didn't seem to be bothering her since earlier that day and she hadn't complained about anything.

"A little."

"You could take a nap."

She shook her head.

"I'll wait until I get back." For the same reason. She didn't want to waste any more time than necessary, now, because she didn't want to risk someone coming looking for them.

Kale nodded.

"I'll ask Koren how long it will be until the sun comes up and we can depart." They didn't dare go in the dark, after all. He stood up and Melony watched as he walked over to the farmer, who was drinking a cup of tea and discussing something with Aron. A moment later all three came over to Mitchell.

"The sun'll be up shortly," Koren told her. "I've already sent the boys out to load up a wagon with our surplus – and a bit extra since Kale and Aron assure me that the Light Ones will make up whatever we give you extra."

"That's very generous of you," Melony said, smiling. "All of you." Her smile included Kale and Aron, now.

The Light Ones smiled as well.

"It is nothing compared to what you and your companions have done for us."

"Aye, or what you've done for us," Koren agreed. "We can allow our herds to grow a bit more, now that we'll have other meat products thanks to the Light Ones, so we'll prosper more than ever."

"Well, you're all welcome," Melony said, shaking her head. "Now, if you can just help me figure out how to get my people awake, I'll be in your debt."

OOOOOOOO

They never did get them awake. None of them. Instead, they were simply put into an empty wagon, with enough blankets to keep them from being tossed around and bruised during the trip. Mitchell was helped into a wagon as well, although she was sitting upright, and in the front of the wagon that Cay was driving, so that she could talk to the farmer as they traveled.

The Light Ones had transformed themselves into wolf shape and were trotting next to the wagons, especially guarding the one that held the sleeping Atlanteans. With such guardians, the farmers didn't feel nearly so nervous about traveling through the woods – although there were several looks over their shoulders as the small caravan meandered into territory none of the farmers had ever been in.

They didn't have any reason to be nervous. The Dark Ones never showed, and when the Stargate came into sight, the farmers rolled the wagons right up beside it and stopped, all of them looking at Melony.

Since there wasn't anyone else available to dial the gate, Mitchell had a couple of the farmers help her down, and Kale (in wolf form) came over and took his customary spot beside her and supported her over to the dialing device. She leaned heavily on him and dialed the gate, watching the shocked reactions of the farmers as the gate activated. Melony sent through her IDC, and keyed her radio, hoping that someone was listening in.

"Atlantis base, this is Colonel Mitchell..."

"It's good to hear from you, Colonel," Weir's voice came over the radio only a moment later. "We were beginning to get worried."

"Yeah..." She'd figured they were. "It took us a bit to get supplies together."

"Was your mission a success, then?"

"Completely. I'm going to need you to have a few gurneys ready, though."

"You have injuries?"

"A few, but nothing serious. Major Sheppard's wrist is broken, but-"

"Is he available?"

"He's... um... asleep..." she trailed off. "It's a long story, Doctor Weir, and one that's better told in person. Just have someone on hand to grab everyone as I push them through, and then have people ready to get the supplies as they come through, please."

"Roger that." Weir could wait for her explanation, trusting that if Mitchell said the injuries weren't that bad, then they weren't. "We're ready on this end."

Melony nodded, and turned, waving at the farmers. They got off their wagons and carefully gathered up the members of the Atlantean team and pushed them through the gate – none of them were willing to touch the watery surface, so they couldn't actually support them all the way through, and they definitely didn't want to go through the gate – so the team would probably fall in a heap when they landed on the other side, but it wouldn't kill them.

Then, the farmers started tossing bags of grain and meats through the gate – although a couple actually went to the other side to see if the bags and the people were falling through the ring.

"Amazing," Koren said, shaking his head as he watched his sons finishing up the second wagonload.

Mitchell nodded her agreement, but didn't say anything as the final wagon was unloaded quickly. Once the last of the supplies were through, she used Koren for support and Kale transformed back into his 'human' form. Melony smiled and gave him a slight bow, although it hurt her shoulder to do it.

"Thank you so much for all you've done."

Kale smiled.

"For hurting you?"

Melony's smile turned to a grin.

"I've been hurt worse."

She turned to the other Light Ones, who had all transformed as well and were all smiling.

"Thank you."

There were smiles all around, and she found herself with a half a dozen helpers taking her over to the gate.

"Someone will be there to keep you from falling?" Cay asked her.

"I hope so..." she told them. She was good for one step, and that was going to be it. Then she was going to fall on her face.

"Come back and visit us sometime." Kale said. "Some day when you're healthy and can join us in-"

Melony grinned.

"We'll see." She gave them another wave, and then took that one step that took her through the gate.