It was a measure of just how impressive the Ancient's shielding device working collectively with the Goa'uld shielding device worked when Melony woke up several hours after her last conversation with Jack, feeling a little tired, a bit sore but more than ready to get up and have a more serious discussion with the people around her.

Even more impressive; Talon agreed, instead of telling her to go back to sleep like she half expected him to.

No, we need to get up and running, Hot Shot, he told her. There are several things happening at once, and you and I need to know everything, so we can make some plans. Besides, our original plans can change; now, and probably will have to

"Because of Jack," Melony said, sitting up in the bed, and starting to pull off the little wires and sucker cups that had her attached to the machines that had been monitoring her vitals.

Yes

She didn't need Talon to explain. Jack was there, and there was absolutely no way he'd allow her to go off picking a fight with the Wraith without him. Her introspection, however,was interrupted by the arrival of a medic, who looked surprised to see her sitting up.

"Colonel Mitchell… you should be sleeping…"

"Where's Doctor Beckett?" Melony asked, ignoring the admonishment.

"He's asleep. I was supposed-"

Good.

Melony got out of bed, staggering just a little as a painful twinge stabbed through her right calf, but otherwise staying on her feet.

"You're not supposed to get up, yet," the medic said, doubtfully. "Doctor Beckett said that you'd sleep the night through."

"Nope. I'm awake. And I need to take care of some things."

"But Doctor Be-"

"Lieutenant."

While she didn't have any authority over Carson, she did have rank over all his staff, who were almost entirely composed of military doctors – and even though they were – technically – under his command and not hers, Mitchell had the ability to use that command tone of voice that automatically gained the attention of military personnel. Actually, it tended to get the attention of non-military personnel as well most of the time, also. And she used it when she needed to.

The Lieutenant snapped to attention in an almost Pavlovian reaction to that tone of voice, and Mitchell took advantage of that distraction to limp past her and out the door.

OOOOOOOO

"Well… crap…"

"Can I help you, sir?"

Daniel sighed, and turned to look at the Marine who had come up behind him.

"Yeah… I seem to have… um… misplaced my… quarters."

The Sergeant didn't grin, but there was definitely a gleam of amusement in his eyes when he spoke next. While he didn't know who exactly Daniel was, he did, however, know that he was one of the members of SG-1 who had come through the Stargate from Earth with General O'Neill, and therefore knew where Doctor Weir had put him and the others.

"I'll be happy to show you to your… misplaced… quarters, sir."

"I don't suppose you'd be happy to show me around a little?"

The Sergeant shook his head.

"I'm on duty, sir. I can ask Doctor Weir – or maybe Major Sheppard if they-"

"No." Daniel sighed again, knowing that both parties would probably be asleep. "I should get to my quarters."

The Marine nodded, and gestured for Daniel to follow him, and they headed for the elevator thing that Daniel had just exited.

OOOOOOOO

If the SGC has truly managed to find a stable method to return to Earth, you realize that means that we can use McKay to help us dissect the Wraith technology, right?

Melony nodded as she walked, more interested actually in keeping herself upright just then. She wasn't at one hundred percent – although Talon was so excited by the prospects of having almost unlimited resources to assist him that for once he wasn't really paying attention to his host. She was walking, and that was enough for him just then. And really, it was enough for her, as well.

"We can use Sam Carter, too…" She reminded him.

He was silent for a moment, and she felt another surge of excitement. Understandable, since Carter was even smarter than McKay, as far as Talon was concerned. Although Mitchell honestly wasn't sure. Carter was a genius, of course – probably the most brilliant woman on Earth in her field – and several others, but McKay was a fair match for her – intellectually anyways. Melony had her own opinion on other matches for Carter – but that wasn't really her business – unless it came up in conversation, of course.

True. And-

Talon's silent musings were interrupted when she turned the corner and saw Daniel and Sergeant Feril walking down the corridor ahead of them. Daniel saw her at the exact same moment, and he grinned, rushing forward, past the surprised Sergeant, and grabbed Mitchell up in a hug before she could say anything.

"Melony!"

She smiled and hugged him as tightly as she could – ignoring the twinges from her battered body. She wasn't completely healed, after all.

"Daniel!"

She felt his lips pressing hard against her cheek, and smiled because he was only one of a few who would kiss her so impudently. Sure enough, an instant later his lips had found hers in an exuberant and purely platonic kiss and then he let her go, still grinning, his eyes bright and excited, even as he searched her expression for signs of injury.

"I thought you were asleep?"

She shrugged, her arm still around him – more for support although she'd never admit it.

"I woke up. What are you doing wandering around the halls at night?"

He flushed, looking guiltily at the Marine, who grinned.

"I was… just looking around a little."

"And got lost?"

"No… I…"

"He misplaced his quarters, Colonel," Feril told her.

She smiled.

"Yes… that happens… the Ancients had… that problem all the time, I'm sure…"

"I need to get back to my post, Colonel. You have him okay?"

"I've got him, Sergeant," she confirmed, her arm tightening on Daniel's lean waist. "Thank you."

Feril nodded and headed back down the hall, and Daniel smiled, running his hand through her silky blonde hair. Another thing that very few people would even think of doing. Daniel, of course, wasn't at all awed by her rank.

"How are you feeling?"

"All things considered…?"

"What things?"

"You shot me down…"

He shook his head, grinning, because he knew that if she was feeling well enough to be exasperated by that, then she wasn't too badly hurt.

"Not me. I didn't even have a gun in my hand."

Besides, he was a terrible shot, and Melony knew it. She smiled.

"Come on, let's go to my quarters."

"Mine are closer… I think."

"Mine has a coffee pot."

"Let's go to yours."

Ha.