Elizabeth couldn't help the surprised expression on her face when Sheppard walked into the briefing room two hours later. Neither could Rodney McKay or Teyla – both of whom had been sitting at the table with her. Kale was there as well, but he was polite enough not to stare, and Daniel didn't even really notice the difference. He just assumed the Colonel had combed it.

"You got a hair cut…"

He ran his fingers through his hair – which was much shorter than it had been and was neat and tidy for about the first time in a year and a half. It wasn't even as short as General O'Neill's, but it felt like he was bald.

"I got them all cut."

She smiled.

"The price of command, I suppose."

"Yeah."

He looked at the others.

"No one else is here yet?"

Weir shook her head, but it was Teyla who spoke up.

"Colonel Mitchell and Teal'c are probably still speaking with the Jaffa…"

Since John knew that General O'Neill had last been seen in the infirmary arguing with the doctors about his release from their care, that pretty much accounted for everyone who General O'Neill had asked to join him in the briefing room for a meeting before Melony took off with the Jaffa.

He went over and sat next to Weir, who couldn't help but reach out and run her fingers through his hair.

"It looks good, John."

"Am I going to have to separate you two?"

They all turned and saw Melony walk into the room, Teal'c looming beside her, and Weir smiled.

"I'll try to control myself."

Mitchell grinned and walked over to the table, taking a spot across from Sheppard – although Teal'c moved to take the spot beside Teyla. Before Melony could ask where Jack was, though, the door opened once more, and Jack, Sam, Janet and Carson all walked into the room as well.

Weir watched as everyone paired up without even intending to do it; Carson walking over to sit beside Mitchell, while Carter and O'Neill sat in chairs next to each other. Even Janet Fraiser, who Weir didn't know very well, joined Daniel at the table, giving him a warm smile that was returned by one equally cheerful.

"Gang's all here?" Jack asked, taking control of the meeting immediately. A quick glance around the table when he'd walked in had been all he'd needed, and he was pleased that everyone had managed to make it in before him, since he hated to wait. "Good. I want to talk with you all before Melony leaves, and I want to make sure we're all on the same page."

While it was obvious Kale didn't understand the reference to pages, the Light One didn't say anything, knowing that if he had any questions he could ask them later.

Jack looked at Melony.

"How long are you planning on being gone?"

She shrugged.

"A week. Maybe more. Maybe less, though. It depends on what I decide to do about the Mok."

Rodney spoke up before Jack could reply.

"Actually, Colonel, I think we may have found just the spot for the Mok." He reached over and pulled the laptop that had been sitting in front of Weir over to himself, and hit a few keys before turning it to face Mitchell. "This is planet A-045. It's tropical on the southern hemisphere, temperate on the northern, and completely abandoned. There are forests, lakes, streams and a very good climate – from what we saw when we surveyed it."

Melony took the laptop from him, looking at the report. It was one of the planets she'd considered when she'd started her Wraith hunt in the first place, but had been so far down the list that she hadn't actually needed to visit it.

"No wild creatures that might pose a danger to the Mok?"

"Not that we know of – but I suppose it wouldn't hurt to do a more thorough check of the place if you decided to consider it."

"We could send a team there while you're gone," Sheppard offered. "Without the Wraith to worry about, there's not much out there we can't handle."

"I could send Char with you," Kale offered. "Or others. In our alternate forms we are very adept at finding other creatures – even if they are well camouflaged."

"Plus you'd have a bit of back up," Jack said, approvingly. The more he knew of the Light Ones, the more he liked them.

Sheppard nodded, as did Melony.

"Find out what you can about this place, Colonel," Melony said, leaning back in her chair. "I don't mind keeping the Mok on the Pegasus side of the Stargate – as long as they're in a safe place."

"You're going to bring Jaffa in, though, right?" Jack asked.

"Yeah." She looked at Teyla. "I was also thinking that there are a lot of planets that were attacked by the Wraith before we managed to stop them… planets where the people might need help getting things going again."

The Athosian nodded.

"I am certain there will be."

"What are you thinking?" Weir asked.

"You're going to use the Jaffa to help these folks rebuild?" Daniel asked.

Melony shrugged.

"Why not?" She asked. "They're well suited for helping, and they can bring in supplies to tide those over who don't have enough until their crops can grow – or they can get enough of their survivors together to regroup."

Teyla smiled.

"That is a wonderful idea, Colonel Mitchell."

"What are the Athosians going to do?" Elizabeth asked Teyla, curiously. "Go home?"

"Some might. Others are discussing remaining on the mainland. They have made homes there – homes which could easily become permanent. If they had permission to, that is."

Weir nodded.

"They're more than welcomed to stay. And those who left could always come to visit…"

"Well…" Jack said, running his hand idly along the surface of the table in front of him. "I guess that pretty much settles everything. Colonel Sheppard here will be running the military aspect of things here in Atlantis, but if there are any major decisions that you don't fee you can make, feel free to contact the SGC. We have those mini ZPMs, and Colonel Carter tells me that there is plenty of power in them so we won't have to worry about remaining in contact with each other."

"Yes, sir."

"When are you going back?" Melony asked Jack.

"Tomorrow. Probably. Once I see you and Teal'c safely on your way, and the doctors can be convinced that I'm healthy enough to resume my duties."

Melony nodded.

"I'll make sure that someone always knows where to find me in case you need me. At least until I get a new flagship built."

Fuglier wasn't going to be salvageable, so she was going to have to start over – but Talon was already making plans.

Jack nodded, and stood up, ending the meeting.

"That's it, folks. Thanks for coming."