A/N: Jules47 and NenyaVilyaNenya, you two are great. Thanks for all your support as I worked to finish this story. And again, thanks to everyone who's reviewed.

The Genii home world looked exactly the same as the last time they had visited. It resembled a seemingly unoccupied planet that had been formerly occupied by a civilization of farmers. Almost invisible to the naked eye was the irrigation hatch that Aiden had mentioned.

John circled once before setting the ship down in a clearing just beyond it. He quickly powered down the jumper, but left the emergency power and the cloak on. "Bates," he said. "Stay here and watch the jumper." He grabbed his P90 from the pack. He attached the silencer to it. "Teyla, Ford, you're with me."

John stepped out of the jumper while Teyla and Aiden geared up. He surveyed the area carefully. It was quiet. Almost too quiet.

"Ready sir?" Aiden asked.

"Lead the way Ford."

Aiden led them through the forest and to the irrigation hatch. "This leads down into the main irrigation pipe. There's a walkway that we can follow all the way into the Genii base."

"Guards?"

"It's a sewer pipe. Nobody wants to guard it."

"Can't argue with that." He motioned for Aiden to go. "After you." He followed Aiden down the hatch and onto the walkway. The smell was bad, but not distracting. Aiden set off at a quick trot.

The pipe was large, with a steady flow of water passing just below the walkway. Their footfalls made a rhythmic banging noise over and over again. It worried John slightly that they were making that much noise.

Suddenly, Aiden halted. "Quietly now. We're getting close."

The walkway stopped just ahead, a single path led into the Genii compound.

"Ford, open the door. Teyla and I will cover." John said.

Aiden nodded and quietly approached the door. He opened it slowly. The sound of the door creaking was maddening.

"Clear." John whispered. He then took the lead. "We need to find the holding cells."

"I think they're to the right." Aiden said. "I remember coming this way before."

"Yeah, it's familiar." John turned right at the first opportunity. He spotted a sign that indicated they were on the right track. As they walked slowly down the hall he looked for cover, for any kind of cover that they could use. There was none, the halls were narrow and clean. "Teyla, keep a close eye on our six. We've got no cover."

Teyla nodded, constantly looking behind them.

Suddenly, Aiden stopped. He held up a hand. He then held up two fingers and pointed around the corner.

John looked around, no cover, no place to hide. He held up two fingers and moved them in a slash motion across his throat.

Aiden quickly turned around the corner and fired a pair of shots. Both Genii soldiers fell over, dead.

"We've been made." John said. "Ford, let's move."

Aiden took off, running at full speed down the hall. The base alarms began wailing only seconds later. They had to hurry.

(Scene Break)

Elizabeth tried to control her breathing. She could hear the base alarms wailing and could even hear the sounds of Genii soldiers running. She couldn't see anything. She knew Koyla and his two guards were most likely guarding the door.

She suddenly felt Koyla grabbed her, hauling her to her feet. He pointed his weapon at her head. Elizabeth muttered a small prayer. She held her head high, she was ready. She would have no regrets.

(Scene Break)

"This is it." Aiden yelled.

"Pop it open!" John replied. "Teyla, flash bang!"

Aiden opened the door just a bit and Teyla rolled the flash bang in. There was a loud bang. Aiden then opened the door all the way. John was the first one in. He saw Koyla, momentarily dazed, with a gun still pointed at Elizabeth's head. John fired.

His bullet connected with Koyla's head. Koyla's expression was suddenly blank as Koyla began to fall. Teyla and Ford had already killed the other guards before Koyla had hit the floor.

John whipped out his knife and quickly cut the ropes around Elizabeth's arms and legs. He then removed the blindfold and gag. "You okay?" He asked.

"I will be." Elizabeth replied.

"Good." John handed her his pistol. "Let's go. Elizabeth, stay right behind Ford."

Aiden led them out the door and down the halls, engaging in a running gun battle. At each intersection he would have to stop and fire at incoming Genii soldiers. John swapped positions with Elizabeth so that he could help Ford.

"We're here." Aiden said as he opened the door to the irrigation pipe. He opened the door, shooting two Genii soldiers who were guarding the door. He then raced down the walkway.

"The water's rising!" John yelled as the water level started to overflow, onto the walkway.

The water was knee deep when they reached the ladder to the surface. Aiden began climbing. The water level was quickly rising. Elizabeth started climbing as the water rose over Teyla's waist.

"You next Teyla." John yelled over the roar of the water.

As Teyla began her assent, the water was rising towards John's chest. He gripped the side of the ladder with his free hand. The water was at his neck when he could finally begin to climb up. He was a few steps up when he lost his footing. His one hand slipped.

Teyla's arm shot down to grab hold of him. "John!" She screamed.

He flung his free arm up and grabbed on to hers. She helped pull him up amidst the raging water. He emerged cold and wet, but okay. "Come on!" He said. "We don't have much time."
They raced for the jumper, the clearing it had been in was empty. "Bates!" John yelled. The jumper appeared.

"Here sir." Bates said.

John climbed into the pilot's seat. "We're getting out of here. Everyone hold on."
Elizabeth took Bates' seat behind John. Bates held on to the back of her chair.

John raised the ramp and cloaked the jumper again. He quickly raised it off the ground and shot into the air. "Where's the gate?" He asked.

"Here." Teyla replied, calling up the ship's sensor display. "Twelve kilometers north."
"Dial Atlantis. Ford, send the IDC on our first pass."

"Yes sir." Ford replied.

Teyla quickly dialed Atlantis as soon as the gate came into view. Ford quickly punched in his IDC. John quickly circled. "Let's hope Rodney's awake." John shot through the gate at max speed.

He stopped just inches from crashing into the control room on the other side. He then brought the jumper into the tunnel and into the jumper bay.

(Scene Break)

After a shower and a change of clothes, they all assembled in the briefing room. John sat next to Teyla as usual. Elizabeth was in her usual spot at the head of the table. Rodney, Aiden, and Bates sat opposite John and Teyla.

"First off." Elizabeth said, her hair still wet from her shower. "I'd like to say you've all done an excellent job while I was captured. On top of that, I owe you my life."

"All in a days work." John replied. "I don't leave anyone behind, even if I didn't leave them behind in the first place." They all laughed.

"I've taken steps to assure that this never happens again." Rodney said. "Anything that Atlantis detects will always be classified as a threat, unless otherwise noted."

"Do you think the Genii will return?" Elizabeth asked.

"After the bloody nose we just gave them," John began, "I'd count on it. Koyla's out of the way though."
"You mean..." Rodney said.

"Not much choice really. He had his weapon pointed at Elizabeth's head. It wasn't cold blood."

"No, it's just that it's quite a relief." Rodney glanced at his watch. "Now, if you'll excuse me. I've got a date with Katie Brown in five minutes."

"Alright Rodney." Elizabeth said. "You're dismissed."

"Thanks."

"After I submit this report to Stargate Command, I think they'll be persuaded to reevaluate their opinion of you Colonel."

"I try." John said, a sarcastic smile on his face. "Who knows I may even get full Colonel."

"I think you've earned your Lieutenant Colonel rank John."

"What about me?" Aiden asked.

"I think you've earned you place on Colonel Sheppard's team."
"Thanks mam."

"As for your rank, you'll have to take that up with the new commander that's coming on the Daedalus."

"Yes mam."

"Teyla, anything you have to say?"

"Only that I look forward to some rest after these last few days." Teyla added.

"Or not." John added, smiling. This prompted another round of laughter.

"You're all dismissed." Elizabeth said.

(Scene Break)

John leaned against the rail of the balcony, the same one he had been standing on just days before. This time however, he was joined by Teyla. She was standing next to him, the wind blowing her hair gently behind her.

"You know," John began, "just a couple days ago I was standing out here. All I could think about was the events that took place during the siege of Atlantis. Now, all I can think about is you."

"The feeling is mutual John." Teyla replied, taking his hand in hers.

John shook his head, pulling her into an embrace. "One of these days, I'm going to ask you to marry me."

"One of these days?" Teyla wrapped her arms around him.

"I've got to get you some kind of ring. Right now, all I've got is my class ring from high school." John pulled it off his finger.

"It will do." Teyla said.

"Wait!" John said, breaking them embrace. "It's not supposed to be that easy." He got down on one knee. "Teyla, will you marry me?"

Teyla smiled, accepting the over sized ring on her finger. "Yes John, I will."

He stood back up, and kissed her. "Maybe I can order one online. Maybe we can get it sent back with the Daedalus."

"There is an Ethosian custom we can use."

"What does this custom entail?"
"We each give each other an object that is dear to us."
"Not my football game!" John said sarcastically.

Teyla laughed and they both went back into Atlantis.

So, what do you think of my first Atlantis fic? I've really enjoyed it. The feedback has been great and all the support has made it worth every minute of my time. Thanks again everyone.

Cpt. Ritter