Chapter 7

The Return of SG1 and The Missing Major

A/N hey guys I'm back. I'm sorry it's taken me longer than usual to update. But I have been busy in school, had a test in two classes and then in one of the classes I had to prepare a speech. But I'm slowing down for a little bit so I can right a little bit. Well I hope you enjoy it, please review if you can. Oh and warning major sappiness in this one. Just wanted to let you know.

responses to reviews

Mauve: Thanks!!! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Hope you enjoy this chapter, this is the start of the one that I have been asking so many questions about. Enjoy and review when you can.

Sci Fi Fan Gillian: thanks for the review, I'm glad you are enjoying the story. Once again I'm sorry it's been a while since I updated but I've been busy with school. Hope you enjoy this chapter, please review again and I'll talk to you later.

Ok now on with the chapter, hope you enjoy and review when you can.

The next day John took Rachel out to the mall; they went to a movie and then ate at the food court. They then walked around a little bit and talked. He told her about how it was in Atlantis how beautiful the city was, and his puddle jumpers. She then told him about how much fun she was having at the SGC and helping her brother when there wasn't much else to do. She then told him about her missions she had gone on and her account about the attack. By the time she was done he could tell that she was getting tired and so he suggested they go home. She tried to argue but he told her he could just take her to Janet and let her stay with her for a little bit and she agreed to go back to his apartment. He smiled and they left the mall to go home.

The rest of that day and the next day they were lazy, occasionally going for a brief walk and to visit Janet.

The day that SG1 came back they were in the infirmary and Janet had told her that she thought it would be ok for her to walk on her own with out the crutches. She told her that she might have to use them for a little bit off and on for a few more days if she was by her self but that she could lean on John if he was with her. Rachel was extremely happy about that and let them both know about what she thought about the things. They laughed and it was about that time that the alarms went off and declaring there was a incoming worm home.

John smiled at Rachel, "Their back. Lets go see if their all in one piece."

Janet laughed, "With Daniel on that team I doubt it but you don't have to tell him I said that."

Rachel laughed, "I can't believe you said that about your own boyfriend. But it is true."

Janet laughed, "Come on you to lets go great them."

"Cool." Rachel said and started for the gate room limping.

"Wait up Rach." John called running up to her to walk beside her if she needed him to.

"Sorry." She said sheepishly.

"No prob." He said taking her hand.

A few minutes later they arrived at the gate room and went in. Rachel wanted to stand at the end of the ramp since the gate was already open but john wouldn't let her incase they were under fire. So instead they stood to the side closer to the door.

As soon as SG1 walked in jack started yelling for them to shut it down.

"Shut the damn thing down before they start following us." He yelled and a few seconds later the gate was shut down.

Rachel looked at the team, her team that she was usually with and saw that they all looked tired. She limped over to Daniel who was sitting on the ramp and set down next to him.

"Daniel? Are you ok?" She asked softly.

"Yea after I get some sleep, we didn't get to sleep much on that planet." He told her.

"That sucks." She said softly.

"Yea." He said then looked at her, "What about you? How have you been last few days."

She grinned, "Great! John and I went to the mall the day after you left and the rest of the time we just watched TV, took short walks and meet up with Janet every once in a while." She said, "And today I got off the crutches. She said I could use one of you guys if you were around to lean on or if I'm alone and get tired then I could use them. But other than that I'm off them."

"That's awesome Rachel." He said giving her a hug.

She hugged him back, "Yea. I'm really glad your back Danny, I didn't let John or Janet know it but I didn't sleep much since you were gone."

He pulled back, "Hey I'm ok, just tired, the natives didn't let us sleep much and kept following us around." He said and then laughed, "They annoyed the HELL out of Jack. Caused Sam, Teal'c and I great entertainment most of the time." He said, and she laughed.

By this time Janet had looked the other three over briefly and sent them to the Infirmary and was making her way over to Daniel and Rachel. When she got there she set down on the other side of Daniel and looked at him.

"Hey are you ok?" She asked looking him over.

He smiled at her, "Yea just exhausted, I'm sure you got the story from Jack."

"Yea a highly colorful version," Janet said laughing and Daniel and Rachel joined her. "Well come on, we still have to do the post mission check up."

Daniel nodded, sneezed and groaned, "Can you give me a large amount of benedryl so I can sleep, I think the planet was covered in rag weed."

"OHH gross, I hate Rag weed" Rachel said wincing.

"Yea It's a good thing you weren't with us." Daniel said, and looked back at Janet, "You think I bad, should see her with the stuff."

Rachel laughed, "No you don't."

Janet laughed, "Come on you two let's go."

"Why do I have to go?" Rachel asked.

"You don't. Just thought you might want to spend some time with your team. Knowing they are ok might help you sleep better." Janet said giving her a pointed look.

Rachel grinned, "Right ok, see you there." She said and jumped up and stared for the door.

Daniel laughed, "I think you scared her."

"I intended to. She thinks John and I didn't know, we did. If you hadn't come back today I was going to have them come stay with me tonight and give her some Tylenol pm." Janet said.

Daniel laughed, "That stuff knocks her flat on her ass in about 20 minutes."

He then got up and reached down to help her up. When she was up he wrapped an arm around her and then headed to the infirmary. When they got there Rachel was on her normal bed curled in a ball talking to the rest of the team.

Janet smiled, "Why don't we get this over with so you guys can get the briefing over and go home or stay here."

Daniel smiled at her, "Sounds good to me."

A couple hours later the team was dove with the check up, the test had all come out clear and Janet had cleared them to leave. As they were leaving the infirmary Daniel looked around and then called Janet.

She came running over, "What's wrong?" She asked.

"Nothing, it's just that I know Rachel was with us when we came in. But were is she now?" He asked.

Janet smiled, "She fell asleep while I was checking you guys out. I called John between checking Sam and Teal'c and had him come down and take her to her quarters."

"Oh ok, I guess I'm staying here tonight." He said smiling not wanting to leave his sister.

"Go brief the General and then get to bed." Janet said in her Doctor mode.

"Yes doctor." He said sarcastically and kissed her check, "See ya tomorrow Janny, or are you going to stay here to?"

"I'd stay but I've been here since last night. I want to go home." She said yawning.

He smiled and gave her a hug, "Ok then I'll see you tomorrow." He said smiling at her.

"Ok." She said hugging him back.

He kissed her again and then pulled away, "Get some rest Janny." He said as he started for the briefing room.

"I will." She called and headed for her office so she could get some things and lock up.

The truth was she wanted to stay with Daniel but she really wanted to be at home tonight. She'd stay with him another time. She got her stuff and left her office locking it up. She then went to the elevator and went up to the surface and went home.

SG1 briefed General Hammond on the mission, telling him about how the natives of the world found them very interesting and would not leave them alone, even to rest. They finally escaped the natives long enough to get to the Stargate and dial home. When the natives realized that they were gone they followed them and were trying to go through and by time the iris had been closed and the gate deactivated. Hammond asked a few questions and then released them. Daniel told the rest of the team he was going to stay on the base with Rachel and that he would see them later. They all nodded and said their good byes and went their own direction.

The next morning the sirens went off announcing an incoming wormhole. Jack, Sam, Daniel, John, and Teal'c arrived a few minutes later, and Rachel was still sound asleep in her quarters.

"What's going on?" Jack asked.

"Atlantis has contacted us and needs to talk to Major Sheppard." The sergeant said.

"Shit." John said.

He then walked over to the monitor, "Hey it's Sheppard, what's going on."

"John, we need you to come back as soon as possible." Elizabeth's voice said.

"Why what's wrong?" He said. "I still have about ten days."

"Ford is missing." She said simply.

"Damn, ok I'll be back as soon as I can. I swear." He said.

"Ok." She said and the gate closed.

John sat down, and looked at Daniel and Jack, "Guys, when is Rach's medal thing?"

"In about four days." Jack said.

John looked up, "Tape it for me will you? I'm probably not going to make it."

"Yea we will." Jack said.

"Were is she?" John asked.

"She's still asleep," Daniel said knowing this was going to break her heart since he was supposed to have another week in a half here.

"Right, ok I don't want to do this, but I have to. Since one of my men is missing." He said more to himself than anyone.

He headed for Rachel's quarters telling himself to do this instead of going without telling her. "That would hurt her worse." He said to himself as he got to her quarters.

He knocked gently on it knowing that she wouldn't hear it and then opened the door and walked in closing the door behind him. He walked over to her bed and set down next to her and for several minutes watched as she slept peacefully.

"Com on Sheppard wake her up." He said to himself.

He took a deep breath and reached out and caressed her check, "Rachy baby wake up." He said softly.

"No." She whimpered and he smiled.

"Rachel open your eyes, I need to tell you something." He said with a little more urgency in his voice.

She opened her eyes and slowly set up, "What is it? What's wrong?"

He looked at her for a minute, "I have to go back to Atlantis," He said.

A look of pure hurt went across her face and she looked down, "Oh, but I thought you were going to stay tell after my birthday."

John's mouth dropped briefly, oh shit her birthday, god it is coming soon. Damn it's the day of the medal thing.

"I was, and I might be able to get back before. But Rach, Lieutenant Ford is missing, he's one of my guys and I need to help find him." He said trying not to let the hurt expression on her face get to him and vowing that he would do his best to get back by Saturday.

"Oh, ok." She said understanding more, even though it still hurt.

"Come here baby." He said reaching out to her and pulling her into his lap. "I love you, you know that right?"

"Yes." She said laying her head on his chest.

"If I miss your birthday, I'll make it up to you. I swear." He whispered into her ear.

"Ok." She said.

"Rachel, are you crying?" He asked.

"No." She lied.

"Look at me." He said but she shock her head no. "Rachel look at me." He said again.

"No." She said.

"Rachel Ann Jackson look at me." He said a little rougher.

She relented and looked at him, her eyes red, "Oh God." He said pulling her closer to him and rubbing her back.

"I'm sorry, I know you have to since you guy is missing. It's just I wasn't ready for you to leave yet." She said between her tears.

"I know baby, I know, "He said kissing the top of her head. "I'd take you with me but, I don't know how smart that would be with your leg. I don't think it would matter anyways because I won't be in the city, and I don't know the details of why he's missing so I don't know how safe you would be. Don't want to risk you getting hurt. But I swear, when I get back I'll make it up to you somehow."

"Ok." She said.

"Rach promise me something." He said.

"What?" She asked looking at him.

He reached up and brushed her tears away with one of his hands, "Promise me that on your birthday, if I don't make it, you'll have fun. I don't want you to be depressed if I'm not there. Just know that I'm doing my best to find him and come back. If I don't make it on your birthday I'll plan something out special to make it up to you. So promise me you'll have fun."

She nodded, "Ok, I promise." She said. .

"Good." He said letting her lay her head back on his chest.

He lay back on the bed with her on top of him and rubbed her back. "John?" She asked softly.

"What baby?"

"When are you going to leave?" She asked not really wanting to know.

"I don't know, soon, but I want to hold you for a little better. I feel bad about leaving and possibly missing your birthday, I just want to hold you for a bit." He said, not to mention the fact that I'm also going to miss the medal ceremony. He added to himself.

"Ok." She said and relaxed against him.

They stayed liked that for a good while, just cuddling. But it ended when a knock on the door came and Daniel walked in.

"John?" he said softly.

"Yea?" John answered.

"Don't you need to go?" He asked.

"Yea," John replied rolling her gently off of him and setting up, pulling her with him.

Rachel stood up and limped to her bathroom not ready for him to leave. She knew she shouldn't be like this that she knew something like this was going to happen. But she just wished it hadn't happened four days tell her birthday. She leaned against the sink willing the tears to go away but they weren't listening, Dammit Rachel you got to pull yourself together, he doesn't want to go, but his guy is missing she told herself.

John sighed, "Shit, Daniel the look on her face when I told her. It broke my heart. I have to go though."

"I know John, and so does she. She'll be ok." Daniel said.

"I know, she thought she was getting two weeks with me and just got four days. She isn't normally like this, she's just upset our time together got messed up." John said. "So am I for that matter, but it can't be helped."

"Yea." Daniel said walking towards the bathroom.

"Daniel wait." John said, "let me."

"You sure?" He asked.

"Yea."

"Ok"

John went to the bathroom and opened the door gently, "Rachel, baby, I'm sorry, but I really need to go."

"I know." Came the soft reply.

"Are you going to come to the gate room like normal?" He asked gently but didn't get a reply.

He opened the door a little more so that he could see her and saw her on the cabinet crying. He looked away for a minute and then walked over to her.

"Hey listen, the sooner I go, the sooner I'll find him, and the sooner I'll get to comeback." He said grabbing a towel and whipping the tears away gently with it. "I know you're hurt, and it is breaking my heart, our time together means the world to me. You know that right?"

"Yes." She said, "I'm sorry, I'm being a selfish brat."

"No..no your not. I'm upset to." He said, "Your not a brat baby, your not a brat. You a sweet, caring, beautiful woman and your upset because your time with me has been cut. I understand, since we don't get much time as it is. But let's think about it like we do every time I go back. No good byes, see you soon, and maybe if possible I'll get to stay for a little longer next time." He said kissing her nose.

She looked at him for a minute thinking about what he said, "Yea...ok, sounds good to me."

He smiled, "Good. No more tears." He said pulling her off the cabinet and kissing her.

"No more tears." She agreed when they pulled back.

"That's my girl. Now wash your face, and let's go. The sooner I go the better chance I'll get to be back on your birthday or not long after." He said letting her go.

"Ok." She said, turning the water on and rinsing the tears off. When she was done she straitened up and gave him a huge smile.

"AHHH." He said happy to see her smile, "I love that smile."

She giggled and they walked out of the bathroom. When Daniel saw them he walked over to them, "Hey everything ok now?" He asked.

"Yea," John said and looked at Rachel, "Hey sweetie, I need to ask your brother for a minute. Mind going to get me a turkey sandwich?" He said kissing her nose.

"Ok." She said and ran out of the room.

John laughed and looked at Daniel with a serious look, "Daniel, does General Hammond know that he has her ceremony on her birthday?"

"It is? Oh shit it is." Daniel said, "No I don't think so. He wanted you to be one of the people there, maybe if I bring it up he will reschedule it and she wont have such a hectic day. Give you some more time."

"Yea that sounds like a good idea. But hey if you can't get it rescheduled, or you can and I still can't be there, tell her I said I'm proud of her." John said.

"Yea I will."

"Good and make sure she hold her promise to have fun on her birthday." John said.

Daniel laughed, "John stop worrying she'll be fine."

"Yea I know, just don't want to leave."

Just about then Rachel came back in with his sandwich and a coke, "Here ya go." She said.

"Thanks sweetie." John said, "I'll eat this when I get there. It's probably not a good idea for me to eat before going throw the gate."

She smiled, "Ahh, no probably not." She laughed.

"Come on you two, let's go before Jack comes looking for you." Daniel said not wanting to break this up but knowing John needed to go.

"Yea good idea," John said. He took Rachel's hand and they followed Daniel to the gate room were John's stuff was at already.

He looked at Daniel and Jack, "Thanks for getting my stuff."

"No prob, go find your man, and if you need help don't hesitate to call. But hurry." Jack said smiling, "I'm having a bar b que soon, want you to be there."

John smiled knowing what he was talking about, "Yea I'll do my best."

"Sergeant get her up." Jack ordered.

"Yes sir," came the reply.

Jack and Daniel smiled at John, "See ya soon John, good luck and be careful." Daniel said and followed Jack out of the gate room.

"Yea see ya soon, and I will." John said just as the Swoosh of the gate activating came. He looked at Rachel and she was watching the gate.

"Ok Rach," John said hugging her, "I love you baby. I got to go, duty calls." He said kissing the top of her head.

"Love you to, be careful." She said clinging to him while she could.

"I will." He said smiling, "Incase I'm not here on your birthday, I'm going to say this now. Happy birthday."

She smiled, "thanks." She said, "you should probably go."

"Yea." He said pulling away so he could kiss her. "See ya later." He said smiling, letting her go and headed up to the ramp, he stopped before he got there, "Love you."

She smiled back before answering, "See you later, love you, and good luck." She said in one breath.

He smiled, "Thanks baby." He said and then went through.

She sighed, she wasn't going to cry again, she was going to do what she had promised, and have fun. But she sill was going to miss him, like always till he got back.

Ok I know that was sappy, and that I might have brought her out as being a wimp. But I really didn't want to make her out like that. She was just upset cause her and john's time was cut short. Plus I have a plan from this chapter to tie into the coming chapter and the ones following it. So I had to have him go back, to make the plan work. I hope you enjoyed it, the next one should be up sometime this week. Please review and tell me what you thought and remember she was just upset. Talk to you soon,

Liz.

p.s oh and one other thing, I started another fic about Daniel and his wife. . It's called Angela Shannon Jackson. You can find it on my user page with this one. I'm going to be alternating posting a chapter for this one and that one. Just thought I would let you know so that if you want to you could go read it. Ok now I'm done, talk to you later.