They walked into the briefing room together with Rodney detailing his part of the mission. Elizabeth stopped ,seeing that John and Teyla had put their
feelings on the table, too, since the latter couple were kissing like there was no tomorrow.

"Well, hello there." Rodney muttered, but Elizabeth
was too shock to hear him.

"Major! Teyla!" she cried not knowing if she should punish them for unwanted PDA or just let them be. As the two looked up John was worrying at all at being
caught, but Teyla looked sheepishly.
"I am sorry, Dr. Weir. I did not realize anyone would
find us here." She said John, however, looked like he
didn't share the sentiment, but made no comment
against it.

"Well, since we're all here now let's get down to business, shall we?" she asked. "Wait." She stopped suddenly. "Where's Lieutenant Ford?"

"Right here, Ma'am." Aiden Ford said strolling into the room, apparently having just come from a shower.

"Alright, let's start. Major." Elizabeth continued, "What the hell happened?"

A recap of with little glances between all came to an end, with John stammering to a stop about the time when Ford was captured.

"We honestly don't know what happened to Ford when he
went with the Wraith." Everyone looked at the young Lieutenant expectantly.
"Well," he began reluctantly, " They took me to one of those big 'feeding' rooms. The guy one offered me food. I asked why they cared about my eating. And, well, he told me that they were fattening me up for one of their sisters. Man, that was creepy! That was when the cavalry arrived. Thanks again, ma'am. That's about
it." he ended his narration, shivering slightly at reliving it.

"Well, gentleman, ladies, I think that about covers it." Elizabeth said. "Go get a good night's sleep. Dismissed." She told them. " Yes, Rodney?" she asked, as he had come up to her, looking really nervous.

"Erm. well. this is quite stupid, really, but. would-you-like-to-have-dinner-with-me?" he said, cringing at how it had come out.

She stood there, pleased at him being the one to ask, completely oblivious to Ford lurking in the corner.

"I'd love to. How's 21:00 sound? In the cafeteria, ok? Cool, see you then." And with that, she strolled out of the room, leaving behind one extremely happy
doctor.

"Doc. Hey, Doc." Ford's voice cut through his reveries.
"Mmm? Yes?"
"Can I talk to you for a minute?"
"Sure. Not too long, though. I have a date with the astounding Elizabeth Weir. Keep it short and sweet."
"Okay then. How's this!" Ford pulled out a gun and, taking the disbelieving Doctor by the neck, shoved him into the control room.

"Get off me!" the insane Lieutenant shrieked, flinging a totally scared scientist out of the way. "Now, Doc., get Weir on her microphone. I want to talk to
her!"
Rodney pressed some buttons.
"Elizabeth?" he spoke into the air, " Be careful!" he yelled, just before his world went black.

XOXOXOXOXOXO

"Rodney? Rodney. Can you hear me?" As the aforementioned scientist opened his eyes, he saw a beautiful woman surrounded by a white light.
'This must be heaven. She's an angel'

"Oh, thank God. He's awake. Rodney? Can you hear me?" the beautiful woman repeated. "What happened?"

"Are you an angel?" he asked softly. The question raises eyebrows and snickers from the others who were in the room. A few nurses could be
heard exhaling a small 'aww' or a wishful sigh.

"Thank you for the compliment, but, no , I am not an angel. You are in the infirmary and I'm Elizabeth. Will he be ok Carson?" she turned to the doctor.
"I should say so lass. He took quite a nasty fall, but, other than a headache, he should be fine. Alright, everybody out," with that, he left, bringing
his clipboard to another nurse, who glanced at the two still in the room.

"Still up for dinner? Or, breakfast, as my watch tells
me."
"Well, I was thinking of getting out of here, yes.
What time is it?" he groaned, sitting up in bed. Her
eyes traveled from her watch to him. He noticed and
wondered at the staring. She started giggling,
managing to say, "05:30."
He stared at her questioningly as she promptly blushed
and averted her eyes. He looked down and immediately
felt like an idiot: he was mostly naked except for his
boxers.
"So, yeah, um, maybe dinner tonight?" he said, clearing his throat and slinking down beneath the
covers.
"That would be nice? Where and when?" she chanced looking at him; relief and slight disappointment evident on her face when she saw him all covered up.

"Um, my place, maybe? Same time sound ok? Cool, then
it's a date."

Lt. Aiden Ford woke up in a holding cell to the muffled whispers of a guard and John Sheppard.
"Major Sheppard. I see you're ok."
"Ford. C'mon. We both know this isn't you; this is the Wraith." For once, John looked almost pleading, but just almost.
"You're right. This is the Wraith. And now, this is me as well. You pathetic beings will never hold us captive again. We will send more ships; even though
you defeated us once, we will come again!" he laughed
maniacally, his eyes rolling into his head.
"Get Carson down here, NOW!" John screamed, opening the cage to help his friend. Ford was rolling on the floor, torn between pure ecstasy and pain, the pain taking hold.

Carson entered the room at a run, followed by numerous other medics, Elizabeth, and Rodney. All stared at the man on the floor of the cage. Carson moved into action first, yelling medical terms to his colleagues. Elizabeth also went into action.
"Smith," she said into her microphone, " Get a sweep of Atlantis going, searching specifically for Wraith. Get Teyla on it, too. Rodney, move!" she pulled him
back and out of his state of shock as the doctors wheeled Ford out of the room and up to the infirmary.
The other three stood there for a moment, wishing none
of it were real.
"I'm going to take a walk." John said finally striding out of the room before the others could stop him.
"Major, hey, wait up!" Rodney fell into stride with
John. "Hey, what's up? Well, besides the whole thing of Ford going nuts, but, yeah.." He left it open in case the other man wanted to talk.
"I was thinking of visiting the mainland. See how the Athosians are doing. See if I could score some coffee or chocolate. Wanna come? I'll get Teyla, too," seeing
the other's hesitation, he added, "Unless you don't want to. I'll go and bring some back."
"No, I'll come. I just need to be back by 21:00. You know, to set up and stuff."
"Oh, yeah," John drawled, "You got a date tonight, huh. Need some tips?"

"No thank you, Major," Rodney's tone defensive, " I'm
just fine as it is."
"Call me John. Trust me, I'm an endless well of tips. For instance, if you somehow got a hold on some wine," he winked, "don't leave it too long or-Teyla! Hi!" all
three stopped to stare at each other: John and Teyla at each other, and Rodney at John in disgusted disbelief.
After a few moments of silence, Rodney couldn't take it anymore.
"The mainland, Ma-,John." He reminded the other man, snapping an impatient hand.
"Yes, right. Teyla, would you like to visit the
mainland with Dr. McKay and I…me, Dr. McKay and me?"
"I would love to see my fiends again. Thank you." she
and John just stared at each other, oblivious to the infuriated doctor, who let loose a sigh. He couldn't help it, nor did he want to. He was just bored of the whole lovey-dovey, mushy stuff.
"I believe Doctor McKay would like to leave now, so, we shall." Teyla stated, finally catching his hint.
"Lead on, MacDuff." John told her enthusiastically,
with amusement at her quizzical look.
"It means let's go." Rodney told her.
The trio made their way to what was the jumper bay
where, as John stepped in, Jumper 1 came alive.
"Hey! Ahhhh! Don't hurt me, please!" cried a small
voice from the front seat of the jumper.
"What the-Elizabeth!" Rodney tapped his earpiece, "We
have a.situation. Could you get down here now? Yeah,
thanks."
Teyla made her way to the young girl.
"Do not be afraid. I am Teyla Emmagen, this is Major
John Sheppard and Doctor Rodney McKay." She tried to comfort the girl, nodding to each in order of her introductions. The guys looked nervous and distant;
Teyla smiled and shook her head, wondering at the boys' hesitation.

Elizabeth appeared at the jumper door suddenly, taken aback at the presence of a previously unknown being on Atlantis, let alone a little girl.
"Hello there. What's your name?" she asked kindly to
the shaking child in the front of the jumper.
"I.I am Jessalyn. "And this is Teyla, John, and
Rodney." The child stated, proud at remembering all of
their names.
"I am aquatinted with the other three, but, thank you.
I am Elizabeth Weir. Where are you from, exactly?" she asked.

"I am from Earth but was moved to Macidia and I came
back here with these three, and another, and they
didn't know I was there and-" she cut off on the verge
of tears.

"Shhh. It's alright, Jessalyn." Cooed Elizabeth, maternal instinct taking over. She took the child into her arms hesitantly. Rodney felt his heart warm at the
sight of the woman he loved comforting a sweet child; a child who looked extraordinarily like-
"Rodney."
"Huh-What? Yes?" he hated being cut off like that.
"Will you come with me to get this girl some food? How about a quick meeting when you two get back from the mainland?" she addressed the other two.
After nods and murmurs of assent and short good-byes,
the two groups went their separate ways.