Disclaimer: I don't Stargate Atlantis or anything related to it.

As the next few days progressed, Major Greene's headaches became more persistent. Beckett and McKay were working overtime trying to find anything that would help her. Finally, McKay suggested removing the box from Atlantis. It was a long shot at best, but they were coming up with little else. Sheppard assembled a small team including Teyla, Ronan, Major Lorne, and Radek Zelenka to take the box back to where they had found it.

'Rodney, I understand. You don't have to keep repeating yourself. As long as Colonel Sheppard or Major Lorne is the first and last to touch the device the rest of us will be fine,' Zelenka repeated back to the other scientist.

'I just don't want anyone else activating it. For all we know, we could have an epidemic on our hands,' McKay replied.

Weir interjected, 'Gentlemen, I think it's time we sent this thing back to where we found it. Wouldn't you agree?'

'Elizabeth, I'm just being cautious,' McKay said in self-defense.

'Rodney,' she said simply.

He opened his mouth to respond, but shut it again quickly as he took in the look she gave him.

Weir nodded for the gate to be activated. Once the wormhole was established, Sheppard first took hold of the box with Lorne. Teyla and Ronan followed suit. The four of them went first and were followed by Zelenka. Weir was smiling at Rodney.

'What?' he asked.

'Nothing,' she said simply knowing he really wanted to go with them but could not because he was needed on Atlantis to keep an eye on Greene's condition.

: P

'All right, set it down here. Ronan, Teyla, you first,' Sheppard instructed. They were in the middle of what could only be described as a forest grove. 'Major, go ahead.' Lorne loosened his grip and let go, Sheppard doing the same. 'Well, that ought to do it.'

Ronan spoke up. 'We should bury it.'

'Why?' Sheppard asked, not liking the idea of more work.

'Because someone could find it,' came the simple response.

'All right, then we'll bury it,' Sheppard replied. 'Anyone got a shovel?' Lorne handed Sheppard a couple of shovels Zelenka just happen to be carrying. 'Okay. Ronan, a little help here?' The Setedan took the extra shovel and began digging immediately. Sheppard reluctantly joined him. A half hour later the device was moved into the hole, and dirt was being shoveled on top of it. As soon as the task was finished, Colonel Sheppard ordered the team back to the gate. They were within sight of the gate when a wormhole established, and a wraith dart flew through it. The team barely had enough time to dive for cover behind some nearby rocks in order to avoid detection. 'Well, this isn't good.'

'Colonel?' Teyla asked waiting for more instruction.

'I'm thinking!' Turning to the scientist in the group he asked, 'Zelenka, anything we missed?'

The Czech checked his various instruments. 'Nothing, Colonel, but the dart was heading away from the device.'

'Well,' Sheppard started, 'I think we better stick around for a while and make sure nothing untoward happens.' He motioned for them to move out. Ronan and Lorne took the point with Zelenka in the middle and Sheppard and Teyla behind.

Meanwhile, back in Atlantis, Dr. Beckett's frustration grew. 'Major Greene, I've gone over your blood work again. It seems you have a bit of Wraith in you.'

'Tell me you're joking,' she responded. Beckett shook his head. 'Well thanks for being blunt anyway.'

'I'm afraid it's actually more than that.' She looked at him as if to tell him to shut up if it was bad news. 'You also seem to have the Ancient gene as well. I'm trying to determine how, but at the moment . . .'

She sighed and sunk back onto the bed. 'There's nothing you can do.'

'Aye.' He sat next to her. 'I'm sorry.'

'Not your fault.'

'Rodney and I are doing our best.'

'I know.' Turning to him, she asked, 'When can I get out of here?'

'I don't see why you can't go now since there's little else I can do for you right now. I'll radio you if I find out anything new,' he replied. 'And if you're feeling any differently . . .'

'I'll come back,' she said, getting out of bed slowly. 'Thanks, doc,' she said as she left. The headaches were still plaguing her, but they were less intense since the removal of the device.

Beckett sighed as she left. Tapping his headset, he said, 'Dr. Weir, we have a new development.' Within minutes Weir arrived with McKay in tow.

'Carson, talk to me,' she instructed.

'Elizabeth, Rodney,' he said quickly by way of greeting and received a nod from each. 'I've gone over Major Greene's blood work again and found something interesting. It seems she has both Wraith and Ancient gene markers in her system. At the moment they seem to be evening each other out, but I don't know for how long or what any of it means. It might also explain the headaches.'

'Wait, wait, wait,' McKay spoke up. 'She has the Wraith gene?'

'Aye.'

'Carson, where is Major Greene right now?' Weir asked.

'I let her go. There was nothing else I could do, and I didn't see any harm in her leaving for a bit. She's been a quite restless since Sheppard's team left Atlantis.'

'You let her go!' McKay practically yelled.

'Rodney,' Weir said, 'I'm sure Major Greene will be fine. Why don't you go back to the lab and see what you can do to help her.'

'Fine,' he replied and stomped off in the direction of his lab.

Turning back to Beckett, Weir said, 'Do what you can, Carson. Okay?'

'I'm doing my best, Dr. Weir.'

She nodded and left him to his work.

Beckett and McKay were not the only ones coming up empty. The away team was just as, if not more, confounded by what they were seeing.

'This is not normal. I cannot sense what the Wraith are doing,' Teyla said.

'It's like they're looking for something that's not there,' Sheppard replied. 'Ronan, what do you make of this?'

Ronan watched carefully for several seconds from the cover of the wooded hillside. 'They have located something important.'

'How do you know?'

Not turning away, he answered, 'Because they're digging a hole.'

'Is that what that is?' Sheppard asked looking toward the Wraith.

'Ronan is correct, Colonel. I can sense it better now. The Wraith are in search of some object, but I do not know what.'

They all turned toward Zelenka. 'I'm sorry, but there are no energy signatures.' Everyone turned back to look at the Wraith.

'What do you think, can we take 'em?' Lorne asked Sheppard.

'Let's wait it out for a few more minutes, get a better idea of what they're after.'

Several minutes later the small party of Wraith made as if to leave. Sheppard gave the signal and Ronan led the surprise charge. All three Wraith were dead in a matter of moments. Laying among them was what looked like a smaller version of the device. Zelenka checked it over and gave them the all clear. Sheppard pocketed it and ordered them back to the gate. This time, fortunately, they made it without incident. Teyla dialed Atlantis and all five of them were back in moments.

'Colonel Sheppard,' Weir greeted them, 'you're late.'

'Yeah, I realize that, but we didn't come back empty handed.'

'You didn't?'

'Nope.' He quickly gave Weir an overview of what they witnessed before pulling the mini device out of his pocket. 'I believe the good doctors may with to see this.'

Out of nowhere, McKay snatched the box from Sheppard's hand. 'Major Greene, come to lab immediately,' he commanded over his radio as he stalked off to his lab.

'Hey!' Sheppard called after him to no avail. 'You don't even know what that does!' He shook his head and looked around. 'Did you see that?'

Weir smiled at Colonel Sheppard's child-like behavior. 'Let him go, John. He's just as excited as you, but he has more work to do.'

'It's still not fair,' he pouted. Ronan slapped him on the back and said nothing as he left the gate room. Teyla followed giving him a sympathetic smile. Zelenka had wandered off with McKay so that left Weir with Colonel Sheppard and Major Lorne.

Weir said, 'Major, would you show the colonel to his quarters please. I think he needs some rest.'

'Yes, Ma'am.'

As he was led off, Sheppard responded, 'I'm just sayin'.'

With the gate room empty, Weir went back to her office for a while, but curiosity finally got the better of her. McKay's work was just inherently more interesting than hers at that moment. When she arrived though, she found an unexpected sight. 'Radek,' she looked at the baffled Czech, 'what's going on?'

'She just touched the box and then they, it just,' he responded, still obviously in shock.

Weir activated her radio. 'Dr. Beckett, could you come to the lab please? There's something you need to see for yourself.'

End Chapter 3

A/N: Sorry for the cliffhanger, but this'll make sure you read the next chapter. Please review if you're reading this. Cheers!