"ZPMs," John announced triumphantly. "A lead on at least three, possibly more."

"You're sure the information is valid?" Elizabeth asked skeptically.

"As sure as we can be," Rodney replied. "The Brenye are technologically advanced but have always chosen to live simply, using nature to supply their needs. Why anyone would choose to live that way escapes me, when the advent of technology--"

"Rodney," Elizabeth said firmly.

He nodded. "Right. Anyway, about fifty years ago a research expedition on the far side of the planet discovered some items that look like ZPMs from the schematics I was shown. Their scientists theorized that they could be used as an energy source, but the conservatives in the group wanted to continue using the natural methods...water, wind, Mother Planet, Father Sky...that had been practiced for as long as anyone could remember. Eventually the colony divided; the forward-thinkers took the ZPMs and gated to another planet while the traditionalists remained on the home world and played 'Look! I'm an ostrich!' " Seeing their confusion, a pained expression flitted across his face as he sighed and tried to explain. "You know: bury our collective heads in the sand, pretend not to notice as technology passes us by..."

"In any case," John interrupted as he cast a quelling glance at the scientist, "the Brenye who have remained on the planet have recently begun contacting other races and would like to meet with us. We might have some medical supplies they would be interested in, but I think what they want most of all is the chance to talk to our people."

"And in exchange they'll give us the gate address the other Brenye used when they left?" It sounded almost too easy, but years of diplomatic service had taught her that treasure truly did lie in the eye of the beholder.

Rodney nodded eagerly. "Their records mention at least three ZPMs that were taken during the disagreement, but some of the documents are missing. It's conceivable that there might have been more."

Teyla's eyes were cautious. "There is one aspect to the arrangement that might not be to your liking, Dr. Weir."

Elizabeth lifted an eyebrow and looked to John for an explanation. His face serious now, he said, "The Brenye want to meet you personally. Leadership is very important to them, and they want to honor you during a visit to their colony."

Caldwell immediately objected. "It's too risky. As leader of Atlantis, you should remain in the city where you can be protected."

"I agree," John said with exaggerated patience. Elizabeth listened with amusement. That tone, she was sure, was part of the reason John had struggled as much as he had in the Air Force. He continued, and she found that she didn't like what she heard. "I think we should try to convince the Brenye to meet here first. We can always visit the colony later if we decide it's safe."

Elizabeth narrowed her eyes. "So we're denying one of their requests before negotiations have even begun?" She looked across the room at Teyla. "You knew of the Brenye; that was the reason we decided to visit the planet. Can they be trusted?"

"The tales I was told as a child were of events long past and did not have much detail. I believe the division between the two groups was handled in a peaceful manner." Teyla tilted her head to one side, a thoughtful look on her face. "I sensed no deception during our visit."

"If you decide to go, a group can travel ahead to set up security," Ronon said. It was clear that he intended to be among that group.

Elizabeth looked at John. "Can you give me any concrete reason why you think it wouldn't be safe to go?" All of the sudden she had discovered that it mattered very much that the initial meeting take place at the Brenye colony. She wanted to go; she hadn't been away from Atlantis in a long time. Her eyes sparkled with longing, and she knew John noticed. She knew what he would say before he began to speak."

"No. I think it's safe enough, and we can detail security teams to protect you." His eyes met hers with their shared enthusiasm.

Caldwell protested, "I still think--"

"It's decided," Elizabeth said firmly. "Colonel Sheppard, make arrangements for the necessary security measures. We'll leave as soon as it's convenient for our hosts."

John nodded. "I'll send two teams ahead to arrange security. Ronon, Teyla, I want you to go with them."

"I'd like to attend the negotiations as well," Caldwell interjected. Before Elizabeth could respond, he added, "Unless you need me to command Atlantis while you're gone."

Not in this or any other lifetime. "Of course you're always welcome to travel with us when you're on Atlantis, Colonel," Elizabeth said with deceptive calm. "We'll leave as soon as the security team sends word that arrangements have been made." Caldwell wasn't a bad man, but he was ambitious. So was she...and she'd been here first.

SGA---SGA---SGA

She waited for him on the balcony near her room; this, too, had become a ritual for them over the past few months. At first they had met in private to discuss mission details that required discretion. Then he had begun to describe the worlds he had visited; she had listened with fascinated interest, sometimes with delight and other times in horror. On the terrible occasions when he had returned through the gate injured, she had sat by his bed in the infirmary and listened to his agonized whispers. Her poor bedside manner was an ongoing joke between them, but she had overcome her discomfort and sat with him anyway. When she had noticed how tired he was after each trip and how he tried to avoid contact with other people, she had arranged to have a meal waiting on the balcony so that he wouldn't have to face the crowd. The pleasure on his exhausted face had almost broken her heart, and she'd made the effort to have dinner for him ever since.

Tonight he was in a good mood, relaxed and pleased about the possible ZPM leads. She had only been waiting a short while when he stuck his head around the doorway and teased, "You just had to bring Caldwell along to spoil the party, huh?"

She turned to face him, her brow raised. "You would have preferred for me to give him unsupervised control of Atlantis?"

He shuddered. "I'm freaking out just thinking about it."

Elizabeth flinched as the words reminded her of another time, a desperate time. That freaks me out more than anything. It had been a different John Sheppard who had said those words, a frightened mixture of perfected soul and fragile DNA who had looked at her with barely concealed panic in his eyes...

She realized that he was calling her name, concerned. "Are you okay?"

She swallowed hard but couldn't quite find her voice. "I'm fine," she murmured.

His eyes were too intent, too knowledgable. "You're sure?"

Carefully tucking away her emotions, she nodded. "Yes," she said, her voice stronger this time.

He didn't look convinced, but he took the hint. Giving her a final, searching look, he moved past her to take a plate and began selecting food from the tray she had brought. "Thanks for the meal, as always."

"You're welcome, as always." She studied his profile, doing her own inventory to make sure that he was unharmed. "How was your trip?"

"Good," he mumbled around a mouthful of food. He grabbed the beer she offered him (from a private stash that she kept solely for this purpose) and took a quick drink. "It's a long walk to the colony, though...almost ten miles. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes."

She smiled as she watched the sun go down over the horizon. "I guess I'll leave my heels at home this time."

His reply was so quiet that she almost didn't hear it. "Too bad."

She turned quickly, but he was eating from his plate as if nothing unusual had occurred. Taking a low breath, she said, "So...ten miles."

He nodded. "The colonists were loners for a long time, remember? No need to be near the stargate if you aren't planning to use it. It's a nice walk, though; you'll like it. There's a river...starts about five miles in, leads straight to town."

"Sounds pretty," she said, intrigued.

"It is. You picked a good time to get cabin fever." The twinkle in his eye told her that he knew exactly why she had been so adamant that she meet the Brenye on their own turf. She felt the corner of her mouth quirking in response before remembering that there was something she had wanted to ask him.

"Why did you agree to let me go?"

He looked at her speculatively. "Are you saying you would've listened if I had insisted that you stay here?"

"No," she said promptly, smiling, and then continued more seriously, "but you would normally would have fought harder. Why did you give in?" She knew that no matter how much she might want...need...to have some time off from Atlantis, he would never have agreed if it went against his better judgment.

He shrugged. "I really do think you'll be safe. These people...there's just something about them. I don't know how to explain it any better than that."

"Okay," she said easily, trusting him

"You'll like the town," he promised. "Lots of creativity, culture...that sort of thing. You should check out the artisan's market while you're there."

"I will, if we get any free time," she replied. He didn't tell her that she could set her own schedule; he knew as well as she did that leaders often face more limitations than the people they lead.

They talked for a long time, enjoying the quiet warmth of the night air. When she finally returned to her room she was startled to see the note lying on her desk; she'd forgotten all about her mysterious enemy. In the light of the day's discoveries and her pleasant evening with John, her fears about the note and its author seemed exaggerated. She crumpled the paper up and threw it away, determined not to give it another thought. She went through her evening routine and slipped into bed, excited about the upcoming trip. If she dreamt about walking by a river with her second in command, it was nobody's business but her own.

TBC

A/N: I don't know if I write the best "mission fic" in the world, so please bear with me. Also, if an idea has been used before or I make some huge technological mistake, please let me know. I'm doing as much research as I can to make sure that I don't slip up, but it always happens anyway. :)