Oh wow! (faints with delight) You guys were so nice and positive in the reviews and there were a lot too. Glad the Furlings are intriguing to you too! Just to let you know this is entirely from my own mind, only some of the basic facts (e.g. what I told you in chapter 3) is for definite. I don't have a magical source that tells me what's on the writers' minds…I wish!

Chapter 4: Cryptic Statements

Elizabeth's mouth still hadn't closed five minutes later and John was still gawking at Kyra. The Ancient frowned at them and shot her friends a confused look. They all exchanged bewildered expressions and then faced back to the silent pair.

"I know this is a shock to you…both it seems." She stated slowly glancing from John to Elizabeth.

"How…ho…how…" Elizabeth stuttered feeling her entire world spin faster and faster. Now she knew how John and Carson must have felt discovering they had the Ancient gene.

"How is that possible?" John finished for her and then a little defensively cried, "And how do you know?"

"We have very advanced scans as you step into the room. It alerted us to your…or hers…presence." Faenus explained. "At first we weren't going to respond but then we sensed you Sheppard…a true Ancient descendant." He said with a smile, which made John roll his eyes.

"I may have the Ancient gene but I can tell you Elizabeth is probably a lot more worthy of praise from you-"

"John, stop." The leader muttered glaring.

"Well it's true!" He huffed and Elizabeth shook her head.

"Now you see why you must leave. Sheppard can stay." Faenus demanded casting a weary glance at Kyra who sighed. Her gaze examined Elizabeth's face and she smiled kindly.

"Elizabeth, why don't we step out side for some air?" She suggested turning to John who was obviously going to protest. "No harm will come to her. I give you my word."

John squinted at her and then glanced worryingly at Weir. "Well…"

"I'll be fine, John." She assured him placing a cold hand on his arm. "You can find out more about the Ancients from…Faenus." She gritted out trying to avoid the old man's scowl. "I could use some time to think."

Again he stared hesitantly although knew there was nothing he could really do to stop her. Licking his dry lips he eventually sighed in defeat. "All right, fine. But if you need anything-"

"I'll let you know." She finished smiling gratefully before moving towards the passageway.

John watched them both shuffle back down the slim space and shouted, "Don't go too far!" He could just picture Elizabeth's amused face and couldn't believe he'd just sounded like her dad. Waiting until they had exited the link safely he reluctantly turned back to the more conservative crowd and clapped his hands. "So…"

Elizabeth breathed in deeply as she exited the chamber and hadn't realized just how clammy the room had been. Moving along the wall so Kyra could also step out Elizabeth spotted a pair of large rocks and sat down heavily on one. As the Ancient copied her the leader shifted until she was comfortable and looked at her companion.

"So, I'm a Furling?"

Kyra smiled and nodded. "Yes, you are. I apologize for Faenus…he lost many friends during our war with them but many of us have moved on."

Elizabeth leant on her knees. "I really had no idea! I also don't understand how Furling DNA ended up in humans."

Kyra glanced at the passageway and whispered, "That is why I asked you to come with me. I will explain how. I just didn't want the others to hear…it brings back bad memories."

Elizabeth's eyes widened with feeling intrigued and leaned closer to Kyra, determined to hear the entire story.

"It began not long after Faenus ascended." Kyra began softly. "At the time the Wraith had been silent. It wasn't until a group of our people were re-examining their original planet that the first culling happened. The scientists were never heard from again and their bodies were found drastically aged."

Elizabeth saw the silent horror in the woman's eyes and remembered all the nightmares she had dreamt – watching her friends and colleagues age and then die by the hand of a horrifying Wraith.

"We were confused and had no explanation." Kyra continued. "It was during these months of strange deaths that I had to ascend but my watch continued over Atlantis."

Elizabeth felt the urge to ask what happened to her but remained quiet, not wanting to upset her or interrupt her story.

"More and more deaths occurred all over the galaxy and it wasn't until the Furling home world had been attacked that communications opened between us once again. Some of their own were badly injured but survived and were able to describe what they had seen.

They came to Atlantis for help and they received it. Meetings were still tense but eventually a treaty was formed between them and us. It was the first step in what we had hoped would defeat the Wraith. Obviously we were wrong."

Elizabeth sat back. "So, you all eventually integrated?"

Kyra smiled sadly. "Yes, in a way. Although our relationship was fragile…and didn't improve until two young people met." She added with a hint of secrecy.

Elizabeth leant forward again, her curiosity now tenfold. "You mean two people went against the rules?"

Kyra nodded, her eyes becoming misty. "Yes, Elizabeth. It's quite romantic actually. They were involved in the negotiations, unusual for their young age, but both were exceptionally bright." She laughed affectionately. "They were so different yet fell in love."

Elizabeth smiled too, a strange feeling of familiarity overcoming her. "Opposites attract." She recited the phrase softly eyes focused on the water before looking back.

Kyra looked at her knowingly, as if she knew something Elizabeth didn't. "Indeed, along with everyone else trying to keep them apart…it just drew them closer."

Elizabeth nodded imagining the great lengths Ancients like Faenus would have gone to and feeling smug that these two young lovers still got together. She was so lost in thought she missed Kyra's question.

"Huh? Oh, sorry!" She apologized guiltily.

"So tell me about Atlantis." She said curiously.

"Um, it's doing okay." Elizabeth told her carefully, feeling like she was being evaluated as a leader. "Luckily we found a ZPM so a lot of systems are now operational."

"And Sheppard's gene is no doubt helpful."

Elizabeth nodded. "Very. He has a natural flair…in more ways than one." She added amusedly not seeing Kyra's raised eyebrows. "We have others with the gene but his is most prominent."

"Ah. Tell me…have you found any technology that Sheppard couldn't activate?" Kyra asked.

Elizabeth screwed up her face trying to recall the various reports on the technology found. "Um, not that I can think of."

"Oh." She replied thoughtfully and was about to speak when they heard a grunt from behind.

"Damn, this is a tight squeeze!" John's voice echoed around the cave as he popped out of the crack. "Elizabeth, you okay?"

Elizabeth stood up and walked over to him. "Yeah, Kyra was just telling me some fascinating history."

John raised his eyebrows in disbelief but simply said, "Really? Well, I've just had a history lesson too…but more importantly they told me how to get back!"

He produced a proud grin and Elizabeth smiled back approvingly. "Good but…"

"It's alright Elizabeth." Kyra assured her joining them.

"But there's so much we've still to ask, I-"

"Everything you need to know is in the city. You will eventually find it." She told them firmly. Then leaning closer to Elizabeth almost whispered, "And if you find that piece of technology no one can activate…you might find two heads are better than one."

John frowned at the cryptic statement and glanced at Elizabeth who looked just as puzzled. "Okaaaaay." He drawled looking between the two women. "Well we'd better be going. Ronon and McKay might have found their own way back to the gate by now."

Elizabeth sighed sadly muttering, "Suppose you're right. What way do we go-"

Suddenly a large white light enveloped the small trio and then gradually faded revealing trees, two gaping men and the Stargate looming over them. Weir and Sheppard were miraculously back at the gate, their clothes and gear next to them and no sign of Kyra.

"What the-?" John cried out spinning in a circle and stopping short upon seeing Ronon and McKay. "Oh, hey guys."

Elizabeth sighed in relief. Neither man spoke, as they seemed to prefer staring at them, Rodney in shock and Ronon amused.

"What is it?" John asked cautiously glancing nervously at Elizabeth who shrugged back. "If you're wondering about the quick appearance we met some Ancients and-"

"John! Our clothes!" Elizabeth suddenly gasped and immediately grabbed her top and trousers.

John looked and down and muttered, "Crap!"

"So…have fun?" Ronon asked smirking as Rodney made a disgusted face.

"Uh…we…were…just …swimming!" John grunted pulling on his dry t-shirt and then scowling at his friends.

"Exactly." Elizabeth agreed, her face a bright shade of red and fingers fumbling with her trousers. "Damn it!" She cried as tried to rush and was grateful when John stood in front of her folding his arms and glaring menacingly at their colleagues.

"You could give her some privacy!" He exclaimed, although secretly he thought he was more annoyed that both Ronon and McKay had seen her this exposed, not just him.

"Well it was you guys who just magically appeared out of thin air!" Rodney reminded him. "How'd you do that anyway?"

John heard Elizabeth mutter, "There!" and peeked over his shoulder to see a fully clothed Weir, disappointment surging through him.

"It was an Ancient." He told them moving out the way so Elizabeth could join them properly.

"Really? Wow!" The scientist cried, almost jumping up and down with excitement. "What did they say? Did they tell you where we could find more ZPMs? Oh! Did they tell you-?"

"Rodney, please." Elizabeth interrupted displaying a weary expression. "Can't this wait till we get back? It's been a long day."

"But-!"

"Elizabeth's right McKay." John agreed as he picked up all the gear. "We're going. We'll fill you in once back in the city. Let's go."

Ronon continued smirking in John's direction but began dialing the gate and once activated Rodney sent the IDC muttering, "Why is it always him that gets to meet them?"

"Here, give me some of that." Elizabeth told John, indicating to both sets of gear he was carrying.

"No, it's okay. I got it." He assured her with a smile, which she returned, almost shyly. As they followed the others to the event horizon the officer slowed down to ask, "By the way what did Kyra mean, back in the cave?"

Elizabeth shrugged. "I really don't know. I think it was in reference to some technology that couldn't be activated by anyone. Not even you."

John stopped and raised an eyebrow. "But I can activate Ancient technology no problem…providing there's power of course."

His companion shrugged again. "Apparently there might be some you can't. I really don't know John. Let's just go home."

As she stepped through the gate John took another glance back at the jungle and shook his head before following Elizabeth.

A/N: Please R'n'R! There's still more to come!