AN: My story, The Greater Good, has been nominated for a Stargate Fan Award! Thanks to everyone who took the time to encourage me through reviews and messages.

Teyla smiled her thanks to the pilot and strode from the jumper bay with her pack over her shoulder. The nightmares that had driven her from her bed had not followed her to the Athosian settlement, and the morning had found her feeling rested and much closer to her usual, positive self. Perhaps all she had needed was to spend some time with her people, away from the noise and bustle of the city.

Deciding to check in with Dr. Weir before heading to her quarters, Teyla headed for command. She found Doctor Zelenka crouched over a console typing furiously and muttering to himself. His hair seemed even more disheveled than usual and a shadow of whiskers darkened his jaw. "Good morning," she greeted. "I see you are involved in another project."

The Czech looked at her in surprise. "You did not hear?"

"I was on the mainland," she answered, immediately growing concerned. "Has something happened?"

Zelenka took of his glasses, folded them and tapped them in the palm of one hand. "Last night Doctor Beckett jumped off the east pier. He is going to be okay," he rushed to assure her. "We are all searching for something to explain his actions."

Pushing aside her shock, Teyla gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

"Radek," a soft voice teased, "Don't tell me you've replaced me already." Teyla looked up as a petite woman with dark hair and wide brown eyes approached the workstation, carrying a sandwich on a plate. She leaned down and placed a soft kiss on Zelenka's lips and made a half-hearted attempt at finger-combing his hair into order. "I brought you lunch," she said.

"Thank you, milacek." Zelenka picked up a sandwich half and bit into it without enthusiasm, clearly more tired than he was hungry.

"Hello, Teyla," the young woman said shyly. Traumatized and withdrawn after escaping the culling of her planet, she had bonded with Radek and was slowly coming out of her shell.

"Klia," Teyla replied. "I hope this morning finds you well."

"Yes, thank you. I've been helping Colonel Sheppard begin interviewing the others. I hope he finds something to help Doctor Beckett."

"As do we all." Teyla nodded to Zelenka. "I will leave you to your work and check in with Doctor Weir."

"She is in her office with Colonel Caldwell," the engineer mumbled around a mouthful of bread.

As she climbed the stairs, Teyla could hear shouting coming from Weir's office. The door burst open suddenly and Caldwell strode out, nodding briskly to her as he passed. McKay was hot on his heels, intent on continuing the argument. "This is all part of some plot, isn't it? Some scheme to put the American military in charge of this mission. So what's the plan, Caldwell? Start with Carson and gradually replace all the civilians with mindless military drones?"

Caldwell stopped and turned to face the scientist. "Doctor McKay, you have a paranoid streak a mile wide. While I usually find it amusing, right now I can't help but think your time would be better spent helping Doctor Beckett."

"Oh, who are you kidding? The last thing you want is for me to find anything that vindicates Carson. That would screw with your master plan."

"Doctor," Caldwell said quietly, "There's a flaw in your logic. You're assuming I have some ill will towards Doctor Beckett. Look, after my…experience with the Goa'uld, we had several long talks. Beckett helped me come to terms with things. I respect him. More than that, I like him."

"You have a funny way of showing it," McKay groused.

"I didn't cause the situation, and neither did Colonel Byrd. All we can do is our duty, to the best of our ability. That being said," Caldwell concluded, "If there's any way we can aid your investigation, let me know. Until we depart, the Daedalus is at your disposal." The colonel looked past McKay to Elizabeth Weir, who was standing in her doorway. Giving her a respectful nod, he turned and walked away.

Rodney watched him leave with a thoughtful expression. "Huh."

Teyla met Doctor Weir as she came down the stairs. Elizabeth turned her with a gentle touch on her arm. "I was just about to go see Carson. Walk with me, I'll tell you everything we know so far."

As they passed through the door, Teyla spared a last glance over her shoulder at Zelenka's huddled form, typing away while a smiling Klia rubbed his shoulders. Teyla frowned as tiny hairs stirred on the back of her neck.

Translation: milacek dear (I hope!)