Sheppard grunted as he landed, rolling automatically out of the way once he hit the huge stuffed landing pad that had obviously replaced straw stacks for the Light Ones to drop their visitors on. A moment later, with a wild whoop of excitement, Ford was dropped as well, and he, too, rolled out of the way once he landed.

"That was awesome."

Sheppard scowled.

"So you've said before."

"And it still is."

John's comment was cut off by the sudden arrival of Carson Beckett, who yelped as he was dumped onto the landing pad and lay still, obviously trying to catch his breath.

"You gotta move, doc," Ford told him from the far edge of the pad.

Beckett looked over at him, somehow managing to look pale and flushed at the same time.

"Why?"

A shadow crossed over them just then, and Rodney McKay came tumbling in, crashing into Carson and knocking both of them off the side of the pad and onto the hard ground of the landing ledge.

"Carson," McKay complained from where he was sprawled on the doctor. "When you land you're supposed to move out of the way for the next person."

Beckett scowled, trying to sit up but unable to because of Rodney.

"No one told me th-"

"Are you injured?" A voice asked from above them, interrupting.

Carson and McKay both looked up and found several Light Ones standing over them with almost identical looks of concern. Three males, five females, and all of them completely naked.

Beckett pushed Rodney off him and struggled to his feet with a hand up from Sheppard.

"I'm fine, thank you…" he said, feeling incredibly uncomfortable, even though he'd known what to expect.

"Doctor McKay?" one of the females asked.

Rodney nodded, as well, brushing his hands off and looking almost as awkward as Carson felt.

"I'm good," he said. "Good, good, good, good, good. How about you?"

The Light One smiled.

"Fine."

"Colonel Mitchell did not come?" One of the males asked, looking to the sky as if expecting another flight of birds.

Sheppard shook his head.

"She had another matter to deal with, but she sends her affection – and she sent Doctor Beckett here in her stead…"

Now Carson blushed brilliantly as all eyes were on him.

"Doctor Beckett is Colonel Mitchell's mate," Kale said, coming into the group, now n his human form.

There were several murmurs of interest at that statement, and Carson looked at Sheppard for help. John grinned, but took pity on him.

"We were pleased to receive your invitation…" John told the others.

"And, um… glad to hear about the babies…" Rodney added with a pained look, feeling he had to say something.

"Can we see them?" Ford asked, grinning at how uncomfortable everyone was. He didn't have any reason to be uncomfortable; he didn't come to see his children, and he was used to the Light Ones being naked, and he was enjoying himself thoroughly.

"They are not arrived yet," one of the females replied.

Sheppard frowned.

"Where are they?"

"Derna and Aron could not travel when they were heavy with child," Kale explained. "Our forms have similar internal systems, but the reproductive system is different in bird form than it is when we are in human or canine form and changing forms can be dangerous for the fetuses, so they remain in a hidden brood colony where they can be safe until their offspring are born."

"They are flying home in the morning," Char added, proudly. "Along with several escorts to help with the babies and to give added security."

"Our young are very vulnerable," Kale said. "My people guard them carefully until they are old enough to be able to change forms and learn to fly."

"We were not certain you would be here so quickly," one of the females said. "But we can entertain you while you wait for their arrival."

Ford grinned. That was what got them this invitation in the first place!

John smiled, as well, but his was a little uncomfortable, still.

"Well, we love to be entertained."

There were smiles all around, now, and four of the females came forward, offering their arms to each of the men.

"Come, you must want to rest or refresh yourself after flying for so long. We will show you to your quarters."

Carson swallowed, looking at Sheppard for support, but John had his own problems, and didn't have any advice to impart, so Beckett took the female's arm and nodded.

"Thank you. I could use something to drink…"

Flying was dry business, after all.

OOOOOOOOOOOOO

Melony looked at Weir as she adjusted the pack on her back.

"If you have any problems, don't be afraid to call us back."

Elizabeth smiled, but nodded. Mitchell sounded like a worried parent leaving her teenager in charge for the first time.

"We'll be fine."

"Lin'at is in charge of the Jaffa while Teal'c and I are both gone. He's a steady guy, so if you need any back up for anything – or simply feel like tossing Kavanaugh off a cliff or a balcony – just let him know."

Again Weir smiled, glad that Mitchell hadn't said that loud enough for anyone to hear but her.

"We'll be fine," she repeated. "Keep your eyes open, okay? I know Rodney said the place was safe, but…"

"But he's been wrong before, right?" Melony finished.

"Not very often, but yes…"

"We'll keep an eye open," Dex said. He was anxious to go – which made sense, since it was his ambush site they were going to be picking out.

Weir knew it, too, and nodded.

"Then get going. But check in every now and then, all right?"

The group nodded, and stepped back to watch as the Stargate dialed in to their destination.

OOOOOOOOOOOOO

Author's Note: The times in each set are going to seem a little skewed, now, because on one planet the days are going to be going faster than on the other, so if it seems like everything is getting mixed up it's just because days are longer on the Light Ones' planet than the place where Mitchell and her team are going. (Just to avoid confusion, later).