The food was plain – meat and greens and something that might have been related to a potato – but there was a lot of it and it was pretty good. The meal was a self-serve deal, with the Atlanteans and the now transformed cats all taking turns at a large table that groaned with loads of food and drinks. Uncertain just how potent the drinks might be – and definitely wanting to keep a clear head – Melony and the others stuck with just water, but that was fine with them. They were seated at tables that were clearly designed for the much taller aliens, which was uncomfortable, and the meal was eaten in relative silence – which was fine with them, too.

"So…" Hu said, once they had pushed their plates back with satisfied sounds. "You were going to tell me what you were doing here…"

The 'god' hadn't eaten anything – maybe to prove that he was what he claimed, or maybe just because he wasn't hungry. He was sitting at the head of the table, watching as they ate, and now he was leaned forward just a little in anticipation.

Melony leaned back in her chair, just full enough that she was thinking that maybe she shouldn't have had quite so much to eat.

"I don't know if you know, but there's a small planet that orbits your own…"

Hu nodded.

"We see it in the sky – both day and night."

"Have you ever been there?"

"We have no need to explore other worlds. Everything we need is here."

That was good, because that meant that they didn't claim it – hopefully.

"Why do you want to know?" Cane asked from his position just to the right of Hu's chair. He hadn't eaten much, either, more interested in watching the newcomers with pale, suspicious glares that didn't bother any of the three.

"We're going to be using it," Mitchell told him. "And we-"

"I will not allow anyone to settle so close to a world protected by myself," Hu interrupted.

"We don't want to live there," Dex told him, his tone of voice clearly stating that he'd be happy as far from them as possible. "We're just going to use it."

"For what purpose?" Hu asked.

"It seems to be an ideal place to set a Wraith trap," Melony said.

"The Wraith do not come here," Hu told her.

"We can change that," Ronon said.

"But we do not plan to," Teyla said quickly. "We do not expect the Wraith to come to this planet, but we were exploring it to make certain that if they did, no one would be in danger."

Hu frowned.

"I can't say I like the idea of having a Wraith hive ship in orbit above this planet – no matter what you intend to do with it."

Mitchell shook her head.

"There aren't any hive ships left. We'd never subject any population to a hive ship. The Wraith that come will either be in the small pointed ships – we call them darts – or they'll be on foot."

"No hive ships?" Hu repeated, smiling as if he thought Melony was trying to tell a joke. "I doubt you can guarantee that…"

"It is true," Teyla said. "The Wraith – in their large numbers – are finished. Now we are simply after the smaller groups that may remain."

"How can that be?" Cane asked. "The Wraith are as numerous as the stars in the sky."

"They're gone," Melony replied. "There hasn't been a culling in months."

"Then they are simply biding their time," Hu scoffed. "They are not gone, Colonel Mitchell. They are merely lulling you into a false sense of security before they begin their cullings."

"Stupid humans," Cane said, shaking his head. "Don't you know that they always wait several hundred years – even longer – before they return? That is why you haven't seen them…"

Melony scowled, and bit down on the sharp reply she had ready. Instead, she shook her head.

"They're gone. They're not biding their time, and the only way they're coming back is in very small, tiny pieces."

OOOOOOOOOOO

"Are you certain you do not wish to join us?"

Carson flushed – again – and shook his head, looking down at the hand that was resting lightly on his forearm.

"I'd better not. Thank you."

The Light One who had made the invitation smiled sweetly.

"Colonel Mitchell would not mind sharing you, I'm certain. She seems to be a very generous person…"

Now his eyes were even blushing – and it didn't help that he could actually feel a tremor of desire for her. Which had nothing to do with him, he knew, and everything to do with the pheromones she and her people were emitting.

Their meal was finished, and the Light Ones were already starting to form small groups in the darker corners of the room – and there was no doubt what was going on, much to Carson's discomfort. He had seen Sheppard and the others all mingling with the Light Ones – none of them had partnered off with anyone, but the Light Ones were definitely showing an interest – and this was the fifth one since he'd stopped eating that had propositioned him.

"I should just go to bed…" he said.

"I could join-"

"Alone."

He said it as gently as he could, not wanting to give offense, and the female smiled, as if aware that it was all he could do to say no. Her hand slid along his arm, delicately.

"Are you certain?"

"Um…"

"Hey, doc…"

They both looked up to see Ford walking over to them, and Carson jerked his hand free of the Light One's gentle grasp, giving Aiden a grateful look at the interruption.

"Ford. I'm glad to see you…"

The young Lieutenant grinned, well aware of just how uncomfortable Beckett was.

"I bet."

"Have you seen Colonel Sheppard and Rodney?"

"They're heading for bed. Colonel Sheppard asked me to come find you. Do you want me to leave you alone…?"

"No!" he flushed. "I mean, no. I'm tired. I'll go with you."

The Light One smiled.

"Perhaps another time, Doctor."

"Um… perhaps…"

She touched his hand again, lightly, and then turned and headed for a group of males, who were obviously glad to see her coming their way.

"It's kind of fun, eh?" Ford asked, watching her go and smiling at just how red Beckett was.

"It's like every juvenile fantasy I ever had," Carson agreed, shaking his head, unable to hide his amazement. "Are they always like this?"

"I've only been here twice, doc," Ford told him as they headed for the entrance of the cavern to go to their quarters. "But they were exactly the same last time."

"And last time you didn't know about the pheromones…"

"Yeah."

"How did you manage to shake it…?" he asked. Obviously Ford was just as desirable as a potential mate – Carson had seen several females around him – and yet only Sheppard and Rodney were fathers, now. Proof that Ford hadn't slept with anyone that visit.

The lieutenant grinned.

"I was too worried about Colonel Mitchell last time to be too distracted."

"And this time?" Carson asked.

"Are you kidding? After all the fun I'm having with this, there's no way I'm going to put myself in a similar position. It's a lot more fun to make fun of them and watch them squirm."