Well, here it is, chapter two. Hope you like it. If not, I'm a pyromaniac, so unleash the fire! It's a bit of a twist, but meh. I know I haven't reached 10 reviews, but I'm not likely to, so I decided to update anyway. Thankyou to everyone who reviewed the last chapter, I hope you keep enjoying the story.

Pammie (I would have sent you an email or a PM or something, but there was no address) – Thankyou for your review. I know my spelling and grammar aren't always that great, but I have this really nasty habit of being completely incapable of proof -reading my work. I know what you mean about not being able to read stories if they have really bad spelling and such. I have a pet hate for stories that use chatspeak, especially when they use the words '2' and 'u'. And as for needing a Beta…like OMG! I have never had a Beta before. I didn't really think my writing was good enough, so I never even considered having one. Most of the writers you see with Betas are either really, really good writers (Such as Titan5 – if you're reading this: YOU ROCK!) or writers that have friends who are into fan fiction. Seeing as I fit into neither of those categories, I kinda assumed that having a Beta would be 'out of my league' or something like that. Really, really, really want to thank you for reviewing. I was on the verge of deleting the story, but then your review showed up and I thought 'well, even if just one person reads it, that's enough for me. It's rather ironic that this story has received the worst response out of all of my stories thus far, and yet it is one of the ones I've enjoyed writing the most. Anyway, I'll stop rambling now before this ends up longer than the fic itself! XD

SGASGASGA

After the Daedalus helped Atlantis destroy the first two hive ships, all able-bodied personnel were asked to aid in the city clean up – tagging and bagging bodies, getting medical attention for those who were in need and eliminating the remaining Wraith. While the Daedalus prepared to go after the next wave of hive ships, Sheppard volunteered to join one of the clean up crews.

It was his particular crew that discovered what had become of Captain Webb's security team, which had been led by Captain Radner. They found the team on one of the outer walkways around the East Pier's central tower. Sergeants McCallister and Schultz were both DOA, McCallister appeared to have been in the vicinity of a grenade blast and Schultz had become Wraith fodder. Captain Radner was just regaining consciousness as they arrived, but didn't seem to be too badly injured. Captain Webb was found unconscious on the ground beside a dead Wraith. Her left arm was at an entirely unnatural angle and her right arm, though now limp, was still grasping the handle of a knife, which was buried hilt-deep in the Wraith's chest, presumably in its heart. There seemed to have been a bit of a struggle, as the Wraith's hand remained firmly grasped around the Captain's right wrist. Webb had also sustained a head injury which was bleeding profusely, and further inspection showed large mottled patches of discolouration covering most of her ribs.

"Dr Beckett, I'm going to need a medical team to the East Pier. We have two officers down, both with possible head injuries and one with possible internal bleeding. Also, if you can manage it please send a stretcher. We haven't ruled out the possibility of spinal damage."

"Aye Major, I'll send someone down as soon as we can spare it. Are the patients conscious?"

"Captain Radner has just regained consciousness and seems to be semi-coherent. Captain Webb is still unconscious and is not responding to stimuli."

"A medical team is on their way. I advise you to wait there until they arrive, then continue on your sweep. ETA is five minutes. Beckett out."

Three days later, Sheppard once again encountered Michelle on the balcony. This time she seemed to notice his arrival, though, because almost as soon as he stepped out onto the balcony he heard a small, "Hello, sir," come from Webb, without her even having to turn to know who it was.

"Good afternoon, Captain. Just out of curiosity, how did you know it was me?"

"There's only one person on this expedition that can make the city react the way it does around you." Sheppard raised his eyebrows and she continued, still not turning to face him, "I have the gene naturally, just not very strong. It's not particularly useful, seeing as I don't do much anyway, but it can come in handy."

"I see. So how are you feeling? Are you even allowed to be out here? Beckett can be very vengeful toward people who escape his lair of evil, trust me, I know from experience. No offence, but you didn't seem very healthy when we found you the other day."

"The infirmary staff agreed to let me have some breathing time. Let me think things over. Besides, I'm as good as new now," Sheppard raised and eyebrow again, looking pointedly at the plaster cast which now adorned her left arm. "Well, good as can be expected, all things considered."

"All things considered," John agreed. "But really, are you sure you're ok to be out here?"

"Yeah. I needed to get out of that damn infirmary. I was in a coma for two of the three days I was there and I'm already sick of it."

"You were in a coma? That doesn't sound too good."

"I had a concussion and slipped into a coma, it was no biggie. Aside from that I have a few cracked ribs and broken arm, but otherwise I'm fine. They almost sent me back to Earth when I remained unresponsive, but they weren't sure if it might have caused my…condition to deteriorate."

She still hadn't turned away from the ocean, and it was beginning to make John uneasy. He joined her at the railing, leaning against it and enjoying the cool ocean breeze. Michelle sighed.

"I'm really going to miss this place."

"You going somewhere?"

"Sir, I'd like you to consider this as my official resignation from the Atlantis expedition and the United States Air Force. I'd also request that I be assigned a place on the next personnel exchange with the SGC."

"Can I at least ask why you would want to do that?"

"I don't, not really. I just figure that if I make the decision to leave rather than waiting for the medical staff to order me back to Earth, I'll be better off. If I have to leave on a medical recommendation, chances are that sooner or later I'll be assigned another post. If I leave by myself I have a chance of having the semblance of a normal civilian life…well, phone tabs, surveillance, etc not withstanding."

"What makes you think Beckett's going to order you back to Earth? I thought you said you were getting better now," Sheppard was clearly puzzled. Studying her profile he noticed the single tear silently coursing down had cheek.

"Between everything that's been going on lately I haven't really had time for a full check-up. It wasn't till I was injured that we found out, and if they hadn't had to do a full scan to check for internal bleeding they might not have picked it up then, what with all the hurry they're in, trying to deal with all the wounded from the attack…"

Sheppard was beginning to get worried now, and he was getting the distinct impression that whatever she was about to tell him, he wasn't going to like it. Despite that she had only been on an offworld team for less than two weeks, Captain Webb had proven to be a valuable asset and a very promising soldier. He sincerely hoped that there was nothing, other than the obvious ofcourse, wrong with her health. She was good at following orders, but also knew when to break the chain of command. She understood how Sheppard thought and rationalised things well, unlike some of the marines John had had the misfortune of commanding on this expedition.

Michelle scrubbed a hand over her face, trying to arrange her thoughts. "The scan managed to pick up something that, had we been on Earth, would probably not have been picked up with the same procedure…According to the scanners I'm three weeks pregnant. It's a small miracle that the baby managed to survive at all, considering the injuries I sustained. If I had known…I don't know what I would have done. I don't know what I can do. The most reasonable thing to do would be to return to Earth and turn in my wings. I've become a liability to the expedition and I'm not much use anymore, not that I really was in the first place."

"Don't say that. This is a great thing. You know, your little tyke is gonna be among the first of the new generation of Atlanteans. You should be proud."

"Even if I could convince the SGC to allow me to stay, there's no way the medical staff would approve. As much as I hate to admit it, we are at war. There's no place for children in war."

"I will personally do everything I can to make sure you're allowed to stay on Atlantis. You're a member of the US military, and you're a member of this expedition, so you're my responsibility. I'm sure the Athosians would be more than willing to help you out if you need anything, and Beckett is a very capable doctor…"

"I wish it were that simple. I don't think I could bear to expose and innocent child to the Wraith, and to stay here would just be begging for it. I…I considered having an abortion. I just couldn't do it, though. My fiancé is dead, but now there's a part of him growing inside me…It scares me half to death just to think of it. If I were to stay I'd be a single parent in a Wraith inhabited galaxy."

"For what it's worth, you wouldn't be alone."

She finally turned to look at him, a small smile gracing her delicate features. "I appreciate the sentiment, John." She checked her watch, "I should go before Beckett sends his minions after me. As soon as I'm released I'll go write up my formal resignation, but I'd appreciate it if you could forewarn Dr Weir. The quicker we get this over with, the better. Goodnight John. Goodbye."

With that, she left the balcony, leaving John alone to watch the silent 'Lantean city as the automated lighting systems began switching to night.

SGASGASGA

Where do you guys think I should go from here? Should I send her back to Earth, or convince them to let her stay? Kill the baby and return her to active duty? Kill the fic and return to my TV set? Review and let me know!

Coming up:

Chapter 3 – Caught

After re-gagging all the prisoners, Governor Detronius addressed the camera again. "Now then, I am sorry for your loss Dr Weir, but I am sure you know the burdens of leadership. I am simply doing what I must to defend my people from the Wraith. If you will excuse me, I now have business to attend to. Good day and good bye, Doctor Weir."