It didn't take him as long to explain Atlantis as he thought it would. For one thing, his mother knew a fair amount about the Stargate program from her conversation with Sam and Jack earlier so he didn't need to explain that. Just the part about Atlantis. And it was just as well that that was all he had to explain, because she was looking more and more skeptical the more he said.

Nathan was listening just as intently, but he didn't have so much trouble believing it. Of course, he'd had more time to soak in the other aspects of the SGC so it wasn't quite the shock to him that it was to his wife.

"So let me get this straight? These people were here before we were?"

Ian nodded.

"They were lots of places."

"It's enough to mess up someone's faith, isn't it?" Nathan asked, shaking his head. "So much for God..."

Surprisingly, Ian shook his head.

"The Ancients aren't God. This world was here when they arrived. They didn't create it."

Maggie nodded her agreement, but she didn't want to discuss her faith right now. She had other things on her mind, just then.

"And they had flying cities that they traveled in?"

She couldn't help the sarcasm in her voice, but Ian didn't mind. He might not have taken it from anyone else, but he'd take it from his mother. He nodded.

"A few of them, yes. But they also made the Stargates."

"Because that would be easier than picking up their cities and flying off?" Nathan asked, only partially sarcastic.

"Yeah. And it would connect them to their other worlds – and those worlds of their allies."

"That's amazing…" Maggie said, softly.

"Good thing they were the good guys," Nate mused. "Could you imagine the enemy they'd make with that much power?"

"They're not around anymore," Ian replied. "At least not many of them."

"But this city Atlantis is still there?"

"Yeah."

"That's where Jack got that weapon?"

"No. That was already on Earth. Just buried."

"But Weir thinks there might be other weapons?" Maggie asked.

"Yeah."

"You've been there, though," his mother said. "You'd have seen them if there were. Were there?"

"I didn't see any," Ian admitted.

"Do you think there's anything there?" Nathan asked.

He nodded.

"I'd be surprised if there wasn't."

"So her idea has merit…"

Ian scowled.

"There were originally six people on the team that went to Atlantis. Of the six, only McKay and I arrived there. The others ended up back here a day later with no memories of what had happened. Her idea's ridiculous."

"Then you shouldn't go," Maggie told him. "And no one else should, either."

"She thinks it might have been a fluke – or maybe she's just allowing herself to pretend that it didn't happen… Whatever the case, the odds are shit that we'd all arrive safely."

His mother was so caught up in the implications that she didn't even comment on the vulgarity.

"Is it something Sam can fix?" She was very impressed with Sam, Ian knew.

He shook his head.

"I think it's the Ancients themselves. Even worse, McKay agrees with me – which means we're probably right."

Nate scowled.

"That guy's a weasel… I can't believe you agree with him."

Ian shrugged.

"He knows his stuff."

"But he's-"

"Pretty smart," Ian interrupted.

"I can't believe Weir is even considering this expedition," Maggie said, shaking her head. "It sounds reckless."

"I can't believe you're considering going with her," Nate added, frowning. "Who'd have jurisdiction over it?"

Ian shrugged.

"Probably Jack."

"Or me."

If he took the job Hayes offered.

"Probably not," Ian disagreed. "My bet would be Jack – or maybe some other international committee or some such bullshit."

"Well, you're not going," Maggie said, shaking her head.

"Mom…"

"Don't mom me, Ian. I'm not going to let you go on some mission half way across the universe where you only might make it there – much less return."

"Do you even want to go?" Nathan asked, curiously.

"Not especially."

"Then why did you even bring it up?" Maggie asked.

"Because I might have to go. I'm pretty much the expert on the Ancients here, after all."

"Well just show someone else…"

He shook his head.

"It doesn't work like that, mom. I read the language – and I have the Ancient gene so I know their technology will work for me… I might not have a choice."

Which made him wonder for a moment which of his parents he got the gene from in the first place.

"And you might not even make it there," she snapped.

Ian shrugged.

"I won't go if I can't figure out what happened with the gate. There's no way she'd be able to get volunteers for a mission when there's only a one in three chance that a person's going to even arrive at the destination, anyways. Hammond – or whoever is in charge here at the time – wouldn't authorize it."

"Damn right," Nathan said.

And that brought Ian back to the question of who would be in charge after General Hammond.

"There's no way they'll let Kinsey be in charge here…" Ian added, not wanting any decision to be made based on that threat. "The more I think about it, the more I'd say the President was just trying to yank your chain and force you to take the job – using me as a reason."

Not surprisingly, Nate nodded his agreement. He was just as bright as his son was in many ways – and far more accustomed to dealing with politicians and their tricks.

"That's the way I pegged it, too."

"The Jaffa – the ones led by Bra'tac, anyways – hate him for the way he treated Teal'c. Jacob Carter can't stand him – which means the Tok'ra are out – and I heard that he treats Thor like shit, which means that the Asgard won't deal with him, either. Which means there's no way on Earth he'll ever lead the SGC."

"Which means you don't have to take the job to protect Ian," Maggie said.

Nate nodded.

"Which doesn't mean you can't take it if you want it," she added, surprising both her husband and her son.

"What?"

She smiled.

"I know how bored you get when I'm not around, Nathan. And I know you don't like coming with me."

"I don't mi-"

She held up a hand interrupting him.

"It's okay. I understand completely. I don't blame you for not wanting to hang out with a lot of dancers who have nothing in common with you but me – it'd be like me hanging out with all your military buddies. It'd drive me crazy. If you're truly interested in taking this position…" and she knew from the way he was acting that he was tempted. "Then go ahead and take it. I'll be retiring in a few years and we can spend our time together then…"

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"I wouldn't have said it if I wasn't."

Which was true. She looked at Ian, and her expression hardened a little.

"You, on the other hand, will not be going to Atlantis – or anywhere else – until they figure out how to make sure you're going to get there safely."

"Maggie," Nate said, reproachfully. "That might not be his decision to make."

She turned on him, her dark eyes flashing.

"Then you'd better make sure it is, Nathan Michael Brooks. You have clout with all these damned politicians and military bigwigs. Use it."

There was a decidedly obvious or else in her tone, and Ian couldn't help but smile to see his father on the receiving end of things for a change.

Nathan scowled – more at his son's amused expression than at his wife – and nodded. Which was the only safe thing for him to do.

"I'll see what I can do."

"Good." She turned back to Ian and he lost his smile immediately – before she could notice it. "Is there anything we can get you? Need anything?"

He shook his head automatically and reached for his dinner, now that the serious discussion were over.

"I'm fine." And then he hesitated, and changed his mind, his smile returning. "Actually… since you're bringing up political clout… there is something you guys can do for me…"