Jon sat down beside Rob and lightly shook his shoulder. "Time to wake up. We're here."

The young man's eyes opened and he slowly stretched in his seat, pushing against his restraint for a moment before settling back. "That was a nice little nap."

Power laughed. "You were picking on Jennifer about falling asleep and you were out before we left the hangar."

"I never made any promises about staying awake." Rob unbuckled himself and stood slowly, the stiffness he was feeling apparent in the way he moved.

Tank moved into the hold just as Rob bent to get his bag. "Stop. Let me get that." With one hand he gathered the three in the corner. "How is Pilot?"

All three looked to the darkened medbunk, where a blanket covered mound was still belted in place.

"Hasn't budged since I put her there. Vital signs are holding steady." Jon had been glued to the remote diagnostic monitors for both Baker and Chase and thought he wasn't at ease over them, he wasn't any more alarmed by what he was seeing either. Resting a hand on Scout's shoulder, he said, "Report to Sam as soon as Marcus clears you. If he doesn't have an escort, Tank, will you make sure he gets to the bunker?"

Ellis nodded and gently prodded the younger man to the stairs. "Let's go. Don't keep the good doctor waiting."

Rob nodded. "Let me know what Sam says about Jenn. Please?"

"Of course. We'll be in the bunker shortly." With a final pat on his shoulder, he urged him out of the hold and went immediately back to the medbunk. Releasing the fasteners on the straps was enough to make her stir.

"Jon?" She rubbed her eyes and blinked several times, trying to get her bearings as she looked around the area. "Are we on the jumpship? Why do I keep waking up in random places?"

"Gotta keep you on your toes." Jon leaned down and kissed her gently on the lips. "We're at Alpha."

Those words were the impetus for her to push herself up and swung her legs off the bunk, more awake than she had been since the digitization attempt. When she looked up at him, there was fear in her eyes. "Why are we here? Dad was supposed to be on a mission today. Did something happen to him?"

"No no no. Not like that at all." He immediately felt guilty, not realizing she would have assumed the worst where her parents were concerned. "We're here so Sam can keep a closer eye on you and Rob and to just take a break," he soothed, stroking her hair and cheek.

Her head dropped to his chest and her fingers closed on his waist. For a moment, she just breathed, collecting her jumbled thoughts. "Okay," she said softly. "We should get out there before Marcus invades."

Alpha's security chief wasn't known for his patience and they all knew from past experience that he wanted to clear all ships and personnel as soon as possible after landing. Even those who were trusted were still subject to the clearance checks and keeping him waiting simply aggravated his sense of security.

With both their bags slung over his shoulder, Jon followed her up the few steps of the hold and to the hatch. She hesitated at the opening and shielded her eyes from the sun. As much as they loved seeing it, sometimes, it was blinding after being in the dark interior of the ship for so long.

"Thought I was going to have to come in there and flush you two out." At the bottom of the ramp, Marcus Cooke and two of his security team stood, not quite patiently waiting for them to step onto the ground. "Captain, Corporal, good to see you." He shook first Power's hand, then Chase's, but didn't let go of Chase. "Little Ro, you're to report to Dr. Cooke."

"Yes, Sir." Jennifer nodded, trying her best not to smirk at the nickname. Long ago, Cooke had called her that name after she'd disobeyed an order, then justified it using logic that could only be attributed to Staff Sergeant Adam Rowan. She had taken it as a compliment and learned shortly after that he only nicknamed people he truly cared about.

"And by 'you're to report to Dr. Cooke', I do mean you are to actually go to the med bunker, wait for her to get into the room, do the exam and follow through on what she has to say. Understood?" Marcus's dark brown eyes burned into her, but there was no malice in his tone.

She nodded again and gently squeezed his hand. "I'm okay, Marcus."

With a sigh, he took a step toward her and wrapped her in his arms. "I'll feel better when I hear my wife tell me herself you're okay." Standing only a couple of inches shorter than Jon, Marcus dwarfed Jennifer as they embraced. He looked at Power and shook his head. "This one has always been a handful."

Jennifer thumped his back but didn't try to escape him. "Play nice, Marcus."

"Oh, decided to pull out one from your mother, did you?" He thumped her back in response, then smiled at Power. "I'm just trying to stall a minute because I can feel Sarge's eyes drilling through me."

Jon snorted. "You are correct. She might throw you in the brig herself if you detain the corporal much longer."

Elle Rowan stood at the edge of the landing strip, impatiently waiting for them to get through the security check. She frowned at Jon, her head tipping slightly in an attempt to see around Cooke.

"Get going. She's putting up a strong front, but both she and Ro are pretty shaken up by what happened." Marcus caught the look Jon gave him and nodded.

Both understood the Rowans' fear. Jennifer wasn't just in the line of fire, she was one of the five strongest weapons the world had in the fight against Dread. Their eight-year-old daughter, Callie, had been killed when their first base had been raided and it had nearly destroyed them. Jennifer had been as much a balm for their own wounds as they had been for her. And losing her would be the final blow for them.

Jennifer's body ached as she walked the short distance across the landing strip. Elle met her halfway and then she was in her adoptive mother's arms. She relished the embrace and rested her head against Elle, snuggling under her chin. They held each other for several long minutes, saying nothing as the emotions washed over them.

Jennifer finally spoke, though her voice was slightly shaky. "I'm okay, Mama." The death grip Elle had on her hadn't lessened and she certainly didn't want it to, even if she told her she was okay.

"Now that I have seen you with my own eyes, I am also." Elle kissed her hair, pushing her back slightly to look directly into her eyes.

"I love you so much." It was all Jennifer could say without breaking down completely. She couldn't just yet, not while the Cowboys were still out on their mission with Virago.

Elle spoke softly, her normally stern, 'commander of base operations' tone replaced by a mother's love. "I love you more than you will ever know. And not a day goes by that I don't worry about you and pray for your safety."

A few tears managed to escape and she quickly brushed them away. What had she done to deserve this? Any of this? She had once been part of the Dread Youth, giving the order to execute an entire town. Now, she had people who loved her dearly, despite her past.

She had to regain control of her emotions, for just a little longer. Change the subject. Her heart fluttered slightly at the thought and she couldn't help but smile. She had seen Jon move toward them and stop; she motioned him to join them with a small wave. "Mama, I want to introduce you to someone."

"Honey, I already know who he is." Elle looked at her with confusion at Jon's arrival, then quickly at him with concern. "Are there memory issues? Do we need to get her –"

Jennifer cut her off with a gentle finger against her lips. "Mama, this is Jon Power. And I am in love with him."

The concern turned to surprise as Elle reached up to hold her daughter's fingers, pressing a kiss against them even as she smiled at the couple.

Jennifer turned her face up to Jon, resting her head against his chest. "Jon, this is my mom, Noel Rowan."

They had known each other for years. Now, it was slightly unnerving as the transition was made from military personnel to something far more personal.

Without a word, Elle reached out and enveloped them in a warm embrace. Several long moments passed before she finally found her voice. "Well, that only took forever."

Jon laughed. "We decided to take it slow."

Jennifer sandwiched herself between them and closed her eyes. She no longer cared about the pain or exhaustion in her body. Once she had her father with her, her world would be complete.

The moment Elle pulled the two young people into her arms, Marcus raised his communicator and opened a channel. When it connected, he couldn't keep the amusement out of his voice. "Sami, you're in for a surprise."

Nikole Trosko moved quickly through the hangar. The deck chief had given her a bay number and a general direction in which to find it and she was glad she'd given herself extra time to get through the maze of people, equipment and vehicles. There was no way she was going to be late for this. She needed to see Rob, needed to hold him, needed to know he was truly going to be okay, like his commanding officer had said.

A familiar face appeared as she rounded an armored utility vehicle and she verified the bay.

"Abe." She called out his name and he immediately turned, flashing a comforting smile the moment he saw her.

Abraham Carter drew her into a hug as soon as she was near. "I heard what happened. How are you doing?"

She shook her head. They had worked together for so long in the medical wing of the delta quadrant before he'd joined Polarski's team that he would see right through her if she tried to lie. "I'll feel better once I see him. And Jennifer. Seeing their numbers in a computer file and seeing them in person are opposite ends of the spectrum."

Carter nodded his agreement.

"The last thing I heard from Matt was that the two were getting a pint of blood each. Should help with the anemia, at least until they can get the iron supplements or some kind of red meat." Nikki closed her eyes as her brain worked overtime on the potential outcomes of the treatment.

Abe squeezed her arm. "Hey…treating the anemia should help with the fatigue too. It won't happen overnight, but hopefully within the next couple days. They're tough."

"And stubborn." The same worry tightened her gut that had been there when she'd first met the team. "Why don't they have a medic, Abe?"

He'd wondered the same thing. And he had no answer for her.

Jennifer and Elle found Rob asleep on the porch of the first guest house, sprawled on a couch. Elle quickly moved inside and returned with several blankets, then carefully covered him with one. When he curled into it in his sleep, she added another and pressed a kiss against his hair before quietly going back to Jennifer.

"Nikki will be arriving this evening." Elle saw the look of pure joy cross the young woman's face. "Jon contacted her right after he talked with us. Elzer Polarski's team is in her quadrant at the Passages and they will drop her here on their way back to their base."

Nikole Trosko had come into their lives when they'd all sustained injuries after a particularly intense attack by Soaron. She'd been the nurse working with both Matt and Rob and there was no denying the instant attraction between the young woman and the communications specialist. Three months later, the two were as inseparable as they could be, given the circumstances. Jennifer knew Nikki would be sick with worry, but Jon had obviously anticipated this and had covered all the bases, bringing both her and Rob the comfort they needed most.

"It's a surprise for him, so don't tell him when he wakes up," Elle continued as they walked to the next guest house, vacant for the time being. The porch also had a couch and a couple of chairs and she settled herself into a corner of the couch, then dropped a pillow onto her lap. Without asking, Jennifer laid down, resting her head on the pillow, half curled up on her mother. Elle covered the young woman with a blanket and smiled at the yawn that overtook her.

"I'm so tired, Mama." Jennifer yawned again, the events of the last couple hours catching up with her as the warmth of the blanket and her mother's arms lured her to the edge of sleep.

Elle stroked her hair gently, soothing her the way she'd done countless times before. "Then go to sleep, Love. Sam said you should get as much rest as you can."

"I don't want to sleep yet. I want to catch up with you." Jennifer stared up at her, willing herself to stay awake. When Elle rolled her eyes at her, she laughed, but snuggled in even closer, tangling their fingers together. She didn't care if she was almost twenty-three years old. She still needed her mama.

"Well, then, let's catch up. How about we start with this man you introduced me to. Tell me about him." They talked for several minutes, Elle still stroking her hair, before Jennifer's eyes closed and her breathing became a slow, steady rhythm.

"My girl is home." Adam Rowan dropped his helmet on the ground and caught Jennifer in his arms, holding her fiercely against him.

She buried her face into his chest and breathed in his scent. He was engine exhaust, grease and sweat, just like he had always been. Jon knew what she needed most. To feel the love of the people who had taken her in as their own daughter and helped her navigate through the worst time of her life.

"I have missed you." Adam drew back slightly and pressed a kiss against her cheek.

"Missed you too," Jennifer whispered, returning the kiss as she hugged him hard again. It had been too long since she'd seen him. The last time they'd stopped at Alpha, he'd been on a mission and they'd been forced to leave before he'd returned. Now that she was in his arms, she didn't want to let him go. "I love you, Dad."

There was no hesitation in his response. "I love you too, Sweetie." He finally set her down on the ground and tapped her nose with a bent finger, keeping an arm around her. "I heard what happened. How are you doing?"

She shrugged and saw the concern in his blue eyes. "Still a bit rattled and Sam says I have to sleep whenever I need it and eat whenever I get hungry. She's got some food set aside for Rob and me in the kitchen that should help us rebound a little faster. Jon's checking our suits and we'll recharge once he clears them." Before he could ask, she continued, "Rob's doing a little better than me. More awake, but still hurting. We'll be okay, I promise."

Adam pressed his forehead to hers. "It's okay to not be okay."

He knew her better than she knew herself sometimes. Tears welled in her eyes and her chin quivered. "I know." She wasn't okay just yet.

When the tears streaked down her cheeks, he swiped at them with his thumbs. "Oh, baby girl, you're safe here. Let it out."

She hesitated several moments. She'd been unable to tell Elle, just not ready to talk about it. But now, it was so much closer to the surface. Her words came out as a whisper when she finally spoke. "I was so scared. When that digitizer beam hit Rob and me…" The dam finally broke and with a sob, she crumbled into his arms. "I didn't think I'd see you and Mama again."

Adam rocked her gently, unable to stop his own tears from escaping. He'd shoved it down, deep inside, to take care of the mission. Now that it was over, he could acknowledge that one of his worst fears had almost been repeated.

But it hadn't happened. She was still here, in his arms. Alive.

It took several minutes before he trusted himself to speak and even when he did, his voice shook slightly. "I wish I could take this pain from you, Jennifer. I wish this was one of those times where sparring with you or going for a run would make it all go away, but I know that's not going to help right now." He softly kissed her temple before resting his cheek against her hair.

"I just need to be here with you and Mama." She sniffled. "And the guys."

"Then that's what you've got. All of us. Mama, me, the guys. Stay here until you're ready to leave and not a second before. Even if it means they leave, and you stay a bit longer. Jon will understand. And if he doesn't, I'll help him understand." He pulled back in confusion at the faint giggle that accompanied her next sniffle. "Did I miss something?' Jon knew he was protective of Jennifer, almost to a fault, but he tried his best not to flaunt it quite so blatantly in front of her.

She looked up at him with red-rimmed eyes and more tears fell when she saw his face. "Dammit, you know I'm gonna cry more if you cry." She dried his salt-and-pepper stubbled cheeks with her shirt sleeve before scrubbing her own face with the other sleeve. Blowing out a deep breath, she sniffled one more time, then looked him squarely in the eyes. "I told Jon how I feel about him. That I love him."

Adam raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to continue. When she simply started grinning through her tears, he ducked his head until he was directly at eye level with her and tapped her nose again. "And?"

"And…" she drew it out until he rolled his eyes and shook his head. "He actually said HE loved ME before I told him how I felt."

"Damn right he does!" He pulled her back into his arms to hide the tears that were once again falling. "I trust you've told your mama already."

Jennifer nodded. "She's already smothered him with hugs."

"That's about right. She's been waiting for this day for a very long time." They had BOTH been waiting for this. Adam pressed his lips to her hair again, smothering her with another hug as well. "You deserve to be happy, angel of mine. That is all we have ever wanted for you."

Jennifer wondered for the thousandth time what her life would have been like if she'd been with them from the start. If she had born into their family instead of raised in a world of fear and hatred. And for the first time, she realized it didn't matter anymore. Their love for her WAS there from the start of their time together and their bond was even stronger than blood. "I love you both so much."

"And we love you too." When they had talked on the comm, Elle had told him how she'd simply stared at Jennifer as she'd slept, wrapped in a blanket in her arms. There had been many nights, when Jennifer still lived with them and the nightmares were rampant, that he'd found Jennifer in Elle's arms in their bed. He'd watched both of them and for a long time, he'd only been able to see their little Callie beside Elle. The first time he realized it was no longer Callie he was seeing, but Jennifer, he knew his heart was on the way to healing.

"We should get inside, before Sergeant Rowan sends out a search party for us." With a final kiss on top of her head, Adam grabbed his helmet from the ground and steered her to the base's main building. "I need a shower before dinner."

Jennifer regarded him out of the corner of her eye. "You're only a little stinkier than usual. But that hair. You look like Jon when he wakes up in the morning."

Adam raked his fingers through his hair, making it stand up even more than it already was.

"Oh yeah. That's much better." Jennifer smiled at her father, poking him in the ribs before a yawn escaped her mouth. "I need a nap before dinner."

Rowan wrapped his arm around her shoulders, his expression suddenly stern. "And just where are you sleeping?"

Jennifer chuckled and rolled her eyes. "In my room."

"Good answer." Though Jennifer had moved out of their small house several years earlier, she always stayed in the room that had been hers when she returned. This allowed them all to stay up longer than the base's curfew without having to give special privileges or need escorts to move between the buildings. Unless there were missions being run, no one was exempt from the rules that kept their base secure.

"Mama said Jon could stay with me." She added the words softly as she squeezed his hand.

Adam rolled his eyes in return. "I'm assuming that's so he can monitor your well-being. Since he's your commanding officer."

Chase looked up at him and grinned impishly. "Yeah. That's it." And all she wanted, right now, was to be monitored by her commanding officer, under a pile of blankets.

Rob rolled over on the bed in the guest house room he normally bunked in when they were at Alpha and felt something soft but firm beside him. He hadn't remembered adding extra pillows or blankets to the bed when he'd fallen into it after dinner. Maybe Sam had stopped by and felt he needed more?

Barely aware of what he was doing, he reached out and closed his fingers on fabric. And skin. His eyes opened and though it took a moment, he focused on the reason for his confusion. He'd been holding Nikki's arm.

He breathed out her name and pulled her into himself. Tears broke through his exhaustion and all he could do was hold her tightly as she curled up against him. "Please tell me you're really here."

"I am. And I'm not going anywhere," she whispered, pressing soft kisses against his cheek. "I love you, ."

Rob."

"I love you, too." He turned his head and found her lips, kissing her softly. "God, I love you so much."

Nikki stroked her fingers through his hair and along his cheek. "Go to sleep, Love."

"No. You're here with me. I don't want to miss a minute of this." He kissed her again, fighting a losing battle against his exhaustion.

"I'll be right here when you wake up." Her soothing words and gentle caresses eased him back to sleep. Short minutes later, she allowed herself to relax in his arms and after a final yawn, fell into a deep sleep.

Jon walked across the mess hall, a steaming mug of fresh tea in each hand. He'd seen Abraham Carter at a table in the corner when he'd entered, and figured it was now or never. Polarski was already fairly annoyed with him for asking about the medic, but he understood where the request was coming from and wanted Carter to make his own choice.

"Dr. Carter, do you have a few minutes?" Jon set one of the mugs down in front of him. Didn't matter if he was invited to stay or not, the tea could still be enjoyed while he worked.

The doctor looked up from his datapad at the question and extended a welcoming hand to him. "Of course, Captain. Please, sit." He gratefully accept the mug and took a careful swallow of it as Jon settled himself across from him. "How are Sergeant Baker and Corporal Chase doing?"

Jon filled him in on the treatment they were receiving and the prognoses. "They're out until Sam clears them for duty, which we don't anticipate for at least a couple of weeks. I'm not going to rush things. I need them to heal."

"I'm glad they're going to be okay." Abe nodded and took another sip. "How are the rest of you doing?"

Jon swallowed some of his own tea and smiled grimly. "Still coming to terms with almost losing them. Not an easy thing, nor is it something I ever want to see again."

"It's not the club anyone wants to be part of, is it?"

Jon saw understanding in the older man's eyes. He knew Carter had two sons, both of whom had been declared missing in action after a final assault on a resistance stronghold at what had been Alcatraz, over four years prior. His older son, Denver, had been located just a couple of years ago. Jon didn't know all the details, but what he'd heard was the young man had suffered life-threatening injuries in the attack. He'd been nursed back to health and was now a neurosurgeon who split his time between the US and Europe. Dakota, his younger son, had never been found. There were rumors of a wife and daughter of Dakota, but as far as Jon knew, they were only rumors. "No. And I'm sorry you've been part of it for so long."

"War is hell. Always has been, always will be." His blue eyes told Jon he had witnessed far more than he would ever reveal.

Jon hesitated and Abraham sat back in his chair, regarding him for a long moment. "You look like a man with a lot on his mind, Captain."

"Abraham, I should have acted on this months, maybe even years ago." He blew out a deep breath and finally pushed forward. "Two of my team sustained injuries and I had to search for a doctor to make sure they were going to be okay. I took Molly Striker away from her own team's preparation for a mission because I wasn't prepared. We've got medical training, but it's not enough anymore. We need a doctor." Jon allowed his words to sink in and he knew Abraham understood. "Would you consider a three to four week run with us? I can't promise you a suit at the end of that time because we need to agree that it's a right fit for everyone. But it IS a potential."

Carter sat in silence and when he finally sat forward again in his chair, he folded his hands on the table. "I have considered it and agree to your terms."

Jon looked at him, trying to hide his surprise. He knew he'd failed after the man began to chuckle and all he could do was extend his hand to seal the deal.

Abe took a long drink from his mug. "Captain, you have had a very rough day and as your temporary physician, I am ordering you to get some rest. As soon as I talk with Captain Polarski, I will be meeting with Major Masterson and Lieutenant Ellis. I won't bother your sergeant and corporal while they are recuperating. They don't need me in their face when they're barely awake."

Jon nodded. Polarski had warned him about Carter's commitment to his team's well-being, to the point where he was that proverbial dog with a bone. "Thank you, Dr. Carter. I'll make sure Hawk and Tank are aware of our agreement."

"Call me Doc. Or Abe. Or Abraham. Dr. Carter is way too formal if we're going to be working together." He stood with Jon and shook his hand.

"I answer to Captain Power, Jon, Power, Captain or any variation on the above that is needed." Hell, he'd answer to 'dumbass' at this point, as Molly had called him. He was just too tired to care at the moment.

"Is it safe to assume the corporal is the one that calls you 'Jon'?" Carter raised his eyebrow at him.

Word certainly did travel fast through the grapevine. It would do no good to evade the question, since he was certain Carter would be paying Jennifer a visit by morning, just to check on her. She had already told Jon the Rowans had welcomed him into their home and he was planning to stay there with her. But he could tell the truth and leave him guessing just a little longer. "Jennifer has always called me by my first name. It was one of the ways we learned to trust each other. Matt also uses my name. He took me in when my father was killed. I won't ever be able to repay him for that."

"Family isn't about blood," Abe said softly. "Go get some rest, Captain. You've earned it."

With a final handshake, Jon grabbed his mug from the table and made his way out the mess hall toward the small house tucked into a wooded area at the southern end of the base. He certainly did need some rest.

Author's Notes: This is all I have for AU Retribution. Thank you for reading it and leaving comments. If you liked it, I'd like to challenge you to write your own alternate universe piece. If you didn't like it, I'd like to challenge you to write a different Retribution.

I plan to return to Rise of the Phoenix, but I have no idea when anything will be ready for it. Maybe 2019 will be the year I finally have enough time to finish that war.