Dear friends, I am ever grateful for your patience and understanding. It has been a rough summer, as some of you know. I don't have Chapter 6 started but I do know where I am going with that one. I will do my best to get it out but things still crazy. This chapter is unbetaed because my beta also has been sick, but we did not want to hold it any longer. Thanks to beta highonscifi though mistakes are all mine and to RFPegasus for your support. Thanks to all of for your understanding and continued interest.

Chapter 5-Preparing for Earth

He picked himself up slowly from the ground and groaned as his shoulder protested. He moved it slightly and other than being very sore, he was certain it was not dislocated. Zorthos snorted and sniffed him over.

"I'm okay boy," Sheppard said as he patted the soft black muzzle. "Just a fall. Lucky I didn't hurt myself too bad, but going to need some aspirin tonight." Sheppard looked around. It was pitch black and he couldn't help but smile as he looked up at the stars. He listened for the sound of anyone approaching and had no idea how long he had been unconscious. He had managed to block his mind from others hoping that his thoughts or rather his distress had not reached either the Guardians or the Pegasi. He wasn't sure what was going on but he wasn't ready to share it with either. The first time had caught him off guard and he had been embarrassed. Were these visions or rather premonitions? He had had these before when he was just Armentarius and couldn't remember being anything but. He swallowed hard. He could not bear to have anything happen to Teyla. It was hard enough that anyone was in danger because of their relation to him, but losing her that way he could not live with, nor could he be handicapped by the fear of it. He sighed as he gathered the reigns gingerly. He was going to be pretty sore and that would be hard to hide but he just did not want any more questions right now until he figured things out.

"Come on boy," Sheppard said gently pulling on the reigns. "Let's walk back." He was not sure if he could get back on. His muscles were tightening up and he thought a walk back would be better

Zorthos stopped the ground and did not budge. "No I don't want to ride. We can't be that far."

Zorthos refused to budge and planted his feet stubbornly. Sheppard knew it was a losing battle and he walked toward the horse. A twinge in his left leg made him look down. It was dark so he could not see but he felt wetness on his fingers. It did not seem serious but he would have to wait until he got back to find out for sure. Perhaps Zorthos did know best. He went up and patted the big black neck "You know. I am the king. Not you." Zorthos nickered and threw his head up and down and Sheppard got the distinct feeling that the horse was laughing at him.

oooooooooo

Samsus looked out across the balcony of the great city. He had felt Sheppard's distress. His protégé had blocked it quickly and Samsus smiled at the skill Sheppard had begun to develop with his mind. Sheppard had communicated with him about the Pegasi, the approaching wedding and, as Sheppard put it, to say hello. Samsus closed his eyes and tried to recollect the images but they had been too brief. Sheppard would share when needed.

Samsus turned and walked toward his room. The city was quiet and peaceful. He could sense from her that she wanted Sheppard to return. Samsus had communicated with Atlantis, informing her of what Sheppard was doing and when he would return. He truly could not determine if the city was alive or if that was his own imagination, but this city was quite sophisticated even compared to what had been left on the Armentarian worlds. Perhaps Sheppard had done that with his connection to her. Yet it was just a city and how could it be truly alive? Samsus smiled as he entered his room. He did however get the feeling that Atlantis not only missed Sheppard but also was envious of those that took him away from her. Samsus sighed. He would see Sheppard tomorrow now that his negotiations for a summit were complete with Earth and the IOA.

ooooooooooo

Sheppard groaned as he took off Zortho's saddle. He enjoyed doing it himself and the groomsmen stopped asking him but today he wished they had. Zorthos was still except for his incessant sniffing as he seemed to examine Sheppard.

"So you are a doctor as well as a king," Sheppard said quietly as he slipped off the bridle. "Carson won't appreciate that. Besides I have enough doctors."

Zorthos threw his head up and down and neighed with slight distress. Sheppard put a calming hand on him. "It's not your fault boy. I should have paid more attention. Not your fault okay. Looks like they left you a snack. I'll see you tomorrow."

Zorthos placed his muzzle in Sheppard's chest and let the king rub him a moment before turning toward his food.

Sheppard walked slowly back to the palace. The party was over and all seemed very quiet so hopefully he would not be noticed. The halls were empty and darker than usual since there was virtually no moonlight. He commanded the lights to not turn on for him when he passed as they usually did. This city read his mind like Atlantis but more subtly and less insistent. Maybe that was because Atlantis had been alone for so long. He neared his door and the guard came to attention. He seemed surprised to see him. He had not wanted any guards or attendants outside his door, but it had been a compromise. The Guardians had wanted to have an attendant in the room, there for his every need. Samsus the wise had suggested someone outside the door as a compromise and both parties had agreed. Some days he would see his clothes laid out for him, other times he locked his door and wore whatever he could grab out of his closet, usually his black fatigues. He nodded slightly at the young guard.

"Good night your majesty."

"Good night Kalib. By the way, have you asked that girl to marry you yet?"

The guard smiled as he opened the door for Sheppard and the light of the room shone on both of them. "Indeed your majesty. I finally summoned the courage."

"That's good. I was wondering how long it would take. Now you just have to suffer through the preparations."

Sheppard smiled at the look of the guard's face as the door closed. He moved away with a groan. He was getting very stiff and it was unlikely that he had any Tylenol in his washroom. He moved to the closet to dig through his bag and found nothing. He hissed as he turned to sit in the chair to get a better look at his leg. His trousers were torn. The valet was going to be very unhappy with him, but not as unhappy as his physician when he saw the gash. It was a lost cause. There was no way he could take care of this himself. He sighed as he mentally called for the guard.

The door opened less then two seconds later. Kalib bowed then stood at attention. "Yes my lord?"

"Kalib, would you get Healer Scaldur…discretely."

The guard bowed and without question turned and left the room. Sheppard took his shirt off. There were a few scratches and his midsection was sore to the touch, but he was otherwise in tact. There was a slight knock at his door and it opened partially.

"My Lord?" A voiced called quietly.

Sheppard looked up. "Come in Scaldur."

The physician was dressed in his night robes and he carried a small bag in his left hand. He eyed Sheppard quickly from head to toe. "Your Highness, what has happened? How have you injured yourself?"

Sheppard sighed as Scaldur began to examine him. "I fell off of Zorthos. Went for a late ride, and it was dark. I should have known better, but I wanted some fresh air."

Scaldur looked up. "It does not appear that you have seriously injured yourself but this wound on your leg could become infected. I must clean it out and apply the sealer. It will be slightly uncomfortable." The physician did not wait for an answer as he quickly rummaged through the back and began his work on Sheppard's leg.

"Okay fine…ow…damn! Where did you get your bedside manner….Carson?"

Scaldur smiled sheepishly as he worked quickly. "Forgive me my lord. I should have warned you."

"Yeah," Sheppard said through gritted teeth, "I thought…ow…jeez man, I could have got Ronon to do this…damnn it!"

Scaldur looked up. "I am sorry sir, but the wound was deep and it would have taken longer to apply anything to numb it and doubt it would have worked well. I am however finished."

Sheppard was sweating slightly and was annoyed as pain often made him, but at least the wound was closed up. "Well thank goodness because I might have had to hit you."

Scaldur laughed as he stood. He saw the bruise on Sheppard's shoulder and touched it. Sheppard hissed and glared up at him. "My apologies my lord," Scaldur said quickly and with compassion. "I believe it is only bruised. Are you able to move it fully."

Sheppard demonstrated. "Yeah but it is sore."

Scaldure handed Sheppard some medication. "This will help alleviate the soreness, facilitate your healing, and help you sleep. Please call for me in the morning so I may examine you before you resume your duties."

"Thanks. I am sorry I woke you. I was going to try to take care of it myself."

Scaldur smiled. "It was wise that you did not. Unless you preferred to use the archaic stitching method with no pain relief."

Sheppard looked up at him with a frown. He had done that before. "I might have been better off."

Scaldur raised his eyebrows. "I doubt it my lord, but you are welcome none the less."

Sheppard was getting sleepy and Scaldur helped him get in bed. "Why are all physicians so…insolent." Sheppard slurred as his eyes closed.

Scaldur covered the sleeping king and looked down with sadness. "Because warrior kings always get themselves injured nearly beyond repair, and insolence is the only defense against worry for a king's doctor."

Scaldur slipped out and spoke to the guard, "Kalib, the king is not to be disturbed until I return in the morning."

The guard bowed. "Yes Lord Scaldur."

ooooo

"We have all plans in place."

LaPierre turned and looked at the red haired man. "I hope so. There is a threat out there and I want to get to the bottom of what is going on. The IOA proper is unsure of what to do. They will neither interfere nor support but they will abandon us if we fail to produce results."

The red haired man looked at LaPierre. "If we fail to produce results. Your IOA is the least of our problems."

ooooooo

Sheppard woke in a sweat. He couldn't remember the dream—couldn't remember sleeping. He sat up quickly and regretted it. He had forgotten that as well. He looked down at his leg. He was supposed to call Scaldur when he woke. He did remember that. He gingerly got up from his bed and walked to the washroom to wash up. After he was done he grabbed his robe then sat in the chair. He closed his eye to see who was standing guard at his door. The sun had not risen yet but it was near dawn. He hated to wake the doctor, but if Scaldur was like Beckett, the doctor was probably already awake. He called for the guard.

Kalib opened the door slightly. "Yes my lord?"

"Kalib, would you see if Lord Scaldur has awakened?"

"He has my lord," the young guard said. "He has already come by to see if you yourself had awakened.

Sheppard smiled. Yes doctors were so much alike. "Thank you Kalib. Could you have him come to my chambers?"

The guard nodded and bowed.

Sheppard sat back in the chair with his leg up. It was not long before there was a slight rap at the door. "Come in," Sheppard answered.

Scaldur walked in fully dressed for the day this time. "Good morning Your Majesty. Did you sleep well?"

"I think so," Sheppard answered. I don't remember much of anything, and I feel pretty good."

Scaldur examined Sheppard's shoulder and midsection. Then looked at the leg. He nodded approvingly. "All looks well. You are likely to be sore but you should heal well, though I suggest you not go riding for at least 5 days or do any significant exertion…if you can manage."

Sheppard looked up at him with feigned annoyance. "I believe I can manage."

Scaldur smiled thinly and with satisfaction. He turned to leave when he felt a hand on his arm. "My lord?"

"Umm." Sheppard began, looking uncomfortable, "No one has to know about this do they?"

Scaldur looked at Sheppard almost confused then sympathetically. Yes though a king wielded great power in many respects he forfeited much power.

"We have privileged communication sire. This injury is slight and at your discretion to disclose. Your other injuries have been…more public."

Sheppard released his hand. "Well, yeah. I guess you're right. I just am sick of people fussing over me."

"You do tend to get in some rather serious trouble, and I expect more to follow," Scaldur said quietly, "But as I said, a private minor injury is at your discretion."

Sheppard seemed satisfied. "Okay then. Thanks again."

Scaldur bowed. "Remember to take your medication at breakfast and lunch then the other at dinner so you may rest. The soreness should resolve within three to five days."

Sheppard watched him leave then got dressed. Samsus returned today and Elizabeth would leave.

0000000000

"Samsus! Welcome back. You missed all the great parties," Sheppard said as his mentor entered his meeting room. It was like a grand office, and he had been busy that day. Elizabeth had come and gone. Teyla, Ronon and McKay had joined him for lunch, which he had enjoyed. They had so few moments as a team anymore. They had not spoken of it openly, but Kildar had been the last time they had functioned close to a military contingent. Now there was the now formalized imperial guard that included the Pegasi. In a way he longed for the old days. He let his mind drift to Ford and others including the Genii. Now everything was complicated and he desperately wanted to protect his friends.

Samsus bowed deeply. "It is good to see you Your Royal Highness."

"Come on now Sam. You know you can call me John at least when it's just us. Sit down and tell me how you calmed the IOA."

Samsus smiled at the king's exuberance. The old man had been worried given the previous night but the younger man seemed in good spirits and well except there seemed to be a very slight limp.

"The IOA is very concerned about you," Samsus began as he accepted a small drink from Sheppard. "They are unsure what to make of you. They mistrust you and do not understand how you have garnered so much power."

"Well, I am kinda wondering all that myself…I guess."

"They are trying to pressure the President of your United States to condemn you and retake Atlantis."

"And what did he say?"

Samsus set his glass down. "He wishes to meet with you. Have a state dinner or something of that nature. He recognizes that you have some authority but he is fearful of your position. He believes that you wish to ally with Earth, but LaPierre's report made you sound like a rogue. It also appears you as well as Col O'Neill had a reputation even before coming to Atlantis."

Sheppard shrugged noncommittally and Samsus continued.

"I suppose he wants me to come to Earth?"

"He does. He is aware this may put you at a disadvantage but offers his protection. He tried to determine exactly what kind of power you had in the way of defenses and such, but I told him nothing. I did tell him that you had been quite willing to share discoveries to better Earth's defenses but little else. Though he feels that you coming to Earth puts things on even ground, he also is cautious as to what you will bring with you for…protection."

Sheppard sighed. "Well I need to think about this and consult with the Guardians and Pegasi. I have enough things to worry about here and it is an annoyance to have to deal with Earth right now. LaPierre really screwed things up. Where is Woolsey?"

"He returned with me and is relaying the same information to the Guardians and the Pegasi."

"Oh, that's good. I guess we could have all met together. Just been a long day."

"I figured as much and Mr. Woolsey is trustworthy. I believe he does not trust the IOA and is torn between loyalties. He suspects something wrong has occurred and because of LaPierre , they are dangerously close to becoming rogue themselves."

"Like we don't have enough of those organizations. People are so damn greedy Sam. Greedy for power, for money for anything that puts them at an advantage over another. I have fought too long because of people's greed."

Samsus could not argue that point. It had been different on Ilium and the other worlds. There were petty grievances but no desire for world domination among the Guardians. He sighed and they sat in silence for a while.

Sheppard yawned and grimaced slightly. "I said bye to Elizabeth this morning. She is headed back to Earth for some leave."

"Well deserved rest."

"Yeah. This whole business with Earth has been a pain for her as well."

There was a knock at the door and the Pegasi and Guardians walked in with Woolsey. Tristan bowed and Sheppard motioned for them to sit.

"Well Lord Tristan," Sheppard said cheerfully, "Shall we return to Earth sooner than expected?"

"It could be a trap my lord, " Etienne said.

Sheppard laughed. "Of course it is. But a trap for whom? The IOA is behind something and we need to resolve the Earth issue so we can focus here in this galaxy. We cannot wait much longer to defeat the Wraith. The cat will be out of the bag and we won't have much in the way of surprise."

"We will begin making preparations for possible security contingencies."

"Great. Uncle," Sheppard said turning to Saphides. "Will you and the other Guardians work with Mr. Woolsey and Samsus to discuss diplomatic options and make the arrangements?"

Saphides bowed. "Yes of course."

Sheppard stood quickly and bit his lip but tried to keep his face otherwise relaxed. He smiled broadly. "Well I am hungry so let's break for now."

If they noticed his injury they said nothing. His mind was a shield and tried very hard to project that he was fine or rather an image that he was fine. He wondered if that had actually worked or if they had indeed noticed and they were being polite, knowing perhaps that he did not want to be bothered by it.

He watched as they left silently and sank in his chair relieved that he was finally alone. He closed his eyes and reached for Teyla's mind and felt her touch back. He sighed wondering what he must do, a part of him knew what he had to do but he feared she would not understand, and he would lose her forever. He told her goodnight as he knew that she was at a birthday celebration for Halling then stood to leave. There were so many people surrounding him and truly supporting him, but just now, he felt very much alone.

oooooooo

She doubted very much she would survive this. La Pierre did not scare her, but the one named Gareth. There was something about him that left a cold chill down her spine. She was the bait. That was clear. Elizabeth looked out across the warehouse they held her in. She could only pick up pieces of the conversation but she knew this was a trap for John and she was equally determined that there was no way they would use her to hurt him. They were arranging a glass cell at the other end of the warehouse and there had to be at least 20 or more people, most of them what she could characterize as goons with guns. She tried to reach across the stars to warn him but she knew it was no use. Sheppard was not here in this galaxy, not yet, but he would be here. The IOA had saw to that. She lay back on the cot. At least she had made it home. As powerful as Gareth might be they had no clue what Sheppard was capable of. She closed her eyes and smiled. She only wished she would be around to find out.

oooooooo

Rodney sat across Sheppard while they had a rare meal together. "Are you crazy!" McKay sputtered. "You can't go back to Earth and meet with the IOA or the President or whatever. They will capture you."

Sheppard looked at his friend. McKay was genuinely worried and his friend probably had some reason to be. He was going to say something, but McKay continued.

"Don't you understand that they would love to get their hands on you. They don't trust you. You're…you're like Magneto and Professor X all in one plus who knows whatever other mutants."

Sheppard looked skeptically at McKay. "Rodney," he drawled, "Those are comic characters and…and by the way isn't Magneto evil?"

McKay harrumphed and folded his arms. "No he is not really evil…just conflicted…but, but…well anyway…"

"Rodney, they don't know what I can do," Sheppard said pushing the plate of cheeses toward McKay. "They don't know what I can do okay? They are just a little nervous about Atlantis, and I guess about me having all these resources. Look Earth is our home and right now the powers that be there are being a huge pain in the ass. I need to reassure them, make everything nice so that I can take care of business here. We are ready to take it to the Wraith but I can't battle on two fronts."

McKay sat back. "They can't offer us much you know. They are going to be afraid of you because they know they cannot offer you anything to battle the Wraith and are afraid you won't protect them.

"Rodney, Earth is our home. We will always protect it. Look. I won't make you come, but I would like you to. Lorne, O'Neill a few of the Pegasi, Guardian Sarik."

"What about Teyla?" McKay asked as he grabbed his toast. He frowned slightly as he saw Sheppard shift uncomfortably and looked away toward the door.

"No. She is staying behind and so is Caldwell."

McKay knew Sheppard well enough when to shut up. Sometimes he listened to that voice and sometimes he did not, but this time he decided to keep his mouth shut.

"Okay. Would love to go. Can I see my sister?"

"Of course. We are going to have a state dinner or something like that but kind of secret. I can add their names. O'Neill is inviting Col Carter and I added Elizabeth's name."

McKay stood up. "I still don't like this. I have a bad feeling."

Sheppard was not completely settled about it. "Look Rodney, don't think that I would go there without a plan. I don't trust the IOA either. Besides. You always have a bad feeling."

McKay turned toward the door. That may be the case, but he had a really bad feeling. The truth was though that if something bad did happened, he wanted to be there and not here wondering what was going on.

I hope you are not disappointed with lack of action but it is coming. Just had to find a way to get Shep to Earth and did have just a wee bit of whump! Okay. I will get started on six. Please bear with me.