A/N:Ok so i no i said no notes but felt an apology was called for and a promise that i havent forgotten this story... the next chapter will be up sometime this week

Chapter 4: Arrangements

For the rest of their stay Lam did leave them alone. The only person they saw over the next 48 hours was Colonel Mitchell who brought them meals. After 48 hours had passed and neither of them had morphed into Neanderthals, or indeed shown any sign of sickness, Lam decided they were clear. Before she let them go however she insisted on giving them another once-over, checking Sheppard's shoulder once more. Sheppard grumbled about not being able to do anything locked in a room for such a short space of time but Lam merely smiled saying "you forget I've had to deal with colonel Mitchell for the past couple of years... my views on what a person is capable of doing to themselves have changed vastly in that time."

"Ok" she continued "you're both cleared. Colonel Mitchell will be along soon to pick you up. He and general Landry have arranged transport to Sloane-Kettering cancer research centre where your brother currently is. You'll be leaving the base in an hour."

"Thanks Doc, you don't know how much I appreciate all the help." Sheppard replied letting his gratitude seep into his voice.

"You are welcome Colonel, just take care of yourself. I don't want to have to explain to Colonel Carter and the rather over-protective medical staff on Atlantis why I'm not sending their military commander back in more-or-less one piece." She said this last bit, pointedly looking at his shoulder.

"So I'm not the only one who thinks our medical staff go overboard just a little?"

Lam was saved from answering this enquiry by Mitchell knocking on the door as he came through it. He was wearing dress uniform and carried another set in his arms.

"Seriously? That's low key?" Sheppard said as he took in the sight. He had never really enjoyed wearing the uniform or all the attention that came with it.

"Yep we're travelling commercial, paid for by Uncle Sam. You know the dress rules for travelling on air force business Shep." Mitchell told him, grinning.

"Yeah I do." Sheppard admitted as he took the clothes that Mitchell was holding out.

"Don't worry I haven't forgotten you big guy." Mitchell continued turning to Ronon and throwing him a pair of jeans and a white shirt. "You would attract more attention than us if you went dressed like that." He added indicating Ronon's normal clothes.

Sheppard had to admit to himself that Mitchell was right about that even as he shrugged off his top so as to pull on the stiff white dress shirt.

"That's an interesting mark on your wrist." Mitchell commented seeing the small black scar for the first time.

Sheppard pulled a face as he buttoned up the shirt. "Yeah you could say that... it was an old man's sick joke; he branded every one of his captives. Ronon was the (()) of good fortune the old man was...inconvenienced before he could get any further. It was a clever chemical that turned it black, I can almost pass it off as a tattoo..."

"Yeah except you can't get rid of it." Ronon commented as he stood up, he had already finished getting changed. Sheppard always thought he looked out of place the few times he had seen him in smarter clothes, they just weren't Ronon.

"All set?" Mitchell asked as Sheppard pulled on his jacket and re-secured his arm in the sling, finally donning his hat.

"Yep" he replied, knowing he was going to have to walk through the base dressed as he was, and hope not to draw any attention.

"Ok, we're flying out of Colorado Springs so we should be in New York in a few hours." Mitchell informed them as he opened the door leading to the corridor, "then it's on to the hospital. We've got an hours' drive at least. We found a place that we can rent for a while as I'm not sure how long you're staying." By the time he had finished speaking they were already halfway down the corridor, moving at a brisk walk.

Sheppard was tempted to keep his head down and avoid eye contact but was well aware of the fact that, on a base such as this, that attitude was more likely to draw attention especially when it was an officer who was displaying such behaviour. As such he looked straight ahead trying to exude a cold, uncaring indifference.

As soon as they were in the lift he dropped the mask, thankful that they had not met anyone on the short trip, but he still couldn't relax, knowing that they would have to show their IDs to the guard at the gate as they went through the standard security procedures required to leave the base.

None of them spoke on the short journey to the surface, the tension almost palpable, but as the door started to slide open Mitchell said in a low voice; "relax guys we're almost out"

Sheppard tried to do as Mitchell suggested and beside him he heard Ronon breathing out in one long, slow breath releasing the tension as Teyla had show him. Having relaxed as much as he could Sheppard took a step out of the lift and blinked as the bright sunlight contrasted the dull lighting of the base.

Before he really had a chance to organise his thoughts a voice in front of him exclaimed "Colonel Sheppard!"

Blinking rapidly in an effort to clear the sun spots from his eyes Sheppard saw the silhouette of a tall man in uniform heading towards them. He immediately tensed but as his vision began to clear Sheppard realised that he recognised the young man as a marine that had rotated through Atlantis almost a year ago.

"Sinclaire? You've fallen a bit if they've put you on guard." There was a hint of a smile on his face but confusion still dominated.

"No sir, this is just a special occasion."

"Sinclaire volunteered for guard duty when we found out you were coming. Most of the soldiers here hate the IOA but just to be on the safe side we thought we'd put someone on guard who's loyalty could be one hundred percent trusted." Mitchell explained as he led them through the gates, bypassing the biosensors, and out into the carpark.

Sheppard felt gratitude welling up inside him and as he exited through the gate he turned and commented over his shoulder "Come and find me next time you rotate though Atlantis and stay safe."

Sinclaire smiled broadly as he returned to his post.

Within minutes they were in Mitchells car and speeding away from the base. Sheppard could feel some of the tension draining out of him as he watched the land passing by outside the car. He could admit to himself that he did miss earth and the blissful ignorance of a majority of its inhabitants.

Mitchell broke through his thoughts as he said; "I've got some civilian clothes for you to wear whilst you're here. I had to guess sizes but I'm fairly sure they'll fit"

"where did you find clothes to fit Chewie?" Sheppard joked, relieved that he didn't have to deal with that particular issue.

"I had some help" Mitchell confided, smiling in good nature.