Authors Note: As it is summer, this story will probably have few updates in the near future, please bear with me, it will pick up again once school re-starts
THE BRIEFING ROOM, THREE DAYS AFTER THE RETURN
"The M.A.L.P. transmission from ML2-487 showed a Wraith culling in progress. There's nothing we can do now to stop it, it was almost over. Our best bet is to wait until the hive ship leaves, then go in and see what's causing those energy readings; and of course try to help as many of the people left there as we can." Rodney concluded, turning away from the screen at the front of the conference room. It was only three days after Rodney, Lilah and Brianna had made their triumphant return to Atlantis, complete with a conscious John Sheppard in tow. Rodney knew he was acting rather differently since he had linked with the city, and he knew he had slipped again when he saw Elizabeth's expression. He mentally reviewed what he had just said, then wincing inside added, "Well you wouldn't let us go if we didn't at least try to help people, so I figured I'd save you the trouble and add that to the proposal now."
Elizabeth looked taken aback, then said, "Well, I'm not convinced that this is anything worth checking out. We can't spare the manpower to go help yet another world; all, and I mean ALL the other teams are off world, you are the only ones left in Atlantis."
"But this could be very important!" Rodney complained.
"I realize that, and while we are risking leaving something there that could help us defeat the Wraith, there is always that possibility when we pass up a world. And that is what we are doing now." Elizabeth said calmly over Rodney's protestations. "Besides which we do NOT have anyone to spare to send right…"
"I'm going." Interrupted a voice from the doorway.
Everyone in the room turned and saw Bri standing in the door.
"And I'm going with her." Rodney added, not losing sight of his goal even with the shock of Elizabeth being so firmly contradicted.
"No you're not." Elizabeth responded. "You won't be leaving, you won't be allowed to dial gate."
Brianna simply closed her eyes, and then Elizabeth's comm link activated.
"Doctor Weir, the gate is activating from this side, but none of the puddle jumpers are active and I didn't do anything!"
"It's alright technician, we were trying something, it's good to know that it worked, I have it handled." She turned off her radio, then turned to the red head in the door. "Brianna, what are you trying to prove here?"
The tenseness seemed to flow out of the girl as she opened her eyes. "That we are going." She said softly. "This is important, more important than you know, but I can't tell you why, and you have to know that you can't stop us."
"I'm going with them." John said.
"What, even you're deserting me now?" Elizabeth asked, rather hysterical.
"Me too." Said Lilah softly.
"And you? What, are we all going to have to fend for ourselves completely now?"
"Elizabeth, you have to understand. This mission is important. This is what can save Earth; this is our one shot at finding the resources we need to accomplish our goals. I would never abandon you, but we aren't allowed to tell you where we're going. Atlantis told us to keep it a secret, and we can't tell anyone. I need to go, we need to protect the scientists, they are the only way we can ever beat the Wraith. You know that better than anyone. We have to go Elizabeth, we'll explain everything after we're done." John placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, then the team turned and headed out of the room.
As they left they heard Elizabeth call out "Take Ronon with you."
John turned back and said softly "We will, let Teyla know we'll see her when she gets back from her visit with her people."
"I will." Elizabeth responded gently, then sighed deeply as John turned away again.
It had hurt her more than she had expected when John had been injured. That Brianna had gone to Rodney to get John back had torn another rent in her heart. When John had sided with Rodney against her today she realized she was in love with him. Now he left without a second glance, oblivious to the pain he caused her. She put her head in her hands, resting her elbows on the desk, unaware that Brianna watched from just outside the room.