I don't own it, I just play with them and then reluctantly give them back. :(
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Atlantis was finally returning to normal. In the months since Olivia had returned to Earth things began to settle down. Weeks passed without any world from Earth as to what their fate was. Elizabeth ran the city uneasily as she knew her position there was only because O'Neill did not want to stay in the Pegasus Galaxy. The rest of the scientists and military personnel were also worried. They were used to living their lives day to day waiting for the next Wraith attack, but now they were waiting for something different. Instead of waiting for their fate to be handed to them by their enemies they were living going about things knowing that any minute they could be recalled back to Erath. They were used to the unknown, to not knowing what tomorrow might bring; but now they were waiting for the filing of a report—a piece of paper that would determine the validity of their expedition. Should the judgment go against them they would have to return to their 'normal' lives at the SGC; if it went in their favor than they could continue their jobs with no other fear than what they might come across in Pegasus.
They were kept waiting for almost three months. Three months of fearing that they would have to back up and leave with their only hope being that when they contacted Earth, General O'Neill said that they were still discussing it. During those three months John had began corresponding with Olivia again. He would send emails in every data burst and letters every time the Daedalus did its runs. In return he would have emails and letters waiting for him too. Things started out simple, John telling the latest stories of Atlantis and Olivia complaining about the latest antics that Josh and Sam had pulled.
It was three months of living in limbo when their questions were finally answered. The klaxons in the control room started to go off and after Chuck confirmed the IDC, a figure emerged from the gate. General O'Neill was beamed into the gate room. Their fears were soon put to rest when they saw that the man had a big goofy grin on his face.
"Howdy campers," he said. "Just thought that I would pay you a little visit."
"Any special reason, Sir," John asked. "Come to tell us to pack up?"
"Quiet the opposite actually. I have to tell you that you all received rave reviews from our little White House lackey. Olivia not only supported that the expedition continued, but she ordered more funding and more staff. So on the next supply run expect a lot of the stuff that you requested in your last equipment order…and a whole lot more scientists."
"Oh joy…more scientists," John said.
"Yeah well, to compensate I am sending you a heap of C4 and other fun toys."
"I'm sure that Cadman will appreciate that. How about more military personnel?"
"You get to break in at least a hundred more marines." Jack said.
"So, she actually defended us?" Elizabeth asked.
"She gave you all fabulous reviews. I could tell you everything that she said, but that would require me to actually read the two hundred page report that she filed on your behalf. I assigned Daniel to read it and right me the cliff notes version. By the way Elizabeth, she said she couldn't think of anyone better suited for the job and insisted that you be given full command back."
"Wow; that is amazing."
"Yeah, she seems to like you guys for some strange reason," Jack said. Then turning to John, "I told you that being her ex-husband wasn't going to be a problem."
"It might also help that we kind of patched things up before she left," John said.
"That too; apologies can do wonders…or at least that is what Carter is always telling me."
"Apparently," John agreed.
"Well I have to get back to the SGC, that place doesn't just run itself and I left Daniel in charge." And with that the man walked out of the room. The sound of an activating stargate was the only clue as to where he had disappeared to.
"Are you telling me," Rodney started, "that after she was kidnapped, held hostage for months and almost killed, she recommended that they not shut down the expedition?"
"Yeah, go figure. I never understood her method of thinking when we were married let alone now," John said.
"Well whatever her line of thinking, she just saved all our butts," Elizabeth said.
* * * * * * * * **
Another two months had passed since they received word that they got to stay, and in that time things had settled down. The influx of new military personnel had been a blessing as the Wraith had become more active in the recent months. With this additional help they had been able to create ten new off world teams while still having plenty of personnel on the base in the case of an emergency. The science team had grown too, now having on their staff new biologists, physicists and a couple of marine biologists—a profession no one had thought about including, which considering the fact that they are on a planet that was 95% ocean, was surprising. Also to the staff were new nurses and another medical doctor to help Carson with the ever busy infirmary.
Also keeping John busy were the letters and emails that he sent to Olivia. After she left they would exchange letters and emails every week. That however, had slowed down in the recent weeks. He kept up on his end but he was lucky if he received anything from her every other week. When he did hear from her, her correspondence had become short and to the point. He wanted to believe that it had more to do with her being busy than her lack of interest in their somewhat awkward reconciliation. He was sitting in the commissary with the team for lunch one afternoon when Laura Cadman approached him.
"Sir," she started. When receiving a nod indicating to sit she continued. "I was wondering if you had heard from Olivia lately."
"I got an email two weeks ago; why?" he asked.
"When she left we agreed to keep in touch; you know fill each other in on the latest gossip, what crazy stunts you and Rodney pulled—all that fun stuff. It was like clockwork, every week in the data burst we would send our emails but I didn't get one this week."
"Don't feel bad Lt. I haven't received one in two weeks now. She's probably just really busy," Sheppard said.
"Have her recent letters seemed a little off to you?"
"What do you mean?"
"Distant; it just hasn't seemed like her for a while now. It is almost as if she is trying to avoid something, or like she's depressed."
"I haven't really thought about that. I put everything down to her being busy."
"I got an email in today's data burst, but it wasn't from Liv. It was from her friend Josh Lyman. He seemed really concerned and is asking questions."
"What kind of questions?" John asked.
"It might be easier if you just read the email sir," she said getting it out of her pocket and handing it to him.
"Dear Lt. Cadman,
You don't know me, but I am one of Olivia's friends in Washington. I kind of stole your email from her address book and if she finds out about this I am probably a dead man, but she talks about you all the time so I am hoping that you might be able to help. Liv hasn't exactly been forthcoming in what happened while she was there working with you guys and nobody else is willing to tell me what happened, but I know it was something bad.
She has been very different since her return to D.C.; she is not the same Liv that left here all those months ago. She has become distant and closed herself off from everyone else. For the first time ever the problem isn't trying to get her to shut up but rather to actual say more than two words at a time. She spends all her time locked either in her office or at her house, which I admit is not unusual, but she no longer hangs out with anyone either; it is straight to work and then home. I have been willing to let this try to work itself out on its own, but after what happened here today I can't wait to find out what is going on anymore.
This morning she was working in her office when the mail was being delivered. Olivia had been so into her work that she did not notice when the mailroom guy walked in. She had her back to the door and when the poor kid walked up to her desk to drop off the mail, she completely flipped out. The kid was new to the job, (his first day) and went to ask her where to leave it. According to all the assistants in the bull pen who witnessed the event Zack (the mail boy) tapped her on the shoulder to get her attention and she turned around and punched him in the face. Zack is okay—other than a broken nose but Olivia has been panicking since then. I know that you have information as to what is causing her recent behavior, and has her best friend I am begging you to tell me so that I can help her.
Please let me know,
Joshua Lyman."
"You got this today?" John asked when he finished it.
"Yeah, about an hour ago."
"I'm going to go talk to Elizabeth, show her the letter. I'll see if there is anything that we might be able to do to help," John said getting up from the table and walking away.
* * * * * *
Two weeks later John Sheppard was once again stepping foot on Earth. After reading Josh's letter he had begged and pleaded with Elizabeth to return home to see Olivia. Elizabeth, seeing the worry and concern in the eyes of her military leader at approved his return to Earth at once. The plan was for him to pack up that day and hand over his official duties to Major Lorne but as things typically go in Atlantis, plans often go awry. An hour before he was scheduled to leave SGA4 ran into the Wraith and needed back up. They had all gotten stranded on the planet for two days trying to wait for a chance to get to the gate. When they finally got back to Atlantis Carson was not willing to allow him to travel on account to the gunshot wound he had suffered trying to extract SGA4. The wound was fairly simple and not life threatening, but as they had not been able to get back to Atlantis quickly the wound had become infected. Carson being Carson said he was not willing to let John go anywhere until he was a hundred percent better.
It took two weeks for John to get the all clear from Carson and as soon as he had it, John was hightailing it to the gate room not wanting to tempt fate and get stuck there for another two weeks. He rushed through the open wormhole and soon found himself standing in the gate room in Colorado. Jack was waiting for him and ushered John into his office.
"Hello Sir," John said.
"Colonel, I think I know why you are here. You received a message from Josh Lyman, didn't you?"
"Actually it was Cadman who got the letter; she just showed it to me."
"The man has become a thorn in my side and he is determined to find out what went on."
"So, nobody has said anything to him?" John asked.
"Apparently Olivia said that she didn't want anyone to know the details of her being held captive. The President knows, of course, but other than that no one knows. She explained her extra time by saying that she decided to extend her stay to make sure her report was accurate."
"What exactly is going on that has them so worried?" John asked.
"Other than hitting the kid delivering the mail?" Jack asked. "Apparently her behavior in general is just unlike her. I spoke with the president three days ago and she is just going off the deep end. She has been yelling at senators—which I understand—but has also become short and ill-tempered with everyone on the staff as well."
"That is completely unlike her; she is usually a very patient person. With your permission I would like to head straight to D.C now," John asked.
"Permission granted. In fact I have arranged for you to beam straight into the White House."
"How did you manage that?"
"When you are a big important General like me it is very easy to get people to agree with things."
"It was the president's idea, wasn't it?"
"Yeah; he cleared it with the Secret Service and you are beaming directly into the residency portion of the mansion. So, you better not keep them waiting. The Prometheus is ready to beam you in."
Twenty minutes later John found himself being led through the White House. He had been met in the residency by Charlie Young, the president's assistant and from there they had wandered down stairs and corridors into the West Wing. Charlie led him through one final door and found John found himself standing outside the Oval Office. The door was open and Charlie was standing at the threshold trying to usher John in. He took a deep breath and then walked into the room.
You know you want to do it, so go ahead...hit that little blue button. I dare you to!