Landry frowned as Jack walked into the briefing room where SG-1 was waiting. The retired general ignored his friend's stare and sat down beside Vala and across from Teal'c.

"Jack…" Landry hissed lowly after taking in Sam's surprised and outraged glare. Jack looked to Landry, eyes overly innocent. "Talk to me after the meeting."

Jack nodded curtly before turning his stare back to the wall behind Teal'c.

"You called for us, sir?" John Sheppard asked from the stairs. Landry looked up to see the colonel, Dr. McKay, Teyla and Ronon, all waiting patiently, or impatiently, as was the case for half of them. Landry nodded.

"Yes." He gestured to the open chairs at the end of the table. "Sit down."

After the four of them took their seats, Landry leaned forward.

"I want to know the fate of Atlantis," he started.

"It sank, sir," John said gruffly. Landry pursed his lips.

"I'm aware of that, Colonel Sheppard. However, I would like to know specifics. Not what happened, what's there now. And I still want this possible alternative to the ZPM checked out," the general explained. "The Atlantis team will be going, as well as SG-1, minus Vala."

"What?" Vala exclaimed. "I'm going!"

"You're pregnant, Vala," General Landry pointed out. "I don't want to risk you going into labor while you're gone!"

"I still have months before I'm due!" Vala argued. Daniel grabbed her wrist.

"Vala…"

"No!" Vala bellowed. "Sam was allowed to go on missions while she was pregnant with Rose!"

"Jack wasn't working," Landry countered calmly. "Daniel is."

"So?" Vala screeched. "I'm going!"

Daniel sighed, closing his eyes and turning to Landry. "General, it might be wise just to let her go. You know how stubborn she can be… Plus the added fact her hormones are going wild."

"My hormones are perfectly fine," Vala bit. Landry's jaw tensed visibly.

"Fine," he said shortly. "But I will not be blamed…"

"Of course not," Vala said happily, mood abruptly changing. Cameron concealed a laugh behind a cough, placing a hand over his mouth to hide a grin. Hormones fine…right…

"You'll leave in one hour," Landry declared, standing up, everyone rising with him. "That's all."

Immediately after those last two words left the general's lips, Sam whipped her head around to Jack and grabbed his arm, dragging him to the far corner of the room. It didn't do much, however, as to hide their argument from everyone else.

"Where's Rose?" Sam hissed loudly, face red with rage.

"I got a babysitter for her," Jack replied calmly. "I'm coming with everyone to Atlantis."

"No, you're not," Sam argued. "Didn't you here Landry? 'The Atlantis team and SG-1.' That wouldn't include you! At one time, yes, it did, but that was years ago, Jack! You're too old for this!"

Jack's shoulders twitched at the word "old" and he stared at his wife. Daniel could've sworn he saw steam whistling out of the man's ears. "I'm coming, Carter."

Vala had a hard time trying to conceal a gasp at Jack's use of Sam's last name rather than her first.

"Jack," Landry interrupted. Jack whipped his head around to glare at the general. Landry sighed. "You aren't coming, Jack."

"Yes, I am."

"Why?" Landry yelled. "Why does everyone feel they need to go?"

"O'Neill feels he needs to go because he's afraid he's getting old," Sam told him, returning Jack's use of last names. "Which he is."

"Sir," Daniel said quickly before Jack could bite back. Landry turned his irritated glare to the archeologist. Daniel winced, lowering his voice. "It might be a good idea just to let him go…nothing you say'll stop him."

Landry closed his eyes, breathing deeply before turning his gaze back to the retired general. "I'm not happy about this. But fine."

Jack grinned triumphantly, giving Sam a cocky smirk. She pointedly ignored him.

As SG-1 and Jack left to take care of last minute business, Rodney and John behind them, Teyla and Ronon shared a glance before walking forward to General Landry, who had fallen in a heap in his chair, massaging his temples furiously.

"General Landry?" Teyla asked, cautious to pull the man out of his thoughts. Landry looked up, surprised to see the two Atlantians standing in front of him.

"Teyla. Ronon," he greeted. "How may I help you?"

"We were wondering, sir," Teyla started politely, "what you plan to do with the two of us."

"Seeing as we're not from around here," Ronon added. Landry's surprised expression deepened and he shrugged.

"Technically it's not really my decision," he told them. "It's the IOA's. And they're more concerned about Adria and the Ori right now."

"That's what Sheppard said," Ronon muttered gruffly. Landry smiled softly.

"What do you want to do?" he asked. "I'm sure I could put in a word or two."

"We wish to continue working with Colonel Sheppard and Dr. McKay, if that's possible," Teyla told him. Landry nodded.

"I'll see what I can do."

XxXxX

Daniel let out a heavy sigh as he and Vala cleaned up the mess of ripped papers on his desk and carefully set them aside for when they returned. Vala raised her head at his sigh, giving him a questioning cock of the eyebrows. He caught her expression and pursed his lips.

"Jack and Sam," he said in way of explanation. Vala inclined her head.

"Ah."

It was silent, save the soft shuffling of paper until a familiar voice broke their reverie.

"Mother. Daniel."

The two of them turned suddenly to see Adria standing in the doorway, a large book in her hands. Daniel eyed the Orici and the book.

"Adria."

She held the book out for Daniel to take. "The Book of Origin, as you requested."

Daniel stared at it suspiciously for a moment before stepping forward and gently taking it from the Orici's grip. "Thank you." He stepped back quickly, keeping his eyes on Adria's. "How's Ettan?"

Adria tensed. "Fine."

Daniel waited.

"He is still having the dreams," she continued. She smiled comfortingly at Daniel's concern.

"Do not worry, Daniel. He is fine."

"You'll tell me if anything happens?" he made sure, his parental side taking over. Adria's smile widened.

"Of course, Daniel. You are his father."

She held his gaze steadily for a few seconds and then vanished. Vala let out a hiss of breath.

"We should at least tell the team about her new way of transportation."

Daniel shook his head. "We'd have to explain how we knew. I don't want to get into that with them, Vala. They'll find out soon enough."

But then it might be too late, Vala thought desperately, but didn't push the subject. Instead: "You gonna bring it with you?" she asked, jerking her head at the book. Daniel glanced down to it, shaking his head.

"No. I'll be too busy translating the stone. I'll leave it here and work on it when we get back." And with that, he set the book down on his desk, where it would stay for longer than anyone had expected.

A/N: I love reviewers and live for constructive criticism!