A/N: Sorry for the delay. This was harder to write than I thought. Your comments have helped keep this going.

A/N: Standard disclaimer: I do not own these characters, and no infringement is intended.

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Speeding Things Up: Common Ground

Dear John:

Thanks for the note. Glad you're staying out of trouble.

Sorry about teaching Ronon about hollow points. He seemed very interested after I used one on your version of vampires. He had a very interesting grin on his face.

I have actually found a form of stick fighting around here. I think its Tibetan, but I'm not sure. Anyway, I'm pretty good thanks to the moves Teyla taught me.

Landry says the project is still going well. He mentioned that at least one of the families is getting an amniocentesis. Not sure why.

Still no luck in tracing the adoption. I had to give them a copy of our papers, but there is really nothing there.

I'll be on the lookout for more movies, and maybe some peanuts next time.

Keep out of the infirmary.

Dad

SGC – Cheyenne Mountain

General Hank Landry was in the conference room, running the debriefing for the latest team to return from off world. The news on the Ori still wasn't good. As they were finishing up, Dr. Lam entered the room, standing to one side.

"OK, people, get cleaned up and take some R&R. Dismissed," said Landry. The rest of the table stood as he did.

"May I have a moment, General?" said Dr. Lam, as Landry turned to the door.

"My office?"

"Yes, sir," she replied, following him out of the room.

When they reached his office, she shut the door behind them. Landry raised his eyebrows. "What can I do for you, doctor?"

"I thought you'd like to know the results of the amnio."

Landry sat down, gesturing to the chair in front of him. The doctor, moving closer to the desk, chose to remain standing.

"Yes, I would. So?"

"One of them took."

Landry let out his breath in a whoosh. "Which family?"

"O'Neill."

"Well, they will probably be better able to take it than others." The two were silent for a moment.

"You had said that you would consider telling them if it became necessary."

"Hum. I guess they have a right to know. Do you have a recommendation for when they should be told?"

"Well, Colonel Carter is doing well with no current problems with morning sickness. Since she's carrying triplets, however, and this is a first pregnancy, we may have to be conservative later. I guess if they are going to be told, now would be a good time. They will have a chance to deal with the knowledge."

"What do you mean by conservative?"

"Just that if she starts having any problems we may have to put her on bed rest."

"OK. Do you want to tell them, or should I?"

"With your permission, I'd like to tell Colonel Carter. She can then decide how to tell General O'Neill."

"Fine. Let me know how it goes." As she turned to go, he added, "Carolyn, good luck."

She nodded and left.

A week later, the baggage claim area in the Colorado Springs Airport was crowded as Colonel Edward Sheppard grabbed his duffle and turned to look for his ride.

"I'll take that, Colonel," said Jack O'Neill, stepping up to the luggage carousel.

"Thanks, General, but I've got it." He looked behind the General for Colonel Carter.

Jack caught the look as he led the way to the parking area. "Carter is at home. She's taking it easy every chance she can get. She's already been removed temporarily from SG-1. And by the way, it's Jack."

"Then it's also Edward. Is she doing alright?" They had reached the jeep and tossed the older man's gear in the back.

"Yeah. Morning sickness was a pain, but we finally got through that about a month ago."

"I really appreciate you inviting me out here, but I don't want to be in the way, and it sounds like you're busy."

O'Neill glanced over at Edward Sheppard before returning his eyes to the road. "Carter asked if you could come, and I had to admit I wanted to see you. She's going crazy staying at home and in the SGC all the time, and I think she's getting tired of me." The last was said with a little smirk.

The drive was uneventful, and soon they were pulling up in front of the house. Edward was remembering his last visit and the picnic that reunited him with his son. "You know, Jack, I can never repay you and Sam for your help reconnecting with John." He reached out to stop Jack from getting out of the car. "If there is anything I can do, including leave, let me know."

Jack smiled. "I think Carter has an idea, but I'll let her tell you." They approached the house and Sam Carter opened the door.

"Wow, look at you," said Edward, giving Sam a kiss on the cheek as he entered the house. "I want to thank you for inviting me out here, but, again, I want to be sure I won't be in the way. I know you're getting ready for the baby."

"Babies," said Jack, slipping an arm around Sam's expanding waist.

"We're expecting triplets," said Sam, leaning into Jack. "I've been removed from SG-1, and 'encouraged' to stay home for the last four months. I have to catch up on the Atlantis reports, and I thought you'd like to read them, too." She gave Jack a squeeze and led the way to the front room, the men following.

"Why don't you have a seat and catch up. Beer, Edward? Juice, Sam."

"Whatever you have will be fine, Jack." He turned back to Sam who had put her feet up on an ottoman. He couldn't seem to get enough of her.

"What?" said Sam.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't realize I was staring." He looked down at his clasped hands. "It's just I never went through this with my wife, so it's all new. You really do glow. Are you OK?"

Sam blushed at his words. "Yeah, doing well as far as the doctors can tell. They are a little worried that my first pregnancy is triplets, so they're being cautious. Hence, the staying at home thing."

Jack brought back two beers and some apple juice and sat down close to Sam. He raised his eyebrows and she nodded. Edward was wondering what was going on when Sam spoke.

"Edward, there was another reason we wanted you to visit."

Edward was silent, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

"We were wondering if, well, if you would consider standing as godfather to our children?"

Edward felt a rush of emotion.

Jack continued, taking Sam's hand. "Yeah, well, you see, both of us have lost our folks, and while these kids will have lots of aunts and uncles, they will also need a grandfather." He looked over at the older colonel and saw the brightness in his eyes before he looked down and cleared his throat.

"Jack, Sam, I would be honored to be godfather to your children as well as an honorary grandfather." His smile was huge as he looked up.

Sam let out a sigh and leaned back in the chair. "Great, that's out of the way. Now, what have you heard from Atlantis? We figure it's better than the formal reports."

The three of them talked into the early evening, sharing stories, dreams, and creating a new family.

Dad –

Peanuts would be great. Looking forward to the next package. A football highlights tape would be good, too. I'm trying to explain things to Ronon, and one example isn't enough.

We've found some new trading partners who will give us anything in exchange for cloth in any color other than purple. It seems they have only one color dye.

Everyone is OK here. Elizabeth has been given a clean bill of health from Beckett after her little problem. If you have a chance, read the mission report. She and I are still good.

I've ordered hollow point bullets, and we'll see if I get them. I had never thought of using them on the current enemy. We'll have to work out a way to be sure they are used only on those guys since they are so hard to kill.

Is everyone OK there? I was just wondering.

John

Edward filed John's email and brought up a screen for a new message.

Dear John –

You will never believe where I am…..

Atlantis

Elizabeth Weir paced in the control room. The last transmission had not occurred, so she didn't know what had happened to John. She had sent the team as soon as Ladon had come up with a location. She just didn't know if it was already too late. And if he had aged so much, was it already too late for them?

On the wraith planet, the once again middle-aged John Sheppard, returned to health, moved back into the jumper as the wraith left. He sat down and closed his eyes in exhaustion.

It was as they prepared to leave the planet that he began to feel them. The eyes! Everyone in the jumper was staring at him. Beckett moved over to his bench and began checking his vital signs, blood pressure, etc., so he was concentrating on his instruments. Everyone else was looking at him. Their expressions varied from astonishment to revulsion. There was even a flicker of suspicion on Ronon's face. After all, Sheppard had left a wraith alive.

"Who saw the transmission?" His voice came out rough, and he knew Beckett was seeing spikes in his pulse.

Beckett looked up at him, having seen his unease reflected in the readings. "Everyone in the control room: your team, me, Kate, Elizabeth, Lorne, you know, the usual." As he spoke, Beckett saw John's eyes start darting from one side to another. He was developing a fight or flight response, but Beckett didn't know why.

"Atlantis, this is jumper one. We have him and are headed home."

"Acknowledged, Jumper one. The shield is down and a med team will be waiting."

Elizabeth Weir heaved a very shaky sigh. "I'm taking a break. I'll have my radio off for a little while, then I'll be headed to the infirmary."

Chuck nodded as she left, the stark look on his face reflecting some understanding of what she would have to cope with.

Back on the jumper, Beckett was growing concerned with John's increasing respiration. "Colonel, easy there lad, you're safe," he said, as they entered the event horizon of the star gate.

As they emerged in the gate room and the jumper moved into the bay, John looked over at Beckett, his stress visible. "Look, Carson, I'm fine but I have to get out of here for awhile."

The back of the jumper lowered and everyone could see the gurney waiting for what they had expected: an old, failing John Sheppard.

"Colonel, I can understand, but we have no idea of the effect that thing had on you. I need to run some additional tests…"

"You've got my vitals. You can get the rest later!" said Sheppard, exiting the jumper. He looked around, saw Kate hovering in the background, but didn't see Elizabeth.

Beckett came up behind him and took his arm. "Colonel…"

"Carson," he said, looking the doctor straight in the eye, speaking more quietly but intensely as if willing him to understand. "I just can't right now. I'll report to sick bay in, uh, four hours."

With that, he shook off Beckett's hand, handed his P-90 and vest to Teyla, and, avoiding the reach of his teammates, he took off at a run for the exit.

Ronon looked over at Beckett. "Want me to get him?"

Kate walked over to the two men, hearing the end of the conversation, and shook her head. Carson thought a minute then agreed. He looked at the Satedan. "He said he'd be back in four hours. We can monitor him on sensors," he added, looking over at Rodney who nodded and headed for the control room. "If he isn't back in that time, I will need you to go after him." Beckett saw understanding reflected in Ronon's face.

The group dispersed back to their duties, all wondering exactly what had happened to their military commander.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Colonel John Sheppard ran. He ran as far as he could, seeking escape from all the eyes, eyes of concern, surprise, disgust, suspicion. The latter really stung, but he didn't know what else he could have done. He gave his word.

When he couldn't run any more, he began to walk and finally turned back toward the center of the city. As he cooled off, he calmed and felt the usual exhaustion after an adrenaline rush. He also began to think through all the ramifications of his, essentially, death and rebirth. And as he did so, he realized he still had not heard from Elizabeth. Thinking she was just giving him some space, he headed toward their balcony to finish cooling off before taking a shower and heading to sick bay.

Elizabeth was already there. Upon arriving, she had looked around at this balcony that had become "theirs." They had moved out some personal belongings: the bench was there, a few pillows, her blanket, his t-shirt. The feeling overwhelming her, though, was loss. She had lost a lot that day. She lost the negotiation. Whether he was dead or seventy, she had lost her military commander. She had also lost a future she had only just begun to dream about. They should have had years together.

She had her arms clasped around her as if chilled and, in a way, she was chilled to her very soul. She had had to watch him die, knowing she could stop it. And something inside her had died as well. She had negotiated with terrorists, but they had a purpose, a mission, that she could use to understand and recast their demands. Kolya was just evil, wanting nothing but his own ends. With him she could find no middle ground. And John had paid the price for her inability to negotiate. She who had negotiated treaties where none had been successful had failed in the most personally important negotiation of her life. Her eyes were dry and hollow, reflecting a hollowness in her soul, a depth of pain that tears could not abate.

She heard the door open behind her. Assuming it was someone come to fetch her, she straightened up, placing her hands on the railing, but did not turn around. "I assume he's in the infirmary now. Please tell them I'll be there shortly."

"Elizabeth."

At his voice, a little rough but the same timbre, she swung around. "John?"

He strode over to her, noticing her shock. "He gave me my life back. . ." he started, but Elizabeth launched herself into his arms, holding on for dear life, as the tears that had been absent in the depth of her despair now flowed in relief. John held her tightly as if his life depended on it.

"Hey, I'm OK," he said, stroking her back, relishing the feel of her after fearing he would never do so again. It was only after a few minutes that he realized she was saying, over and over, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. . ."

John pulled back, reaching up and grabbing her face, forcing her to look him in the eye. "Elizabeth, you have nothing to be sorry about."

"But I could have stopped it, . . ."

"No, you couldn't." He looked her in the eye, willing her to understand what he was saying through his intensity. "Kolya put you in an impossible position. We don't negotiate with terrorists, and that was what he was doing: terrorizing you and Atlantis. You did exactly the right thing."

He released her and she buried her face in his shirt, smelling the drying sweat and the scent that was just John. "

"Don't you see what this means?" he whispered in her ear, stroking her back to provide comfort.

She shook her head, not raising it from his chest. "No, what?"

He wasn't willing to have this conversation without seeing her eyes, so he gently pulled her away from his chest, once again holding her head in his hands, but more gently this time, pushing one curl behind her ear.

"We've proved it can work." He used his thumbs to gently wipe away the remains of her tears.

She searched his face, confusion evident in her expression. "What? What have we proved?"

John closed his eyes and lowered his forehead to hers. "We've proved that having a relationship will not compromise Atlantis." His voice dropped to a whisper. "Today, you proved you could accept my death."

Elizabeth jerked back, pushing him away. "Accept it, maybe, but not live with it." Her arms went back around her and the hollowness was back. "When you came out here, I was staring into a black pit that I had created, not sure if I could keep from falling in."

She turned away from him, facing the sea, but John took her arm, turning her back to face him.

"Think about this, Elizabeth! The danger in such relationships is that they could take priority over the good of the mission or group. That's why they are frowned on: they can be dangerous. You have proved that you can put Atlantis first." He kept his gaze locked with hers, willing her to understand and believe. "If you couldn't do that, we would have no future."

"But you put me first when you intervened with the nanites. Isn't that the same?"

John shook his head. "My duty is to protect Atlantis. And that applies doubly to you as the head of the expedition. I have to be willing to give my life for you, and I've known and accepted that duty since we first arrived."

Elizabeth broke eye contact, but moved closer to lean against him. "That seems so unfair."

John went back to stroking her back as she relaxed against him. "I know I have it easiest since my duty and my inclination flow together. I'm sorry. I know it sucks." He gently kissed her forehead.

Feeling his lips on her skin, she looked up, and he moved his lips to meet hers. As their lips touched, suddenly passion ignited, that primal celebration of life that comes from facing death. John started to pull back, not wanting to force things, but Elizabeth held him firmly, pressing herself against him.

"Please, John."

All he needed was permission. He pulled her to him, pressing her fully against his length as his lips crashed down on hers in a bruising kiss. But Elizabeth was ready, giving back equally, her hands pressing his back, holding him to her. She wrapped a leg around him, trying to draw him even closer, and John picked her up, moving to lean her against the wall. Her hands had moved up his back, under his t-shirt. His hands moved around and under her t-shirt in front, lightly caressing her breasts. Her hands dropped to his belt.

John pulled back, suddenly, breathing hard. "I didn't exactly come prepared…"

Elizabeth put her finger on his lips. "I'm on the pill, not on antibiotics, and disease free."

John kissed her finger, and moved his head to hover over her lips. "I'm clean too," he said, and reclaimed her in a kiss of growing intensity.

As they came up again for air, Elizabeth quirked an eyebrow. "Did you lock the door?"

John looked away for a minute then returned to caressing her face. "Yeah, it's locked."

He reached for her waistband. The next little while was a desperate blur of shed clothes and heavy breathing. They climaxed within seconds of each other, their faces buried in each others' necks.

Gradually, their breathing returned to normal, just in time for Elizabeth to hear, "I'm sorry."

She stiffened. Had he not wanted this? She began to push him away.

John looked up at her, seeing the confusion in her face. "No, no, I mean I had thought our first time should be, well, special." He looked embarrassed.

This time it was Elizabeth who took his face in her hands. "John Sheppard, I had to watch you be fed on by a wraith, age in front of my eyes. . ." Her voice caught, but she continued. ". . . and then come back as good as new. I would say that was pretty special." She followed this speech with a deep kiss, sharing with him all the emotion she had endured that day.

As she rested her head against his chin, she said, "Don't you have to report to the infirmary?"

"Crap," said John, hurriedly looking at his watch. He breathed a sigh of relief. "I still have an hour and a half. I told Beckett to give me four hours. I know he'll send Ronon if I don't put in an appearance." John leaned down and kissed Elizabeth's neck again. "We still have a little time."

"Um, John, I'm not sure you noticed, but we are standing here half naked, our pants around our ankles, and you, at least, could do with a shower."

"Ms. Weir, are you saying I smell?" replied John, easing back from her so she could lower her legs. His familiar smirking grin was back.

"Well, I just think there would be no questions about what you've been doing if you report to the infirmary like this. It would be obvious."

They began collecting their clothes, but John reached for her as soon as he could. "OK, I can take a hint. Come with me?" This last was somewhat wistful, as if he were not ready to let her go.

"Try to pry me away," Elizabeth responded, and together they left the balcony and made their way to John's quarters.

When they got there, Elizabeth moved over to a chair by his bed while John tossed his clothes in a corner, unembarrassed around her. As he removed his t-shirt, however, she saw the feeding mark on his chest and froze. For awhile, there, she had forgotten the horror that had brought them to this place, but now she was replaying, in her mind's eye, the agony on John's gagged face as the wraith drained his life. When John emerged from the shower, wrapped in a towel and drying his hair, she looked up at him, white and strained.

"Elizabeth," he said, concerned and moving over to her. "What is it?"

As he pulled her to him, she reached out to touch the feeding mark. John flinched, and she jerked her hand back. "I nearly lost you, John," she whispered.

"I know." He put his arms around her and she held on. "Let me get dressed and we can talk." He suited action to words, and was soon dressed in a fresh t-shirt and BDU pants.

Elizabeth sat on the bed, her arms clasped around herself again. John sat down at the head of the bed and pulled her against him. Gradually she relaxed, and began quietly weeping against his shirt. They held each other in silence, each trying to cope with how close they had come to losing each other.

They left for the infirmary just before John was due to report. On the way, John pulled Elizabeth into an alcove and once again took her into his arms, holding her tightly. "You don't have to stay during the exam if you don't want to," he whispered into her hair.

Elizabeth pulled back and studied his face, not sure if he wanted her there or not. Finally, she replied, "Of course I'll stay. I won't leave you to Carson's experimentation."

She had guessed right. John smiled and kissed her again. As he looked up, he noticed Ronon coming down the hall. The Satedan stopped and John nodded. He got an answering nod, and the man returned the way he came. After a few more minutes, he took Elizabeth's hand, and they continued on their way to the infirmary.

"It's about bloody time," said Dr. Beckett as the two entered the infirmary. John gave him a smirk as he headed toward a bed. "No you don't. Not yet. Here's a set of scrubs. Now go change."

John grimaced this time, heading to the infirmary's bathroom to change. When he came out, his entire team plus Elizabeth were clustered around a bed. His steps faltered.

"Uh, guys, this can't be that exciting a show."

Teyla crossed her arms and raised her eyebrows as Ronon smirked.

"You can't expect to just return from the dead then disappear and not have us wondering what's going on," said Rodney, sitting down in his usual chair and opening his laptop. "We have a lot invested in you, and I, for one, would like some return on that investment."

By this time, Beckett was walking up with a phlebotomy tray. "And just what are the rest of you doing here? This man needs some rest, not your aggravation," he continued as he placed a tourniquet on John's upper arm.

John saw their falling faces and realized how much he counted on them. "Carson, can they stay? Since this is just a series of tests, they won't be in the way, will they?"

Beckett looked up at the Colonel and over to his team. Remembering the panic in the jumper, he nodded. "Aye, that's true. But if I trip over one, they all go."

The team moved around John's bed to the side opposite Beckett. Elizabeth took his free hand and smiled at him. Seeing them and feeling her reassurance, John leaned back and prepared to endure torture by medical test, knowing his team and Elizabeth were there for him when needed.

Just as Beckett finished filling the first vial of blood he would need, he heard John say, "Carson, something's –"

Beckett looked up to see John Sheppard's eyes roll back in his head as his whole body spasmed.

"He's having a seizure! Ronon, grab him!"

And all hell broke lose in the infirmary.

TBC

A/N: two more chapters and an epilogue. Comments welcome and incorporated as appropriate.