Final Checklist

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"Well," said Dr. Weir, "It looks like everything is ready for Atlantis's newest member."

The nursery was now complete. The furniture had been successfully built, safety-checked, cleaned and appropriately padded. The crib had been furnished with sage-green bumpers, white sheet and cotton blanket. The glider had been assembled, and outfitted with tied-on cushions to match the crib bumpers. The changing table had been stocked with cloth diapers (it would have been impossible to bring the necessary number of disposables through the Gate), and changing pads. Medical equipment that Beckett and his team might need was unobtrusively lined up against one wall.

Several enterprising scientists had made contributions in their spare time. One scientist, dismayed at the rubber-pants normally used with the cloth diapers, created silicone diaper covers, which, as he pointed out, had the advantage of being washable in boiling water, being inert under most circumstances and common chemicals, flexible, waterproof, and disinclined to crack. Another scientist provided a macgyvered wash-cloth warmer, pointing out that since no disposible wipes had been brought along, it would be much easier to keep damp, warm washcloths in the modified autoclave than running to the sink every time.

Enthused marines and scientists alike had displayed their bargaining skills admirably in spontaneously procuring wall hangings, pictures, area rugs and baby toys from various planets. It was a nursery to be proud of.

"Not quite," said Sheppard as he waltzed in, colorful binders in his arms. "Kate said to distribute these to everyone who may come in contact with Mairghread. Oh, the marines have worked out a schedule so no one who doesn't want to be near her has to be. Luckily," he grinned, "A lot of them want to be."

"What are these?" Elizabeth asked as she took a neon orange binder off the top of the stack. The cover read "Babies 101: The Atlantis Expedition Guide to babies of all humanoid species".

"The collective docs thought it best to give everyone a crash course/guide book, since they figured most of the 'leathernecks and eggheads have had minimal contact with and experience caring for infants'," John offered as he passed out his informational goodies.

Dr. Weir thumbed through her copy. "A Step by Step Guide to Diapering. What to feed him/her, cross-referenced by age, number of teeth and species. Seven Reasons babies cry. What to do when he/she won't sleep. Why you must NOT SHAKE THE BABY," she read aloud. "Will we receive an updated copy in a few weeks when she's a toddler?"

John shrugged. "All I know is, once I've handed these things out, the docs said we were ready to go."

Elizabeth raised her disbelieving eyebrow. "Security?"

"Tighter than a drum."

"Food?" she asked, since she could see for herself the impeccable state of the nursery.

"Beckett's got four liters ready and waiting, and a month's supply of powder ready to mix."

Weir nodded slightly, as though weighing and judging the information she had been give. She smiled, "Okay, you have a go."

"Yes!" shouted Sheppard and tapped his earpiece. "Rodney? Teyla? Carson? Ronon? Pack your bags. We're good to go."

TBC

Next time: First Contact