A/N: This story is a birthday present for my good friend and Beta buddy, ladygris.

Hehe! It is a very sneaky writer who gets the birthday girl to help make her own present.

Many, many good wishes for your very special day!

~Sandy

Atlantis Awaits

Chapter 4

Controlled

They weren't in hyperspace long before Woolsey was on the line. "Major Lorne, what are you doing?"

"Kinda busy, sir. Let me get back to you." Cutting their leader off in mid-word, he shut down the PA so he could concentrate on flying the city.

Radek filled Woolsey in on the reason for the abrupt take-off calming him enough to allow Evan and the science team to work without distraction.

"Got a planet picked out, Doc? We can't keep flying through hyperspace for the rest of our lives."

"As a matter of fact, I do. Rodney, Colonel Sheppard, Colonel Carter and I prepared a list shortly after we arrived on New Lantea for just such an eventuality." He turned his tablet so he could see the screen. "The planet we'd planned on setting up as an Alpha site. MG9-663."

"The one with the flying monkeys?"

"Yes. The creatures are confined to only one area of the main continent. There are no bodies of water near it that are large enough for Atlantis to touch down so they should not trouble us unless we encroach upon their habitat.

"It has only one moon and plentiful arable land for farming, should the Athosians wish to settle there instead of another planet." Evan relaxed just a little and when he did, he began to feel something in the back of his mind as if he were hearing conversation from another room. It was easily ignored as Radek continued. "Our time in hyperspace will be approximately fourteen hours. With the city fully powered, we should not encounter the same problems as the last time."

The decision was easily made. Again not waiting for the order, Evan dropped them out of hyperspace long enough for Woolsey to send a message to the Daedalus and change course then they were on their way to their new home.

~~O~~

The lab was quiet, just the sounds of breathing, shifting in a chair and frustration. Carson had sent Jennifer and Amanda to eat and rest, ordering them not to return for six to eight hours. He sat back, rubbed his eyes and yawned. Marie had brought him a tray and he'd eaten most of it. Hours later, what was left he wouldn't feed to a dog.

Joval and Cedric were more than capable of caring for their patients and Carson thought that now would be a good time for a nap, just a couple of hours. As he passed John's bed, he heard humming. He stopped on the opposite side of the bed, hands on the rails, his eyes automatically going to the monitor.

"Teyla, love, what's that you're singin'?"

With a sad smile, her eyes on John, she brushed at the hair on his forehead. "It is a song that was taught to me by Elizabeth not long before… I have sung it for Torren on many occasions. It is called 'Back When I Could Fly' and seemed appropriate for John." She took several breaths and began to sing loud enough for all in the Infirmary to hear.

I used to be invisible,
a shape changing magic kid
I could move at the speed of thought
and frequently I did

But my greatest accomplishment
was a slow and looping glide.
I saw the tops of everything
back when I could fly

I'd take my daily nap
on the highest leafy branch
then follow shooting stars
on a comet's fiery lance

I was quite the prodigy,
when I owned the sky
I never thought I'd have to walk
back when I could fly.

Keep your eye on the ball,
your feet on solid ground
always sit up straight and tall
and never make a sound

In just a few short years,
I learned not to be a child
and I forgot the things
I had when I was wild

Now my child, you'll learn arithmetic
Coloring and sports,
You'll have a flare for nouns and verbs
and be late with book reports

But in spite of all the rules
that bind your wings so tight
I hope you don't forget about
the days when you could fly

I'd take my daily nap
on the highest leafy branch
then follow shooting stars
on a comet's fiery lance

I was quite the prodigy,
when I owned the sky
I never thought I'd have to walk
never had to try,
back when I could fly

As the last note faded away, the city shook momentarily as if it were dropping out of hyperspace. Concerned, Carson noted that they weren't due to arrive at their destination for some time yet. The shimmying stopped, the city stabilizing again and he thought no more about it until he heard Radek's voice over the PA calling for Mr. Woolsey, security and medical.

"Joval, Cedric! I'm goin' to the Chair Room. Send two medics and a gurney." His voice faded as he ran down the hall.

~~O~~

Now that they were in hyperspace, the city could fly itself and he wouldn't be needed again until it was time to land. Loud voices around him caused Evan to open his eyes. Standing before him were two squads of soldiers, stunners pointed at him. Woolsey, Carson, Teldy and Radek were there as well, all looking anxious and perturbed at the same time. He brought the chair upright and stood, the soldiers tensing.

"What's going on?"

"Step away from the chair." Woolsey turned to Carson. "Take Major Lorne to the Infirmary, Dr. Beckett, and give him a thorough physical."

As he was led from the room, Evan asked, "Will someone please tell me what's going on?"

Carson came to his side gesturing for Evan to keep walking. "Not long into the flight, you changed course. If what happened to the other ATAs is happening to you…"

Evan couldn't help showing his confusion as he headed down the hall to the transporter, a pair of Marines following behind. "Are you saying we're not on our way to MG9-663?"

"Aye. We're now headed for MR8-364. Major Teldy is going to put us back on course while you get checked out." The medical doctor found he was able to grin at the situation. "It'll be as painless as we can possibly make it, Major."

A rueful grin crossed Evan's features. They were about to step into the transporter when a female Air Force Sergeant caught up to them. "Sir, Mr. Woolsey needs you and Dr. Beckett back in the Chair Room."

Evan and Carson exchanged a look that said they thought the universe had gone crazy and trotted back the way they'd come.

Anne Teldy was sitting on the edge of the dais, Dusty at her side, one arm around her shoulders. The Major had her head in her hands, eyes squeezed closed, moaning in pain.

Carson immediately went to her side as Dusty moved out of the way though she stayed close. "What happened?"

Speaking from the control console in the corner, Radek explained. "Major Teldy activated the chair with no difficulties, but when she tried to change our course, she received a severe electrical shock. We shut down right away."

Carson completed a quick assessment then stood again, motioning the medics forward. "Let's get you on the gurney…"

Anne grabbed his hand. "No! I can walk."

"If you're sure…"

"Yes." But she didn't complain when Dusty and Carson each took an arm to help her stand.

In the Infirmary, Carson led them to the lab he shared with Amanda and Jennifer, easing Anne down onto the cot in the far corner. "I'm fine, Doc. Why don't I just go to my room and lie down?"

"Sergeant, help the Major off with her boots." Dusty obeyed though Anne seemed inclined to argue. "You'll not be goin' anywhere without my say so, love." He turned to Joval and Cedric, a glance passing between the three men. They knew what to do. "And since this is the only available bed, right here is where you'll stay until that time."

~~O~~

About an hour after Anne had finally fallen asleep, Joval came quietly into the lab to touch Carson on the shoulder. "Jennifer and Amanda will be back soon. Why don't you go get some sleep? I'll make sure the Major stays put."

"Thanks." Carson rubbed his eyes, shed his lab coat and wasted no time in taking Joval up on his offer.

When he was gone, Joval moved over to Anne's bedside to check her vitals. They'd moved a portable unit in to monitor her condition. Aside from some tingling in her extremities and a lingering headache, she was fine, just as she kept telling them. Standing a few feet away, he took the opportunity to watch her sleep.

They'd finally convinced her to change into scrubs and at the moment she was on her side facing the wall, the white of the clothing contrasting with her sun-darkened skin and brown hair. He knew from her previous visits to the Infirmary that she had green eyes and a piercing gaze. More than once he'd felt flustered in her presence though he'd been able to hide it behind a grin and a joke. That she'd laughed spontaneously and not to be polite gave him hope that he might get up the nerve to ask her to dinner. Maybe today.

"You gonna just stand there and stare, Doc?"

He almost jumped at the sound of her voice. Instead of denying her claim, he used it. "In the medical profession it's called observation, Major."

Rolling onto her back then over onto her other side, her hand propping up her head, Anne gave him a leisurely smile. "Oh, so that's what you're doing in the Mess Hall when my all-girl team walks by. Observing."

Not able to help the shy embarrassed smile, he looked down at the floor. "I guess that means I'm busted."

"Uh-huh." Anne scooted closer to the wall, patting the edge of the cot inviting him to sit. After a moment's hesitation he did. "And what did your observations tell you? About me, I mean."

He looked away, his fair skin flushing pink in the dim light of the lab. "That you are strong, intelligent, compassionate, caring and…"

"And…" she prompted him to continue.

His eyes returned to her face. A few strands of hair had escaped from the elastic holding her ponytail. With great care, his finger moved the wayward lock of hair from her cheek, tucking it behind her ear, his thumb grazing the skin along her cheekbone. Her eyes lowered then lifted back to his, green meeting blue. "Anne, you are the most beautiful woman I've ever met." Her slow smile and the way she dropped her eyes made his breath catch in his throat. It was as if no one had ever told her that before.

"What's your first name?"

"Martin."

"How about I call you Marty?"

"Everyone calls me Joval."

Rising up higher onto her elbow, she leaned toward him. "But I'm not like everyone else."

"Oh?"

"You just said so." Before he could protest, move away or leave, she touched her lips to his. He kissed her back not pulling away until Amanda's voice intruded.

"Making out with a patient could be grounds for dismissal. But I'll let it go this time."

Joval jumped up guiltily as Anne lay back down, no regrets in her expression or actions. As he passed Amanda still standing in the doorway, amusement in the upturn of her lips, he said, "I was just checking for…halitosis."

"And…?"

"She's good."

"Uh-huh."

He cleared his throat awkwardly, ducking his head in embarrassment. "Excuse me. I have rounds."

Amanda's tone changed to one of gentleness and sympathy. They'd all been stretched a bit thin the last few days. "Go rest. I'll take over."

Taking off his lab coat, Joval sighed in relief. "Thanks, Mandy."

From the cot, Anne called out, "See ya, Marty."

Without responding, Joval hurried to the transporter thinking there was no way he would get any sleep now…but he didn't care.

~~O~~

Radek entered Woolsey's office, Evan and Jennifer already waiting. "I have good news." He sent the information to the monitor above Woolsey's desk. "MR8-364 is actually a much better choice as our new home than MG9-663. It wasn't on our list because we hadn't visited there yet.

"The planet has a wide temperate zone circling the equator, is unpopulated by humans though there are a number of carnivorous and herbivorous species scattered throughout the continents. Much land for farming, and unlike New Lantea, there are no large venomous snakes to worry about. The ozone layer is exceptionally thick, which should make Rodney very happy as he will not need his special sunblock."

Evan winced at the memory of the time he and the physicist had been paired up to look for Ford. He hadn't been able to stomach the smell of cocoa butter since. "What about MG9-663?"

"Ah, that is very strange. Originally, we found no accompanying description for it in the Ancient database. However, after some digging, I have located something that is of great interest aside from what I've just told you.

"Evidently, MG9-663 goes through dramatic climatic changes every few hundred years. If my calculations are correct, the planet is about to undergo one such change where it will enter an ice age. This will last forty to sixty years during which time the extant species will go into an extended hibernation.

"The weather will be much colder than is tolerable by humans even with protection from the elements. Farming would have been impossible. If we had landed there, we would have had to move again within a few months."

Woolsey nodded understanding. "How did you know, Major?"

"Me, sir? I didn't…"

"Mr. Woolsey, there is no way that Major Lorne could have known as we have just today discovered the information."

"Then how…"

Evan's hands pressed to the side of his head as pain invaded his brain. "Damn! That hurts." Jennifer had him sit down so she could do a quick exam. Before she could finish, Evan sighed and opened his eyes. "It's gone now. Whoa! That was weird, like someone shouting inside your brain." He shook his head to dispel the lingering ache.

"What was it, Evan?"

Rubbing his forehead, Evan pinned them each with a look. "It's Atlantis. I think she's…alive."

TBC

A/N: "Back When I Could Fly" is a song written by Keith Grimwood and Ezra Idlet of Trout Fishing in America. Trout Fishing in America is a musical duo which performs folk rock and children's music. The duo is composed of Keith Grimwood (upright bass, Clevinger bass, bass guitar, vocals) and Ezra Idlet (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, banjo, vocals). They took their name from the novel Trout Fishing in America by Richard Brautigan.