A/N: Here you go, another chapter. Enjoy and review. Constructive criticism is most welcome.

Chapter 4

It'd been two months since he'd been hit by the "deadly water balloon" and he was finally back to normal. Carson had released him to full duty two weeks ago and he'd been through the gate several times since then with his team.

At the moment his team was spread out over Atlantis. Rodney was doing something in his lab, Ronon was doing something with the Marines and Teyla was probably helping.

He had his own duties to attend to. Supervising his men in the unloading of the Deadalus, one of his least favorite duties as Atlantis second in command. He wondered if he could pawn it off on Lorne? Damn, Lorne was off world at the moment. He swore Elizabeth planned it that way so he couldn't delegate to Lorne.

Unloading and getting everything stored away was made more difficult by the crowd of people milling around who had come to see if they had received anything from home.

"Help me up," John whispered to a near by marine, indicating the crate he was standing next to.

"Okay!" John hollered. Nobody heard him. He taped his radio so he would be heard by everyone wearing one. "If you are on the east pier, where the Deadalus is unloading please look to the south. Everyone else, ignore this message."

Once everyone was looking his way he tried again. "Okay, listen up people! Nobody gets any personal letters or packages until everything is inventoried and stored away! If you're on this pier I'm putting you to work. Mail call will be at dinner tonight as usual. Thank you all, now get back to work.

Most of the people who had congregated bid a hasty retreat though a few stayed to help.

Fifteen minutes later Elizabeth called John on the radio. "What was that announcement about earlier?"

"To many people on the pier doing nothing. They should know by now that mail is handed out after everything is put away. I was getting their attention so I could tell them that if they stayed they were being put to work. All but a few left."

"I'm surprised that it hasn't gotten out that those who help get their mail first."

"I don't know how you know that because my minions are sworn to secrecy. Penalty of telling is getting your mail a day latter."

"Real harsh John."

"Oops, got to go before the coffee ends up in the Amory."


An hour later all of John's "minions" gathered around him as he sorted through the mail. "Name?" he asked, with out looking up. Luckily someone at the SGC took the time to alphabetize the mail.

"Cadman," the lieutenant said with a laugh.

"Of course you are," John said as he looked up with a smirk and a twinkle in his eye. "I thought for a moment that you were Ro…"

"I thought it was agreed never to talk about that again Sir," Cadman quickly interrupted.

"Hum, I suppose so. Go an enjoy your mail. Name?" He asked going back to the bags of mail that surrounded him.

Once he was through he enlisted two straggling marines to help him carry the mail bags to his office.

After they departed he looked through the mail bags one more time, this time he was looking for anything addressed to himself.

Along the way he pulled out several letters and packages for Elizabeth, Rodney, Carson, Zelenka, and Lorne, and set them aside.

"Aha! A box with his name on it in what he remembered as his fathers handwriting. He looked at in with a little apprehension before grabbing his knife and opening it. An envelope labeled "Lt. Colonel john Sheppard" lay on top of several packing peanuts. He opened that first.

Dear John,

I'm thrilled to hear from you. It sounds like you are doing well. I bet you'll never guess who delivered your letter. A General Jack O'Neill. He about scared me to death showing up on the front porch in his Dress Blues. I thought he was going to tell me you were dead and then I would never get to tell you I love you and how proud I am of you. I do and I am you know.

I sorry to. After your mother died I took out all my anger and grief on you, and that was unfair of me. You needed your father to comfort you and instead he ignored you and punished you when you had one B and a report card full of A's. Then when your best wasn't getting the attention you wanted you started acting out and that just made me madder… a never ending circle. But through it all, no matter what I said, you were, are my son, and I love you.

When General O'Neill delivered your letter he told me what little he could. He told me that you became the military commander by default after your CO died. He said you did a terrific job when all the odds were against you. I know you have been fighting an uphill battle for a long time but it sounds like you are coming out on top.

I'm also sorry that I did not show up at your hearing after Afghanistan. When I first heard about what happened I was worried about you. Was my little boy alright?

Then I was angry at you. How could you disgrace me like that? What possessed you to disobey a direct order.

Then I thought about it some more and realized that if you hadn't disobeyed that order those men would probably be dead. I realized that the reason you went back was because I taught you not to leave a man behind. Even though you saved those men I still do not think you were right in disobeying that order but I am proud of you for doing what you believed was the right thing.

I know I didn't say that enough as you were growing up, but I am proud of you son.

So, not that the mushy and serious stuff is out of the way… how about some news from home?

Do you remember the Evans? Mr. Evans died about 5 years ago and Mrs. Evans lives there all by her self now. Her children are all grown with families of their own. I think her youngest was several years older than you? Any way, we have a little arrangement. Get your mind out of the gutter boy! Not that kind of arrangement. I take care of her yard and fix what ever needs fixing and she cooks for me. Well, it's more like that she doesn't like cooking for one so she shares her dinner with me. She also bakes me cookies and stuff. I thought about sending some but I don't know how long it will be before you get this package so I ended up not asking. You know what? Now that I've started telling you about what's going on here I cant think of anything else really interesting. What do you want to know about this place?

I am doing alright. Retirement is treating me well enough. I get out to play golf with some old buddies several times a week. I can't tell if my game is improving or not. I have lots of time to read and I try to do the New York Time Crossword. Every time I get stuck I cant help but wish you were here, because I am sure you would know the answer.

How was your rescue mission? It looks like you left in a hurry. Are all you men alright? Are you alright? It sounds like you've had a close call or two. I'll try not to spend time guessing where on earth you are but it would be nice to know.

When General O'Neill was here he mentioned that you try to requisition football game DVD's. I am going to try and burn (yes I know, the world is coming to an end if your old man knows how to burn a DVD,) as many as I can before I send this. The General told me that the next supply shipment leaves on Friday so I probably wont be sending you all that many this time. I am also sending you some other treats from home. In your next letter if you tell me some things you want I'll see about sending them to you.

I have also learned how to use email. So instead of waiting months for replies why don't we send emails instead of letters. Saves trees too so I'm told.

I am going to end this letter here. Not only because I can't think of anything else to write but because my hand is cramping up.

I love you John and I am proud of you. I am going to brag to all my buddies next time I see them that my son made Lt. Colonel.

Love your Dad,

Ben Sheppard

John stared at the letter for several minutes, emotions swirling, before carefully folding it and putting it back in the envelope.

"I see you at least got mail," Elizabeth's voice broke him from his thoughts. He looked up to see her standing in the doorway.

"Yeah."

"Anything interesting?"

"It's from my dad if that's what you mean."

Elizabeth smiled. She had been caught. "Good letter or bad?"

"Good very good. He says he's learned how to use email."

"That is good. Means you wont have to wait as long. What's the package?"

"Oh, this is from him as well. The letter says there are some football DVD's. you know what else he said? He said that General O'Neill showed up on his doorstep to personally deliver my letter."

"Wow."

"I know."

"So did I get anything?"

"Mail is handed out during dinner," he told her smirking.

"I know, but I'm your boss and I can make your life hell."

"True," John said as he directed Elizabeth towards he stack of mail.