Chapter 2

Three hours later Carson removed the latex gloves from his hands. "Okay that's all right. Nurse Higgins would you take Lieutenant Rackov to the recovery please." He watched the young lieutenant being wheeled away as Keller emerged from the operating theatre.

"Thanks Carson I am sorry I know it wasn't the welcome you expected." She smiled.

"Ye are right about that love but I don't mind besides I am well aware that this place…"

He smiled trying to find the right word. "…this expedition is a walking disaster."

He looked at her exhausted features and he became serious. "Jennifer what on earth…or rather in Pegasus happened here?"

She sighed "It's a long story but to make it short; Major Lorne and his team where ambushed while searching for an alpha site and Woolsey decided to send in the cavalry."

She studied Carson before continuing. "I just have to say that you are looking well."

"Thank you. I feel better than I have for years."

She nodded satisfied with the answer. "Usually Woolsey is careful when it comes to daring rescues but both Captain Gaspari's and Captain Singington's team where sent to get Lorne's team out of harms way…that's when hell broke loose."

"I didn't get a very good look but I would say the infirmary is somewhat cramped."

"Thanks to you I have managed to get all of them out of immediate danger."

She walked over to her office and Carson couldn't help but wonder what would had happened if the real him hadn't died. His thoughts where interrupted as Keller started speaking again.

"I really don't have all the details but I have to update a lot of journals, enough to keep me going for the night."

Carson smiled. "Since I was coming back here tae act as a medical researcher and advisor tae ye I might as well lend ye a hand."

"No no you just came back…" She tried.

"Tae quote Colonel Sheppard; Rest is for the dead." Carson sighed. "Although I seem tae have been there, at least a part of me." He lightened up. "Speaking of which, where is John and the others?"

Now it was Jennifer's time to sigh. Her eyes diverted and found an interesting spot on the floor. "I am afraid Colonels Sheppard's team was reported missing…yesterday morning."

oooooooooo

Two days earlier

"I don't like orbiting gates, there is something about them." Sheppard said.

"If you just keep away from bugs, enemies and other creepy things I wouldn't mind them either." Rodney said sarcastically.

Teyla smiled looking at Sheppard from the co-pilot's chair ignoring the scientist. "If I didn't know better I would believe you where superstitious."

Sheppard cast a glance in her direction returning the smile. "That's if you didn't know better."

Ronon watched as the jumper closed in on the planet below. "What do we know about this one?"

"Not much that's why we are here." Sheppard said.

"This is a very bad idea." Rodney complained. "I mean an alpha site with an orbiting gate." He said as if trying to highlight how stupid it was. "What does Woolsey think…"

"I have got one word for you; Daedalus." Sheppard broke in.

"What if she is not here ha?"

John rolled his eyes.

"Okay there is Apollo but what if she isn't around…" Rodney started.

"Perhaps we could use it as something else?" Teyla tried diplomatically.

John smiled he had really missed Teyla on the team and was glad to have her back.

"Oh no it's just my luck." Rodney said as the jumper neared ground. "It's a sand planet."

"Rodney we have been through this a lot of times, think positively." Sheppard said as he approached a landing.

Rodney looked at him from behind. "And you need a lobotomy, after all missions going straight to…" He stopped as he felt the jumper powering down. "…hell."

Ronon and Teyla felt it to. Ronon moved forward. "Is there something wrong Sheppard?"

"Hold on!"

The jumper fell the last fifty metres and landed with a thud on the ground.

oooooooooo

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