//Spoilers up to Whispers as this story differs somewhat from it.

Chapter 8

"The gate?" John asked hands on his knees. His shoulder felt terrible and he had probably hurt his knee; not to mention his ribs.

"Yes." Rodney said as he kept digging like a mad man with his bare hands.

Ronon dropped to his knees and joined the scientist as Teyla cast a glance towards her team leader.

"I am fine." John said as if he was reading her mind.

"No John you are not, none of us are."

Sheppard met her eyes. She could see he was in pain although he said otherwise.

He moved over to Rodney. "Let's try and get this out in the open."

Ronon momentarily stopped digging as his team leader came over. The Satedan felt his body weaken and with no water left he could only hope that they could get the gate functional or this would be their last mission.

oooooooooo

Lorne gasped as he straightened himself in his chair. He had aggravated his headache and knowing he had a light concussion from before it wasn't good. His whole body ached and he felt light-headed.

Zelenka carefully lifted himself up from the floor. "What happened?" He asked painfully.

Lieutenant Hess gently lifted young lieutenant Waters from the floor. She had sprained her ankle and nodded her thanks as he steadied her.

"The jumper disconnected and I couldn't control it." Lorne answered Zelenka.

"It was as if it connected with something else and completely shut me out."

"Impossible we didn't detect anything." Radek said looking through the windshield.

"Perhaps that was the idea Doc." He answered and reached for his radio.

"Lorne to Atlantis, please respond."

"Sir, if this is what happened to Colonel Sheppard's team I don't think we can get a signal through." Hess said.

"It's only wasteland out there and they have been here for days, the water supply…" Zelenka trailed off.

Evan looked at the upset scientist. "I know Radek I know. However we are now in the same position as they are."

"Wonderful sir." Waters muttered.

oooooooooo

"I can assure ye ensign ye will be out of here by tomorrow morning." Carson said warmly.

"That's the greatest news I have had the whole day." She said smiling at him.

"Just call me if there is anything ye need."

"Doctor Beckett? Is there any word about Colonel Sheppard's team?" She seemed worried.

"No I am sorry love. I will let ye know as soon as we get a word I promise. However I am sure that Major Lorne is doing anything he can." Carson smiled at her.

She was so green; having arrived a week ago and yet she cared about her commanding officer. John had always had a way with people. Well he could be a smart ass if he wanted but his people looked up to him and would follow him to the grave if they had to.

Keller walked up to him as he neared the door.

"Coffee?" He asked.

"Yeah." She said slowly.

"What is it?" Carson asked worriedly as he looked at her troubled face.

"We lost contact with Major Lorne over two hours ago and Chuck has tried everything."

"Do they have any idea about what happened?"

"No I am afraid not." Jennifer said sadly.

"Okay this will have to be strong coffee." Carson said as they neared the mess hall.

oooooooooo

Teyla looked up in the sky at the sound of an engine. "What was that?"

Sheppard followed her gaze but saw nothing. Sweat glistered on his skin and his clothes where thorn and dusty. He looked at his team mates and found them in similar condition.

The ground trembled slightly as the engine sound vanished.

"Where is the life signs detector?" He rasped.

McKay searched his pockets until his hands found the object he was looking for.

"It better not be broken Rodney." Sheppard warned.

"Someone landed on the surface." McKay said as he felt the panic rising.

"I really hope it was Major Lorne." Ronon said.

"By the sound of it they went down somewhere not far away from our position." John said as he felt the adrenaline rush through his tired body.

"Whoever they are; they are coming for us." Teyla said as she looked at the screen in Rodney's hand.

oooooooooo

Evan pulled his jacket tight as he stepped out in the blazing sun. Zelenka grabbed the life signs detector and Hess the water bottles.

"Do you see any lifesigns?" Lorne asked as they gathered in front of the jumper.

"There is something registering yes; but I am not sure it's Colonel Sheppard's team." Zelenka said feeling the frustration of not being able to tell who it was.

"All right then; let's head out and see for ourselves."

"Sir? Are you sure you are up for that?" Lieutenant Waters asked.

Evan looked at her with a smile on his lips before heading out in the sun. "I don't think you are in any better shape lieutenant."

Hess turned to Zelenka. "Do we know the distance to the dots on the screen?"

"I can only estimate and it's not good but I would say it would take us at least a couple of hours." The scientist answered.

"Can you pick up a jumper?" Lorne asked while walking slowly through the sand.

"No and even if it was close enough the engine would be cold and the system dead a long time ago."

"Let's not keep the boss waiting then." Evan said.

oooooooooo

Keller took a zip of her coffee looking straight at the Scottish doctor.

"So what was your first impression of your friends and the Pegasus galaxy?" She asked.

Carson put down his cup looking like he was having a hard time to remember then smiled.

"Well like ye I didn't find the assignment to be as I had imagined it to be. I was contacted by Doctor Weir; whom I had learned was a skilful negotiator. She and Doctor Jackson claimed they had found something that pointed in favour of my research about the Ancient gene."

Carson smirked. "However their theory was a lot wilder than mine. Arriving to Antarctica I was teamed with other scientists'; one of them called Rodney McKay."

Jennifer chuckled at Carson's expression. "Had you met him before?"

"Yes but not much and I found him a bit…egocentric." He laughed.

"And he is a big child believing that everything would kill him. The point is that when ye get to know Rodney he is not as bad as ye think."

He didn't notice Jennifer blush a little and she was grateful for that.

"That's why I wanted to tell whoever took my place not to judge prematurely. Then there was this American chopper pilot accusing me of almost blowing him and the General out of the sky."

"Let me guess; Colonel Sheppard?" Jennifer asked.

Carson sighed. "And he knew nothing about the stargate. In fact he looked at me like I was a little…ye know."

"He knew nothing about the stargate?" Jennifer questioned.

"No so I told him about the Ancient gene and the chair…the rest is history. I can tell ye that much; John Sheppard was less prepared about the Pegasus galaxy than ye were."

Jennifer nodded. "He is not a civilian though."

"No but he is not the typical base commander either." Carson said smiling.

Keller laughed.

"John has taught everyone under his command that we leave no one behind no matter what and as much as I admire that; I wish for him to drop the self sacrificing acts at least once a week. That's not entirely what ye wanted to know I know." Carson paused before continuing.

"Well I thought Major Sheppard; as he was then, seemed to be a hot head. A typical do things first and ask questions later. A person who; once he had made up his mind wouldn't listen to someone else."

"Not very accurate." Keller said taking a zip of her coffee.

"No I was not; he is caring about others but not of himself. He is very resourceful and would do everything for the people he likes. I can't imagine Atlantis without him. Even Rodney likes him and that says a lot."

"I heard the Athosians was one of your first allies. I had a chat with Teyla." Jennifer added.

"They were in fact our first ally. John wanted to save them from the Wraith and he asked for them to be allowed to stay with us."

Carson played with his empty cup. "Teyla was the leader of her people and she joined Colonel Sheppard on his team thinking she could make a difference. She took us to people we had never encountered before helping us in establishing trading relationships and trust between people."

Carson smiled softly. "I liked her from the beginning and she is in fact just what John needs on his team."

"They don't talk much about their past but I heard about Colonel Sheppard finding Ronon on a planet while looking for Ford." Jennifer asked curiously.

"Aye well actually Ronon held both John and Teyla hostage. Poor Major Lorne must have had a rough time walking around with Rodney. Anyway I remember Elizabeth coming down to the infirmary wanting me to go on some stupid mission to help a runner from the Wraith."

Carson sighed. "They told me he was armed, that Teyla was held hostage and that the Wraith were coming. I was afraid the first time I saw Ronon and to be honest; I didn't know whether he would kill me or not or worse kill Teyla. I managed to get the Wraith locator out of him and when he took off I thought that was it."

"He took off? Wasn't he glad you helped him?" Keller asked. It seemed unlike the Ronon she had come to know.

"He managed to save Rodney from Lieutenant Ford and even though Rodney doesn't say it he likes the Satedan. Ronon couldn't return to his home because there was nothing left. John later convinced Elizabeth to let him stay and wanted him on his team." The Scottish doctor chuckled obviously thinking back on something.

"As I said in the recording; when ye have got to know Ronon ye will like him. If someone does anything to one of his team members I wouldn't want to be that someone."

He looked directly at the younger doctor sitting across the table. "And then there is my first impression of the Pegasus galaxy." Carson smiled ruefully.

"Well let's just say that I didn't imagine ending up in a submerged city without power. And I couldn't in my wildest dreams picture the Wraith; today nothing surprises me. The galaxy has changed me and not to the better I am afraid. I have seen too many things lost too many during my time here and caused other pain. I was naïve when helping the Hoffans."

Jennifer took his hand and met his sad eyes. "Carson it wasn't your fault, you couldn't know what they planned."

oooooooooo

"For heavens sake Rodney what is taking so long." Sheppard complained as the scientist lay double over one of the plates covering the gate.

"That's what I am trying to figure out; they are locked in place." McKay replied sarcastically.

They where out in the open there were no place to hide from people or from the sun. John could only hope that it was their people that had landed on the planet. He didn't like it; he couldn't protect his team from enemies no matter how hard he tried.

"I have got it. We can remove the last plate now." Rodney rasped.

Ronon didn't say a word he just put his hands on it and together with Teyla and John they shifted the last piece of the heavy cover off the gate. John grimaced and let Ronon take more weight. The Satedan nodded and pulled with everything he got.

"I am…sorry." Sheppard wheezed as the gate was free.

"You are injured it's nothing to be sorry for." Ronon said simply patting him on the shoulder.

Teyla watched as the jacket changed color into blood red. She quickly moved closer to him. "John why don't you sit down for a while?"

He looked at his shoulder as if he didn't understand; his tired brain not making the connection.

"We have been out of water too long." Teyla said. Her arms aching from the blisters mixed with sand.

"We are close." Ronon encouraged his throat as dry as the desert around him.

McKay watched as four people walked over the dune coming for them.

"We are so screwed. I don't believe it; our last mission." He turned accusingly towards Sheppard. "I told you I hated desert planets I…"

"Shut up!"

"What?"

"I said shut up!" Sheppard said.

"Hello?" Teyla hollered.

No one answered. Ronon moved to protect John and Teyla.

"Teyla!" A voice hollered back.

"Major Lorne is that you?" Sheppard shouted.

"Yes sir! Sit tight we are coming to get you!"

"A rescue mission?"

"Well that was our intention sir; unfortunately we took a wrong turn somewhere." Evan replied.

As they come closer they saw Zelenka supporting Lorne and Waters limping close to Hess.

"Well what a rescue." Sheppard drawled sarcastically.

"You are welcome sir." Evan chuckled.

"Oh my…you have found a gate." Zelenka said looking at the Ancient ring in the sand.

"Can we dial it?" Lorne asked.

"Well we could if we find the DHD." Rodney said tiredly.

"Major do you have water?" Teyla said quietly her voice strained.

Lieutenant Hess moved over with a full bottle.

"Thank you." Teyla said softly.

"Sir; are you injured?" Waters asked as she sat down trying to rest her injured foot.

"McKay decided we should try a different approach on one of the dunes." John replied.

"They took a tumble and practically landed on the gate." Ronon filled in.

"It's not as bad as it looks." John reassured.

"Since when did you become a doctor?" McKay muttered trying not to let his concern show.

"Well you have a doctor title and look how much you can about medicine."

Lorne smiled and shook his head at them. "Colonel do you say about trying to get home?"

"That would be wonderful Major."

oooooooooo

Woolsey glanced at his watch. "Come on you must have heard something by now."

"I am sorry Mr. Woolsey I have tried on every channel and boosted the signal." Chuck said.

Richard sighed; he hadn't meant to take out his frustration on Chuck he just felt so useless. Again the galaxy tested him giving him a remainder of how fragile and alone they were in this place. He had adapted pretty well but by constantly breaking his own rules he was afraid that he would one day lose command over the expedition.

As Elizabeth had told him a long time ago; "IOA:s rules and regulations doesn't apply well in the Pegasus galaxy." Now he had come to see it from their point of view and he didn't like it.

"Unscheduled off world activation!" Chuck shouted.

"Can you see who it is?" Richard asked quickly moving over to the gate technician.

"Not yet. The address is not known…its Colonel Sheppard's IDC!"

"Then you better let them in." Richard smiled.

He walked down the stairs as eight tired figures dragged themselves through the gate. He heard Chuck calling on the communications system. "Medical personal please head to the gate room immediately."

"Major Lorne I see you have got them home." He smiled.

Sheppard stepped up beside Lorne with a wicked smile on his lips. "The question is who saved who."

Woolsey's smile vanished. "I'll need a full briefing as soon as possible."

The colonel and the major shared a smile.

Carson and Jennifer together with a med team rushed to the gate.

Sheppard smiled tiredly at Carson as he stepped closer. "Welcome back doc."

"Aye what a bloody welcome you gave me."

"Wasn't our fault." Rodney complained as Keller gestured for him to lay down on a gurney.

Ronon pushed the medic away and helped Lorne to another gurney. Waters and Hess leaned on each other as Teyla watched over John. Carson took the hint.

"Okay colonel why don't you lay down and have a ride to the infirmary."

"You know that's the last place I want to visit right now." John said tiredly.

"I can imagine but you have no choice." Carson replied with a stern look on his face.

"I can walk." Sheppard said.

"I am sure you can." Carson stated not giving in.

Teyla and Jennifer shared a smile.

oooooooooo

One week later

Carson stood alone on the balcony feeling the slight breeze touch him in the sunset. The sky was painted in multiple colors and for a long time he did nothing but stare out over the ocean.

Everyone was home and safe and he felt for the first time in years that everything was all right. Rodney, John, Teyla and Ronon where all back and he had even enjoyed the whining and complaining in the infirmary.

Jennifer Keller was good; she knew quite well how to get them to work with her instead of against her.

Carson couldn't help but laugh at times but in the end he once again felt alone even though he was with his friends. They had changed and the IOA had placed Woolsey in command; even Atlantis had changed during the time he had been working with…well more against…Michael. It would never be the same again no matter how hard anyone tried.

Although for now he wasn't going anywhere and he still loved all his friends and he worried about them. He would always worry about them because he knew what dangers they placed themselves in and it didn't matter where he were.

Perhaps he could help the people in the Pegasus galaxy and help his conscience. Everyone had told him that the Hoffan drug wasn't his fault but he couldn't let it go, not entirely. It would always nag him if he didn't do something. He would talk to Woolsey about it tomorrow.

"Doctor Beckett?" A young marine asked.

"Yes lad?" Carson answered.

"There has been an accident." The marine said guiltily.

"I am sorry you better go and tell Doctor Keller." The Scotsman said.

"That's what I told Teyla too."

"Wait a minute; Teyla?" Carson asked confused.

"Doctor McKay has…well Colonel Sheppard…"

Carson shook his head. "…say no more; what has happened this time?"

oooooooooo

Stepping into the gate room he didn't know what to expect although one thing was for sure; he hadn't expect this. Half the expedition stood there with balloons and presents on a table nearby.

John turned around and begun walking towards him with the rest of the team not far behind.

"There you are Carson, what took you so long?" John said happily.

Teyla smiled softly. "Jennifer said you were disappointed at the welcome when you first arrived back from earth."

He smiled warmly. "You didn't need to…"He trailed off looking around the room.

They were all there for him.

"Well don't go and feel special now." Rodney said in a way only he could as he took a bite of a cake.

Ronon patted him on the shoulder. "Welcome back buddy."

"Thank you, all of you." Carson beamed.

This was home after all.

ooooooooo

The end

Those of you who reviewed, thank you it means a lot. And thank you to the lovely people putting the story on alert =)