Chapter 1

Sheppard was spending another afternoon alone on the balcony, starring out at the water. Atlantis had moved further out and away from San Francisco into open water, so as not to be disruptive, but it was still near enough that he could glimpse the shoreline in the distance. It was still strange thinking that this alien cityship, which had rested in another galaxy for so many millions of years, had finally arrived back here - to his home. It had been well over 2 months since then, but John had found he could not help but prefer to spend most of his time in the city. He'd essentially already lived here for over 5 years, so even with Atlantis on Earth he felt he should stay. It obviously was more convenient for the few trips through the gate that he did go on. But perhaps part of it was because he knew nothing had really changed. The others, maybe some of them could think that with Atlantis coming full circle, their adventure was over. But he knew it wasn't. How could it be? Earth had dodged another bullet and Atlantis had moved to a more secure location. That was all. The larger struggles still would go on, no matter where the SGC sent out teams from. Sheppard knew that this latest luxury, visiting home, was but a brief respite. And he could almost feel, somehow, that the conflict was again about to find them. He just wondered if it would be sooner or later. The IOA had been very reluctant to commit anything back to the Pegasus Galaxy after Atlantis had returned. The belief that they were now totally safe from wraith attacks had apparently proved an incredibly popular illusion. And one that was becoming more and more frustrating because that stubbornness may yet leave Earth unprepared for some new threat. And John had learned they always needed to prepare for the unexpected, especially in their war against the wraith. It was a war he still felt strongly committed to, despite the cost. The many costs...

The city of Atlantis itself may have returned to Earth, but the price had been high - not everyone had made it back with them. It was a price he paid everyday. Even after all this time. It was that price that left him standing here, alone, still unable to forgive himself. He could do nothing else.

"John?" Sheppard looked up, silently grateful for a reprieve from his own thoughts, even for a moment.

"Teyla." He greeted her as warmly as he felt able.

"You've been spending more and more time alone. The others and I were concerned. Are you alright?" She inquired cautiously.

"I'm ok." He said halfheartedly.

"Ronon, Rodney and I were about to get some food. We..." she hesitated just slightly, "were wondering if you'd like to join us."

"I uh..." he then paused to consider the offer, "...sure." He decided he needed to get his mind off his guilt again. So he followed her down the balcony.

"So how are you finding your stay Earth?" He asked her in a somewhat brighter tone. She smiled at that question.

"It is certainly one of the most interesting worlds I've ever stayed on, even after all this time. There are still many things that I don't understand about this planet, but seeing a world that is completely free of the Wraith is truly amazing." She had a distinct sense of awe in her voice.

"Well, keep in mind, this place does have its own share of problems too."

"True, but in my galaxy wraith cullings are a fact of life everywhere. Knowing that all these millions of people can afford to be so blissfully unaware of the threats beyond their world is simply..." she paused, as if struggling to find the best words to quantify her thought. "...incredible. It really does makes me wonder again what my people could have accomplished if everything were different. Everything here just seems so peaceful, so perfect."

"Well, we'll see how long we'll be able to keep that up." Sheppard remarked partially to himself; reflecting on the battle that had taken them to Earth in the first place. "Speaking of 'the safety on our planet,' how is Kanaan holding up on Earth so far?" She chuckled slightly as they walked.

"He is... finding the adjustment to your world a little more complicated than myself. This is his first time on Earth and he finds himself constantly fascinated yet confused by all the various facets of your popular culture. The other day he watched several consecutive hours of your entertainment known as... um... ah MTV."

"Oh wow." Sheppard said with mock sympathy. Teyla laughed.

"He told me after that, that he never wanted to go out into your world at all anymore. I had to spend considerable time convincing him that it was in fact safe to bring Torren out with us into the city."

"Well he's very lucky to have you." Sheppard said.

"Hey, there you guys are!" McKay interrupted. He had suddenly approached from behind them with Ronon in tow. "We were looking for you. We couldn't find you around the cafeteria. Are you guys coming?"

"Yes Rodney, we were on our way." Teyla replied. And the four of them continued to walk together.

"Isn't this weird? The four of us haven't been back in the city together for very long since it came back here. It feels a little like being back in the Pegasus Galaxy." Rodney seemed in a decidedly cheery mood. "Only, you know, without the constant danger."

"Has there been any more news from our home galaxy?" Teyla asked.

"No, not since the early intel." Rodney said a little more solemnly. "But we're nearly finished the process of reequipping our ships to be to able make a new visit there. It's actually why I'm here. The SGC wanted me to make sure the city and the fleet are completely prepared for a return trip to the Pegasus Galaxy, if the IOA authorizes it soon.

"And what do you think the odds of that are?" Sheppard said with a hint of cynicism.

"Uh... I... have no idea." Rodney seemed confused by the question. Evidently he didn't quite catch that it was mostly rhetorical. "Woolsey informed me he and Sam are going to be speaking with the IOA Sub-Committee about that."

"I do hope they accept our request." Teyla added. "As wonderful as Earth is, my desire to see my people again is becoming quite strong. Staying on this world is nice but it's just somehow..."

"Boring." Ronon finally interjected. Sheppard allowed himself a small wry smile. If there was only one person more restless than him on Atlantis, he suspected it would have to be Ronon. He could tell there was an increasingly clearer trace of frustration creeping into his usual stoic demeanor. And Sheppard could hardly blame him. Ronon however, wasn't done venting his displeasure. "We've been doing nothing for months. They need to send us back now. If we've got all these ships now, let's kill some wraith!"

"Well, it's not as simple as that." Rodney tried to explain the practicality to him. "We may have more starships now than ever before, but we still have nowhere near enough to patrol an entire galaxy, let alone two." Sheppard cut in.

"Speaking of which, how many do we have now? It seems like we have an entire fleet of our own now. That still feels hard to believe."

"I know, right? Compared to just a few years ago that's almost unbelievable. When our preparations are complete we'll have five fully equipped vessels. The Odyssey, Apollo and Daedalus are all active and assigned to the Milky Way. The Sun Tzu was recovered recently and is being repaired and refitted. The new upgrades to the George Hammond are nearing completion as well, so when Sam resumes command she'll be at the head of the largest space-faring contingent in human history. I believe there are actually a few more in the early stages of development too, although they won't be ready for launch for a long time. It's all quite amazing really."

Ronon appeared decidedly unmoved by Rodney's tangent of wonderment and all he said was:

"All I know is that not enough wraith have died since we've been away. We need to go back."

"Look, I miss the regular threat of having the life drained from my body just as much as you do, but this, the work we are doing here, this is important! Do you have any idea what the significance of having the city of Atlantis on Earth is? All the knowledge we can gain more efficiently with the Ancient Database here? All the new understanding we can gain by more extensively examining this city's construction? Not to mention, the – the increased effectiveness the SGC will have operating out of an Ancient city rather than that a small mountain base! And–"

"He's right, Rodney." Sheppard suddenly said without looking back. Rodney looked up at him in surprise.

"What?"

"We need to get back very soon. All those people in the Pegasus Galaxy are still back there and in danger. And they don't all have the luxury of just conveniently getting up and leaving to another galaxy. Every week we stay weakens our chances of helping any of them. We've got to find some way to get that across to the IOA, and do it soon. Otherwi-"

"Colonel Sheppard." Woolsey's voice unexpectedly crackled over Sheppard's radio.

"Sheppard here." He responded.

"Colonel, I need you and Doctor McKay to gather your team and meet me in my office immediately. I have important news to discuss."

"What is it?" Teyla asked.

"Looks like we may have our break. Come on, Woolsey needs to see us. Apparently he has news." Sheppard lead on.

"Well, speak of the devil." McKay muttered.

"Finally!" Ronon breathed, as they all hurried towards the control room.

*Moments later*

"Mr. Woolsey. Sam." Sheppard nodded a quick greeting to Richard Woolsey and then noticed Samantha Carter was on a screen to the side.

"Hi John. Hi Rodney. I'm sorry I can't be there in person but I'm supervising several new refits to be added to the fleet." Sam said.

"As you know, Colonel Carter and I have been lobbying on behalf of the Atlantis Expedition to be allowed to return to the Pegasus Galaxy with the city and new supplies." Woolsey said, addressing all of Colonel Sheppard's team.

"They've still remained rather uncooperative in that regard so far." Sam explained. "But together we've finally been able to persuade them to send an expedition on one of the 304s to scout the situation and asses the condition in the field. And report back. After that they've officially agreed to reassess the question of sending Atlantis back but we've still got to convince them it is a viable option."

"Well that is better than nothing." Sheppard sighed; half in relief, half in disappointment.

"I've been authorized to begin to prepare the city for departure and will stay here to supervise. You Colonel, will be picking a small number of teams to accompany you on the trip to analyze the strategic situation and re-establish contact with our allies."

"Will I be able to see my people?" Teyla asked anxiously.

"It was first on our list." Woolsey reassured her. "Colonel Sheppard, you will be in command of our expedition members on this mission so you will have the pick of any personnel at our disposal. The rest will remain here and help prepare the city."

"The Daedalus will be assigned to transport you to the Pegasus Galaxy in one week." Sam said.

"Gentlemen, you have seven days to prepare. Let's get to it."

"We'll be ready." John nodded with confidence.

"There is one other matter." Woolsey mentioned before they left. "The IOA is still considering what to do with one particular... 'resource' we still have from the Pegasus Galaxy. He's in area 51. The IOA and SGC both feel they've pretty much exhausted all possible intelligence we will get out of him. And because of his 'condition,' he will soon become a problem. I believe we may have to send him with you. I felt you should be the one to deal with him."

"Oh..." Sheppard suddenly realized what they meant.