The day passes quietly, and at the end of it Maria goes with Elizabeth, Kelly, and Patrick. We had the Play-doh out so after everyone's left I start cleaning up. As I'm putting some papers in the trash I hear a 'thunk' and pause. Reaching inside the bin, my hand connects with something and I pull it out. It's Jamie's necklace. How it ended up in a bunch of papers I have no idea, but she'll be glad to get it back.

I hold it in my hands, remembering what it was for. I've never been too religious; it's been years since I've been to church. But maybe if I wish hard enough, it'll make everything alright again.

My lips twitch at the thought. Sure, a simple necklace can make wishes come true. Setting it on the desk, where it wouldn't get covered by papers and get lost again, I grab my stuff before heading out the door.

I then head to my room and when I near the door, I see that there's a pile of mail in front of it. I didn't know that the Daedalus had arrived, but then again I don't spend a lot of time in the command section of the city to know what's going on. I pick up the pile and flip through it as I walk in.

There are a lot of thick manila envelopes, all from family and friends. I pause, looking at one in particular; one from my friend Jess. Before I left her boyfriend was thinking about proposing to her but I hadn't heard anything further so I assumed that he chickened out. I open the envelope and pour out the contents; pictures and a homemade DVD. Looks like he had the guts to do it, but that'll have to wait until later; right now I need to do some damage control. I stuff everything back in the envelope, set it down on top of everything else, and begin the challenge of cleaning my place.

-It's Saturday morning off goes my alarm Where's my list of to-do's I always feel like life's a race…-

Cleaning doesn't take all that long and soon everything is set to rights. I look around, amazed at actually being able to see the floor and how it seems bigger now that stuff is picked up. A glance at my watch tells me that it's 5:30. I have time to grab some dinner and then go over my mail. I'm by the transporter when my headset activates. "Max? It's Logan."

"Hey, what's up?"

"I was wondering if you could meet me at the South Pier."

"Why?"

"There's something I want to show you."

"Um, ok." I agree, confused at to why he suddenly wants to meet me there. I make my way over there and as the Pier comes into view I see that there's a small table set, with candles and everything, for two set up next to the glass window. Logan is by the table, his back towards me. Ok, what's going on?

As I get closer Logan turns around, sees me, and smiles. "Surprise." He says.

I must have been looking at him like he was three fries short of a happy meal because the smile fades and he says, "Not surprised?"

"Oh I am, it's sweet but I'm slightly confused. Is this your way of saying sorry?"

Now it's Logan's turn to look at me like I'm the one who should be in a nice padded room. "You're joking right?" he says.

"No." I reply, slowly shaking my head.

"What's today?" he asks.

I think for a minute then say, "February 28th. Why...oh."

God, I forgot my own birthday. Geeze, how lame is that? I feel my face heat up and Logan smiles.

"Don't worry about it; you've been busy this past week. I just thought that you'd like something low-key for your birthday."

"That's sweet." I say smiling; it's thoughtful of him to do something like this for me. I move towards the table and as I do Logan pulls out my chair, then sits down himself. I feel that I should be in something fancier than jeans. "So what's on the menu?"

Logan just smiles and reaches under the table. He then brings up a small picnic basket and sets it on the table.

"How did you know that I love this stuff?" I ask as he takes out my favorite Italian dish.

"Your mom told me."

"Like I'm gonna believe that." I say, giving him a 'please I'm not blond' look. "Really, who told you?"

"Like I said, your mom."

"So let me get this straight; you planned this months in advance, even go so far as to write to my mother and ask her what I liked."

Logan nods his head and says, "Pretty much."

"Next you're gonna tell me you had everything shipped over on the Daedalus and cooked it as well." I tease.

"Would you believe me if I said I did?"

"Yea right, like Alex let you use her kitchen."

"Actually she did."

I smile, "And here I thought you were just some rich guy with good looks."

"There's more to me than meets the eye." Logan replies, his eyes sparkling. "But wait, there's more." His hand reaches into the basket again and brings out a bottle of wine. "1945 Chianti." He explains pulling out a wine opener.

"There's only one problem."

He pauses, "What?"

"I don't drink."

"At all?"

"At all."

"Can I ask why?"

"Let's just say that during my school years I was bit of a party girl." I say, my face starting to turn red. Those were some years that I really don't want to revisit.

"Say no more." Logan says, not pressing. Setting down the bottle, still unopened, on the table he comments, "I'll just save this for a special occasion."

I smile and take a sip of water from the glass that was already there.

Where are more men like him?

Dinner was great; there was hardly a pause in conversation and when I bothered to glance at my watch I was startled to see that two hours had flown by. Dessert appears and it's cheesecake. I'm being spoiled.

I tell Logan so and he just smiles and says, "Isn't that what birthdays are for?"

"Really? I thought that they were just a reminder that you're a year older."

Logan opens his mouth to reply but at that moment both of our headsets activate at the same time.

"Max?" It's Elizabeth.

"Here."

"We need you to watch the kids for a bit, something's come up."

"No problem. Should I come to you or meet you somewhere?" I ask standing. Logan's already gone, having dashed off after only a few words.

"The kids are already asleep so we don't want to wake them up. They're at Carson and Laura's place. I also asked John to send some Marines for protection."

I start walking towards the transporter as Elizabeth is talking. "Are things that bad?" I ask, worried.

"We just want to be on the safe side."

"So much for a quiet evening." I think. "I'll be there soon." I say, stepping into the transporter and activate it. Walking out into the hallway, I see that I'm alone in the hallway. Where is everybody?

Wondering what was going on, I make my way towards the Beckett's and ring the chime. The door swishes open and Laura's there. "Come on in." she says, stepping back so I can enter. I do so and follow Laura as she makes her way further into their place. The light is off in the hallway so I can't see anything.

"…the kids are all asleep in the master bedroom; they were pretty tired after today so they shouldn't wake up." Laura says as we arrive at the threshold of the living room. It's pitch black and I really can't see anything.

I hear Laura stop so I do the same so I don't run into to her. "Sorry about the lights," I hear Laura say. "I forgot that they were off." She says, turning them on half way. I blink as my eyes adjust and see that Laura's in full gear.

"Everything all right?" I ask, wondering what the hell is going on.

She puts on a nervous smile and says, "Everything's fine."

Uh-huh, sure. Whenever someone says that, you should worry. And the fact that Laura's handing me a nine millimeter, gives me such confidence about the situation. I take it but before I can ask anything more about what's going on, the chime sounds again and we both look to the door.

"That must be them." Laura says, heading towards the door. I tuck the gun into the waistband of my jeans and follow her. When the door slides open there, standing in front of the door, are two Marines. Both are armed to the hilt but look like they could hug a teddy bear and make it look manly.

They nod to Laura and to me say, "We'll be outside the door, Ma'am. Just let us know if you need anything."

I nod my understanding as Laura steps out into the hallway. As the door slides shut, they start to talk in low tones. About what, I don't know but I have an idea that it has to do with everything that's happened so far this evening. I make my way back into the living room where I'm at a loss at what to do. I end up making my way over to the window and trying to see if there's anything going on outside, but I can't see anything because the entire city is dark. Not one light is on, which I find strange because usually at night there are a thousand lights on making the city glow.

Sighing, I make my way down the hallway to check on the kids, make sure they're alright. Like Laura said, they're all asleep. The girls are on the bed and the boys are in sleeping bags on the floor. I smile, sometimes I wonder what this place would be like if they weren't here. My worries squished for the moment, I turn around to head back to the living room when I hear the soft sound of air decompressing. Freezing, I realize that the door just opened.

I gently pull out the gun and slowly make my way down the hallway. As I do I can't help but wonder how whoever's there got past two fully armed Marines. Slowly pulling back the hammer, I raise the gun and feel around for a light panel. Finding one, I press it and there he is.

Standing in front of me is Evan.

I lower the gun, break into a grin, and launch myself at him, wrapping my arms around him in a half-hug half-glomp.

"Hey, hey." he protests. "Watch the arm."

I release him and sheepishly shrug. "Sorry, I forgot."

"That's ok."

Still smiling, I whack him on his un-injured arm.

"Hey!" he protests, lightly rubbing the spot where I hit him. "What was that for?"

"For scaring me half to death and almost making me shoot you. You really should announce yourself you know."

"Sorry, I didn't know that you were here."

"C'mon, the two Marines armed to the hilt didn't give it away? I mean it should be obvious by now that whenever something's up that I would be with the kids."

"Give me a break; I just woke up this afternoon."

"Whatever." I say, rolling my eyes. "If you just woke up this afternoon then what are you doing out of the infirmary so soon?"

"I wanted to see Maria and know that she was ok during all of this."

"She was. I looked after her, so did everyone else."

"Thanks."

"No problem." I say, smiling. I'm just glad that he's awake.

Evan just flashes me a grin and says, "You're welcome. Are they asleep?"

"Yea, I just checked in on them."

"Mind if I take a peek?"

"Knock your self out."

"I'd prefer to stay conscious thank you." Evan says, making his way past me.

I cast my eyes upwards while shaking my head. Honestly.

I follow Evan and we both make our way to the room. Standing in the doorway we're silent, just watching them sleep. After a few minutes of watching them, Evan says, "I should get back; don't want Doc threatening me with shots I most likely don't need."

I laugh, "Yea, you might want to do that."

He just laughs and exits. I stand there for a few minutes more, just watching them sleep. I'm back in the hallway when my headset activates. "Max?"

"Yes Carson?" I ask hesitantly.

"I thought that you should know that Major Lorne just woke up."

"I know."

A slight pause. "Who told you?"

"He did."

"Are you feelin' all right lass?"

"I'm fine, why?"

"Because he's right here, he hasn't left the infirmary."

"He was just here." I say, confused.

There's silence on Carson's end until he says, "How long ago?"

"Five minutes ago. Why?"

"Do you know which way he went?"

"Said he was heading back to the infirmary. What's going on?" Something's not right here.

Apparently Carson's not alone because I hear muted tones in the background while waiting for him to reply. Then I hear Elizabeth's voice. "Max, we need you to stay with the kids all night."

"Fine, but can you tell me what's going on?" I ask, wanting to know what the hell is happening.

"We can't. All you need to know is that John's sending two more Marines over."

"Ok, thanks." I say, sighing. Sometimes I feel so out of the loop. But I have to admit that they're right about not telling me stuff, there are just something's around here that might be beyond my clearance level or they just don't want me to worry.

Or both.

The night passes slowly, I don't fall asleep because I'm afraid that if I do something's gonna happen and then I'd lose that five second advantage. Laura and Carson arrive sometime after 3am and offer their spare room for me to crash in, but I respectfully decline and make my way to my place. Once I walk in, I can't stop yawning. So I just flop onto my bed and after setting my alarm am fast asleep.

The next day goes by without any interruption, other than devouring inhuman amounts of coffee, and I'm walking in the hallway when I get a call to report to Dr. Weir's office.

I make my way to the command center, head up the steps to her office, and knock on the doorframe.

Elizabeth looks up from her laptop and smiles. "Come on in Max." she says. "Have a seat."

I enter and sit down, wondering what she wants to talk to me about.

"I want to thank you for looking after the kids longer than we thought last night."

"No problem." I say, hoping that she'd give me an explanation as to why there was some confusion with Evan.

"Let me get right to it. I know that your contract is only for one year but would you consider signing another contract, this time for two years?"

Two years on Atlantis? "I, uh, I don't really know." I stammer out, taken slightly by surprise. I had only planned on staying here until my contract was up, but when you think about it what can you do after teaching in another galaxy? Everything else can't compare.

Elizabeth smiles and says, "That's all right. Take your time in deciding, we don't renew the civilian contracts for another three months. I just wanted to tell you now so you'd have time to think about it."

"Thanks, I will."

"Good. There's one more thing I want to tell you." Before Elizabeth can tell me alarms start going off. We hesitate for half a second then rush out of the room and down the stairs, Elizabeth heading towards the control panel while saying, "Head for the Sheppard's, the kids are there."

I nod and continue down the stairs and run out the room, heading towards the Sheppard's quarters. As I run out of the Gateruim, I notice that the Stargate is active. Something's up.

A/N: -dun dun dun- Somethin's afoot. All standard discaimers apply; I don't own canon characters, Maria or Alex (both property of Reefgirl), or Logan (property of James Cameron). Review please.