Chapter 4: Help from up above

When they met again in the Situation Room the next morning, Jack didn't have better news for the President, Hammond and the Joint Chiefs.

"We got the scheduled radio contact with the Apollo at around Midnight, but there are still no news from Atlantis. They had left an X-302 in orbit around M12-578, but as of the latest report, the City still hadn't reached its intended destination. The Apollo is unsuccessful at finding it for the moment, but we know that short of a miracle, they have zero chances of success. And Atlantis has yet to contact us directly, either."

"So all in all, we're at the same point as we were last night," President Hayes summed up after Jack was done.

"That's right, Mr President."

"Ok. Now, about the other subject we talked about last night. We said that we would give ourselves the night to think about it, and now that it's morning, it's time to go back to it. So do you have another name, or do we all agree on the one that was suggested yesterday?"

The President looked around the table at his most trusted advisors, but none of them offered another name. On his side, he had tried to think of another name, too, but none came to his mind. And it had apparently been the same for the others.

"Alright, then. General O'Neill, please let Richard Woolsey know that we have decided to appoint Colonel Carter as co-leader of the expedition. He can tell the rest of the IOA the news himself."

"Yes, Sir."

"And don't forget to add that since Colonel Carter is part of the United States Air Force, it isn't a mere suggestion. We are the ones who decide about her assignments, not the IOA."

"Oh, I bet they will love that, Sir."

"You'll also give the good news to Colonel Carter."

"As soon as she's back on Earth, Sir."

"You can also tell her that it's a Full Bird position, though I'd like to be the one promoting her, this time around."

"Yes, Sir," he replied once again, smiling proudly, and already imagining the surprise on her face when he would tell her about this bit of news.

"Then, if we don't have another order of business to attend, let's adjourn this meeting. I promised to have lunch with the First Lady, and she hates having to wait for me," he said, prompting smiles all around the room. "We'll meet again at 1800. Jack, I trust you to keep me informed the second you have news about Atlantis."

"I will, Sir."

"Thank you, gentlemen," President Hayes concluded, getting up from his chair, immediately followed by Jack, Hammond and the Joint Chiefs. "You're dismissed. George, follow me, please."

"Yes, Sir."

They left the Situation Room together, but didn't speak until they were in the Oval Office. President Hayes motioned for Hammond to sit on one chair while he sat on the other.

"I wanted to talk to you because some people came to me expressing worries about the choice of Colonel Carter."

"The same people who haven't put another name in consideration, I guess, Sir."

"Exactly."

"Well, Sir, maybe you should remind them that General O'Neill didn't put forward the name, and neither did I, even though it had been in both of our minds."

"I did, and I told them that Colonel Carter is most likely the only name the IOA would approve for this position. But I still wanted to warn you just in case you happen to hear some of their concerns. Though, I don't think they'd dare say that in front of either you or Jack."

"I'd be really surprised if they do, Sir."

"There's also another matter that I'd like to discuss with you." He paused, and Hammond guessed that whatever he had to discuss, it was something important. "You have to know that this comes from me, only. No one else has expressed concerns about this, but only because they don't know everything, I suppose."

"Does it have to do with General O'Neill and Colonel Carter's personal relationship?" Hammond asked, though he was pretty sure it was the case; he had expected this to come up at one point or another.

"With her new position as co-leader of Atlantis, Colonel Carter will report directly to General O'Neill, once more. And you know the fraternization rules as well as I do."

"I do. But you also know that their feelings predate their relationship, and that it had never prevented them making life-threatening decisions concerning the other."

"So you think we shouldn't address this issue."

"No. Unless there is a problem, I think they should deal with this matter themselves."

"This is what you did when they were under your command?"

"They weren't in a relationship when they were under my command," Hammond reminded President Hayes.

"I know."

"I guess some could criticise my decision to keep them in the same team once I understood that they had feelings for each other that went beyond friendship. But then I guess I would have had to put even Doctor Jackson and Teal'c in different teams. Not because of the same reasons, of course," he quickly added, wanting to reassure the President who had been surprised by his words. "SG1 became a family through the years, and their feelings for each other went beyond friendship. Separating them would have done more damage than good."

"I see. I have to say that from what I remember when I read their files, I'd be very surprised if they couldn't deal with this. But you have to understand that I needed to be sure I wouldn't make a mistake."

"I understand, Sir. But you can trust them, on this. If there's one thing that I'm sure of, it's that they'll never do something that could hurt the other's career."

"I'm glad to hear that. Well, now that this matter is settled, would you like to join the First Lady and I for lunch? I'm sure she wouldn't mind."

"Well, Sir, I would have liked being your personal shield," Hammond replied, knowing that the President was mostly asking because he was already late, "but I already have plans to meet General O'Neill for lunch."

"George, you are a coward."

"Always when it comes to your wife, Sir."

They shared a good laugh, before President Hayes dismissed Hammond, reassured by his words about Sam and Jack.

###

The second Chuck told her that the Jumper was back on the screen, Elizabeth was relieved; they were alive. She knew that it didn't mean that they had the ZPM with them; she might have ordered John to stay away if they didn't obtain it, but she would be surprised if he listened to her this time.

Still, as she walked up the stairs to wait for them in the Jumper Bay, she couldn't help but hope that it wasn't just John disobeying her order. Lorne, who had followed her, stopped just behind her at the top of the stairs.

"Do you think they got it, Ma'am," he couldn't help but ask.

"They better have," she replied, even though the real meaning behind her words was lost to him.

They looked up as the ceiling opened to welcome the Jumper inside. They followed it with their eyes as it descended in the Bay, and landed at its usual place.

By the time Elizabeth and Lorne reached the back of the Jumper, the hatch was opening to reveal the team inside.

As soon as she saw Rodney holding the ZPM in his hands, Elizabeth let out a sigh of relief; her City, her people were safe.

"You're never going to believe what happened," the scientist started, but before he could go any further, she put her hand up to stop him.

"I'm sure it's quite interesting, but I think we have more pressing matters to attend."

"Yes, yes, you're right. I need to get this beauty to the ZPM station so that we can get back on track."

"Evan, Teyla, go with Rodney. And Zelenka is already in the control room, awaiting your instructions."

John and Elizabeth watched as the three left the Jumper Bay, before turning back towards each other, sharing a smile; in a few hours at the most, they would have reached the safety of their new planet.

"You're really lucky you weren't in the Jumper with us. Even if I bleached my brain, I'll never be able to forget what McKay said to the ZPM. And you can ask Teyla, I'm not exaggerating; the beauty thing isn't the worst of it."

Elizabeth couldn't help but laugh at his words. It seemed so absurd, and still so Rodney to do something like that.

"It's good to hear you laughing," he said softly when she calmed down.

"Well, there were not many occasions for laughter these past few days, were there?"

"No. But now, we're going to be fine."

"Yes, we will. Thanks to you. Thank you, John."

She surprised them both by pecking his lips. She took a step back and blushed slightly.

"I don't know what... I'm sorry, John, I shouldn't have done that."

"It's ok; I don't mind being kissed by my boss. Not that it has ever happened before," he quickly added as he saw her raising an eyebrow. "Really, Elizabeth, I don't mind you kissing me."

She blushed bright red at his words, and that was when he understood what he actually said. Still, he didn't try to take his words back this time; Freudian slips did exist, after all.

"Anyway, I'm not the only one you should thank."

"I know," she replied, her face going back to its usual colour. "I'll thank Rodney and Teyla as soon as I can."

"There's still someone else."

"I'm starting to think this story will be very interesting."

"You'll love it. Shall we go in the control room to see how it's going?"

"Please."

John insisted on preceding her down the stairs, and she resisted the urge to roll her eyes at him and decided to just humour him as it would be easier.

"By the way, Keller didn't manage to keep Zelenka in the infirmary?"

"No, and I can't really blame him."

"Because you've also escaped the infirmary?" John teased.

"Well, that and he was really helpful in Rodney's absence," she said with a smile, as she stopped behind the Czech scientist. "How are we doing?"

"McKay is almost there. Once the ZPM is interfaced with the City, the shield will expand on its own, and the long-range sensors will be back online. After that, it will be up to you, Colonel", he finished with a nod towards John.

"Are we still heading to M12-578?"

"Yes, the Apollo is waiting for us there, and it's the best location, as we already decided," Elizabeth replied.

"How long will it take us to reach our new planet?"

"Around 10 hours, Colonel."

"Zelenka, this is McKay. I've reached the station. I'm putting the ZPM in place, now."

An unusual silence fell over the control room as they waited for the ZPM to interface with the City. Finally, after what felt like minutes though it had only been a few seconds, a box popped up on Zelenka's screen.

"And we're good, McKay. The shield is already expanding over the rest of Atlantis. The first readings indicated that this ZPM is full. We're good."

Relief flooded every single person in the room, and John couldn't help but put his arm around Elizabeth's shoulder, and tug her against his side. She put her arm around his waist in return, and let herself rest against him for a little while. At least, they wouldn't have to worry about dying in the next few hours anymore.

"Well, John," Elizabeth started, taking a step back from him, "it looks like it's your turn to shine."

"Yes, Ma'am," he replied with a mock salute.

She watched him leave before turning back towards Zelenka who assured her with a nod that everything was fine.

"Thank you, Rodney," she said over the radio to the scientist. "Colonel Sheppard is heading to the Chair Room. Major Lorne, I want you to join him there."

"Yes Ma'am."

"Rodney, Teyla, come back to the control room. As soon as John has sent the City into hyperspace, I want a full debriefing about your mission on Dagan."

"We're on our way, Elizabeth," the Athosian replied.

"Chuck, put me on city wide, please," she asked, and when he nodded at her, she continued. "This is Weir. I am pleased to say that we managed to acquire a functioning ZPM, and that we'll soon be on our way to our new planet. Even though the shield covers the entire City once more, I'd ask you to stay in the main tower, just as a precaution. Thank you all."

At her nod, Chuck closed the channel, and she turned away from him. She couldn't help but walk towards the balcony, where the window had exploded mere hours before.

She watched the wide expanse of space surrounding Atlantis; it was such an unusual sight, but still it fitted the City. It wasn't made to lie on the ocean for thousands of years, but to travel the stars. Still, she couldn't wait to feel the ocean's fresh air washing over her once again. They had left Lantea only hours before, but she already missed it deeply.

She had become so accustomed to it, that she didn't realise how much she needed it to unwind after a long day.

"Are you sure it's safe to stand here?" Ronon's voice jolted her from her thoughts.

"I don't see a beam heading our way," she replied, turning towards him and smiling at him. "Has Jennifer finally released you?"

"I didn't escape if that's what you were wondering. Doctor Keller said that as long as I take it easy with my shoulder, I'll be fine. I heard the team succeeded in procuring a ZPM."

"Yes, they were lucky. We'll have the debriefing as soon as the City is in hyperspace. I have a feeling that it's going to be an interesting one."

"Where did they go to get one?"

"To a planet called Dagan. Colonel Sheppard's team first went there around two years ago. Did any of them tell you what happened?"

"Not that I remember."

"Then, I guess I should tell you."

"Tell him what?" Rodney asked.

"I was about to tell Ronon about your first mission on Dagan. But why don't you go into the briefing room and tell him, instead? You two were there, after all."

Teyla nodded in agreement, while Rodney just shrugged, and the two men walked in the direction of the briefing room, leaving the two women behind.

"How are you feeling, Elizabeth?"

"I'm relieved that the City is going to be fine."

"So am I. John told us about your little arrangement."

"I thought he would."

"You didn't really think we would have abandoned the City?"

"I had hoped you would. But I know you, and I was sure you would come back."

"We will always come back because this is our home, just as much as it is yours, Elizabeth."

Elizabeth blinked back a few tears at those words, and Teyla was wise enough to not mention it, and turn slightly away from her, so that she could have a moment to compose herself.

"This is really sad that the window exploded," Teyla commented.

"Yeah. Atlantis has suffered a lot during this attack, and as soon as we land on M12-578, we'll need to start the repairs."

As they were looking outside, Atlantis jumped into hyperspace. Elizabeth couldn't help but hold her breath for a few seconds, in fear that something would go wrong. Beside her, she could feel that Teyla had stiffened too, and she knew they were sharing the same thoughts.

But when nothing happened after a few seconds, they both relaxed and turned towards each other to share a smile.

"How is it going, Radek?" she asked, walking towards him.

"Better than we thought it would, Doctor Weir. Power consumption is within normal range. It looks like the City wants to make it just as much as we do, and powers up essential systems only."

"Good. I'll be in the briefing room, if you need me."

"Yes, Doctor."

###

Once John got Atlantis in flight, he left the Chair in Lorne's capable hands, with instructions to be radioed if something was happening.

Though he knew that they had to debrief their mission on Dagan, he didn't go directly to the control room. Instead, he walked down the hallways, mentally noting the damages he could see; though those he passed by were minimal, he knew that they would have a lot to do once they landed on their new planet.

When he finally walked into the control room, he went to stand behind Zelenka, needing to know how the City was faring.

"Everything's fine for the time being, Colonel," Radek replied. "Major Lorne isn't doing much from the Chair, aside from making sure we stay on course, but it's better to have someone there at all times, just in case."

"Ok, then. Arrange for Stackhouse to relieve Lorne in a couple of hours. And I'll go after him. The three of us will pilot the City for two hours at a time, until we have reached M12-578."

"I'll radio him, now."

"Thank you, Radek. Where are Elizabeth and the rest of my team?"

"They're waiting for you in the briefing room, Sir," Chuck answered.

John thanked him with a nod, and walked towards the room. Elizabeth smiled at him as he entered, and he went to take his seat beside her.

"You're right on time," she told him. "We've just finished telling Ronon about your first visit on Dagan."

"It wasn't one of our best missions, I think we all agree with that."

"Oh, I don't know, John," Elizabeth said, with a teasing smile. "We did learn invaluable information."

"What? That McKay couldn't keep his mouth shut in front of a pretty girl? I thought we already knew that," John replied, ignoring the indignant sound coming from the scientist.

"No, I was thinking about the fact that you could have been Mensa."

"You're never going to let it go, are you?"

"I don't think so."

"There's one thing I don't understand about this mission," Ronon said, putting a stop to the good natured banter.

"Only one?" John replied, earning himself a couple of eye rolls and a smile.

"Why didn't you kill Kolya? Why did you let him go, knowing what he was capable of?"

"Because, unlike him, I'm not a killer. I don't rejoice in killing someone, if it can be avoided. Now, I knew that it wouldn't be the last we saw of Kolya..."

"But you thought that if you showed him mercy, he would do the same for you the next time you saw him," Ronon finished for him.

"Exactly. I was wrong, obviously, but I don't regret not putting a bullet through him on Dagan."

"You're an even better man than I thought, Sheppard."

"Now that Ronon knows about your first mission to Dagan, why don't you tell us about this one? I think you promised me I was going to find it interesting."

"And you won't be disappointed, Elizabeth. Who wants to do the honours?"

When neither Rodney nor Teyla spoke up, John started his narration, without omitting even a single detail. He stopped for a second after he mentioned Ayiana's assistance, knowing that Elizabeth would need some time to fully grasp what happened. He wasn't even sure he himself had, even now, but Elizabeth was better at analysing situations like this than he ever would be.

By the time he was done, he could see that Elizabeth was still surprised about them having received help from the Ancients, of all people.

"We will probably never find out what prompted them to help us, but I, for one, don't mind it."

"I don't mind it, either, John. They saved both us and the City by helping us get the ZPM. But I still wonder why Ayiana did it."

"Maybe they felt guilty for creating the Asurans, and putting us in this situation, in the first place?" Rodney ventured, though clearly not sure whether he was right.

"We put ourselves in this situation when we launched the first strike," Elizabeth reminded them.

"Earth did it, with my help, should I add," John corrected her. Not wanting to talk about it anymore, and certainly not wanting to argue with Elizabeth about who was responsible for this mess, he changed the subject. "We also think that Ayiana is the one who put up the file on Dagan on the screen. Unless she had help."

"She must have had help," Elizabeth replied. "I don't think it was possible for her to do all this alone. From what you said, everything happened approximately at the same time. If she had been alone, the others would have stopped her before she could accomplish both tasks."

"Then, who helped her?"

"Your guess is as good as mine, Teyla. And we'll probably never know. But there are two Ancients we can eliminate from that list: Oma Desala and Morgan Le Fey are locked into eternal battles with Anubis and Adria, respectively. They couldn't have done it. And I've just heard about Morgan, myself," she added, knowing that John would wonder why he hadn't been told.

"Anyway... Whoever helped Ayiana, we owe them our lives," John concluded.

"We do. Well, we still have another good eight hours before the City reaches its destination. I'd suggest you all go get some much deserved rest. There's nothing else we can do at the moment, but wait."

Teyla, Rodney and Ronon looked at John, before they nodded their assents, and left the room. John, however, remained in his seat, his eyes trained on Elizabeth.

"Is there something else, John?"

"Yes. Lorne, Stackhouse and I are going to take turns sitting in the Chair. We'll change every couple of hours until we've reached M12-578. It'll be easier this way."

"I agree with you, John," she said, her tone dismissing him at the same time. But when he still didn't move, she sighed. "What is it, John?"

"When is the last time you had a good night's sleep?"

"Probably the night before President Hayes told me about the Stargate."

"Fair enough. But you have to rest, too. You've said it yourself, there's nothing you can do at the moment."

"I was told that sleeping doesn't go well with a concussion."

"Maybe not, but you do have a medic come and check on you every hour, anyway. They can wake you up, check that you're fine, and I don't think Keller will be angry at you if you get some rest."

"She probably won't be, but I can't leave the City alone."

"You won't leave it alone. You have me, Lorne, Stackhouse, Zelenka and Chuck, all of us ready to take care of Atlantis. Why don't you at least go lie down on the couch in your office? You don't have to sleep, if you don't want to. Just close your eyes, and rest for a bit."

"Fine," she finally conceded, knowing that he wouldn't leave her alone until she agreed.

He gestured for her to precede him out of the room, and she couldn't help but roll her eyes at him. He didn't follow her into her office, but he still kept his eyes on her, until she lied down on the couch.

He walked towards Chuck, and stood before the console beside him, pretending to look at the display on the screen. A couple of minutes later, he looked at Elizabeth again, and smiled. Her features had relaxed, and he smiled at the sight; for all her talk about not wanting or even needing to sleep, she had fallen asleep the minute she had closed her eyes.

"Listen, Chuck," he said, getting the technician's attention. "No one is to wake Doctor Weir up, unless they're from the medical staff. If they need anything, you redirect them to me. I'll have my radio with me constantly."

"Yes, Sir."

Deciding to follow his own advice, John left the control room and went to get some rest, too. It wouldn't do any good if he was half asleep when he had to take his turn piloting the City.

###

to be continued