Chapter Five

The last thing she said before exhaustion took her back into deep sleep was, "I'm free."

Sharing a look with the doctor, Sheppard nodded toward the lab door. Carson checked on Alex visually one more time, and the monitors, before turning to join the Colonel. Once in the lab, Sheppard turned to face the doctor with his arms crossed. He obviously didn't like what he was about to say.

"So, it worked," he stated the obvious. "What now?"

"To be honest, Colonel, I hadn't thought that far ahead. I didn't expect her to survive. Once she was in the coma, I didn't expect her to ever wake," Beckett confessed. Running his hands through his hair, he continued, "Given what she's been through, I'm quite frankly startled that she appears intact mentally. As a matter of fact, she even remembers what I told her just before the first injection. So far as I can tell, there's been no permanent or severe brain damage. It's going to be a while before I know for certain how far or how well she'll recover both mentally and physically, but the results thus far have been nothing short of miraculous."

"How so?"

"A week ago she was still shedding parts of her body. Two weeks ago she had no hair and skin thin enough to break if touched with too much pressure. Now, she looks to be a healthy young woman in her early to mid-twenties. Her body is rapidly healing itself from the effects of the transition, including hair that's grown almost two months' worth in just a few days. A normal human in a similar situation I would expect months, if not years, of recovery. With Alex, it may be days or weeks before she's up and about. She'll likely need a considerable amount of physical therapy considering how much muscle mass she's lost, but the recovery is likely to be staggering in its speed."

Sheppard seemed to take all of this in as his gaze alternated between the floor and the door to the isolation room. His green eyes darkened somewhat as he seemed to come to a decision.

"I'll radio for some guards. I want at least two posted in the isolation room at all times. I'll have two more stationed outside the lab."

"Colonel—"

"Not up for debate, Doc. I'll instruct them to stay out of your way. But, as you said, you're still not entirely sure about her mental state. It could be she takes to this change as she said she would. Then again, this could turn out to be a 'be careful what you wish for' scenario for her. We take no chances. We don't know the full effects yet, or how far we can trust her."

Despite his distaste for the Colonel's statements, Carson knew Sheppard was correct. They didn't know enough yet. Regardless of how much he wanted to believe she was telling the truth, there could still be some underlying twisted Wraith plot involved. Sighing, he nodded his agreement. In an uncharacteristic display of comfort, Sheppard gripped Beckett's shoulder.

"You did good, Carson. Let's hope she's legit, but expect the worse, okay?"

"Aye, you're right. I'll keep you updated."

With that Sheppard turned his attention to his radio and security arrangements.

~o~o~o~

Doctor Beckett's vigil continued throughout the day and most of the night. It was in the early hours of the morning when Alex finally reawakened. Seeming much more aware and less dazed than before, she took in her surroundings a bit more thoroughly. Awake and perched on the stool beside her once more, Beckett was absorbed in reading something he had in his hand. Hearing her stir slightly, he glanced up and gave a beaming smile at seeing her eyes open.

"Welcome back," he said warmly. "How are you feeling?"

For a moment she matched his grin, before frowning slightly and touching her face in confusion. Remembering that he had retrieved a mirror earlier in the day, he turned around to grab it off the tray.

"Yes, you're still human. I imagine even the littlest things are probably going to feel awkward for a while. But you should adjust," he told her. "Here, I brought this for you."

With unsteady hands, she reached up to hold the round metal mirror. For a moment Alex was completely absorbed in inspecting her face and moving many muscles Wraith did not possess. Carson sat back and let her explore her new features. After a few minutes she stopped, frowning in consideration. Turning those intense blue eyes on him, she asked, "Am I…pretty?"

This brought another genuine smile to Carson's face. "You're beautiful, lass."

This invoked a dubious frown as she returned her attention back to the mirror. Her complexion was something just shy of outright albinism. The white hair of her eyebrows did nothing to dispel the effect. Though her face was sharply angular, he knew some of it would fill out in time as she gained some weight. For now, though, she no longer looked Wraith, but not quite a normal human, either. But, to him, the fact that she was alive, awake, and animated made her a beauty to him.

Over the top of the mirror, Alex finally spotted her guards across the room. Before she could comment on this, however, her body decided to speak for itself. A long, angry growl erupted from her abdomen as her stomach demanded food. Beckett's eyebrows shot up into his hairline as he repressed a grin.

Seeing Alex's confusion, he explained, "That is your human stomach demanding food."

"It hurts," she told him more in confusion than actual pain.

"Aye, it'll do that when you've gone long enough without food. It's our body's way of reminding us to eat at regular intervals."

As if it only just dawned on her, her face lit up in excitement, "I can eat food again? Now?"

Rubbing the back of his neck, Beckett considered this for a moment. "Well, I hadn't thought you'd be ready for food for some time yet. I wanted to start you on liquids, first."

Alex's features fell in disappointment as she said in a light voice, "I understand," making him wonder if she was even aware of how much expression showed in her human features, now.

"Do you remember what it was like to eat?" he asked, curiously.

"Yes, fruits were my favorites," she said, regaining some of her enthusiasm.

"Were they now? Well, sweet stuff usually is the first. How about some juice, then? I have apple juice in the lab next door."

"Yes, please," she replied with obvious uncertainty since she had no idea what an apple was.

"Very good, then. We'll start with juice and broth and work our way up from there."

Turning, he left Alex alone for the minute it took to get the juice from the lab's mini refrigerator. When he returned, he was surprised to see her sitting up entirely unaided looking around at all the equipment she was connected to. Biting back his instinct to remind her how close to death she had been so very recently thus scolding her back to a prone position, he decided that as long as she didn't try to leave the bed, he would let her be.

"Here you go, love. One gourmet apple juice," he said, handing over the little carton and straw with a flourish.

For a moment Alex stared at it in confusion as if wondering what to do with it. Gently Carson guided the straw to her mouth and instructed her to suck. At first her eyes widened in shock as the cold liquid hit her tongue, but then her face lit up in delight as her new taste buds absorbed the sugary goodness. For a moment, Beckett had to fight the feeling he was dealing with a child and remind himself how far from it she really was.

"Yes," she said excitedly. "This is very like what I remember."

"You remember taste?"

"Yes. I never outgrew the love of human food, especially talikia fruits. Though, it has been many decades, if not centuries, since I lad had any. The Genii would not allow me food."

"Not to worry. We have plenty more of that and many other things for you to try, when you're ready."

Nodding, Alex returned to her juice, caught somewhere between wanting to drink it all in one gulp to satisfy her stomach's demands, and sipping it slowly to savor it. Beckett, meanwhile, watched in fascination. After a few moments, he knew he had to get on with his job, though.

"Aside from your stomach, does anything else hurt?"

Alex cocked her head as if to consider this before shaking it. "No, just my…stomach you called it?"

"Aye."

"Just that." As if this were a queue, she began to stretch her arms and legs and all the different muscles she had yet to grow accustomed to. "I feel smaller, weaker."

"Well, compared to a Wraith, humans are, overall, a bit smaller. As for the weaker part, that is to be expected after your ordeal."

Suddenly Alex shivered as she closed her eyes as if to block something out. "I remember some of it, I think. But that's over now, right?"

"Yes," Beckett agreed, shaking of his own memories of the early days of her change. "So long as you get injections at regular intervals, you should remain human."

"How often?" she asked, digesting this.

"Until last week we were keeping them up at a rate of one every four hours. For the last seven days, however, we've been tapering off. Today you've had one, and that was nearly twenty hours ago. Based on the cell growth and consistent response, you likely will not need more than a single injection daily, maybe less. But I feel one a day for now would be safe until we know more about the long-term effect of the change and how long it will hold."

To this she only nodded. Finishing off the last of the juice, she frowned at the carton as if expecting more to appear. "It still hurts," she told him.

"I don't want you to overdo it on your first attempt. Why don't we give it a few minutes and then I'll get you some more juice and possibly some broth later?"

Nodding, she accepted this and sat back a little, still looking around. Eventually her eyes found the windows of the observation room up above. Carson followed her line of sight to find Doctor Weir standing just in the shadows staring down at them. He wasn't sure how long she had been there, but wasn't entirely surprised to see her out and about at so early an hour. What did surprise him, however, was that she had not used either her radio or the intercom. It was obvious even to her up there that Alex was awake.

"Who is it?" she asked.

"That's Doctor Weir. She's the head of the expedition here in Atlantis."

Alex just nodded as she continued to watch the shadowy form of Elizabeth. Obviously she didn't want to be disturbed, so he let it go and returned his attention to Alex. Assuming Weir would talk to Alex on her own time, he soon forgot her presence.

~o~o~o~

Over the next three days Alex progressed so rapidly Beckett didn't know what to do. Before noon on her first day attempting liquids, he found himself left with no choice but to start her on real foods. Soft foods turned into more average meals by the end of the day. But, by that night, her seemingly insatiable hunger had him severely concerned that she was perhaps using food as an emotional and/or mental crutch after having been starving for so long. Either that, or her body was still craving Wraith sustenance and didn't know what else to do.

This all changed, however, after Alex's first bowel movement. It came out utterly normal, if a bit awkward for her as he explained how the human body works. He also brought along a female doctor to assist with much of what she would have to grow accustomed to. Not only was the bowel movement normal, but the scans showed her body was absorbing the food at a phenomenal rate. To add to this, her hair and nails were growing almost before his eyes. Her musculature the first morning after real food had virtually doubled and she was walking around the bed carefully avoiding disturbing the numerous wires still attached to her.

Shaking his head, Carson marveled at her recovery. At this rate, he would be discharging her in a day or two. Aside from her restlessness, there was little more to learn from her on this side of things. He continued to pour over the exabytes and exabytes of data gathered over the last several weeks, but he knew it could be months or even years before it was all properly processed.

Three days after Alex had emerged from her coma everything seemed to normalize. Her eating habits became more normal, her body seemed that of a perfectly healthy twenty-something, and she showed no signs of mental side-effects other than restlessness and the occasional shudder as she recalled some of the time that led up to this drastic change. Declaring her fit for release with a huge grin, Carson called for Colonel Sheppard and Doctor Weir to see how they wanted to arrange things.

On the morning of the fourth day Beckett handed over some sweatpants and a sweatshirt as he began to disconnect her from all the equipment. Practically bouncing with excitement, Alex forced herself to patience as he removed the last of the monitors. Moments later she followed Doctor Pressely to a restroom adjoining the adjacent lab. The guards followed silently and placed themselves in the lab to wait. Not two minutes later Sheppard arrived as if summoned.

"Heya, Doc," Sheppard greeted. "I heard she's ready to go. I figured I'd show her around a bit and get her settled in."

"I'd like that," Alex said, emerging from the restroom with Veronica close behind.

Sheppard only barely managed to keep his eyes in his head as he came face to face with Alex. Aside from the fact that she was as tall and shapely as any model he'd ever seen, she looked nothing like the frail, miserable form he had seen in the hospital bed just a few days ago. The cat-like intense blue eyes and stark white hair did nothing to detract from her appearance, either. Creepy as the hair color was, especially her eyelashes, it was easily overlookable when compared to the Wraith she had been, or the miserable scrawny human she had started out as.

"Wow, lookin' good, Alex," he commented.

Feeling her cheeks flush, Alex put a hand to her face and looked to Doctor Beckett in confusion.

Carson chuckled at her red cheeks. "It's natural, lass. He's just saying you look much better than the last time he saw you." At least, that's what Carson sincerely hoped was the case.

"Right," Sheppard added. "You ready for a grand tour?"

"Yes," she smiled brilliantly.

"Don't have too much fun," Beckett warned good-naturedly. "And I'll see you in the infirmary tomorrow morning for your next injection."

"And I'll let the guards know the moment anything feels off in the meantime," Alex replied, as if she'd heard this at least a dozen times before. "You have my word."

Knowing he was presenting himself as a worried parent almost, Carson just patted her shoulder and turned away. Sheppard threw out an arm toward the door to the corridor with a flourish and a warm smile. As she exited the room he nodded toward the guards. He was fairly certain she hadn't come this far just to try something now, but this was also her first time actually walking through Atlantis. For anyone who may very well have super human speed and strength, as Beckett suspected, this would be an ideal opportunity to slip away and wreak havoc.

As Sheppard joined her in the corridor, her intense blue eyes seemed to take in everything. She hardly seemed to notice the guards or anything else as they headed for the nearest transporter.

"We've arranged living quarters for you, but Doctor Weir wanted to see you, first. She has a few things to discuss," Sheppard told her.

"Doctor Weir is the one who runs this city, correct?"

"Yeah."

"Like a queen?"

Sheppard's face scrunched up a bit as he considered how to explain. "Not really. It's more like leadership than rulership. She may give orders, but she accepts the advice of those around her, as well. And she shares the position with others, in a way."

"How so?"

"Well, for example, she's in charge of civilian activities and much of the diplomatic duties. She oversees the scientists' progress and keeps track of daily goings on and facilitates communication and trade between Atlantis and the rest of the galaxy. But in a military or combat situation, I generally make the orders and she sees them enacted."

"But not always?" she asked, catching on to something more here.

"Right. Sometimes we disagree and cross over into each other's territory, I guess you could say."

For a moment she seemed to let this sink in as her eyes continued to take in every inch of the corridors they traversed. "Shared power as equals. And this arrangement works well?"

"For us it does. Other human societies have other means of rulership or leadership that is unique to their people."

"I see."

For a while they walked in silence as they came around the corner of a corridor in the main spire. Sunlight filtered through numerous windows that lined the left wall. Most of them were too high to see out of, but that didn't stop Alex from looking through each one up at the clear, blue sky. Just up ahead Sheppard spotted a balcony that overlooked a portion of the city. Hoping it was unoccupied this early in the day, he led her toward it with a gentle hand on her arm.

"Come here. Let me show you."

Letting herself be guided, Alex waited as Sheppard opened the door. Sheppard watched her face light up like a child's with unabashed delight as she took in the scene before her. The sun was only about a third of the way to its apex and a good portion of the city lay below. The sky was a clear blue unmarred by any clouds leaving the sun to reflect like a path of diamonds in the water beyond the edges of the city. Sheppard crossed his arms and watched Alex's reaction with pride as he enjoyed showing off what he now felt was his home.

"It is beautiful," Alex said in awe as she approached the railing.

"I like to think so."

"I could stay here all day and night," she said, almost to herself. Turning back to Sheppard, she said, "Perhaps another day. I believe Doctor Weir is waiting on us?"

Turning back toward the corridor, they resumed their short trek to the command center. Again Alex's eyes widened in wonder as she took in the control room on their way to Weir's office. The head of Atlantis saw them coming from where she sat at her desk and put aside her tablet.

"Come on in, John," she called as they approached.

"Doctor Weir, meet Alex. Alex, this is Doctor Weir."

Alex just nodded quietly, deliberately breaking eye contact with Elizabeth so as not to appear challenging.

"Please, have a seat," Weir motioned to the chairs facing her desk.

"Thank you," Alex murmured, keeping her voice and appearance as non-confrontational as possible. She was in Weir's territory, after all.

For a moment Weir just took in the sight of the former Wraith queen as she considered where to begin. Alex appeared perfectly content to let Doctor Weir led the conversation. Meanwhile, Sheppard sat tensely in his chair, though he tried to disguise it.

"How are you feeling?" Weir finally asked.

"Quite well, thank you. Though I have much to learn and grow accustomed to."

Weir nodded, dropping her eyes to her desk for a moment. Pleasantries over with, she sighed and nodded to herself. "I really don't know how to beat around the bush with this, so I'll just come right out and say it. I appreciate that you chose to be human voluntarily. I appreciate the fact that you helped Colonel Sheppard escape that Genii prison. But let me make one thing clear. I do not trust you."

"Elizabeth," Sheppard started to cut in.

"No, Colonel," Weir glared at him. "I'll have no misunderstandings about where she stands."

For her part, Alex had nodded to this and made no comment. Weir turned her piercing green eyes back on the former Wraith queen.

"As I said, you are not trusted. So, what I want to know is, why? Why did you trade in immortality for a human body that will age and fail in a handful of decades? What do you hope to gain by all of this?"

For a moment Alex sat, as if pondering her answer. "First and foremost you have my utmost gratitude for the opportunity. It is my understanding that all of this is possible by your grace alone. Is that correct?"

Glaring a moment as Sheppard, Elizabeth eventually nodded. "I suppose so. Why?"

"Just that I have you to thank for my new body and my new life here. So, let me ask you something, Doctor Weir. What if you woke up tomorrow with a horrific disease that required someone else die to keep you alive? What would you do?"

Doctor Weir frowned darkly. "It would never happen."

"But if it did?" Alex persisted, keeping Doctor Weir's gaze firmly locked.

"Then there's no choice. I'm not going to sacrifice someone else just to keep myself alive for another day or year or whatever," she finally replied annoyed.

"Exactly."

"I don't understand," Weir said, her brow furrowing in irritation.

"You are aware that Wraith age much like humans in their first years of life?"

"Yes."

"Then, one day we wake up in the first stages of puberty with a hunger that cannot be sated with food. We are shown how to feed on humans to sustain ourselves."

"And that bothers you?" Elizabeth asked, still not quite convinced.

"Yes. And that is the core of why I've chosen this," she said, her eyes boring into Weir's. "With this body I will grow old and die, or so Carson believes. But at least I don't have to look into the eyes of the men and women I would murder to stay alive indefinitely. I will suffer those nightmares for however long this body lasts. But I will never have to do so again. I would rather die—and attempted to do so many times—than to feed as a Wraith ever again."

Elizabeth seemed to accept this with some reservation.

"As for what I hope to accomplish, I admit there is an ulterior motive in my continued survival."

Doctor Weir's piercing gaze focused on her once again in open suspicion bordering on hostility. "And what might that be?" she asked coldly.

"Carson no more believed I would survive the ordeal than I did, once it was explained to me. I can remember an eternity screaming in agony as my body burned from the inside out. When the darkness finally took me, I gave in without a fight as I was certain I would not wake up and was glad for it. But, I…died, so to speak, with the full knowledge I had at least helped Carson develop what could be a very powerful weapon against the Wraith.

"Since I did, survive, though. I imagine there is much more I can contribute in your fight against the Wraith; and I very much wish to do so. I want them eradicated perhaps more than you do, as I have a unique understanding of what they really are; and 'monster' doesn't begin to describe them."

"From what Doctor McKay has told me, you've given him nothing useful."

"I agree," Alex said. "Most of what I attempted to put down with what I was given to use was directed toward Carson and his research. I had thought physiology information would be at the top of the list of information needed."

Weir glanced to Sheppard for confirmation.

"She's telling the truth. Ask Beckett. But, hey, we've got humans that struggle with using a pen and paper these days. You shouldn't be too surprised that it was slow going."

She seemed to consider this for a moment. "Fair enough. But we have some concerns about giving you any of our technology to use. Under the circumstances, however, I'll allow a laptop that is off the network. If we have any reason to even suspect you of trying to connect it to Atlantis' systems, confiscation of said laptop will be the least of your concerns."

"I understand. I've heard it said amongst humans that trust is earned and not given. That seems quite appropriate to the situation. I will do all I can to earn your trust. But, for now, may I ask if the laptop," she said the unfamiliar word as if still acclimating to her new teeth and mouth, "will be modified for Wraith language?"

"I can arrange that."

"I was going to request that you not. I have begun to learn your language and would like to continue. May I ask that any programs you have to assist in my learning be included on the laptop?"

"Of course, if that is what you wish."

"Thank you. And I ask that you all bear in mind that I was not a scientist, or an engineer, or any other positions within Wraith society that you might find useful. I was a queen. I was isolated and taught only how to control the weaker minds of the males and avoid being murdered in a succession by another queen. But, I will give you all I know."

"Fair enough. Any data that you do have will be turned over to Doctor Rodney McKay. He will report to me. He will make arrangements for how the data is to be transferred. In the meantime, you are assigned two guards at all times. They will not follow you into your quarters, but that is the only place you will ever be alone. Even then, arrangements have been made to track your activity. Your room is isolated with no windows and no way to leave, save the front door. For the moment, you are allowed to move around some areas of Atlantis, such as the infirmary and mess hall. The guards will show you where you need to go." Here Weir hesitated and glanced to Sheppard who nodded briefly. She reiterated sternly, "You are allowed to move around the rest of the city, but the guards will warn you away from any restricted areas; and there are many. Should you make any attempt to enter those restricted areas after a first verbal warning, the guards are instructed to shoot to kill. There will be no second warnings, no stunning, and no exceptions."

"Understood."

"Good. That is all I have for now. Colonel Sheppard or your guards will see you to your quarters," she finished in clear dismissal.

"Thank you, Doctor Weir. May I ask you a question?"

"Yes," Weir agreed cautiously.

Alex frowned as if considering her next words carefully. "Please forgive my awkwardness, as I am new to being human. If I am being impertinent, please let me know."

"Okay," Elizabeth said, her expression neutral.

"You color your face and lips, but Sheppard does not."

Her expression relaxing in understanding, Weir sat back. "Yes, it is common for human females to alter their appearance while men do not."

"Thank you," was all Alex said. "As I said, I have much to learn."

With that she stood to follow Sheppard out of the office. At just that moment McKay stepped through the doorway looking at a laptop in his hands nearly running right into John.

"Oh hi," Rodney said, finally looking up.

"Rodney, meet Alex. Alex, this is Doctor Rodney McKay."

Before Alex could reply, McKay fixed his cold stare on the former Wraith. "Oh, its Carson's pet—"

"Rodney," Sheppard growled warningly.

"Project," McKay added, as if to cover up whatever he had been about to say before. Brushing past Alex, he turned his attention to Doctor Weir.

Sheppard opened his mouth with an angry glare. Before he could speak, however, Alex put a hand on his arm and glanced toward the door. Following her lead, Sheppard escorted her out of the office and away from the command center.

"Is he your friend?" she finally asked, when they were relatively alone in the adjoining corridor.

"Yeah, sometimes," Sheppard grumped, obviously unhappy.

"Ah, forgive me for not being as familiar with this, but the intricacies of friendship are something I am having trouble understanding. But, if I am correct, a friend does not easily forgive an injury done to another friend. Is that right?"

"Yeah, something like that," he said, still frowning.

"I fed on you and they watched. Correct?" She waited for his nod before continuing, "If he is any friend to you at all, he is not likely to ever forgive me."

"That's just crap," Sheppard said. "You're not a Wraith anymore. And it was you who pointed out that Kolya was torturing the both of us."

"Nonetheless, I expect he will continue to hate me as I am the one that inflicted such agony that they witnessed for themselves. Is Doctor Weir also a friend?"

"Yes."

Alex simply nodded to this, and let the subject drop. Minutes later they arrived in a virtually abandoned corridor of living quarters, her guards in tow. Sheppard seemed to have regained some of his good humor and motioned with an elaborate wave toward her door.

"It's not the Hilton, but I hope it's comfortable since there don't seem to be any managers to complain to about the service in this place," he quipped.

Taking in the sparse room with a bed, a table, a chair, and a chest of drawers, she nodded. "It'll do."

"I'm not sure what kind of living space you're accustomed to, but this is about the best we got. The only thing really all that much better would be having a balcony, but those are all taken."

"Yes, I imagine that would be nice," Alex agreed seeming to picture that. "But there appear to be plenty of balconies elsewhere in the city. I'm certain I can find one that is not within a restricted area."

"Absolutely."

"Want me to show you around a bit, or would you rather hang out here?"

"I would be extremely grateful if you'd show me where the mess hall is located."

Sheppard glanced at his watch. "It is almost lunch time. Hungry already?"

"Yes."

"Beckett did say you were likely to eat more frequently at first. Tell ya what. I didn't have much for breakfast this morning, would you mind if I joined you for lunch?"

Alex smiled brilliantly, forcing Sheppard to remind himself not for the first time today that she was older than most of documented human civilization no matter what she looked like. They walked in relative silence as she seemed to be memorizing their path as well as taking in all the sights. She seemed to scrutinize the women they passed, more so than the men. John could only guess that she was learning what she could without openly questioning everyone she met. He was still a bit surprised about her question to Weir earlier. Thinking of this, it dawned on him how awkward and uncomfortable her questions might become if he hung around too long. He hoped the food would distract her, because he wasn't about to cover for Beckett if she started asking more detailed things.

Finally they reached the mess hall that was thankfully not too crowded. It was still an hour or so before the lunch rush would begin. Grabbing a couple of trays and a few items he thought she would like to try, he turned toward the tables. Spotting Ronon at a far table along the wall opposite the entrance, he made a beeline with Alex in tow. At first Ronon glanced up to see Sheppard and then turned his attention back to his food.

Turning slightly Sheppard started introductions. "Ronon, I'd like you to meet Alex. Alex meet—"

Before Sheppard could blink Ronon was on his feet with his blaster aimed at her chest. A vicious expression twisted Ronon's face into something nearly inhuman.

"What the hell? Put that gun away!" Sheppard roared. "That's an order!" he added when Ronon didn't budge.

For a moment it seemed he was about to disobey this order and consider any consequences worth it. But then his eyes flicked to Sheppard for the merest fraction of a second before returning to the former Wraith queen.

"You stay the hell away from me," he growled dangerously before walking away from the table as he holstered his gun.

"As you wish," Alex said, seeming to be utterly unruffled by all this, and making sure he knew it.

"Look, I'm sorry about that. He's a bit rough around the edges. But once you get to know him—"

Whatever he was about to say he cut off as Alex practically dropped the tray on the table and gripped the sides of her head. Her eyes sought out Ronon across the room. There they could see him talking to Teyla, who glanced over her shoulder once before following her friend out of the mess hall.

"I can feel it," she murmured, a little overwhelmed by the intensity of the hatred she had just felt.

Already Sheppard was on the radio with Beckett when she returned to her surroundings; only after Teyla and Ronon were out of sight.

"Sheppard, please tell him I'm alright," she cut in, as Sheppard eyed her with clear concern.

"She says she's fine, but whatever just happened, it wasn't good. She's pale as a sheet. Well, paler than before, anyway," Sheppard described.

He listened for a moment to Beckett on the other end. "Yeah…yeah. Any lightheadedness, or headache?" he asked Alex.

"No. As I said, I'm quite well. I was just caught off guard. I felt…something. It was from the woman that left with Ronon."

"Teyla?" Sheppard asked, his expression taking on one of concentration as he appeared to make a connection.

"Hey, Doc, is it possible she could sense things just like Teyla?"

He listened again for a moment. "Will do. Sheppard out." he said, finally, and keyed off his mic.

"You're sure you're okay?" he asked.

"Yes," irritation at having to repeat herself clear in her tone.

"Let's have a seat, then," he said, pulling out a chair for her.

"May I inquire what Carson said?"

"I was just trying to figure out how to explain. Teyla's one of my team. She's an Athosian, one of the first human settlements we encountered after we arrived in the Pegasus Galaxy."

"Arrived? You're not from this galaxy?"

Toying with the food on his tray, Sheppard hesitated, not sure how much he should tell her considering how little they all trusted her. "No. It's a long story, and I can't go into detail. But, Teyla is the leader of the Athosians and they kind of got caught up in a bit of a mess we created. Anyway, she joined my team. Later we found out that she not only can sense the presence of Wraith, but she has some Wraith DNA."

Alex's white eyebrows shot up at this. "How is that possible?"

"You'll have to ask Beckett for the specifics, but the gist of it is that a Wraith scientist was cross breeding humans and Wraith. Teyla and those like her who can sense the Wraith, are all descendants of the original test subjects."

"There's more," Alex said, now seeming more into her food and tasting each item on the plate.

"Not really. It's just that in Teyla it is strong enough that she can communicate with the Wraith, and not just sense them," he added, taking a bite of his sandwich.

"And Carson suspects that I may be the same?"

"Yeah, something like that. He was getting all science-y on me, but he thinks it's the remaining mostly dormant Wraith DNA. You likely have the same ability, only stronger even than hers."

Alex paused in chewing for a moment. "I may still be able to communicate with Wraith, then?"

"Yeah," John agreed, his expression darkening.

"And that is a security problem, I believe?" she asked, obviously already knowing the answer.

"Yep."

"Let me put you at ease, if I may. I was able to call to the Wraith in my mind the entire time I've been here. Had a ship been close enough, I would have sensed it. I believe at one point during some of my delirium, there may have been one within range. But it was little effort to convince them I was a lone, mad Wraith queen abandoned and left for dead by my generals due to my madness. But I am not certain since I was rather delirious."

During this little spiel, Sheppard's hand halted midway to his mouth as his green eyes widened first in suspicion and then in shock. "Well…that's…comforting, I suppose. Would have been nice if you had warned us."

"I apologize if I concerned you. But, as I mentioned, I wasn't quite myself."

He took another bite of his sandwich as he nodded to this. "In any case, you may be able to sense Teyla from time to time."

"Understood. It should not be a problem, as I believe she feels much the same as Ronon."

"Teyla?" Sheppard asked, surprised.

Alex just nodded to this, finishing off the rest of the celery on her tray and staring as if she wished for more.

"Still hungry?" he asked, seeing her expression.

Coming back to herself, she shook her head. "Is Teyla also a friend to you?"

"Yeah, like I said, she's on my team."

"Team. As in you work together?"

"Yeah, we go out on expeditions to other planets, making alliances, killing Wraith, that kind of stuff."

This seemed to gain her interest. "How many are on your team?"

"Just Ronon, Teyla, and Rodney."

"Doctor McKay?"

"Yep."

"And you fight Wraith?"

"Any chance we get that doesn't involve costing our side too much. For the most part, we try to avoid them, though."

To this, she nodded. "There are many teams like yours?"

"Right now we have about fifty-six permanent teams. Then there are a few dozen more that rotate personnel depending on the situation."

This time as Alex nodded, she seemed disappointed, but didn't say anything more.

Not sure exactly why she was disappointed, and not liking the implications of it, John popped in hoping to prod without being too obvious. "Why? Wanting to join up?"

Her intense blue eyes shot back up to meet his green ones in clear surprise. Then her expression hardened an instant later. "You're mocking me," Alex accused.

"Whoa, wait a minute. You're serious?" he said in surprise before he had a chance to process this.

"I'm well aware of my status among you," Alex said angrily. "But is it so far-fetched that I would like to take the battle to the Wraith, instead of sitting here documenting every scrap of information I can recall about being a Wraith?"

"Sorry, no offense," he mumbled an apology. "It's just that you're so new to all this. It kinda caught me off guard."

"I understand," she said, her expression softening. "But, yes, I would like to do more than sit around here all day and night. Should the opportunity to do more ever present itself, I'll happily take it."

"I'll keep that in mind," he said, glancing at his watch.

"I hate to eat and run, but I've got a meeting with Major Lorne in a few minutes. I'll let your new buddies show you back to your quarters," he told her taking his tray and standing up.

"Thank you for your time, Sheppard."

"Don't mention it."

~o~o~o~

And that was it. After possibly centuries of imprisonment with the Genii, weeks of imprisonment here on Atlantis, and weeks in an isolation room, Alex found herself at a loss for what to do next. She had no desire to return to her quarters, but did not know where else to go. Taking Sheppard's lead, she set her tray with the others and exited the mess hall. For a moment she stood at the junction of two corridors looking in each direction. She already knew the way back to her quarters, but was curious about the other direction.

Turning to face her guards and pointing down the left corridor, she asked, "Am I permitted to go that way?"

To this they nodded. Deciding that acquainting herself with the city was as good a use of her time as any at this point, she began to wander the halls aimlessly. Any time she came to a cross-section or junction in the corridors, she asked before taking a direction. She attempted to ask questions of her guards on a few occasions, and met with little response. They made it clear that they had no interest in holding a conversation. She eventually gave up and continued her exploration in silence.

Alex judged several hours had passed when her stomach again made its displeasure known. Not entirely sure what time it was she asked her guards to point her in the direction of the mess hall. Silently they moved back to a position behind her and verbally guided her in one-word directions. Eventually she found herself hitting a wall of noise as she approached a very busy and crowded mess hall. Hesitating just outside the door, she felt her stomach squeeze slightly as the noise and confusion jangled her nerves.

Not to be intimidated, Alex took a deep breath and made her way into the wall of noise heading for the food tables. Feeling a change in the atmosphere, she noticed that many of the voices were still speaking, but they had lowered to the hum of a whisper. Glancing over her shoulder as if brushing her hair out of her face, she found she was not, in fact, being paranoid. Most, if not all of the people present in the room, were now staring at her. Feeling distinctly uncomfortable with all the attention, Alex decided to take her tray to her quarters. Not making eye contact with anyone, she summoned all her former arrogance as a Wraith queen and threw her shoulders back and marched out of the room, guards following closely behind.

She had just made it to the door of her quarters and was wondering how she was going to open the door when a friendly and familiar voice called out from the end of the corridor.

"Alex!" Carson called with a smile. "They told me I just missed you. I figured you were headed back here. Would you mind some company? I thought we could celebrate your first night out on your own. "

Smiling brilliantly, Alex nodded happily. Balancing his tray in one hand, Beckett opened the door and motioned her inside first. Taking in the sight of her quarters, his expression fell.

"It is a bit cramped," he commented, eyeing the one chair at the table. "Are you sure you'd rather not join me in the mess hall?"

Setting her tray on the bed, Alex considered this quandary for only a moment before pulling the chair out of the way and moving the table up toward the bed. Now one could sit on the bed and the other in the chair. She motioned for Beckett to take the chair as she curled her feet under her on the bed.

"So, how was your first day?" he asked cheerfully.

"I spent most of the day walking around the city."

"And how did you like it?" he asked, still chipper.

"It's quite impressive."

"How did it go with Doctor Weir?"

"About as expected," she started, but seeing the genuine curiosity in Carson's eyes she continued. "She doesn't trust me at all. I hope to gain her trust in time. In the meantime, she's going to have Doctor McKay give me a laptop with human programs I can use to work on learning more about your written language. And I will be able to give as much information as I can about Wraith. Meanwhile, I have acquired two guards who will follow me around and keep me out of restricted areas."

"Well that's not bad at all," Beckett commented still being cheerful.

Alex agreed with a nod, as she explored the contents of her tray with little enthusiasm.

"Sheppard tells me you had a run in with Ronon," Carson started, tentatively.

"Yes, in the mess hall."

"Don't let him scare you. He's a big guy, and a bit more prone to violence than some; but overall he's a good man."

"Do you think it's the fact that he still sees me as a Wraith that incites his hostility?"

"Perhaps," Carson admitted, considering this. "It is also just as likely he still sees what the rest of us continue to have nightmares about."

"Feeding on Sheppard?"

To this Carson only nodded.

"I'm sorry," she murmured, keeping her eyes on her tray.

"What for?" Carson asked surprised.

"I should think that would be obvious. Though, I probably should apologize to Sheppard as well."

"I doubt he holds it against you."

"Perhaps not. But it would still be appropriate, would it not?"

"I suppose. But I wouldn't worry too much about it. He seems well over it. Do you care to explain what happened with Teyla?"

"Nothing, really. I only caught a glimpse of her as she was leaving the mess hall with Ronon. I felt her…emotions, for a moment."

"Really? And what was it like?"

"Cold. Hateful. Directed hate, like a weapon, almost."

"Oh come now. She's not that bad."

"I can only tell you what I felt. And I apologize for scaring you. I startled Sheppard as her intense focus on me for a moment caught me off guard. It was my understanding humans do not communicate in such a way. I had not expected it."

Frowning slightly as he played with his food for a moment, Carson considered this. "Aye, it's true. We don't. And, to be quite honest, I hadn't thought of it. I probably should have expected it."

"Not to worry. Much as Teyla's ability serves her and her team, perhaps one day I can use it the same way."

"That's true," Carson agreed brightly.

The rest of their dinner passed in relative silence occasionally broken with some small talk. Almost reluctantly, Carson left with the trays in hand. Alex promised to be in early in the morning for her expected injection. Again Alex found herself at a loss for what to do with herself. A lethargy stole over her that had nothing to do with the day's activities. Recalling vividly her encounters throughout the day, she found she had no desire for the time being to venture back out. Perhaps, in time, they wouldn't see her as a Wraith anymore.

Lying on her bed considering what she could do to change her appearance to maybe shake off the image of Wraith that so many still saw in her, she gradually dozed off.