Sorry I haven't updated in so long! Please read and review … and mail me chocolate. :D

John's mind was reeling with the idea. Atlantis was a ship in her own right. She'd proven it to them almost two years ago. And he knew Elizabeth was right. She was about to prove it again.

He had started walking and hadn't even paid any attention to his exact location when Rodney came around the corridor.

"There you are. Look, I've been thinking," Rodney told him in greeting.

"So have I."

Oblivious to whatever point John may have wanted to make, Rodney kept going. "There is another ship that can help defend Earth."

John held in a rhetorical "duh" and agreed. "I know. We're standing on it."

"The city! Exactly!" Rodney exclaimed. "The only problem…"

"ZPMs."

"Yeah, but if we wanna get there in time to make a difference," John's tactical brain translated that into "before Earth gets taken over" as Rodney kept talking, "we need a full complement."

John sighed, tired of acting like he was completely clueless. "Where do you think I'm headed, Rodney?" he asked, hurrying away from the astrophysicist in the corridor.

Echoing behind him, he heard Rodney murmur, "Right."

John smirked and in short time found himself facing Todd yet again. After the Wraith asked if it was going to die soon, John got to the point. "The other ZPMs you talked to Woolsey about? Tell us where to get 'em and maybe it'll improve your situation."

"Am I supposed to be enticed by this offer?" Todd asked.

No one could say that Sheppard wasn't honest. Then again, at this point in time, he had a lot to lose if Todd didn't help. "No. I'll probably kill you anyway. But don't forget - this Wraith betrayed you and got away with it. For no other reason, you might wanna do it out of pure spite."

Todd leaned back in its seat again, smiling slightly. "You know how to talk to me, John Sheppard," he finally answered as he burst out laughing.

After Lorne and his team came back through the 'Gate, taking the ZPMs to McKay to make sure the City wouldn't blow up, John began to take his leave of Woolsey. "All right. I'm headed to the Chair Room," he said, starting to walk away.

"Actually, Colonel," Woolsey replied, grimacing a little, "you won't be flying the city for us. In fact, you won't be coming with us at all."

John turned and stared at him. His body couldn't respond any other way. "What are you talking about?"

Woolsey sighed. It was obvious he didn't want to be the bearer of bad news. "You have a half an hour to pack and then you'll be gating back to Earth. Even with the ZPMs, there's still a good chance we won't get there in time, and Earth's only other line of defense is the Ancient weapons platform. General O'Neill wants you in the Chair."

"But Elizabeth's-"

"Colonel, I understand how you're feeling," Woolsey began, trying to placate the anxious soon-to-be father in front of him.

"Oh really?" John snapped back at him, tilting his head as he stared at the older man. "Have you been asked to leave your wife, just as she's about to give birth?"

Woolsey had a retort ready, but it died on his lips as he considered the colonel's words. "No," he honestly admitted. "I haven't. I know you may not believe me, but it was almost unbearable to ask that of you. I even pleaded with General O'Neill to let you stay behind."

John's fury began to soften a little at Woolsey's words. "He didn't go for it?" he asked, scrunching his face in anticipation of the reply.

Woolsey shook his head. "He did not."

John sighed, running a hand over his face. He licked his lips nervously, having suddenly gone dry. "Do I have enough time to see her before I go?"

Woolsey nodded. "After a half hour, we'll be out of range of a Gate address for a few hours. Make it quick."

A moment later, John almost stumbled into the infirmary, the disconcerting words from Woolsey still tumbling around in his head. He wasn't going to be allowed to witness the birth of his first child. He wasn't going to be there for Elizabeth. After everything that they had gone through during her pregnancy, would she forgive him for deserting her now? Could she even consider forgiving him?

He saw Keller and Carson conversing in his office, the younger woman listening intently to the Scot as he carefully explained the situation. With a final nod and a reassuring pat on her shoulder, Carson turned to exit the office.

John raised his head to him, nodding with a crooked smile as Beckett paused next to him on his way out. "Hey, Doc. You gonna be okay?"

Carson nodded his head vigorously, yet John could still sense the tension rolling off of him. "I've discussed Elizabeth's situation with Jennifer, and I'm confident that she can handle it."

Raising an eyebrow, John smiled at Carson. "What about you?"

Carson winced. "To be honest, Colonel, I'd prefer giving birth myself than being in the Chair right now."

John almost snorted.

Looking over his shoulder at the closed off section of the infirmary, Carson sighed. "Elizabeth is the strongest lass I know. If anyone could give birth while Atlantis is under attack, it's her." He extended a hand to John as a parting gesture. "Even though I won't be here with her, I will do everything in my power to ensure her safety. I promise you that."

Sheppard nodded in acceptance of Carson's promise, accepting the offered hand. "Good luck, Carson."

"And to you, John."

He heard the footsteps fade, then he sighed heavily, closing his eyes for a moment.

"Colonel Sheppard, please report."

John gritted his teeth. Not even bothering with formality, he tapped his earpiece. "I'm in the infirmary. I'll be there in 20 minutes."

He heard a faint, "Understood," as he pulled it out and stuck it in his pocket.

He knocked softly on the door, waiting for Elizabeth to reply as he cracked his knuckles nervously. As soon as he heard her voice, he opened the door, leaving it open just an inch.

Elizabeth was still laying in the same position, having not moved since the last time that he had been here with her. The doctors wanted her to have as little stress as possible, full well knowing what was to come. John had considered asking for her transfer to SGC, but taking into account that Earth was in as much danger as Atlantis at this point, he wanted her to stay here. In their home.

She sipped from her water cup, motioning John closer with her free hand. "Hey," she whispered, smiling as she extended a hand towards him.

He returned her smile with an awkward one, holding her hand as tightly as he could.

"What's wrong?" she asked immediately, seeing the color slowly draining from his face.

"We got the ZPMs. Atlantis will be heading for Earth soon. Right after I gate to the SGC," he said quickly, expecting a slap or a sob from his wife. When she said nothing, he added, "They want me in the chair in Antarctica."

She gaped at him. "What about our chair?"

He ran a hand through his hair. "I'm guessing Carson will be in the chair here. Seems General O'Neill specifically asked for me." He narrowed his hazel eyes at her, still concerned at how well she was taking this. "Are you okay?"

She glanced up from staring fondly at her belly. "I'm fine," she assured him with a wide smile.

"You sure? Because I thought you'd be more upset with me."

She shook her head. "I'm not mad at you. Just ... frustrated at the circumstances." She tilted her head to the side in contemplation. "Although I may have to kill Woolsey next time I see him."

John chuckled, placing both of his large hands over their baby. "Tell you what. When this is all over, we'll let Torren and our baby have a playdate, we'll grab some dinner, then we'll kick Woolsey's butt together. How does that sound?"

Elizabeth smiled at him, then winced, leaning forward as she started to breathe more heavily.

His eyes flared in concern. "What is it? What's wrong?"

She gripped his hand tightly, pacing her breathing as she waited for it to pass. "Contraction," she said after a moment of silence.

John glanced to the door, then shook his head determinedly. "I'm not leaving you here alone," he whispered through gritted teeth.

"You aren't," Keller replied from the doorway, holding a clipboard.

"John, it's your responsibility to help people. Carson will be fine, but Earth needs you more. Make sure our son has an ancestral ground to go visit, all right?"

He turned and glanced at the doctor. "Can you give me another minute?"

"Sure."

Waiting until she was out of earshot, he leaned forward, planting a kiss on her sweaty forehead. "Can you forgive me for this?"

She sighed, but still smiled at him. "I wouldn't forgive you if you didn't go."

He braced himself over her, gently kissing the belly below him, then looked at Elizabeth. "I'll be back soon. I love you."

"I love you, too," she replied as a single tear trailed down her cheek.

John cupped her cheeks, kissing her deeply until they were out of breath. Holding his forehead to hers, he half grinned. "Don't name the baby until I get back."

She laughed, then nodded to the door. "You better go. Be safe."

"I will," he replied, walking backwards to the door, not willing to break eye contact with her until he had to.

As he rounded the corner, leaving his wife alone in the bed, he pressed himself against the wall, forcing himself to breathe. Leaving her was the last thing he ever wanted to do, especially now.

He grimaced, thinking back to something that one of his superiors told him a long time ago. He was letting his emotions overrun him, control his thinking, his actions. Classic mistake, as some might say.

However, as he painstakingly allowed himself one final look at Elizabeth before he left, the overwhelming love and need to protect her became the focal driving force behind his actions. He returned his earpiece to its place, checking in with the control room, knowing that he was doing the right thing. He would protect this City - and Earth - at all costs. Making sure that his family would have a future to look forward to became his motivator. And nothing would stop him.

Nothing.

Elizabeth felt a faint shudder as the City jumped into hyperspace. Given her condition, she wasn't sure if it emanated from her or Atlantis. They both had plenty of reasons to worry. By now, John was already back on Earth, probably en route to McMurdo. Teyla and Ronan had elected to stay with Atlantis and fight, come what may. Carson was in the Chair, Rodney nearby as he observed the power readings on the ZPM.

She slumped against the pillows in the infirmary bed; she felt useless down here. Yes, she was in labor, but a part of her felt like she was inadvertently hiding down here.

Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Woolsey entering the infirmary, immediately seeking out Dr. Keller. Jennifer had been left to juggle everything medically related as long as Carson was operating the Chair, but looking at their experiences over the past two years Elizabeth had nothing but the utmost confidence in the young doctor.

Woolsey said something to Jennifer which made her visibly swallow, despite Elizabeth's vantage point being well across the room. Keller gave a curt nod, then paced over to her bedside, smiling as she approached. "So, how are we doing?" Jennifer asked, her tone too cheerful for the situation.

Elizabeth managed a small smile in return. "Jennifer," she replied, reaching out to cover the doctor's hand, "you don't need to be doing this for me."

Jennifer shook her head in confusion, still smiling. "What are you talking about?"

"I saw Woolsey come in," Elizabeth replied, nodding to the open doorway. "I saw the way your face fell."

Jennifer swallowed again. "Oh. Umm, well, he was just making sure I was prepared for any casualties we might have during this skirmish."

"As well as the fact that Atlantis might disintegrate if we exit hyperspace at the wrong time?" Elizabeth calmly inquired, keeping her serene gaze on Jennifer as she spoke.

Startled, the young doctor began struggling for words. "I - I didn't say that."

"You didn't have to," Elizabeth replied kindly, knowing that adding further stress during her labor was the last thing that Keller wanted to do for her patient. "I've lived in this City for five years. I know what can happen. You don't have to patronize me because I happen to be in labor at the moment."

Almost in defense, Jennifer began to reply, but a look from Elizabeth silenced her. She finally nodded in acceptance.

As the two women went their separate ways for the night, they both knew they were preparing for the hardest day of their lives.