Sheppard leaned back dangerously far in his seat as he raked fingers through his hair.

"I'm not comfortable with this." He looked across the table. "I told Woolsey that when he brought this up. But he insists it's in your contract."

Lennah Colare sat with her legs crossed as she listened. A hand hid her smile. She cleared he throat and shifted in her seat when she felt confident her poker face was in place. "I understand completely, John. It's prudent. If you and Woolsey think that it bears further scrutiny, I am completely in agreement."

It took absolute concentration to hide the fact that she was ecstatic.

"Well, I don't. The Genii were a one-time deal. Even McKay says the possibility is remote."

Lennah let his statement go unanswered. She was too close to begging him to reply.

"But, the point is…" He looked at her carefully. Trying to gauge, wondering, if she was up to the task ahead. "Colare… that you are requested to go on a solo mission to P39-427 to ascertain whether or not the villagers are hiding secret tunnels and nuclear labs in the basement. Zero interaction. You stay out of sight."

Colare sighed and rolled her eyes like a champion. "Very well, sir." She held her breath and counted three 'steamboats' as she looked Sheppard squarely in the eyes. "I accept."

John tapped his pen on the desk and slowly started nodding. "Okay then. Be ready to head out at 1700 hours."

Colare stood and offered her hand to her boss, her friend, and the BDU she equated with her late father. John took the hand and gave it a jerk.

"You be careful out there, Colare." He spoke softly and squeezed her hand before releasing it. "Now that that's over, let's go see the others."

Lennah nodded and leaded the way to the cafeteria with a secret smile.

Teyla knew Lennah's answer as soon as they walked into the cafeteria. She tried to keep her diplomatic pleasure from slipping into a beaming grin. McKay gave her a little nod and a smile. Ronon looked up only once she'd been seated. His smirk was as hard to read as ever.

Lennah felt that his smug attitude was because he thought she'd come running home after a day. The hell I will. No one was openly critical of her previous failure to come home safely. No one voiced any doubts. If anyone felt that she couldn't handle herself, they all kept quiet.

In public, at least. In private, it was a different story. And Lennah was sick to death with it.

Sure Ronon kicked her ass every time they sparred but few villagers matched his caliber. Teyla let her win now and then just to be sure that Lennah wouldn't loose all confidence. John felt her weapons skills were 'minimal' and her grappling expertise 'negligible value in the field'. McKay had run the probabilities for the betting pool, himself. Even Dr. Jennifer "Kidnapped in the Forest" Keller insisted that she pass First Aid every quarter.

It was as though they all stood to one side, looking over at her and shaking their heads.

Third time's the charm, guys. "Anyone save me some jello?"

* * *

As far as anyone's definition of missions went, it was boring. A complete bust.

Lennah was disappointed. Hours of careful observation, sleepless nights, and don't get me started on the blisters. There was nothing: some typical carvings on the cave walls where the village hid during cullings, the odd drunk, and some miserly traders.

They were all just very jumpy. Colare picked a farming couple and listened to their evening conversation outside their kitchen window. Nothing out of the ordinary there. She moved to leave and a twig snapped under her.

"Is that her?" the terrified wife panicked. Lennah cocked her head at that. Who's 'her'?

"Darling, you know I have no idea and I can't very well go out an check can I?" her husband soothed.

"No, no, don't do that. Just, just hold me, my love." Floorboards creaked inside.

The husband hummed and sighed as they swayed together. Lennah listened to the music of man and wood until they whispered their way into bed. She sat looking at the stars from a lowly kitchen garden a while longer into the night and felt so horribly alone.

The next day Lennah was watching the family from the woods when she came across some fresh tracks leading up into the caves. She knew it was none of the villagers because they never strayed out of each other's sight.

She rocked back on her heels and looked up at the girls playing in the garden. It was two hours and counting until she had to be at the gate to check in. The hike up the mountainside was three. This is the point when you either call it in or scope it out some more. What are you going to do, Colare?

Lennah looked down at the uneven footprints. Can't be very fast, won't get far, maybe not even a threat.

A shriek broke the laughter and song of the afternoon. Father came running, children ran into the house, and Mother wept over the empty cradle.