Chapter 6

One week ago...

Sitnalta looked at her sleeping love. Then she placed her ear piece on her ear and tapped it.

"Major Lorne," she called. Right now he was the only one she could trust.

"Yes, Sitnalta," he replied. Though it was late, he was a light sleeper and would have heard the beeping of his ear piece.

"Get dressed, Evan. I need you to fly me somewhere," she told him.

"Where?" he sleepily asked. But she could hear the faint noise of cloth as he got dressed. The stars bless the American military mind, she thought.

"I'll explain when we get to the jumper bay," she replied.

"I thought you had the ATA gene?" She could hear the sleepy frown in his voice.

"Of course. But you're world is incredibly confusing. I'll never find anything without your help," she told him.

"Okay," he said, not questioning her further.

She quickly dressed as well. Then she bent over and kissed Rodney's sleeping mouth. This finally woke him enough to open one eye.

"Where are you going?" he mumbled, seeing her dressed.

"I'll explain later, love," she said with another kiss. He surprised her by snaking an arm around her waist and pulling her down on top of him. He deepened the kiss for a moment. Finally she pulled back. "I have to go," she reminded him.

"Where?" he asked again.

"I'll tell you in the morning."

The call had come only ten minutes ago. Just after the party at the White House, Rodney had bought Sitnalta a cell phone. It had been nothing more than a joke, for there was less than a dozen numbers saved in the phone book: nearly everyone Sitnalta knew were on Atlantis. And she could reach them via the com-line. But perhaps Rodney had felt the need to show off some of earth's advancements.

One of the numbers stored in the phone was that of Jeannie Miller, Rodney's sister. It had been she calling.

The tune was set on an old Modern Talking song she found amusing: 'Atlantis is calling.' It was actually rather annoying after midnight, yet it had not seemed to disturb Rodney. So with bleary eyes Sitnalta had picked up the phone and stepped around the corner so not to wake the man sleeping in their bed.

"It is very late," she answered moments before the time she knew the tune would end and the call would be send to voice-mail.

Jeannie was crying. "Please, please come and get me," she had sobbed.

"What happened?" Sitnalta had instantly asked.

"Caleb...Caleb," she sobbed, unable to make herself understood. But Sitnalta hadn't cared what was the matter; she only knew her friend was in trouble and she needed her help.

"I'll be there as soon as I can," she had assured the other woman.

"Don't tell Mer," Jeannie had managed before breaking the connection, referring to her brother.

#####

The flight was smooth and quiet. Fortunately the Millers had a patch of open lawn at the back of their house, and Lorne landed the jumper without a bump; cloak engaged.

As they approached the back door, it flew open and Jeannie ran out and into Sitnalta's arms. She was still crying, but Sitnalta was sure there was an edge of anger to her tears.

"The lying, cheating bastard!" she finally managed between sobs.

"Who?" Sitnalta asked.

"Caleb! I found him with one of his students!" she wept, but there was definitely an edge to her voice.

Sitnalta frowned. "I do not understand," she said, still holding her friend. "Surely he has to be with his students to teach them?"

Now Jeannie pulled away, looking at Sitnalta with disbelief. "He was with her!" she tried again, stressing the one word. Sitnalta still did not understand.

But Lorne seemed to. "Where is he?" he asked Jeannie, a mean note to his voice. The young Major greatly respected Jeannie. But why he should return to the jumper and fetch the Wraith stunner, Sitnalta did not understand.

"What are you doing with that?" she shrieked.

"Perhaps if I shoot him just right, he won't be able to use it again for a week," the young man explained. If the conversation had been perplexing to Sitnalta before, it had just turned completely unfathomable.

Jeannie gave a tight little grin, but then she shook her head. "No, leave him. Just take me and Madison to Atlantis," she told Lorne, referring to her young daughter. She preceded them into the house where two suitcases stood. On one sat the blonde little girl. Jeannie picked her up and Lorne picked up the suitcases, resignedly handing the stunner to Sitnalta.

Two minutes later they were on their way back to Atlantis. Sitnalta was sitting in the back with Madison sleeping in her arms. Jeannie sat next to Lorne. None of them spoke. It was only as they approached the bay that Jeannie finally leaned over to Lorne and softly asked:

"She really doesn't understand?"

Lorne glanced behind him at Sitnalta, who pretended not to hear.

"Can you just imagine Rodney cheating on her?" he asked; answering the question with another. But suddenly Sitnalta understood.

"Cheating!" she shrieked, making Madison stir. Still angry, but with less volume she looked at Jeannie. "Caleb cheated on you?" she demanded, suddenly sorry Lorne had not shot the man. And if he shot Caleb just right with the stunner...oh! So that was what he had meant, she suddenly realised. With sad eyes she regarded her friend.

"I'm so sorry," she said. But words seemed inadequate. And no wonder she hadn't wanted Rodney to know: Rodney had been taking his job as older brother very seriously recently. He would have shot Caleb.

Jeannie shook her head. "It's partly my fault, I know," she said, fresh tears in her eyes. "I was just so sure everything would work out," she added. By now the puddle jumper was sliding into its bay. "Please don't tell Mer. I'll tell him in my own time," she pleaded. Both Sitnalta and Lorne nodded.

"But I would suggest you do it sooner, rather than later," Lorne warned her. "You can't keep a secret on Atlantis."

"I know," she replied.

Together Lorne and Sitnalta helped the distraught woman and her daughter to an empty room. They would talk again in the morning.

Ten minutes later Sitnalta crawled into bed, cuddling up to Rodney. She could not imagine losing him to another woman. She could not imagine losing him, at all.

"Wha..." he began. But she snuggled closer and he pulled her into his arm, her head resting on his shoulder. She would never give him up.