"Secrets and Challenges"

Ch. 4

(Ext. Atlantis)

"What?" Stacey, Weir, and Sheppard asked in unison.

"Well, not really an Ancient. But she has the healing gene that the Ancients had," Dr. Beckett explained.

"So, my healing ability isn't a mutation like my father thought," Stacey said.

"It's more of a step further in Human evolution," Beckett said.

"So, not a mutation?" she asked.

"No," he said.

"Okay, so I'm not that much of a freak after all, then," she said.

"Special would be the word I would use, actually," Beckett said slowly.

"Okay, so Stacey has the Ancient's healing ability. How does that help the situation?" Sheppard asked.

"I'm not sure yet," Beckett said.

"Well, in the meantime let's get to work on a cure for these people doctors," Weir said.

The two nodded and headed to the Medical Lab.

(Stacey's Quarter's)

It had been more than 78 hours since Stacey had been in her quarters. She took the opportunity to take a nice, long shower and a well needed cat-nap. Well, actually, Carson kept urging her to take the nap and shower.

First, she took a shower. A nice, long, hot shower. Stacey stood in the shower just standing under the shower head for several minutes. The hot water felt so good and soothing against her aching muscles.

Second, she took a nap. A nice, two and a half hour nap. Stacey hadn't realized just how tired she was until she lay down on the soft, cushiony bed. Someone, most likely John, covered her because she was too tired to even put a blanket over her.

When she woke up, John came in the room carrying a tray of food and a cup probably filled with coffee.

"Room Service!" he said, setting the tray down on the bedside table.

Stacey sat up and took her covers off. She put her hand on his cheek and kissed him softly on the lips.

"Thank you," she said, turning to her food.

It was nothing more than a turkey sandwich. But, it filled her up nicely. When she was finished she placed her empty coffee cup down and said:

"So, you're not mad at me?"

"I was at first. But, then I remembered what happened the last time you told someone close to you about your secret. And I got over it," he told her. "Besides, I can't stay mad at you for very long anyway," he grinned.

"Why is that?" she asked, leaning forward and giving him another kiss.

"Because you do stuff like that,"

Stacey smiled. John returned the kiss with a passionate kiss. She wrapped her arms around him gently. Stacey leaned forward so much that John fell back onto the bed. But, he stopped suddenly.

"Wait, control, Stace," he said. They got up slowly. "We have a job to do, remember?"

Right," she nodded, suddenly getting businesslike, putting on her white, medical, coat. "Sorry."

On her way out, John stopped her, gently putting his hand around her arm.

"Hey, we can still do it. Just not now," he said.

"After we found a cure, right?" she said, putting her hair up out of her eyes and leaving.

"I was thinking a little sooner than that!" he shouted.

"You can wait. I do it all the time," she shouted back.

John opened his mouth, and then closed it again.

To be continued . . .