"Secrets and Challenges"

Ch. 33

(Atlantis Future, Gate Room)

The woman looked over at the SF's.

"Stand down boys," she ordered. "I'll escort them to the Infirmary myself."

"Yes, Dr. Jackson," one of the men said, as the others reluctantly put down their weapons.

Stacey and Daniel looked at one another. The dirty blonde haired, blue eyed woman led them to the Infirmary.

"Well, you clearly know who we are," Stacey said. "Who the hell are you?"

"I'm Dr. Emily Carter Jackson," the woman said.

"You're my daughter?" Daniel asked, clearly interested in all of this.

"And who's this Dr. Sheppard?" Stacey asked.

"You're son, Dr. Adam Sheppard," she informed her. "Allison will be very glad to see you."

(Atlantis Future, Infirmary)

A brown hair, brown eyed man was hunched over a patient.

"Post Mission Physicals," Emily whispered to the two.

"Nice to know something's don't change," Daniel commented.

"Well, there's nothing wrong with you, Allie," the man told his patient. "Like I'd find anything, though." he added sarcastically.

"Thanks, bro," the brown haired, green eyed woman said, jumping off the bed. "Dinner in an hour?"

"Always," Adam said, smiling.

"Adam," Emily greeted him.

"Hello, Em," he greeted her. "Who are these people? I have never seen them before on the Base. Have Earth brought us more personnel?"

"Mom?" Allison gasped at the sight of her mother. "You're alive," she glanced down at her mothers over growing belly. "And pregnant."

"I need them checked out. Make sure they're the real thing. Can you handle it Adam?" Emily asked.

"Sure," the thirty year old shrugged. "She died when I was young. So, I really don't remember her."

"Okay," Emily nodded.

Emily left, leaving Daniel and Stacey to their physicals.

"So, I have a feeling what happened," Stacey said.

They looked at one another. Daniel nodded.

"Solar Flare," the two said in unison.

"That would be my guess, too," A very old Samantha Carter came walking in. "Sorry to intrude. But, as soon as Emily told me I had to come down and see for myself."

Sam was in her late 60's. Her blonde hair fading into gray. Sam walked closer to the group. She looked into Daniel's eyes and touched his cheek softly.

"It's really you," she said in a low voice.

When Daniel gave a small nod in confirmation, the old Sam sobbed and collapsed into his arms. Daniel wrapped his arms around her softly.

(Commissary)

Daniel, Stacey, and Emily ate dinner with Sam, Adam and Allison.

"Without trying to change the future too much: How many of the original Atlantis expedition members, from our time are alive?" Stacey asked.

Daniel looked quickly at her.

"All I need is a number," she told him.

"There are two left," Emily sighed.

"What?" Daniel asked.

"There were more than 100 people on the expedition and there are only two left!" Stacey said, surprise written all over her face. "How?"

"We shouldn't say anymore," Sam broke in.

"Okay, then who?" Stacey asked. "Clearly Sam is one of them. Who's the other?"

Sam sat back in her seat and sighed. Allison glanced over to Sam.

"She's going to find out sooner or later," she told her.

Sam took in a deep breathe and leaned forward. "Major General John Sheppard."

To be continued . . .