A/N: Okay, for anyone keeping up with my stuff, I've kinda got this informal series going called the "Cursed Colonel". What I mean by informal is that there are references throughout various other fics. The list thus far includes "Ylyanna" and "Vigil". But there's going to be more.

In the meantime, enjoy this little tidbit!


Pre-Sunday

"All teams, sir?" Major Lorne asked incredulously.

"Yes."

"On stand down?"

"Yes."

"For an entire day?"

"Yes, Major," Colonel Sheppard said again, the irritation becoming clear.

Lorne leaning on the back of a chair across the desk from his CO seemed to be contemplating this with an unusual amount of seriousness. Nodding to himself as if having come to a decision, he brought his attention back to Sheppard.

"Sir, should I prepare for the apocalypse now, or wait until we know more about the nature of the devastation?"

Sheppard couldn't help himself. He knew he should be irritated, maybe even pissed off with the nickname given to him by his SiC. But the absolute seriousness on his XO's face was priceless. Laughing, Sheppard grabbed a piece of paper and wadded it up to throw at the man who batted it away easily with a chuckle.

"So this is for real? We're recalling all teams and standing down?" a bit more lightly, but not quite grinning.

"Yes, Major. You've got nothing to worry about. This has nothing to do with the 'Cursed Colonel', as you call me."

Lorne smirked. "So we might survive this after all. Good to know."

For that one, Sheppard kicked under his desk sending the chair Lorne was leaning on tilting dangerously, threatening to make the man face plant the seat. Of course, with all the Major's love of martial arts he recovered his balance a bit more easily than Sheppard would have liked. "Doctor Weir is sending out word to the rest of the city as we speak."

"So she's the one behind this?"

"Yep," Sheppard replied, crossing his arms and leaning back. "The city is safe…for now."

"Then the real question is, what are we going to do with ourselves with a whole day off?"

"Not a damn thing, Evan," Sheppard replied with a grin that Lorne returned.