Hi all! I am soooo sorry that it took me so long to submit this new chapter – I wasn't expecting it to take so long to right. That and the fact that I've discovered Tin Man since I submitted last, so I've been reading up on those fan fics. And now on to the mail bag.

To cflat, thanks heaps for letting me know about the title! That was just weird. And I felt the need to add that in, because I knew that they hadn't really covered Markham's reaction in the show. It's also the reason I created this story and character, so that I can explore what goes on behind closed doors a bit. Thanks again.

To BlueDragon007, thanks. I was getting a bit worried, too. I wanted to have a bit of action in that chapter (what's a mission without some excitement?) but I didn't know how to do it. Then I remembered going to a huge crater lake when I was a kid and imagining falling in. It kind of grew a mind of its own from there. Also, I made up the names for Stackhouse and Markham – I hope no one minds.

To Alys5, welcome aboard! I'm glad your liking this. If you like Cole there's a bit more of him in this chapter and there'll be more in the next update. Please stay tuned.

To jasminesmommy, oh, I know! Kidding; I'm glad that you think that. Unfortunately I have to keep reminding myself that she is John's twin and that they are very alike. Otherwise she could end up like a distant cousin!

To gabumon, thanks. Please keep reading.

To Silent Me, thanks very much. I'm glad your enjoying it. Cheers.

To soulsurvivor156, haha, thanks very much. Yeah, with their relationship, she and John are just starting to pick up the pieces from where they left off, so there's bound to be a little tension happening (as you will see with this chapter). But that's how it is with every sibling relationship. And please stay tuned for more Sierra/Cam stuff.

OK, now please sit back and relax for the next chapter. As always, reviews are welcome. Cheers :)

-----Chapter 11 – Suspicion-----

Sierra bounced from one foot to the other, as her opponent circled her. She knew his moves inside and out, almost like she knew herself, and was ready for the swing as it came from her left. She blocked it easily and the next two swings before she was able to get her own in, putting him on the defensive. But her opponent knew her moves just as well. Sweat rolled down her brow as they danced across the mats in the gym, the spectators' subtly passing money between them.

A well-aimed kick caught her opponent in the stomach causing him to double over with a grunt. She used the opportunity to drop to a crouch and kick his legs out from under him. He landed on his back with a yelp and Sierra immediately leapt on him, pinning his arms and straddling his chest.

A cheer when up from the spectators and Sierra smiled to herself. She stood up and faced the soldiers gathered. "And that, marines," she said, wiping her sweat band across her forehead, "is how you do it."

There were several whoops, accompanied by a few groans of disappointment, and more exchange of money – before her view suddenly shifted and Sierra's feet were knocked from under her. As her back hit the mat the air was knocked from her lungs.

There was another cheer, and then someone practically sat on top of her. A collective chuckle came from the crowd.

"Isn't there something in the rules of engagement about not turning your back on your enemy?" said John from his perch atop of her.

Sierra sucked in a restricted breath, feeling his tail bone digging into her ribs. "Shut up, John," she hissed at him. "If you were a Wraith I would have decapitated you by now. Now get the Hell off me!"

John chuckled and helped her to her feet. Most of the marines that had gathered to watch the bout had paired off to their own space of gym-mat. Sierra picked up her towel and canteen, taking a large swig.

"How's McKay doin'?" she asked, curious how her brother's bed-ridden teammate was doing. As John and his team returned from their recent mission (under fire, again) McKay had copped a Wraith weapon blast right in the face. They hadn't been sure what damage had been done until they got him to the Infirmary. It had been a tense few moments for Team Sheppard.

John threw his own towel over his shoulder and sat on the bench to retie his shoelaces. "He's awake. Still mostly paralyzed, but. Beckett says he'll be fine."

Sierra nodded and sat down beside him. "Someone's out to get you, John," she said solemnly.

He sighed and leant back against the wall of the city. "I know. At least it's just Wraith this time, right?"

Sierra snorted. "For now. You have a unique ability of attracting trouble."

"Yeah, and it only seems to get worse whenever you're around," John said, nudging her playfully.

Sierra smiled quickly, feeling it slide off her face just as hastily. "This isn't coincidence anymore, is it? Them showing up every mission?"

John sighed again. "Nope. Elizabeth agrees. She thinks that there's a spy in the city."

Sierra looked down at her hands. It wasn't a pleasant thought. "Makes sense," she said. "This is, what, Encounter Five? Out of nine missions. Despite how much I hate to say it, Elizabeth could be right."

John grunted in accent. Sierra could tell that the idea wasn't a pleasant one to him either. John stood up with a groan. "Argh," he said, wincing. "See, this is why I go running instead of fight with you."

Sierra spared herself a chuckle. "Only 'cause I can kick your ass every time, you big baby," she muttered to him just loud enough to hear. John turned slowly, his eyes narrowed, and pouted as Sierra stood slowly with a sly, mocking smile. Sierra was a whole head shorter than him and she raised herself on the tips of her toes so that she was closer to his level. A bigger smile twitched on her face.

John let out a laugh and then threw his arm around her shoulders and, with superior strength, pulled Sierra into a head lock. She squealed playfully and tried to wrestle her way free as he attempted to Noogy her. Sierra gave one last attempt to pull herself free. As her head came out of John's grip she tripped over a leg that he had put behind her in an attempt to steady himself. There was a sharp pain in the back of her head as she came down on the floor.

-----XXX------

John followed Sierra into the Infirmary looking rather guilty. Grumbling half-heartedly, she made her way towards Beckett's hovel, John still following.

"You got a sec, Doc?" Sierra asked at the door to his office.

Carson looked up and was slightly startled by Sierra's appearance; she held John's gym towel to the back of her head partly as revenge for tripping her, and to staunch the steady trickle of blood coming from the wound that now donned the back of her skull. Blood had run down the back of her neck and over her shoulder, staining her tank top rather gruesomely.

"Wha' happened?" Carson sighed, standing from behind his desk and recovering from his initial surprise.

"My brother tripped me," Sierra said indigently. John gave Carson a guilty smile. "I hit my head on the seat in the gym."

"Sorry, 'Erra," John said softly.

She sighed as Carson led her over to the nearest free cot. "It's OK, John," she said. "You've given me worse than a split head."

His mouth twisted into a proper smile. "True," he said. He glanced toward the other side of the Infirmary. "Um, I'm gonna go check on McKay. You OK here?" When she nodded, he took a few steps before turning back to Sierra. "I really am sorry, 'Erra," he said, his shoulders slumped and his hands in his pockets.

Sierra gave a tiny laugh. "Give it a rest, John. I know you didn't mean it." John smiled at her apologetically before heading over to where Rodney was sleeping, the slightest bit of drool coming from the corner of his mouth. She laughed again before quietly saying, "I swear, Carson, it's like being ten-years-old again."

The doctor glanced at her from where he was dabbing at the wound in her hair. "Aye," he said. "Now ye know how I feel; especially after last months' incident with that personal shield device." He tutted. "Bunch o' children, if ye ask me."

Sierra couldn't help but smile at the memory. "It's just like when we were kids, him getting in trouble all the time." She laughed, remembering an incident from their childhood. "You know, once John got himself stuck inside a hollow log. Wedged his ass in there real good." It had taken their father and two firefighters over an hour to get him out of it. John had found it the funniest thing that had ever happened to him, while Sierra had been worried out of her mind.

Carson cleaned the cut on her head and prepped a needle and thread to begin stitching the wound closed. Ignoring the tugging sensation as the doctor worked, Sierra looked over to where John sat on a stool next to McKay's cot, watching him sleep. As she looked on, John picked up a tongue depressor that had been sitting on the table next to the cot and prodded the astrophysicist with it gently. John looked around guiltily for a moment before leaning over McKay a little more and tracing it across his cheek. Sierra had seen him play practical jokes on every roommate they'd ever had, but most particularly their brother, Dave. She rolled her eyes and blamed her brother's childish behavior on watching Stakeout too many times in collage. By the time Carson was done, John had only managed to get McKay to swipe at it twice.

"Now, I want you to take these," Carson said, handing her two aspirin, "and take it easy. You start to feel light-headed or things go blurry, you call me right away, alright."

Sierra nodded. "I will, Carson. Thanks a million." The Scotsman gave an aspirated sigh and a smile, as he helped her off the cot. Sierra watched him go with a small smile before moving to stand behind her brother. He was so engrossed in tormenting the sleeping McKay that he didn't notice her presence.

"McKay!" she shouted just as John was leaning over the doctor again, making McKay start awake. Rodney, seeing John leaning over him with a tongue depressor, quickly put two-and-two together and started shouting insults at John, blaming him for waking him. John, in turn, started to blame it on Sierra, who had already started walking away, her job done. Carson came hurrying back out of his office at all the noise, barely even noticing the smug, self-satisfied smile spread across her face.

-----XXX------

Sierra dragged a hand through her hair mindful of the stitches in the back of her scalp. She touched the spot gingerly scowling at the memory of yesterday's training session. Washing her hair last night had been a bitch. She had just come from an early training session and a late breakfast, and was heading to the Jumper Bay.

Stepping into the transporter, Sierra idly thought about the meeting that John's team was having with Elizabeth and Bates, the Head of Security, this morning. When it came to the safety of their people, the security of the base was a number one priority. The last thing they needed was a spy in their midst that was feeding the Wraith information on all of John's missions.

Sierra shuddered at the idea of someone in the city consciously betraying them. And then this morning outside the gym she had overheard Bates' explaining to Weir his theory that it was an Athosian who was tipping off the bad guys. Sierra felt a rush of anger towards the sergeant. From what Teyla had told her, no Athosian would feel personally inclined to tattle to a race that had delivered so much terror and fear for generations.

Realizing that she had been staring at the touch-panel of the transporter for the last minute, Sierra hastily pushed the button for the Control Tower. Radik had asked her to help him with figuring out the jumpers a little more, and seeing as it was Radik that was asking, as opposed to McKay, Sierra agreed.

The transporter doors closed and Sierra felt energy pulse around her as the tiny room was 'beamed' across the city. She shivered with the sensation.

As the doors opened and Sierra stepped out, she bumped into Teyla who was on her way into the transporter.

"Whoa, Teyla," Sierra exclaimed, grabbing the other woman's shoulders to steady her. "Sorry there. Hey, you alright?" She noticed that Teyla's face was set grimly and there was a fire in her eyes that Sierra had to say was anger.

The Athosian warrior-woman took a deep breath through her nose before answering. "Yes, I am. Thank you, Captain Sheppard."

"Please, call me Sierra; less of a mouthful."

Teyla frowned for a moment. "I have no trouble pronouncing your name, Captain, but if you prefer…"

Sierra smiled crookedly. "I do – it's less formal." And something my CO used to do, Sierra thought absently to herself but jerked her mind back to the present.

Teyla gave a small nod, her features softening slightly. "Very well… Sierra." She glanced back the way she came for a moment and the hardness was back. "Pleasant day to you," she said before stepping into the transporter.

"You too," Sierra said as the doors closed. What was that all about? She wondered absently. She cast a glance over her shoulder, the way Teyla had come. Through the glass of the door out to the Lower balcony, Sierra saw a figure leaning against the railing. The dark, messy hair made it impossible not to recognize him. Sierra frowned and started toward the balcony.

"What did you do to Teyla?" she demanded as she opened the doors mentally, making for a slightly dramatic entrance.

John turned to look at her, a little startled, then frowned at her tone. "That would be 'sir', lieutenant. And don't start with me," he said turning back to face to ocean, the wind ruffling his hair slightly.

Sierra raised an eyebrow and went to stand beside him. "It's 'captain' now, remember? You recommended my promotion after Kuwait?"

"I remember, Sierra. But you sound exactly like you did when we were in Eagle Squadron. Nagging me all the time."

Sierra shrugged. "You didn't listen to me then either."

"Yeah? So what's you advice this time? Lock 'em all up and forget about 'em?"

It was Sierra's turn to frown. "Whoa; defensive." She held her hands up in surrender. "I'm not here to give you advice – I just ran into Teyla. She seemed… distracted?"

John scoffed. "Distracted? Are you kidding? She looked down-right murderous." John was silent for a long moment. "She looked at me like I betrayed her."

Sierra watched him for a moment. His face was impassive, but Sierra had heard the tone of regret in his voice. He liked Teyla very much, Sierra had already guessed that. And suggesting to her that one of her own people was possibly working with the Wraith was likely the biggest insult someone could hurl.

"Just give her some time," Sierra suggested. "They're still new here, and new to the way we do things."

"I tried to explain that to her," he said, glancing down at his hands. He turned his head towards her a little. "I haven't screwed this up, have I?"

Sierra started a little at the question. It wasn't a common thing for John to question himself, especially not aloud. Self doubt was usually a fully internal thing with him. He must think things were really bad to be voicing his uncertainties.

Sierra felt pity rising in her but pushed it back, knowing that John would hate seeing it. "No," she answered, shaking her head. "I don't think Teyla will hate you for this. She may not like it, but that doesn't mean that she doesn't understand the situation. It'll be fine."

She could see that John really wanted to believe her words. "I hope your right," he said softly, as the wind blew in from the ocean, making Sierra's short locks whip about her face.

So do I, she thought to herself.

-----XXX-----

Sierra sat at her desk in her quarters as the hour passed 19:00. After she had helped Radik out with the Jumpers, the rest of her day had been uneventful. She was now busy catching up on the paperwork from her team's last mission. At dinner, she had run into Elizabeth and had talked to her for a while about the interviews that were happening with the Athosians. The diplomat appeared to be a bit frazzled as she was meeting a lot of resistance with her meetings. She said that she would be glad when they were over.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door. Sierra cast a puzzled look over her shoulder, trying to think of who would be visiting her at this time of night. Moving over to the door, she palmed it open and for a moment was slightly startled to see Teyla there. Then she remembered.

Seeing as Sierra had been a teacher at her previous occupation, Elizabeth and John had suggested that she teach Teyla how to read and write their written language. The most common written language in this galaxy was Ancient, and only a small portion of the people on the base could actually read that fluently. So, it was almost necessary for Teyla to understand their language. After that, Sierra had to move onto the computer systems… Well, at least Teyla could speak English.

"Captain – Sierra," Teyla greeted. "Is this a bad time?" she asked, seeing Sierra's confused expression.

"No!" Sierra said standing aside to let Teyla in. "Not at all. I just…" Sierra hesitated.

"You were not expecting me?" There was terseness to her voice.

Sierra felt a wave of sympathy for the other woman. "I thought that you might've wanted to skip today's lesson… especially after today."

Teyla lowered her head a little. Sierra suspected that the day had worn on her. "I would rather not let the… situation distract from previous engagements."

Sierra smiled a little. She couldn't help but wonder if Teyla was always so formal. "I understand," she said. "Come on in and we'll get started.

They had just finished the English alphabet (Teyla had breezed through that) and were now onto vowels and consonants. But Teyla's heart didn't seem to be in it.

Finally, after repeating the difference between vowels and consonants and their uses for the third time in half an hour, Sierra set down her note pad and looked pointedly at Teyla. The other woman looked up at her, confused and surprised at the intensity of Sierra's gaze.

"Did I do something incorrect?" Teyla asked, glancing down at her own note pad. Sierra couldn't help but notice how foreign the ballpoint pen looked in her slender warrior hands.

"No," Sierra replied seriously. "But something has got you majorly distracted. Do you wanna talk about anything?"

Teyla frowned as though confused by Sierra's wording before sighing and setting her pad and pen aside. "May I speak with you, as a confidant… and a friend?"

Sierra blinked; as if she needed to ask. "Of course you can."

Teyla nodded in thanks. "I fear–" she started, pausing a moment and looking at her hands. "I fear that I am torn." She looked up at Sierra, her eyes conflicted. "Between the needs of my people, and my own desire to stay in the City of the Ancestors and fight. Can they not see that I would stay for them?"

There was a sudden passion in her voice that Sierra had heard once or twice before, when describing how distressing their lives were on the run from the Wraith. But there was also a desperation that she'd never heard before and Sierra wasn't entirely sure what she was referring to, though. "What's happened, Teyla?"

The other woman looked lost for a moment. "My people talk of leaving this place. My place is with them… but I do not wish to join them. I do not know what to do," she finished softly. Sierra wondered how long she had been stressing over this.

"We all have to make difficult decisions in our lives, Teyla," Sierra said earnestly. "Believe me, I've made some shockers. But it's the difficult ones that help us grow." She paused, choosing her words carefully. "You have to do what you think is right. No one can make that decision for you."

Teyla looked at her, wide-eyed. Her bottom lip seemed to tremble slightly, and she looked more vulnerable than she ever had in the short time that Sierra had known her. The Athosian woman looked down at her hands again. "Crossroads have never been my strong suit."

It seemed like an unusually Earth-thing to say. Sierra smiled reassuringly. "You're a leader, Teyla. It'll be second-nature to you soon enough."

The Athosian gave her a grim smile and picked up her pad again. "I never thought there might be a day when I could be separated from my people." She glanced up at Sierra. "I believe I now have a small idea of what you feel, being separated from Earth.

Sierra looked down for a moment as one face flashed behind her eyes. She forced a smile as she blinked it away before the pain started. "It gets easier." Sierra picked her own pad up. "Now, consonants are every other letter of the alphabet. And, you can't have a word that doesn't have a vowel in it – just doesn't work."

Teyla smiled gratefully at her over the top of her pad. Sierra smiled back gently.

"Thank you, Sierra."

"Anytime."

-----XXX-----

The news of Major Sheppard and Lieutenant Ford's discovery of a sizable chunk of land the next morning swept through the city like wildfire. For the first time since they had arrived in the city, the Rumor Mill was put into overdrive. Rainforest hikes, sunbathing and surfing had never been such hot topics for the men and women of the Atlantis expedition. As Sierra sat in the Mess Hall the afternoon after the mainland's discovery, she felt the swirl of conversation flow and ebb around her.

John, of course, was the boulder of gloom in the middle of the stream. She had spoken with him quickly as he came out of the Jumper bay right after the scouting mission, Ford bouncing excitedly beside him, and he seemed very proud of his discovery. She had also joined them in the debriefing with Weir, Bates and McKay, and watched her brother's face become darker by the second.

Now Sierra cast a concerned glance at John as he moodily stabbed at his dinner, while the late afternoon chatter buzzed around them. She opened her mouth several times to say something reassuring, but everything she thought sounded condescending in her mind. Instead she looked back down at her tray and kept silent.

Sierra knew very well that John was thinking particularly nasty things about Sergeant Bates right now. And possibly about Elizabeth, too. This definitely wasn't starting out to be a good week for John. Sierra bit her lip and decided to finally break the silence.

"So, some sweet waves, huh?" she said, hesitating when John didn't even register her attempt at conversation. "Now I wish I'd brought my surf board."

"You don't surf, Sierra," John said, monotone, pushing a few peas across his plate. "Hell, you don't even swim anymore."

Sierra bit the inside of her cheek. So he had noticed her change in recreational activities. "Well, I bet there's some pretty cool hiking trails, then."

He snorted, his eyes still on his food. "Yeah, ones probably carved by massive dogs… or killer wombats, or something worse."

Sierra sighed in frustration. Obviously the Mainland was a touchy subject. "God, John; anyone'd think that you wished you never found that chunk of land."

His eyes darted up to hers. "Well, maybe I do! Do you know what Bates and Weir wanna do with it?"

"Yes, John, I do – I was there too, remember?" John's voice was rising in volume, and Sierra hoped she might be able to placate him slightly.

But John continued like she hadn't spoken. "They wanna turn it into a fucking penal colony, that's what. Maroon the Athosians there with God knows what kind of alien monsters and make 'em fend for themselves! They're our friends – aren't we s'posed to be treatin' them better than this? I mean, accusin' them of workin' with the Wraith is bad enough, but this–"

"John!" Sierra hissed at him. "Stop making a scene, and shut up will ya?" Most of the people within earshot were staring at him. He promptly shut his mouth and looked back down at the cold food on his plate. He looked ashamed and angry at the same time.

Sierra cast a concerned glance at him. "Look," she said in a hushed voice. "I know that you don't agree with some of the things that are goin' on around here, but you probably shouldn't go mouthing off like that. People start doubting the ones in charge, and then you get a mutiny."

He looked up at her sharply, frowning crossly. "Don't lecture me, Sierra; I'm not in the mood."

She frowned back. "Yeah, well sometimes you need it." He glared at her across the table. The training session that had them playfully wrestling on the gym floor seemed like weeks ago now, instead of two days ago. John's fist was clenched like he wanted to hit her for real now. If Sierra pushed him too far, she knew he would.

"Firstly; there's a time and a place, John," she said coolly before standing and picking up her tray, moving well out of range. "You know it as well as I do. Secondly; Elizabeth would never make the Athosians go anywhere they don't wanna go. And thirdly; Bates is Head of Security. He was also Sumner's right-hand-man, so there's no surprise he doesn't like you. Don't make him hate you more."

John gave her a cold smile. "Now you definitely sound like you did back in Eagle squadron."

Sierra's lips quirked. "And maybe this time you'll listen to me." With that said, she turned and headed out of the Mess.

-----XXX-----

The next day, the topic had changed to the departure of the Athosians that morning. Bates, especially, seemed much more relaxed and even a little smug. Sierra felt like punching the little dweeb's face in every time she saw it.

An hour after the Athosians left, Teyla had come by and visited her, sitting on the edge of the bed for a good half hour but not saying anything. Sierra was pretty sure she was hurting, being separated from her people. She sat next to the Athosian, chatting to her about all the things she missed about home, and the first thing she would do when she got back. Most of it seemed to fly straight over the younger woman's head, but Sierra didn't mind. A bit of mindless conversation seemed to be just what Teyla needed.

After a while Teyla's curiosity seemed to get the better of her and she asked some questions here and there, before thanking Sierra and getting up to leave.

"I truly appreciate your friendship, Sierra," she had said softly before opening the door.

Sierra smiled. "Anytime. I know I can count on you for an ear to chew on." Teyla frowned, looking slightly alarmed. "It's just an expression," Sierra clarified. "It means 'someone to talk to'." Teyla nodded.

"My door is always open." And with that, she left.

Later that afternoon, as Sierra stood in the Gate Room next to her team, ready to embark with John and his team, she glanced across the space at Teyla. The warrior woman seemed to be holding up OK, and was trying to ignore McKay's explanation of how a Naquidah reactor worked. From the look on Teyla's face it seemed that she had asked a question she no longer wanted to know the answer to. Ford rolled his eyes and pulled a face at Sierra from the other side of McKay and she spared herself a smirk.

Beside her, Stackhouse and Markham were talking about that morning's departure in hushed tones. Sierra tried studiously to ignore them. On her other side, John was having a witty conversation with Elizabeth.

"Would you like us to bring back anything special?" he asked, almost flirtatiously. Sierra blinked at him. Damn Casanova.

"Uh, no thanks," Elizabeth replied, clearly trying to ignore John's charm.

"Groceries? New outfit? Flatware?"

Elizabeth was trying not to smile. "No – just yourselves in one piece, please." She ordered the 'gate be dialed and headed back towards the Command Centre. Sierra raised an eyebrow at John, silently asking what that had been about. He, in turn, ignored her. Well, OK then; it seemed that he was still crabby at her for what happened at dinner yesterday. Sierra shrugged as the wormhole engaged.

No matter how much she wanted to stick it to John right then, and march off ahead of him, she knew it wouldn't be right to undermine his superiority like that. They all depended on the structure of the military, the hierarchy of command, following orders. So Sierra waited for John to lead his team through the Stargate and then followed close behind him.

-----XXX-----

She was bored. They'd been babysitting the archeologists for over two hours now, and it was getting really old. Sierra was itching for a run (or a fight, particularly whenever she looked at John) and she could see that her team was thinking the same.

She had wanted to ask why it was necessary to have two teams accompany the research team offworld, but had held her tongue. This was John and Elizabeth's decision so she wasn't about to question it; especially not when John and his team seemed to have a very large target painted on their backs.

As much as she enjoyed the outdoors, sitting on her butt upon an uncomfortable rock, under the too-warm sun of an alien planet isn't exactly what she had planned for her afternoon. Cole came and sat on the rock next to her and handed her a fresh canteen.

"How much longer are we to sit here?" he asked in his upper-class British accent. Sierra shrugged.

"Until they find something," she replied, gesturing to the archeologist team. "Or 'til we get attacked. And Teyla and Ford should be back soon." Sierra sighed. "Personally, I would prefer some action. It'd make the day pass…" She trialed off when she saw a pale, grey shadow moving in the trees. Less than a second later John was shouting 'Wraith!' at the top of his lungs and ordering them to fall back to the 'gate.

Pushing Cole firmly in the chest, Sierra shoved him so that he tipped backwards over the rock, and was hidden behind it. She followed him a second later.

Damn it, I fucking jinxed us, she thought to herself. "Fall back!" she shouted to Cole as Wraith weapon fire flew over their heads.

Weaving in between boulders, ruins and weapons fire, Sierra covered Cole as they made a dash for the 'gate. And then she was fighting shoulder to shoulder with John.

"Man, you sure know how to throw a party!" she cried to him over the noise of P-90 machine gun fire.

"Just shut up and shoot!" John yelled back at her. Sierra, promptly put in her place, turned her attention back to the fight. She lined up a Wraith soldier that was heading straight toward them and fired off enough lead to make him sink to the bottom of the ocean.

Behind them, Dr. Corrigan, one of the leading anthropologists in the city, had dialed the 'gate and punched in his IDC. Sierra turned to make sure that he and the other scientists made it through OK. Just as she turned back to the fight, John straightened, motioning for her to fall back, and was struck by a Wraith stun blast.

"John!" Sierra cried as he fell. Swinging her P-90 around to the attacker, she squeezed the trigger and fired a dozen rounds into the Wraith soldier. He went down with a grunt.

"Stackhouse; Cole; cover us!" she barked and her teammates knelt down, taking out the approaching Wraith. "McKay; help me!" she bent and seized the front of John's vest and started to drag him backwards. "Fall back, everyone!" Now that her brother was currently out of action, Sierra had to take up the slack of ranking officer. They had to follow her now.

"What about Ford and Teyla?" McKay shouted over the din of weapon's fire. Of course, he was the exception.

"Now, McKay! NOW!" And he followed then, without anymore objections.

It was strangely quiet and still in the Gate Room when they stepped back through, without the yelling of orders, advancing Wraith and gun fire. Of course, after the 'gate shut down, it wasn't quiet for long when McKay started arguing that they had to go back to save Teyla and Ford. But Sierra wasn't paying much attention; she was currently more concerned about her brother.

"Hey, you," she said, touching a finger to his neck to check his pulse. "You can wake up now: bad dream's over." His pulse was a little more sluggish than usual, but present. Sierra breathed. Soon the paramedics arrived and she was manhandled out of the way so they could get John to the Infirmary.

-----XXX-----

Half an hour later, Sierra was sitting by her brother's bedside, staring at the floor. Even though she knew that John was only stunned, Sierra couldn't help but worry about him waking up.

As she sat by his bed, still in full kit (Markham had managed to wrestle her P-90 from her grip somewhere between the Gate Room and the transporter), she couldn't help but think about the last proper conversation they'd had.

It was silly, she knew, but she couldn't help but think that those words could be the last they ever spoke; and they had been spoken in anger and frustration.

"Argh… 'Erra?"

Sierra's head shot up when she heard John's voice as he tentatively called to her. Bolting out of her chair, she came to his side and took hold of his hand.

"I'm here," she said softly, her voice shaking with relief. And once she started talking she couldn't shut her mouth. "Look, John; I'm sorry about yesterday. I was mad about Bates and his conspiracy theories, too. And I just – I don't know. I'm sorry. We shouldn't be arguing. But I–"

John slapped a hand over her mouth to quite her. "Stop," he said forcefully. "And be calm." A smile was tugging at the corner of his mouth. "It's nice to know you care."

Sierra gave him a small smile in return once he dropped his hand. "I really am sorry, John."

"Hey, forget it. I'm sorry, too. I should have taken it out on a punching bag, not you." John paused for a long moment. "You were right," he said finally. Sierra looked up at him, wondering if she'd heard him right. "Yeah, OK – I said it. You. Were. Right."

Sierra's smile widened and she sat on the side of his bed. "Sorry, I'm just reveling in the moment, here."

"Oh, shut up."

It was a little while longer before full feeling returned to John's limbs but he still had pins and needles all over. Once Carson had come over and told them that he was free to go back to work, Sierra helped him out of the scrubs and back into his uniform. The second he had his pants back on, John started worrying about Ford and Teyla.

"They're smart enough to take cover until we're able to go get them," Sierra said as she passed him his black t-shirt and jacket.

But John wasn't too convinced. Sierra could tell that he was still worrying about his missing teammates, even though he didn't show it. Together, they walked to the Control Room where Elizabeth had requested them to attend the debriefing. When they got there it wasn't much of a debriefing, more an interrogation from Bates. Stackhouse and McKay were debriefing the Head of Security and the Commander. Sierra felt a rush of concern for her teammate. Cole, who was the second in command and should have been there instead of Stackhouse, was absent.

"How did Teyla and Lieutenant Ford get separated from you?" Sierra heard Elizabeth ask as she and John ascended the stairs.

Stackhouse answered immediately. "They went to check out the area and try to make contact with some of the natives."

"And who's idea was that?" Bates demanded, as Sierra and John reached the top of the stairs.

"Mine," John said calmly, though Sierra knew there was a lot of concealed aggression in that one word. Bates, Stackhouse, Weir and McKay all looked over as the Sheppards came to stand with them. "She was following my orders," John finished.

John waved off Elizabeth's concerned glance, while Bates looked the major up and down. There was no concern in his gaze.

"Why didn't you go with them, Major?" Elizabeth questioned as John sat in the nearest chair, wincing.

As John answered Elizabeth, Sierra watched Bates, who was watching John with ill-concealed distaste. To Sierra it was clear that Bates hadn't gotten over that first fateful mission that had ended with Sumner's death by John's hand. Of course Sierra was the only one who really knew how much that mission still affected John's dreams, but she wouldn't ever tell Bates that. She'd never give him the satisfaction.

Sierra was brought back to the conversation as McKay said loudly, "So was Ford; maybe it was him."

Bates ignored McKay. "I'm just stating a fact, Sir," he said still watching John.

At that moment, John stood and quickly walked towards Bates. Sierra's heart beat quickened and she quickly stepped in front of John, between the irate major and the arrogant sergeant. She was a head shorter than her brother, so he was able to look over her head a Bates, which wasn't exactly making matters better.

"Sergeant," John said coldly. "I am only going to say this once…"

"John," Sierra warned quietly, setting her hands on John's chest to keep him from advancing on Bates any further. Though she wasn't really sure why she was bothering. As it was, Bates had taken a step closer to them, so that he was almost touching her back.

"With all due respect, Major," Bates said just a coolly over the top of Sierra's head. "You can reprimand me if you wish, but it's been six times already your team's been compromised. Only one Athosian knew about this last mission."

Sierra felt her own anger bubbling in time with John's. Looking around her, she could see that everyone else thought that too. And now she'd had enough.

"You all believe that she's a spy for the Wraith, don't you?" No one looked at her. "Don't you?!" she shouted.

"You have to face the facts, Captain." Sierra turned to glare at Bates over her shoulder. "She's not who she says she is."

"And who do you think she is?" Sierra shot back. "A person who cares deeply about her people? Or someone who is willing to fight and protect those she cares about?"

Bates was silent, but Sierra could see the unspoken answer in his eyes. Depends on who her real people are. She clenched her fist, preparing deck him but John's hand fell on her wrist. Blood was boiling in her veins and she contemplated breaking out of John's hold and hitting the sergeant in the jaw anyways. John's other hand came around her shoulders, holding her fast.

At that moment, the silence was broken by the Stargate coming to life.

-----XXX-----

It was Teyla who came through the 'gate, dragging Ford's unconscious body behind her. There were no hordes of Wraith, as Bates had predicted, and no resistance from the Athosian as the marines arrested her and escorted her to the Brig. John, however, was murderous as he watched the Head of Security's back as he followed his prisoner. Sierra, a great deal calmer now that Teyla and Ford were back safe, touched her brother's shoulder and followed after them, making sure the peace was kept.

Before today, they'd never had the need to use the Brig, so Bates had called McKay down to figure out how to operate the cell. The marines stood guard while Teyla was stripped of her weapons and vest and moved to stand before the closed door of the cell in stoic silence. Sierra moved to stand beside the other woman in equal silence.

As McKay struggled with the controls to the cell under the watchful eye of Bates, Sierra was automatically devising an escape plan. She hoped they wouldn't need it, but her years in the Air Force had conditioned her mind to always be prepared for everything.

After ten minutes of silence form Teyla, Sierra decided to break the ice.

"I know that you're innocent," she said simply. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Bates look over at them. "And I don't care what anyone else says."

Teyla raised her chin, still staring ahead of her. If Teyla had any shortcomings, it was that she was a rather proud person. Not stubborn or pig-headed like John and McKay, but she had a fierce integrity that didn't take challenge and accusation well. Sierra hoped that her declaration had given Teyla some indication that people still believed in her.

Another ten minutes passed in further silence. Finally, much to Bates' relief, McKay got the cell open. Sierra couldn't help but tense, her hand inching towards her sidearm.

"Do not," Teyla said suddenly as she stepped into the cell. "I believe I know what you are thinking and I ask you; please, do not."

Sierra was surprised for a moment, amazed that Teyla had known she was itching to spring her escape plan, and the other woman's words stopped her. But Teyla was her friend and Sierra hated to watch the door of the cell shut again, the force shield shimmering across it.

Sighing, Sierra threw a scathing look at Bates before saying, "We'll get this all cleared up, Teyla; don't worry."

Teyla smiled slightly and nodded infinitesimally. "Thank you, Sierra."

Sierra nodded back and left the Brig to find her team. She hoped all this wouldn't last too long.

She found them in the gym, huddled in the corner and talking in hushed voices. She knew Stackhouse and Markham were tapped into the rumor mill at its source and were no doubt discussing with Cole the latest scandal: Teyla's current residence.

Clearing her throat, she called their attention to her presence by the doorway. All three of them looked up at her like they'd been caught smoking behind the washrooms.

Sierra raised her eyebrow. "Anything I should know about?" she asked, folding her arms across her chest.

Cole, Stackhouse and Markham stepped away from each other, coming to attention as she walked towards them. Stopping a few feet from her team, Sierra fixed each of them with a hard look.

"Well?" she said, her hands on her hips, tapping her foot expectantly.

Stackhouse glanced between his teammates before answering. "I was filling Markham and Lieutenant Cole in on what happened in the Gate Room."

"Is it true, ma'am?" Markham asked.

"Is what true?" Sierra demanded, her tone a little too harsh.

"That Teyla Emmagan has been arrested because she's a spy for the Wraith?" Cole finished, almost eager in his curiosity.

Sierra stiffened. "Yes and no," she answered. Whether or not they were the fuel of the gossip grapevine, they still deserved to get the facts right, "Yes, Bates has arrested her and locked her in the Brig; and no, she is not a Wraith spy."

"Then why did Bates arrest her, ma'am?" Markham asked, frowning.

"Because he's paranoid," Sierra burst out with frustration. "He's just seeing shadows in the corners because it's the easy answer."

Cole, the brave (and slightly stupid) man that he was, took a step towards her, reaching to put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. He froze when Sierra's icy gaze flicked to him.

"And where the Hell were you?" she demanded, her temper getting the better of her. "Where were you when Stackhouse was debriefing with Weir and Bates?"

Cole dropped his eyes to the floor, letting his hand fall to his side. He hesitated, not answering.

"You better have a fucking good excuse, lieutenant," Sierra threatened, "Especially when you were supposed to be there instead."

Cole snapped to attention again, his mouth opening to speak, but seemed to rethink his words. "I don't have an excuse, ma'am," he mumbled.

"I don't care what you were doing, Cole, but when you are on duty, you do your goddamned duty. Understood?"

"Yes, ma'am," he said louder, his Adams apple bobbing as he swallowed.

"Good. Dismissed." The three of them snapped to attention before scurrying out of the gym. Sighing, Sierra moved over to lean against the wall. This was all getting to be too much. Glancing out of the stained glass windows, she noted that the sun was dipping rather low over the ocean. Sierra idly wondered how the Athosians were doing on the Mainland.

"Captain Sheppard?" came Grodan's voice on her radio, making her start back to awareness.

"Yeah?"

"Doctor Weir, Major Sheppard and Sergeant Bates are waiting for you in the Briefing Room."

Sierra sighed again. "Thanks, Grodan. I'll be there in a minute." Pinching the bridge of her nose, she said to the empty room, "What a mess." Glancing about her she tried to remember the day when she and John had wrestled together just feet from where she stood. Only a few details had stayed with her.

Heading back into the hall, Sierra took the transporter back up to the Briefing Room. When she got there, an argument was in full swing.

Stopping at the door, she saw John and Bates on either side of the small briefing table, John standing while Bates sat, with Elizabeth sitting between them, resting her head on one hand and her eyes darting between the major and the sergeant.

"It's my job to express security concerns, sir," Bates was saying while John was clearly angry. Her brother had his back to her, and Sierra could see the tension in his shoulders and the way his hands were tense where they rested on his hips.

"I've heard enough of your concerns," John said bitterly, a warning in his tone.

But bates didn't seem to hear it and pushed on. "Again, with all due respect, Major, I believe you're putting your personal feelings in front of your–"

"You're dismissed," John said, cutting across the sergeant. Sierra winced at the venom that was behind those two words. They glared at each other for a moment, two pig-headed, testosterone-fueled men both thinking they were right in every way. Sierra could practically feel the sparks flying around them in the small room.

Whatever Bates had been going to do, he seemed to think better of it and stood stiffly. "Yes, Sir," he bit out curtly before snapping a salute, gathering his files and leaving the room.

John paced the room for a few moments and Sierra considered making her presence known. She could see the stiffness in his back and knew that any further aggravation would cause him to blow up like he had the day before. John noticed Elizabeth staring at him from her seat at the table.

"What?" he said, pausing in his pacing.

"I'm the one who put him in charge of security," the diplomat said matter-of-factly.

John turned to face her. "Yes, you did; and if you wanna dismiss me, go ahead."

Elizabeth was pensive for a moment. Looking John in the eye, she said, "Why don't you go see how Lieutenant Ford is doing?"

From Sierra's position in the doorway, she couldn't see his face, but she could see the surprise in his stance. She could tell that John hadn't expected Elizabeth to actually dismiss him. She saw him sigh through his nose before walking past Elizabeth and the briefing table, and out the door Bates had left through.

Sierra stepped into the room as Elizabeth set her head on her hand and glanced over at her. "Welcome to my life," Sierra said softly, taking the chair on Elizabeth's right.

"I thought I was going to have to get a hose for a moment," said the diplomat, dragging a hand though her hair. Sierra allowed herself a small smile.

"Yeah, John tends to get that way when someone questions his judgment," Sierra said. Bates had been lucky just to get reprimanded. Others had fared far worse, mostly due to John's potentially short fuse.

Elizabeth shook her head, looking slightly lost. "What do I do here, Sierra?" she asked. "Who do I trust; my Military Commander or my Head of Security?"

Sierra was slightly surprised by this moment of weakness that Elizabeth was showing. It wasn't normal practice for the expedition commander to show this kind of indecision. Sierra also knew that Elizabeth was already loosing sleep in this job. She sighed.

"Well," she started. "I, personally, am more inclined to trust John's judgment; only because I know him better." She looked Elizabeth in the eye. "But I'm not the commander of this base. I think you're gonna have to go with your gut on this one."

Elizabeth looked down at the table, seeming to think over Sierra's words. "I don't know what to think," she admitted. "I almost want Bates to be right, because that seems to be the easy option. I almost want it to be Teyla…" She paused to look up at Sierra with conflicted eyes. "Because the alternative is much worse."

Sierra shivered at her words. "Like it could be one of us." Elizabeth nodded.

Sierra knew with all her heart that it wasn't Teyla, but it was a sickening thought thinking that it was someone from Earth. No one wanted to think that. Especially not when Elizabeth picked most of them herself. Sierra tried to think of what must be going through Elizabeth's mind.

She straightened as the other woman stood and turned to leave. Sierra opened her mouth to say something reassuring, but nothing would come out. She clenched her teeth together as the door slid closed.

-----XXX-----

Sierra took a late dinner down to Teyla that night, mostly to soften the blow of the news that Bates had been through her things. The warrior woman didn't seem too phased and the two of them ate in silence. At about 21:00, just as Sierra was clearing everything away to take back to the Mess Hall, a call came down to the guards on duty. Sierra cautiously watched them as one came over and unlocked the door of the cell and stood aside.

Sierra moved to stand in front of him, 'Hooper' his name badge read, and raised an eyebrow.

"Major Sheppard has ordered the release of the prisoner," Hooper said monotone. At that moment Bates entered the Brig. He had something in his hand.

"That is mine," Teyla said coming to stand in the doorway of the cell, but not crossing the threshold.

He held Teyla's necklace by its links. "It's a transmitter," he said. "Major Sheppard claims that your father gave it to you when you were a kid."

Teyla inclined her head slightly. "That is true," she said, eyeing the pendant.

Bates growled very softly, almost too low for them to hear. "It was activated by Major Sheppard touching it when he found it. It's been dormant for years, McKay reckons."

"I see. Thank you, Sergeant Bates, for telling me." Without another word, she strode past him and headed out of the Brig. Sierra crossed her arms and looked at Bates.

He seemed a little smaller and deflated than he had been a few hours ago, and glanced sidelong at Sierra but didn't say anything. She hoped that he was properly chastised. Holding her hand out for Teyla's necklace, she practically snatched it from him as soon as he held it out to her. She pushed past him on her way out, glad that she was the one feeling smug this time.

She met John and his team in McKay's lab, where Ford was going through a plan of attack and explaining about the explosives in front of him that were his specialty. The plan was to capture a Wraith for questioning using the transmitter as a lure to get them there. Sierra went to bed that night satisfied that their plan would work and that it had been a very interesting and intriguing day. They'd had the Athosians leaving that morning, getting shot at around lunch time and a solved mystery by nightfall. All in all, she was exhausted. Hopefully tomorrow wouldn't bee quite as exciting, mission exempted of course.

-----XXX-----

The mission had gone without too many hitches, at least as much of it as Sierra could remember; she ended up taking a stun blast between the shoulders just after the first charges blew (lucky shot from a Wraith soldier), and dropped like a rock. The next thing she knew, she was waking up, staring at the Infirmary ceiling with Markham and Stackhouse leaning over her and smirking as the first words out of her mouth were, "Ah, crap – I missed it!"

Carson had released her as soon as she was able to stand, primarily because he was tired of her complaining at missing the first major showdown they'd had with the Wraith. At the Scotsman's request, John had collected her and proceeded to take her to the Brig to showcase his trophy, whom he had named Steve.

Sierra had to admit that being that close to a Wraith was rather unsettling and she ended up waking up in the middle of the night a couple times, worrying that it was going to escape and kill them all. But Sierra had full confidence in the marines on guard and once she remembered that, she slept soundly.

And so, with everything back to the way things were, it was business as usual. The next mission that Sierra and her team had been given was to find a deer or a sheep or a cow (or the Pegasus Galaxy equivalent) for John's 'pet' to feed on. There was no way in Hell that Weir or John would ever consider feeding a person to the Wraith, even an enemy. Sierra made the mistake of jokingly offering Bates as a snack, and her brother had glared at her so fiercely that she had backpedaled immediately. Apparently spending all that time with the Wraith was making John a little sensitive to jokes of that sort.

Sierra and her team eventually happened across a suitable beast to feed to the Wraith, but were discouraged when it refused to eat the offering.

"Now, that's just rude," Sierra burst out, covered in dirt, grass and animal blood, while Cole stood beside her, holding a field bandage to a gash in his shoulder. Markham and Stackhouse had fared a little worse and were both in the Infirmary sporting a dislocated shoulder and sprained ankle, respectively.

The animal they had captured was the Pegasus version of a wild boar and had just bludgeoned itself to a bloody death by ramming repeatedly at the walls of the cell for over half an hour. The Wraith, on the other hand, had flipped the metal framed bed they had provided it with and created a safe barrier for him to sit behind while he obsessively watched the blood dripping down Cole's arm.

Sighing at the fleshy mess that was once an animal, Sierra led Cole out of the Brig to the Infirmary, slightly unnerved by the Wraith's fixated stare at her teammate. Sparing one last glance at the massively tusked animal that Stackhouse had affectionately named Boris, Sierra wished that it was edible; Teyla had informed them that the blood from this particular animal was very acidic and the meat was poisonous to humans. Was it too much to ask for a normal spit of pork?

Two days after that mission, Sierra was called to supervise the official, formal apology delivered by Sergeant Bates to Teyla Emmagan and, by proxy, the Athosians.

Sierra had tried not to enjoy the fact that Bates had been wrong and had to apologise to a rather intimidating Teyla (who could so easily have kicked his ass). At least, Sierra tried her best not to enjoy it. Bates seemed to have taken the proof of Teyla's innocence in his stride; however he did have a rather scathing look in his eyes as he left the room. He didn't seem to be able to let it go and Sierra wondered briefly if he was channeling Colonel Sumner's spirit.

After Bates had left, Teyla asked if Sierra would kindly ferry her over to the Mainland to see her people. Sierra, who wholly loved flying the jumpers, agreed; she also wanted to see how the Athosians were doing, and she missed Jinto a little.

A few hours later, in the Jumper bay, Sierra looked up from her pre-flight check as Teyla entered the cockpit of the jumper.

"You all ready to go?" Sierra asked cheerfully once the Athosian had stashed her bag behind the passenger seat.

"I am indeed," she replied enthusiastically (well, enthusiastic for Teyla). Sierra smiled.

"Anxious to see your people again?" she asked. Teyla took her seat as Sierra guided the jumper up through the 'sunroof'. The crystal-blue sky was picturesque.

Teyla smiled a little. "Perhaps," she admitted. "Halling says the last of the crops are ready to plant. In five moons we shall be feasting on tuttleroot soup and baywood beans at the First Harvest Feast."

"Excellent," Sierra replied. "Sounds like a good time."

Teyla shrugged. "I have attended many. It is a time when our people thank the Ancestors for bestowing upon us their bounty. It is also a time to share a drink or two with a friend."

"Can't wait." They sat in comfortable silence for most of the flight to the Mainland, the only sounds the gentle humming of the Jumper's systems. The land mass had just appeared over the horizon when Teyla spoke up again.

"I must thank you again, Sierra," she said softly. "For believing in me when Sergeant Bates was accusing me of conspiring with the Wraith."

"Ah, forget it," Sierra replied, a little awkwardly. "I wasn't the only one, anyways. And after some of the stories you and Halling told me about the Wraith, and how they've tormented the people of this galaxy, I didn't think that anyone could ever work with the Wraith."

Teyla's expression became dark. "That is not so," she said. "There are stories of others coming across humans who worship the Wraith; who do their every bidding in return for the rewards from their Masters." She turned and looked out the front view screen again. "Though I do not wish to dwell on what those rewards might be."

In spite of the warm atmosphere in the Jumper, Sierra shivered. The fact that humans worshipped the Wraith was a disturbing and worrying fact (and the why evaded her right now) and Sierra knew that she was going to have nightmares about this later.

"Do Doctor Weir and Major Sheppard know about this?" she asked, her voice an octave higher than it should have been.

Teyla looked over at her. She paused for a moment. "No, I believe they do not. But, yes; it is something they should be aware of. I shall speak with them once we return to the city."

Sierra nodded absently. Her mind was filled with images of humans kneeling before a Wraith before offering themselves as a sacrifice. She shook the images from her head as they approached the landing area.

Jinto and Halling were there to greet them as soon as the hatch lowered and Sierra was almost bowled over as the twelve-year-old boy hurtled into her to hug her around the waist. Once she regained her breath, she greeted both Jinto and his father, before presenting Halling with a crate of medical supplies that Carson had been able to spare.

Sierra and Teyla were swept into the encampment with both happy smiles and cautious stares. Before they were invited to dinner, Teyla insisted on explaining to her people everything that had happened over the last twenty-four hours. By the end of it there were a lot less distrusting looks shot in Sierra's direction and the atmosphere was far more relaxed.

By the time Teyla's story was finished, Sierra was famished and they invited her to their table with open arms. The meal was good, and Teyla introduced her to Charin, Teyla's mentor and grandmother figure. Charin was the oldest living Athosian; by Sierra's estimate, she had to be in her eighties. She was a sweet and kindly woman who had many stories to tell of the legends of the Ancestors and of the Athosian people. But there was also sadness in her. She told Sierra that her husband and both her children had been taken during separate cullings years past. Somehow the elder woman seemed to sense in Sierra that she had experienced a similar happening. All she could do was nod when Charin mentioned it.

The Elder nodded. "Yes, it is a pain that is not easily erased. All we can do is live for those we loose." And then she gave her a knowing smile.

Sierra couldn't help but smile back and accept another helping of tuttleroot soup that Charin passed to her. The soup was delicious and no doubt made with love and kindness that Charin exuded from her being. The children danced around her feet holding up their bowls for more soup and Charin ladled it out to them with warm, motherly smiles.

After the feast, Teyla and Sierra shared Charin's tent, sleeping on bedrolls on the floor while the Elder slept in a bed made of blankets and firs. But Sierra definitely wasn't complaining – she could sleep anywhere.

The next morning dawned bright and Sierra insisted on helping the Athosians plant the last of the fields of tuttleroot seeds and baywood bean saplings. It seemed like the whole village was out helping and Sierra worked side by side with Jinto while he chatted to her endlessly, asking a hundred and one questions about the places she'd been, the planet she came from and all the people she knew. If Sierra ever got tired of all the boy's questions she never showed it, mostly because she was sure that if Keenan, her son, had lived, he would be just like Jinto.

By nightfall they had all the fields planted and sat down to another delicious feast of roast hibbon meat, an animal that, in Sierra's mind, looked like a sheep with a goat's ears, but tasted like pork. That night she lay in Charin's tent again after listening to more of her stories for an hour, and was asleep almost immediately. Sierra had never been a religious person, but just before she fell asleep, she thanked any god that was listening for everything she had, from her pocket knife to her friends, including the ones she had made today, to all the stars in the universe that she was going to explore.

-----XXX-----

A/N: please let me know what you think. And next chapter will be a bridge between this episode and The Storm. I'm not going to be rewriting every episode – that would be EPIC! Please stay tuned for more.