Disclaimer: Don't own it, wish I did, I just like to play with SG-1 once and a while. I'll put them back when I'm finished. I promise. (And if I owned it, Stargate SG-1 would run forever.)
Beta Reader: Edited by Jon from stargatetwins dot com (2013) (Typo's are all mine.)
Reviews: Scottiedog: Thanks, I know it was a little long, but I really did want both sets of twins born in that chapter. I'm glad you liked it. Winjan: I loved putting Woolsey in to just for some fun. As for you question about the Ancients not demanding Auratora back too. That was a mistake on my part or I can say they didn't realize the city had been discovered. Whichever sounds better? Astrollama: Hi, I hope you got my email. No, I'm not an ER nurse, blood makes me sick, but I do read a lot and do a lot of research. As well, as watch a lot of Stargate. Broken Fire Hydrant: First, I love the name. So cool. Second, yes I do write long chapters. But I've got to admit, that last one was longer than usual. Cassandra Jean: Thanks for the review, sorry, but this is the last chapter. I need a break and it was time to end it, but the possibility of a sequel is there. No promises though. I'm glad you liked the last chapter and hope you like this one too. Deathzealot: Hi, thanks for reviewing and thanks for reading my other stories, I'm glad you liked them too. I try to get my readers to feel along with the characters, so I'm happy when I find out my readers do. And yes, I realize there are spelling mistakes in some chapters of some stories, but I didn't have a beta reader for a lot of them. I've only had a beta reader for half of this story, but I'm managing. And yes, there will be a new story; I'm working on an Atlantis one, so look out for it.
Author's Note: Well this is it, the last chapter, I've really enjoyed writing this story, but like all good things, it's time to end it. That doesn't mean that later on down the line there won't be a sequel, because you just never know. But for now I need a break and this is as good a time as any to finish it.
2015 Author Note: This isn't the last chapter, as is stated in my old author note. I decided the chapter was just too long and I've split it into two chapters.
DF
Chapter Fourteen: Walking through the darkness
At Auratora, Teal'c was coming to enjoy this pastime of 'time off', especially when Teyla gated from Atlantis to share her Sunday with him, along with Ronon. The three had spared. The former runner stating it was the best workout he'd had in a long time, mostly because there had been no rules. Teyla had enjoyed watching the two men she cared about flight with grace and cunning. Enjoying the flexing muscles and the sweat making their skin gleam, it was a thing of beauty.
Teal'c never questioned how they'd gotten into this relationship, two men and one woman. He loved Teyla and he knew Ronon loved Teyla. Teal'c considered Ronon a brother, and as brothers they would share and accept the love that Teyla offered them and that was that. Whether anyone else liked it or accepted it was not his concern. His teammates didn't care and neither did theirs. This was their life and they'd live it how they saw fit.
Walking away from the Gate Room, where he'd seen both his lover and his 'brother' off, he smiled. Today was a good day.
"Uncle Teal'c!" a small voice called out.
Stopping, he turned and saw Ari Jackson running towards him. He caught the little boy when he jumped into his arms. "Are you enjoying your Sunday, Ari Jackson?"
"Uh huh."
"Where are your parents?"
"They're coming, mommy said I could run ahead when I saw you," the little boy grinning.
Teal'c saw the rest of the Jackson family approaching, along with their nanny Leanne, who was carrying Aeron. Daniel had Clair, and Sam carried Nick, the twins in baby slings. Teal'c bowed his head in greeting.
"How was your day off, Teal'c?" Sam inquired, smiling.
"It was… exceptional, Samantha Jackson," he answered her, purposely using her married name.
It made her smile widen; she loved the way her name rolled off his lips. "And how were Teyla and Ronon?"
"They were well."
Daniel smirked at that. "I think that is a polite way of saying we should mind our own business, Sam."
"I would not say that," Teal'c said straight faced.
"Of course you wouldn't," his friend remarked. "But we've known you a long time, Teal'c," Daniel reminded him.
"Indeed."
Sam chuckled, hearing Leanne do the same. "So, Teal'c, heading to the mess?"
"I am," he answered, and walked with them after putting Ari back on his feet, the little boy taking his hand. "Have you seen Kayla Jackson and Colonel Mitchell today?"
"They went to Earth early this morning," Daniel revealed casually. "The President gave his permission for them to tell Patrick and Maria Sheppard about Danny. They revised the cover story a little." He saw Teal'c arch an eyebrow. "Patrick Sheppard is ex-Air Force – full-bird Colonel. There was no way he was going to swallow the Deep Space Telemetry story."
"No one does," Leanne broke it too them.
"True," Sam agreed. "Dad didn't."
"Anyway," Daniel continued. "They are going to spend some time with the Sheppard's, and then with Cameron's parents; they should be home soon." When they all smiled, he frowned a little. "What?"
"You just said they'd be home soon?" Sam pointed out. "You're referring to Auratora as home."
He shrugged. "Well it is."
"Indeed." Teal'c happily agreed.
Sam's name was called over the cities communications system, requesting she contact Stargate Operations. She tapped her earmic. "This is Dr. Carter…" she listened to the message. "All right Lieutenant, arrange quarters, we'll deal with the rest tomorrow. Carter out." She then told the group, "The President and the foreign Ambassadors involved with the Stargate Program have decided that all marriages performed on Auratora, Atlantis and our off-world bases are now legal. With that said, Father Joshua Kavan will be arriving in two days' time. We're going to have to arrange an office and chapel for him."
"Actually, that won't be too hard," her husband declared. "I know a part of the city that would be perfect for a chapel."
"Really?"
He nodded. "I'll show you later," he promised, and then noted, "At lease Cameron and Kayla won't have to make a fast trip back to Earth 'when' they get married."
"When is right," Sam mused, chuckling. "I know they don't want to wait, but they can't seem to get themselves organized to do it either."
"Well, I haven't known Colonel Mitchell or Kayla for long, but from what I've heard of the two of them, I think they'll just decide to do it one day and that will be it." Leanne theorized. "No fuss, they'll just go and get married."
"You're probably right," Daniel said straightforwardly. "It sounds like something they'd do."
Sam nudged him gently, being careful of their daughter in the sling. "And you'll miss walking your daughter down the aisle."
"Giving her away to a man old enough to be her father," he winced as he said it, and then sighed. "If it's what they want, then I'm not going to stop them. Besides, I have two other daughters."
"So you do," she mused, and they chuckled softly. She quickly changed the subject. "So, Teal'c, have you heard from Rya'c?"
"I have, he and Kar'yn are handling parenthood well. My grandson is strong and healthy," he said proudly. "They are planning to visit when he is older."
"What did they call him, Teal'c?"
"A'lek," he said. "Little warrior. Appropriate for my grandson."
Daniel and Sam glanced at each other, and then said together, "Indeed." Teal'c smiled and bowed his head a little, getting the joke. In the mess hall they joined Margo, Jack and the boys and their nanny, after getting their trays. Sam filled Jack in on the message she'd received from Earth.
"I've heard of him," Margo told them. "He has a doctorate in Psychology and Mythology, so he'll be able to help me out, and he'll probably get a kick out of the Library."
"Great, a holy geek," Jack groaned, and was nudged by his wife. "What?"
"Behave yourself," she warned.
"Yes dear."
Sam chuckled. "Did Teyla and Ronon say how Carson was, Teal'c?"
"They did," he reported. "Doctor Beckett is recovering; Lieutenant Cadman is looking after him, as is Doctor Keller."
"Carson was lucky," Daniel said, sincerely. "If Rodney hadn't been able to beam him out when he did, then he would've been killed."
"McKay has his moments." Jack agreed. "Not many of them, but he has them."
"And threatening him helps," his friend noted casually. "Impending death always seems to motivate him."
"Oh yeah."
Margo groaned. "Enough," she told the two of them. "Poor Rodney."
"Darlin', there is nothing poor about Rodney McKay," Jack told his wife.
"Nothing at all," Daniel stated. "Especially since he's still pining over my wife."
Sam chuckled. "Rodney is not pinning."
"He's pinning."
"I believe Daniel Jackson is correct," Teal'c said bluntly. "Dr. McKay is indeed pinning."
"Told you," Daniel said smugly.
"Well, he can pine all he likes," she said. "I'm quite happily married."
"Yes you are," her husband bragged, making everyone laugh.
DF
At Auratora, two days later, Dr. Samantha Carter hurried down the stairs to the Gate Room. She smiled, greeting the new arrival, "Father Kavan, welcome to Auratora. I'm Dr. Samantha Carter."
"Dr. Carter, it's a pleasure to meet you, General Landry and Colonel Reynolds have been telling me a lot about you and the rest of SG-1," Joshua Kavan said with a smile. He was tall, broad shouldered, and looked more like a full back then a minister. There was a touch of grey to his brown hair, which was kept short. Enthusiasm shone in his hazel eyes as he looked all around him.
"How are Ali and Kelly and the kids?" Sam inquired, breaking into his thoughts.
"They're doing well, the boys love little Jenny," he said, knowing the Reynolds' well. "I have pictures for you."
"Thank you," she gestured the young woman over to them. "This is Sergeant Gayle Allston, she'll show you to your quarters, and then the area we've set aside as a Chapel, and your office."
"It's nice to meet you, Gayle," Joshua greeted.
"And you, sir," Sergeant Allston said. "I'll take those, sir," she offered, and took the two small bags. "The rest of your belongings arrived earlier this morning, and have already been taken to your quarters."
"Thank you."
"Why don't you take those to Farther Kavan's quarters while I brief him in my office; you can meet us there, Gayle," Sam suggested.
"Yes Ma'am," she said, and then hurried away.
"She seems a nice young woman," Joshua noted.
Sam smiled. "She is," and was going to explain more about the city when the Stargate activated, the shield activated and the Marine guards took up positions. Sam quickly ushered Father Kavan up to Stargate Operations. "Do we have an IDC, Sergeant?"
Sergeant Heather Higgins checked the read-out on the laptop perched over the dialing console. "Yes, Ma'am, it's SG-1, code red."
"Damn," Sam swore softly. "Medical team to the Gate Room," she ordered into her earmic. "Raise the operations shield and lower the Stargate shield."
Joshua Kavan watched as energy-pulse weapons fire came through the open Stargate. The defense troops held their ground, prepared to take out anyone other than their own people. Half of ASG-1 came through first; Daniel was helping a limping Major Montgomery, a field dressing wrapped around his thigh. Teal'c came through with Captain Hailey over his shoulder, the back of her vest smoking. The medical team had arrived and was dealing with the two injured team members. Mitchell, Michaels, and Kayla were the last to come through, the two men dragging Lt. Simons, Kayla providing cover. As soon as they were through, Kayla gave the cut signal, and Sam ordered the Stargate shield raised, and the shield around operations dropped. Sam and Joshua ran down the stairs to the Gate Room as Joshua asked Sam, "What is that noise from the Stargate?"
Sam frowned when she replied, "Enemy troops trying to follow our people. The Stargate only shuts down when there is no forward movement around the area of the activating Stargate."
"You mean…"
"Yes, every thud is a dead person. Sometimes it goes on for minutes… There, it shut down. I wish we could figure out a way to shut it off from here, but nothing short of destroying the Stargate at our end will prevent more deaths. Sometimes the enemy keeps dialing, and sending more people to their deaths. We could not have continued the Stargate Program without radios to confirm…" Sam stopped explaining Stargate 101 as she joined the troops in the Gate Room, retrieving weapons and vests.
Kayla had passed her P-90 to the nearest Marine, and along with Cameron, returned to doing CPR on Simons, Cameron breathing for the young Lieutenant, while she worked on his bloody chest. "We're losing him, damn it."
Ryan glanced around, "Doctor Brightman!"
Sarah Brightman hurried over to them, checking Simon's vitals, seeing the amount of damage done to the young Lieutenant's chest. "I've got no pulse, no heartbeat. He's gone guys."
"No," Kayla insisted, shaking her head.
Joshua went over and knelt beside the young woman, putting his hands on her shoulders. "Let him go, child."
"No," she snapped, and shoved him away with more force than he expected. She had removed the Lieutenant's vest when they'd first started CPR on the planet, and was not about to give up. Grabbing the black t-shirt, she managed to rip it open where it was already torn, and placed her hands on Grant's unmoving chest, spreading her fingers over the bloody wound, shouting. "Colonel Mitchell, NOW!"
Cameron maneuvered himself behind her and put his hands on her shoulders. "Ready."
She closed her eyes and concentrated on healing Grant Simons, and getting his heart to start beating again.
Daniel skidded and landed on his knees the other side of the Lieutenant; he also put his hands on the wound and closed his eyes, concentrating on doing the same as his daughter for his teammate.
Sam's eyes widened, when she realized what her husband was doing, and what could happen. "Daniel!"
Cameron reached past his fiancée and put his hand on Daniel's shoulder, splitting his concentration. "I've got him, Sam."
Joshua got to his feet, confused, and watched as the medical team rushed their other two patients out. Brightman stayed, eyes darting from person to person, monitoring those working on the Lieutenant instead of worrying about the injured man. The remaining away-team members weren't leaving either. They were ready to assist in any way they could. Joshua looked to the leader of Atlantis. "What's happening?"
"Just watch," she said anxiously, hoping this was going to work. She felt a little easier when she saw Jack run into the Gate Room and go straight to Daniel, kneeling behind him.
Jack quickly put his hands on his friend's shoulders, nodding his thanks to the Colonel. "I've got him, Mitchell."
Cameron slowly withdrew his hand, and put it back on his fiancée's shoulder, giving his full concentration to her, anchoring her to him, as Jack was anchoring Daniel to himself.
Beneath Kayla and Daniel's hands everyone could suddenly see a soft white glow, which grew brighter as the wound healed. Grant Simons took a gasping breath, and then another, and soon began breathing steadily on his own. His eyes opened as father and daughter removed their hands, still covered in his blood. Grant whispered thanks, then closed his eyes to rest, still suffering from shock and loss of blood. If it hadn't been for Cameron and Jack, both healers would have collapsed. The two of them were pulled out of the way, letting Brightman get to her patient. Two orderlies returned with another gurney, and Grant was lifted onto it and rushed out, Brightman yelling for the rest of SG-1 and ASG-1 to get to the infirmary.
Teal'c helped Jack get Daniel to his feet the same time as Ryan helped Cameron with Kayla. The four left the Gate Room slowly and very shaky. Joshua Kavan was stunned. He hadn't expected to see a man come back to life by non-medical means, let alone being brought back by two people putting their hands on his chest, and actually sealing a fatal wound. It was a miracle, a miracle no one around him seemed to find as amazing as he did; they just went on with their work.
"Father," Sam put her hand on his arm. She was as relieved, as he was traumatized. "Are you alright?"
He looked at her, confused and unsure. "Dear God, how did they do that?" he asked her softly.
She smiled warmly. "Come up to my office and I'll explain it," she said gently, and with a nod from the priest, Sam guided him back up the stairs and to her office. When he was seated, she sat back in her own chair and paused, thinking of the best way to handle this. "Both my husband, his daughter, the General, and the General's son are all very strong with the ATA gene, partly due to Asgard influence, partly due to ascension, and partly due to heredity, or genetic convergence instead of divergence. There are a number of people who have been given the gene therapy, hoping to obtain these advanced abilities, or powers if you will. They are able to use Ancient technology to some extent; while others have the gene, but they're not very strong with it. Daniel and his daughter are the strongest of the ATA gene carriers here on Auratora. Their evolution is ahead of the rest of us, and they can heal. What the Colonel and General do is anchor them, and stop them from collapsing to the point of unconsciousness, which is what used to happen until they figured out the best procedure for healing."
"Can the General and his son do this, as well?" Joshua asked, still questioning what he'd seen, and his faith.
"Both are showing signs, yes. They've been able to heal small scratches, which is how Daniel and Kayla started; so it's possible they'll eventually reach that level of healing," Sam answered as she sat forward, leaning on her desk. "Father, I realize this is a lot for you to take in, and I'm guessing you feel like you're way in over your head. But you were chosen for this assignment because you're open minded."
He nodded. "I realize that, Dr. Carter. However, it's not everyday one sees a man brought back to life by two people laying their hands on his chest. It was a miracle, and one that could devastate every religion on Earth."
She smiled warmly, "Would you like to meet them? Perhaps that would help?"
He nodded. "Thank you, Dr. Carter."
"Please, Sam."
Joshua smiled as he stood with her. "Samantha," he corrected, "if you don't mind me calling you that?"
"No," she said happily, and showed him out as she radioed Sergeant Allston to meet them at the infirmary. She told Joshua about the city as they walked to the infirmary, as well as the location of the chapel and his office. By the time they arrived at the infirmary, he seemed a lot more relaxed and settled. Sergeant Allston was waiting for them.
"Sir, Ma'am."
"Gayle, has there been any news?" Sam asked her.
"No Ma'am, not yet," she answered. "Both Major Montgomery and Captain Hailey are still in surgery. Lt. Simons has been given plasma until his rare blood type can be found. SG-1 and Dr. Jackson are having their physicals."
"Thank you, Gayle."
The Sergeant nodded, and followed them at a distance over to where General O'Neill was waiting.
"Jack!" Sam called out to the waiting group, and as he stood she waved to her guest "This is Father Kavan. Father, General Jack O'Neill."
Jack held out his hand to the minister. "Hey Father, welcome to Auratora."
"Thank you, General. I must say it's been interesting so far." Joshua stated.
Jack casually shrugged, teasing a bit to ease his tension, "It's been a fairly normal day," he remarked as he saw his wife heading over to them. "Hey Doc, how's the kids?"
"They're doing pretty good," Margo, answered. "They'll be seeing me for their regular session, so we'll discuss it then." She then addressed the man standing next to Sam. "You must be Father Kavan," she guessed. "Doctor Margo O'Hara, I'm the psychologist here at Auratora."
"And my wife," Jack added, a bit protectively.
Margo gave her husband a wry smile, and addressed the minister again. "I specialize in trauma counseling, which is why I have regular sessions with all the away-teams."
"They're not that bad, Margo," Sam said honestly.
"No they're not; well, maybe the ASG teams aren't, but SG-1…" Margo shook her head. "I've had the Colonel on my couch more times than his fiancé has had him on hers."
"Margo!" Sam chastised, seeing the mischief in her friends eyes.
Joshua just laughed it off. "It's all right Samantha, I've heard much worse."
Jack glanced at Sam and mouthed Samantha. She just poked her tongue at him, smiling, which he returned, being amused by it.
"I'm grateful to have you aboard, Father; it'll be nice to have some help," Margo said, coming to the point.
The fact that Joshua Kavan had doctorates in Psychology and Mythology was one of the reasons he had been approached, as well as being a minister of religion. That, and his long association with the Air Force – he had served for three years, until an injury had him discharged, leaving him to serve as a civilian minister and return to school on the GI Bill.
"After what I saw in the Gate Room, I'm looking at things with new and confused eyes," Joshua admitted.
"You saw Grant being healed?" she saw him nod. "Well, any time you'd like talk about it, feel free."
"Thank you, I hope your couch is comfortable." Everyone grinned at that remark, not knowing what to make of it.
They heard voices and turned to see Kayla and Cameron coming towards them, with the rest of their teammates. The two were conversing softly, though it was becoming heated. Finally, she threw her hands up in the air, and stormed away, muttering something about men.
Cameron sighed, frustrated. "Jackson!" he called out, and hurried to catch up.
Sam stopped them. "Colonel, Kayla," she said calmly. She noticed Teal'c and Ryan approaching, and waited until they'd caught up. She gestured them over, and then introduced them. "Father Kavan, this is SG-1; Lt. Colonel Cameron Mitchell, Dr. Kayla Jackson, Major Ryan Michaels, and Teal'c."
"It's a pleasure to meet you all," Joshua said with a touch of awe. "I've heard so much about you."
"Well, father, take some advice and only believe half of what you've heard," Cameron replied with a tired cheeky grin.
Joshua laughed. "Colonel, after what I've just seen, I'm afraid that's a little hard to do."
Kayla frowned, crossing her arms against her chest. She'd washed the blood off her hands, but still felt the need to shower. "You were in the Gate Room?"
"I told you to let the Lieutenant go," he answered, slightly perplexed. "You refused and shoved me out of the way."
She glanced quickly at Cameron, who shrugged, then looked back at Joshua. "Sorry, I sort of zoned out there for a moment."
"Quite understandable, child. It was very humbling to watch. You brought a man back from the dead. In the history of Earth, that is considered a miracle sent by God."
"I did what I had to do, Father. God had nothing to do with it. Grant is a friend and I wasn't prepared to let him die, not when I'm capable of saving him," Kayla preached, and walked out.
"We don't leave people behind, Father," Cameron said just as sternly. "And we sure as hell don't let them die, either. Excuse me," he said, and then left too.
Teal'c and Ryan casually followed their teammates out.
Jack winced a little, even though he understood. "You've got to understand something, Father. Mitchell and Kayla have seen death first hand. They've had their faith tested too many times, as have every member of an off-world team, and being a member of a team also means being a part of a family, and we don't leave our family behind or let them die. Not if we can help it."
Joshua nodded. "I do understand, General, perhaps more than you realize. However, you have to understand my position. Being able to bring a man back to life the way Dr. Jackson and her father did, that is a gift from God."
"Maybe it is, and maybe it isn't," Jack said bluntly. "Just give them time. Neither Daniel nor Kayla believe that what they do is special, it's just a gift they were given, or possessed without knowing it."
"I'll do that, General," Joshua assured him, dismissing it for the moment.
Daniel strolled out of the examination room, and like his daughter, he'd washed the blood off his hands, but still felt he needed a shower to get rid of the smell of burnt flesh. He felt the tension as he came closer.
"You okay?" Sam asked him, clearly concerned.
"Yeah, a little tired, but I'm good," he assured her, an unspoken question directed at her.
"Father Joshua Kavan, my husband, Dr Daniel Jackson, archeologist extraordinaire." Sam shrugged off his question with the shake of her head; she'd tell him later.
Daniel greeted the minister half heartedly; the day was starting to catch up with him. "Father."
"It's nice to meet you, Dr. Jackson."
"Daniel, please," he insisted. "I've read some of your papers on Mythology," Daniel revealed, trying to sound enthusiastic. "I hope you'll come and look through the Library of Alexandria; it'll give you a new perspective on a lot of different subjects."
"I look forward to it," Joshua told him.
"Go get some sleep, Danny-boy," Jack ordered, knowing that was what his friend needed.
"I'm going," he nodded as he looked to his wife. "I'll see you later."
"Kiss the children for me?"
"I will," he assured and kissed her cheek as he went past, leaving the infirmary.
Sam tapped her earmic. "Lieutenant, patch me through to my quarters," she asked and then waited. "Leanne, it's Sam, Daniel is on his way. Can you hide his computer tablet?" She chuckled at the reply only she could hear. "Thanks, Leanne." She tapped her earmic off. "I don't know what I'd do without my children's nanny," she mused. "She has an uncanny way of dealing with my husband too."
"Funny, I say the same thing about mine," Margo declared. "Sally is very good with the boys and Jack."
"Well, they're all children," Sam smirked.
"Hey," Jack complained, and the two women laughed.
"I'd give up, General," Joshua advised. "It's always best."
"Don't I know it," he groaned, and then announced. "Excuse me, Father; I'd better get back to Stargate Operations."
"Of course, General."
Jack kissed his wife's cheek and hurried out.
"Well, ladies, if you'll excuse me," Joshua announced. "I'll have Gayle show me the chapel and then my office. I'll arrange to speak again with Colonel Mitchell and Dr. Jackson."
"I think you'll find you already have an appointment with the two of them," Sam pointed out.
"I do?" he wasn't sure.
"Cameron and Kayla will be the first couple married here at Auratora."
He was taken aback. "Kayla Jackson is the Colonel's fiancée?" He saw Sam nod. "I see; I didn't realize. General Landry never addressed them as the same person. He always said the Colonel's fiancée and then spoke of Kayla Jackson as a member of SG-1."
Sam chuckled. "Sounds like Hank," she mused. "Don't worry, Father, you'll get used to it."
He nodded. "I shall," he agreed with a smile, still mystified by all he'd seen. "Excuse me." They gave him a smile as he left.
"I bet Jack had Hank do that," Margo declared.
"Oh I wouldn't doubt it," Sam agreed. "It has Jack written all over it."
"Yes it does," Margo said with a chuckle.
Dr. Brightman came out a few minutes later, and both women waited for her to join them. "Both Major Montgomery and Captain Hailey are going to be fine," she assured them. "I've treated both wounds with the Ancient healing gel. Captain Hailey was lucky, no major damage was done to her spine, she's going to have physiotherapy, but she'll walk again."
"That's good news," Margo declared. "I'll talk with her and Major Montgomery tomorrow, as well as Lt. Simons."
"How is Grant?" Sam asked Sarah Brightman.
"The Lieutenant is fine, not a scratch on him. Daniel and Kayla did a good job of healing him, and he didn't need as much plasma as I thought. Those alien energy weapons tend to cauterize the wounds they create. I've released him, he'll be out in a moment," the doctor answered. "I told him to see Margo and talk to her about what happened. He spoke with both Daniel and Kayla, and he seems alright; but I don't think it's really hit him what happened yet."
"I'll make sure he sees me," Margo assured her.
"Thanks. Well, I'll get back to my patients," the doctor shrugged, and headed back to the ward.
Sam patted Margo on the back. "Coffee?"
She nodded. "I think I need it," she agreed, and followed her friend out.
DF
Two days later, Father Kavan was more than thankful to have Sergeant Allston's help. He had a feeling he would have gotten himself lost without her; the city was like a maze. "Gayle, what did you do before you were assigned to me?"
"City security, Father," she smiled. "It's easy to get lost around here. Fortunately for me, I have the ATA gene. I'm not as strong as the Fab Four, but I can use it to find my way around."
Joshua smiled right back, "The Fab Four?"
"The General, his son, and both Dr. Jackson's," she mused, and then shrugged casually, admitting. "I feel lucky to have this assignment, Father; to be able to work with SG-1 and the former members of SG-1. They're legendary."
"You're placing them on a fairly high pedestal, Gayle."
"Perhaps. But I was at the SGC for three years before I came here. I've seen them at their best and their worst, all of them. Colonel Mitchell, Major Michaels, and Kayla, they're just as good as O'Neill, Carter, Teal'c, and Daniel. They're more than just a team, they're a family."
"Have you ever gone off world with them?"
Gayle nodded. "Both when O'Neill and Mitchell had command. Though I'm not the explorer type, Father, I leave that to my partner."
"He's a member of a team?"
"She, Father Kavan," Gayle corrected. "My partner is Dr. Andrea Simons, ASG-7's archaeologist and linguist."
"Is Andrea military too?" he inquired, seeing she was a little surprised by his acceptance.
"No, sir, Andy is civilian," she answered. They rounded the corner, coming to Dr. Jackson's lab, and to her surprise, the door was shut. Gayle tapped her earmic; she knew the door was closed for a reason. "Dr. Jackson, this is Sergeant Allston, I'm outside your lab with Father Kavan."
"Hang on Gayle," there was a pause and then. "Okay, you can come in."
Gayle waved her hand over the door panel, and the door slid open, the lab in darkness. She ushered Father Kavan in, the door slid shut behind them, and the room plunged completely into darkness once more.
"Stand still for a moment, let your eyes adjust," Kayla warned them, and then she removed the black cloth from the stone tablet she was translating. They could see glowing writing coming from the tablet.
"Kinda neat, huh?" Cameron stated from the darkness.
"Colonel Mitchell, sir, I didn't see you there," Gayle said quickly.
"Its okay, Sergeant."
She heard a word that sounded like 'da' and knew the Colonel wasn't the only one in the lab. "Hey, Danny."
There was clapping and then a little voice called out "Ga."
Joshua was finding it all a little overwhelming. "Did I come at a bad time, Colonel Mitchell, Dr. Jackson?"
"Nar, it's fine," Cameron assured him. Both had gotten over their little outburst in the infirmary.
Walking carefully, Joshua made it to the work desk, taking a closer look at the tablet. "Why is the writing glowing?"
"It's reacting to my ATA gene," Kayla told him. "When I started to translate it, I touched it with my fingers and noticed a slight glow, so I lowered the lights, and the darker it is in the room, the stronger the glow."
"Amazing," he exclaimed.
Straightening, Kayla covered the stone tablet and mentally ordered the lights up, slowly.
With the lights fully on, Joshua got a good look at the lab. There were shelves of books, artifacts, ancient equipment, and equipment from Earth. It looked exactly how he expected it to look. The Colonel was seated on the other side of the workbench, a toddler on his lap; the resemblance to Kayla was startling.
Both the Colonel and Kayla were in black BDU trousers and black long sleeved t-shirts, their id tags hanging outside their t-shirts. He also noted that both were carrying side arms in holsters strapped to their thighs. He'd discovered that the only civilians allowed to be armed at all times were the young archaeologist, her father and stepmother. For what reason he hadn't found out, but he had a good idea.
Kayla was curious to why he was there. She hoped he didn't want to talk about what had happened in the Gate Room, it wasn't something she wanted to discuss with him at that point. "Can I help you with something, Father Kavan?"
"We had an appointment to discuss your wedding," he replied, smiling.
"We did?" She glanced over to Cameron. "Did you know about it?"
"No," he answered, and then thought a moment, "but then again, Danny here erased my email this morning, so anything is possible."
Kayla chuckled at that. "Maybe next time you'll think twice about having her sit on your lap while you're trying to send your report."
He grinned back at her. "We were having fun," he tickled his daughter, hearing her giggle. "Weren't we sweetheart?" He chuckled as she blushed shyly and snuggled against him.
"Daddy's girl, sir?" Gayle asked him, smiling.
"Yep," he said proudly.
Both Kayla and Cameron knew the priest hadn't been fully briefed when it came to their daughter, not many people knew the whole story, and he'd only been given the cover story.
"She is beautiful, Colonel," Joshua told him.
"Takes after her mother, Father," Cameron said grinning.
"That she does, Colonel," he agreed. "Would you both like to reschedule the meeting?"
Before either could comment, an announcement came over the city PA system, "SG-1 to Stargate Operations, SG-1 to Stargate Operations."
"Looks like we're going to have to, Father," Cameron told him, and stood with his daughter in his arms.
"We'll try again later, Father Kavan," Kayla said. "If you'll excuse us?"
He nodded. "Yes, of course."
"Oh, and Father," Kayla said as they left the lab, "sorry about the outburst in the infirmary."
"Think nothing of it, child."
She nodded and then hurried in the opposite direction, she and Cameron heading for Stargate Operations with their daughter still in Cameron's arms.
Joshua and Gayle headed back towards his office. "Are they always this hard to tie down?"
She smiled. "Yes sir, they are," she answered. "Don't worry Father; you'll get it sorted out."
He had a feeling it wasn't going to be an easy thing to do.
DF
In Atlantis City, Elizabeth crossed the walkway from her office to Stargate Operations. Klaxons had gone off, signifying an incoming traveler after the Stargate activated behind the shield. "Sergeant?"
The Sergeant at the dialing console checked the data scrolling on the laptop. "It's SG-1 ma'am. Code red, they're requesting medical assistance."
"Lower the shield," she ordered. "Medical team to the Gate Room."
"Yes ma'am," he carried out both orders, and raised the operations shield, following the new procedures.
Elizabeth saw John rush into the Gate Room, along with Rodney. They stayed back, and let the Marines on duty take their positions. She returned his nod, seeing Doctor Keller run in with the medical team, and also hold back behind a protective column.
The puddle rippled as the four members of SG-1 were literally spate out of the wormhole, tumbling onto the floor of the Gate Room, wet and shivering.
"Close it down!" Mitchell's hoarse voice called out as he crawled over to his archaeologist.
"Do it!" Elizabeth ordered, and then hurried towards the stairs. The operations shield was lowered, the Stargate shield was raised, but the Stargate had already deactivated. The medical team rushed over to SG-1, but John got to Mitchell and Kayla first, both shivering violently. "Are you guys all right?" he asked grabbing the blanket the orderly was handing him, wrapping it around the Colonel's shoulders.
Mitchell sat with Kayla in his arms, both looked shell-shocked. John made sure the blanket was wrapped around them both. "Mitchell!" he got no response, trying again. "Cameron. What happened?"
"We screwed up," he whispered and then passed out.
John grabbed him and lowered him to the floor, seeing Kayla was also out for the count. "Doc!"
Doctor Jennifer Keller gently pushed John aside, and checked both Mitchell's and Kayla's pulse, and then their temperature with an ear thermometer. "They're still with us, Colonel," she reassured him as she looked over his shoulder to her team. "Let's get them all to the infirmary."
Bundled in blankets the four members of SG-1 were lifted onto gurneys, their weapons and vests were stripped from them by Marines running with the wheeled carts. John was glad to see the Marines were on their toes, as nothing ruins one's day faster than a C-4 pack with an inserted radio detonator being x-rayed. He stood next to Elizabeth and Rodney.
"What did the Colonel say?" Elizabeth asked him.
"He said they screwed up," John answered, a bit confused.
"Screwed up what?" Rodney inquired, and saw his friend shrug.
"All right," Elizabeth took charge of the situation. "Get to the infirmary, I'll contact Auratora and tell them SG-1 is here." Rodney and John nodded, and hurried out. Elizabeth went back up the stairs to Stargate Operations. "Dial Auratora."
The Sergeant nodded, and in seconds, announced, "Go ahead ma'am."
"Auratora, this is Dr. Weir."
"Elizabeth, what can we do for you?" replied Jack.
She smiled wearily at his casualness. "General, SG-1 just came through our Stargate, having declared a code red."
His attitude changed quickly. "Are they all right, Elizabeth?"
"They were taken to the infirmary unconscious, cold and wet, but alive."
There was a pause, then, "We're on our way, Elizabeth."
"We'll be waiting, General; Atlantis out." She nodded to the Sergeant, who disengaged the wormhole. "Have the General and his party escorted to the infirmary as soon as they arrive. I'll be there if you need me."
"Yes, Ma'am."
John and Rodney were pacing the waiting room as she arrived, "General O'Neill is on his way."
"He's coming himself?" Rodney inquired.
"This is SG-1, of course he's coming," John retorted.
Elizabeth smiled warmly; she knew John still felt a part of the SG-1 team, even though he wasn't with them anymore. "Hopefully, we'll know something by the time they arrive."
They waited a few minutes more, and finally Doctor Keller to come over to them. "Dr. Weir, Colonel Sheppard, Dr. McKay," she acknowledged.
"How are they, Doc?" John asked.
"They're suffering from hyperthermia. I'd say they've been in freezing cold water for two, nearly three hours," she reported. "We're bringing their temperatures up slowly, so as not to send them into shock."
"Do they have any injuries?" Elizabeth inquired.
"Bruising around their wrists and ankles that would indicate they were tied up," Jennifer answered. "I'm waiting for the results of their blood work to know if they were drugged or exposed to any substances."
"They must have been captured and then escaped." Rodney theorized. "They still had their weapons and vests on them."
"Well, I'm sure they'll answer all your questions when they're conscious," the doctor told them. "Excuse me." She said, and then went back to her patients.
Teyla and Ronon arrived. "We just heard; how are they?" Teyla asked, showing strain and concern.
"Still unconscious," Elizabeth answered, and then filled them both in. "We'll know more soon."
They were still waiting when General O'Neill and Daniel Jackson arrived with ASG-2, having been escorted to the infirmary.
"General, Daniel," Elizabeth greeted. She gave the archaeologist a hug. "Doctor Keller is with them at the moment," she announced, and filled them in before stating, "We're not sure what happened."
"They were on P6Y-0808 at the request of the Regent," Daniel explained. "They'd been there before, the planet was peaceful. The locals hadn't even encountered the Wraith, and as far as I recall, it wasn't winter. They didn't even have jackets on when they left."
"Something happened to that world," John declared dryly, and then looked to Elizabeth. "Permission to take my team to P6Y-0808 and find out what the hell did happen?"
She hesitated and glanced at the General, who was leaving this up to her. She nodded. "All right, but send a MALP first."
"Take ASG-2 with you," Jack offered. "They know the planet."
John accepted the assist. "We'll be back as soon as we can," he called back as he and his team left with ASG-2.
Elizabeth guided Daniel over to a seat. Jack followed and sat to wait it out. "How are Sam and the children, and little Danny?"
"They're good. Um, thing is, Danny is a little upset, but Sam and Teri managed to calm her down." Daniel answered. "In fact, all the children strong with the ATA gene have been upset the past few hours."
"Bad karma," Jack remarked. "And it's not just with the kids."
"Funny you should say that, because John's been edgy all day," she declared. "I just passed it off as not having enough sleep." She frowned, "You think it's got something to do with the fact that they have the ATA gene?"
"Well, considering Danny boy here has been bouncing around like he hasn't had enough coffee; I'd say it's possible." Jack stated.
Daniel frowned, and added, "You've been just as bad, so has Jon." Something else occurred to him, "Have the systems on Atlantis been playing up?"
Elizabeth had recent reports of systems crashing, and then coming back up on their own, she nodded. "What about Auratora?"
"All morning."
"So the cities seem to know something is up?"
"Looks like it."
"That's crazy," Jack exclaimed.
"Maybe, maybe not, Jack," Daniel declared. "Atlantis and Auratora were built by the Ancients, they're almost sentient."
"Alright, so what would have the city and everyone who is strong with the ATA gene jittery?"
"The Ori," a strained voice said.
They looked up, and saw Mitchell standing in the doorway, with a lot of help from Doctor Keller. He wore white scrubs, had thick socks on his feet, and was huddled into a blanket. The doctor had his IV bag laying over her shoulder.
Jack and Daniel jumped up and helped the doctor get the Colonel to a chair, sitting him down. "What have the Ori got to do with this?" the General asked.
"When we arrived on P6Y-0808, Regent Casdus had us arrested. He said we were hiding information from them," Cameron explained. "Jackson asked what he meant, and after a bit of spiel, he then mentioned the Ori. He said that during our last visit, while we were eating at a banquet, sans our vests, he had one of his men take her PDA and download the information on it without her knowing. Note to self, better PDA security. Anyway, she has a file in it concerning the Ori. After we left the first time, they went through the information." He paused and rubbed his temples wearily. "The PDA was password protected, but Jackson had left it on, so they had access to everything."
"So what happened? And how could they read English, the Stargates only dump verbal knowledge into our minds." Daniel asked.
"Once they had the file open, they translated everything about the Ori that she had collected, including the scanned in Book of Origin that the alternate universe Daniel Jackson gave her, in its original language," Cameron continued. "Regent Casdus demanded to know how Jackson came to have it. He said we'd never been given access to their sacred book. Jackson tried to explain, but he wouldn't listen to her, given that the story was a bit bizarre in any case. He said we were to be punished," he rubbed his temples again. "I don't remember anything after that. The next thing I know, we're floating in a freezing ass lake, and I'm keeping Jackson's head above the water."
"Colonel, you were in that water for two, nearly three hours," Jennifer Keller revealed. "You're all suffering from hyperthermia."
"What about the Regent and his people?" Jack asked him.
"I don't know, sir." Cameron answered him, still shivering, huddling into the blanket. "I managed to get Jackson awake and saw Michaels and Teal'c were okay, and then we swam towards the shore. We crawled out of the water and headed straight to the Stargate. When we couldn't connect to Auratora, I had Jackson dial Atlantis. The Stargate activated, and here we are, a bit confused."
"Colonel, you were literally thrown out of the Stargate, wet and cold," Elizabeth told him. "The last thing you said before you lost consciousness was We screwed up."
He shrugged. "As I said, it's all blurry until I woke up in the infirmary."
"It'll do for now, Colonel," Jack insisted.
"You need to get back to bed, Colonel," Doctor Keller declared.
He didn't fight her, just nodded, and with the Doctor's help, got to his feet. Before he left he turned to Daniel. "You'll sit with Kayla?"
Getting to his feet, Daniel gripped the younger man's arm. "I will, get some rest."
"Thanks," he said softly.
"I'll be back in a moment, Dr. Jackson, once I have the Colonel settle. I'll take you to your daughter, quietly!"
"Thank you," Daniel said. She nodded, and led the Colonel back to the ward.
Elizabeth came over to Daniel. "I don't think I've ever seen the Colonel seem so… defeated."
"She's right, Daniel," Jack agreed standing with them. "Even after everything he went through with Ba'al, he was strong for himself and for his team."
"So what do we do?"
"We give them time," Daniel said bluntly.
Elizabeth glanced to Jack, who just shrugged; he didn't know what his friend was thinking either.
When Doctor Keller returned, she ushered Daniel into the ward, leaving Elizabeth and Jack to head to Stargate Operations to wait for Sheppard's team and ASG-2 to return.
"Are the wedding plans coming along?" Elizabeth asked Jack as they sat in her office.
He chuckled. "If Father Kavan can tie Mitchell and Kayla down long enough, they'd come along faster."
"That bad?" she asked with an amused smile.
"Yeah," he shrugged. "Mitchell doesn't mind when or where or what he has to say, as long as he marries Kayla. And Kayla's had her faith and beliefs challenged so much since she joined the SGC that she'd be happy to have an Athosian come through the Gate and marry them."
Elizabeth understood for the most part. "It isn't easy, especially after all we've seen, and had to deal with. To be honest, John and I have been thinking of having an Athosian do our ceremony."
Jack sighed and sat back in his chair. "They'll get married; it'll just be on their terms."
"Whether Father Kavan likes it or not?" Elizabeth queried, and saw him nod. "Father Lavern is finding he also has to adapt, he hasn't found it easy, but he's leaning."
"Maybe the two of them should get together and compare notes," Jack suggested.
Elizabeth smiled slightly. "Maybe they should."
They heard the Stargate activate and hurried out of the office to Stargate operations.
"Receiving Colonel Sheppard's IDC, Ma'am," Sergeant Campbell announced.
"Roll it," she ordered. They had decided that too many commands were required with all the complexities of gate travel on Atlantis, so everyone had been recently trained to follow set procedures, unless overruled.
"Yes, Ma'am," the Sergeant lowered the Stargate shield, raised the Operations shield, sent confirmation to the IDC device and then by radio, and then alerted the infirmary staff that the Stargate had incoming, in one shape or another.
As Sheppard's team and ASG-2 came through the Stargate, the ring shut down. Sergeant Campbell then shut off the Operations shield, and the Stargate shield was raised, and finally the infirmary was notified to stand down. Elizabeth and Jack hurried down the stairs to the Gate Room. "Colonel?"
"P6Y-0808 is deserted, Elizabeth," John reported.
"The planet is on the verge of an ice age," Rodney lectured, brushing snowflakes from his uniform. "What happened there caused a climactic change over the entire planet. Major extinction event folks."
"There was a lake, General," Major Matthew Hayden, team leader of ASG-2 said. "About five minutes from the Stargate, near frozen now. It's a miracle SG-1 survived."
"There was also residue of a spatial distortion, General," Lt. Ethan Browder, the teams
Astrophysicist's announced. "Both Dr. McKay and I believe a massive window was opened, and it's possible that once it was closed, it caused the ice age that's now evolving on the planet."
Jack looked from the Lieutenant to Sheppard, who seemed to know what Browder was talking about. "What?"
"They believe the people of P6Y-0808 opened an anti-matter worm-hole window, like our Stargate, and using the rotation of the planet, the city plunged through within a fraction of a second, leaving a huge hole in the ground. The anti-matter collision with the planet surface sucked all the heat out of the atmosphere, thus causing the planet to suffer an instant ice age," the Colonel explained, having been around Rodney enough to figure it out.
"Aha," Jack glared at the Lieutenant. "Why couldn't you have just said that?"
Lt. Browder smiled, a little amused. "Sorry sir."
"How is SG-1, General?" Teyla asked, smiling over the bantering, as did everyone else.
"Well, Mitchell is awake. He said this all started because of the information Kayla had in her PDA about the Ori," Jack announced. "It seems their sacred texts are the same as the Ori Book of Origin."
"So, SG-1 could have brought about the arrival of the Ori," Rodney stated, without thinking, "Interesting."
"Is that so, McKay?" the General snapped. "Except, we don't know where these fanatics have gone, if they fled from us or the Ori, or where their sacred texts came from in the first place!"
"Or if they're coming back," Ronon added in a dry tone.
Elizabeth heard a summons over her earmic. "Yes, Doctor Keller…" she listened to what the doctor told her. "I'll let the General know, thank you." She tapped off the earmic, and announced, "Teal'c and Ryan are awake. John, Daniel's worried about Kayla; he wants you to talk to her, see if you can bring her around."
John nodded. "All right, we'll meet you at the infirmary," he told her and guided his team out of the Gate Room.
Jack addressed Major Hayden. "Head back to Auratora and brief Dr. Carter."
"Yes sir," the Major acknowledged him.
Elizabeth tapped her earmic, "Sergeant Campbell, this is Weir, dial Auratora, ASG-2 is leaving."
"Yes Ma'am."
She tapped off her earmic. "Thank you, for your help, Major."
"Any time, Ma'am," he said with a smile, and then nodded to the General. "Sir."
"Tell, Dr. Carter we'll be home in a few hours."
"Yes sir."
Doctor Keller met Jack and Elizabeth as they came into the ward. "Colonel Mitchell has fallen asleep again," she reported. "Teal'c seems to be recovering quicker than his teammates; Major Michaels is awake, but groggy."
"And Kayla?" Elizabeth inquired.
"Dr. Jackson is conscious; however, she hasn't spoken a word since she opened her eyes. Colonel Sheppard is still with her."
"Why hasn't she spoken?" Jack wanted to know.
"I don't know, sir. There's nothing medically wrong with her." They could see that Jennifer Keller was a little frustrated. "I even spoke to Doctor Beckett about it; he's having a look at her test results himself."
Jack could see Carson Beckett standing next to Rodney, by Kayla's bed, Daniel was seated next to it, looking worried. John was perched on the bed, holding Kayla's hand, talking softly to her. "What if the Regents people, or the Ori, or whatever, did something to her?"
"Like what?" Elizabeth asked, curious to where he was going with this.
"Okay, she had Merlin's knowledge and consciousness in her head, even Dr. Lam said there was a residue from it. What if they tried to extract that residue from her mind?"
"We put her through the scanner, there's no brain damage or trauma," Keller told him.
"What if the scanner can't pick up what they've done to her?" Elizabeth theorized. She led them over to Rodney and Beckett, where they discussed the possibilities, in front of Kayla, hoping to get a reaction.
"Aye, it's possible, but we've no way of knowing," Carson stated after they'd finished. "I don't think there's any Ancient technology that could tell us."
John had been listening, and he had an idea. "Maybe there is," he announced. He got off the bed and unhooked Kayla from the monitors. He threw back the blankets and unhooked the IV bag from the stand; laying it over his shoulder before scooping her up off the bed and into his arms.
"Colonel, what are you doing?" Carson asked quickly.
"Finding out, doc," he declared as he carried Kayla out of the infirmary, with them all following him. He went straight to the chair room.
"John, what are you planning on doing?" Elizabeth demanded.
"Atlantis is capable of knowing if the Ori did something to Kayla," he said. He carried his foster sister to the chair and sat with her in it, the chair reclined back, activating as it sensed they were gene carriers, bathing them both in a white light as the room dimmed.
Keller quickly helped him settle Kayla so that she lay with him in the chair, her head lying against his shoulder. Taking the IV bag, she draped it over the back of the chair, untangling the tubing. "Are you sure about this, Colonel?"
"Well, we're going to find out aren't we." He took Kayla's hand's in his, putting them on the gel control panels beneath his hands.
The doctor noticed that as he closed his eyes and concentrated, so did Kayla. Keller stepped away off the dais as the light over the chair dimmed and strengthen like a heartbeat. "So, how will we know if this is going to work?" she asked no one in particular.
Daniel stood with his arms crossed against his chest. "I'll know," he said bluntly.
"So will I," Jack backed him up. "We'll feel it."
Jennifer Keller was a little taken back. "Because of the ATA gene?"
Carson nodded; he himself was a natural gene carrier. "You can feel the difference when they're both in the chair."
"Really?" Rodney inquired curious. "What does it feel like?"
"Ascension," Daniel answered him, "Having all the knowledge of the Ancients at your fingertips."
"The ability to know right from wrong," Jack added immediately.
"To control life and death," Carson concluded.
"You're kidding?" the scientist exclaimed.
Daniel shook his head. "The only other time I've felt this, was when John was flying Auratora and Kayla was using the control console. They're linked to the city, just as they're linking to Atlantis."
"Is that wise?" Elizabeth asked.
"I don't think we can stop it," Rodney stated, and then pointed. "Look."
The light around the chair had become a soft glow, and holographic images appeared overhead near the darkened ceiling, they looked like DNA elements.
Jennifer Keller heard her name being called over her earmic; she tapped it. "Yes," she turned to the door and saw Colonel Mitchell run into the room, still in his scrubs, his sock covered feet slipping a little. "He's here," she reported, "I'll deal with it." She finished and hurried over to him. "Colonel, you should be in bed."
"No!" He shook her off and hurried over to the dais. A console, like the one that had risen from the floor in Auratora's chair room, rose up in front of him, and he reached out to lean against it.
Daniel hurried to his side. "Cameron," he grabbed him as he started to collapse, holding him up.
"I've got to do this, Doc," Cameron said, and put his hands on the gel pads.
"All right," Daniel told him. "I've got you."
Closing his eyes, Cameron concentrated. A third set of DNA elements joined the holographic image over the chair. It reminded Daniel of when they'd found Ernest Littlefield, and were shown the basic elements that were the building blocks to a universal language. Now he was seeing the DNA elements of three people, joined together by the ATA gene. Glancing over at Jack, he saw his friend look at him, the two of them didn't need to talk, they just knew. He nodded and closed his eyes and concentrated, joining the link with the three. Across from them, Jack closed his eyes and did the same, joining the link.
Rodney saw two more DNA elements join the image. "What," he looked across and saw Daniel had his eyes closed, he then looked to the General. "This isn't possible."
"What?" Elizabeth asked, dragging her gaze away from her fiancé.
"They're pulling in the other two, look," he said, jerking a hand towards the General and then Daniel.
Carson took an Ancient medical device out of his pocket and scanned the General, reading the results. "I don't think the General was drawn in, Elizabeth, his vitals are normal. I think he went willingly. I think they both did."
Elizabeth glanced back at the control chair. "So what do we do?"
"We wait."
DF
John felt as if his mind had disconnected from his body. It wasn't a bad feeling, just unusual. His body was still with him, but he was standing in a white mist, Kayla next to him, holding tight to his hand. The mist swirled and they saw Cameron, Daniel, and Jack coming towards them.
"Where are we Sheppard?" Jack asked him.
"You are safe General O'Neill," a melodious female voice assured them.
"And you are?"
The mist swirled again, and a beautiful woman appeared, dressed in a white gown. She had startling green eyes and black hair. "I'm Atlantis."
"Cool," John said with a smile.
She smiled. "Hello, John. I've waited a long time to meet you this way."
"You have?"
"Yes, from the moment you stepped foot on Atlantis. I always know when my children return to me; you, Daniel, Jack, Kayla and even Cameron."
"You know all of us," Cameron said.
"Yes."
"Can you help, Kayla?" Daniel inquired.
She smiled warmly. "Kayla is fine, Daniel, she merely retreated deep within her mind to protect herself when the Ori tried to extract the residue of Merlin's knowledge and consciousness," she reached out and gently caressed the young woman's cheek. "It's all right, my child, you're safe."
Kayla blinked her eyes, coming out of a trance-like state, confused for a moment. "Atlantis?"
Atlantis smiled. "Hello Kayla."
"What happened?"
"The Ori tried to take something that didn't belong to them," Cameron told her, went over, and took her other hand. "You're gonna to be all right now."
"Cameron is right," Atlantis told them. "The Ori tried and failed, withdrawing into yourself protected your consciousness and the residue left by Merlin. That knowledge will be needed in the times to come."
"The Ori are coming, aren't they?" Daniel asked her.
"Yes, Daniel, they are, I don't know when, but they are coming."
"So what do we do?" Jack inquired.
"You have the knowledge, and together you can defeat the Ori," she said sincerely. She took Daniel's hand, and drawing him closer she put his hand in Cameron's, and then gestured Jack closer. The General took Daniel's other hand and then Sheppard's, who still held onto Kayla. Atlantis now stood in the middle of their circle. "Remember, together you are strong, and when the time comes, you must stand together to defeat your enemies. Auratora and I will do all we can to assist you, as will our other children."
"Other children?" Jack queried.
"You're son, Dr. Carson, Dr. McKay, Major Michaels; the ones who carry what you call the ATA gene and have had the ATA gene therapy. They will all be able to help; you must let them when the time comes." She saw them nod and smile. "It's time for you to return, your friends are worried." She looked to Kayla again and gently touched her cheek. "Don't worry my child, Danyelle and the other children will be fine, the Ori can't hurt them, Auratora will protect them. Just as I will protect all children born here."
"Thank you."
Atlantis smiled again. "Stay strong, my children," she said and a bright white light enveloped the five of them.
DF
Rodney and Elizabeth moved quickly as General O'Neill collapsed. Grabbing him, they lowered Jack to the floor, Carson kneeling next to him. Doctor Keller rushed over to Daniel and Cameron, both men had also collapsed; she was helped by Ronon and Teyla, who had joined them moments after it had all begun.
The two in the chair stirred, opening their eyes, groaning. "Crap," John swore, rubbing his temples.
Kayla managed to sit up, also rubbing her temples. "You can say that again."
"Crap," he repeated, and heard her snort. "Nice, squirt."
Jack was now conscious, and sitting up, rubbing his temples. "What happened?"
"You passed out," Elizabeth told him. "You somehow linked with John and Kayla…"
Daniel and Cameron were also conscious, and sitting up straighter. "…and Atlantis," the archaeologist filled in.
"The Ori are coming," Cameron added.
Kayla managed to get to her feet, she would have fallen if it hadn't been for Rodney's quick reflexes; he jumped to his feet and grabbed her. "Thanks."
"No problem." He reached over and grabbed the IV bag, draping it over his shoulder as she leaned against him.
A medical team arrived, having been called by Carson. "Let's get you all to the infirmary," he ordered.
Jack, Daniel, Cameron, and John were helped to their feet, being steadied. Rodney merely swung Kayla up into his arms, much to everyone's surprise.
"What?" he groused, "She's light." He carried her as the others chuckled and followed him out. Back in the infirmary, Rodney lay Kayla on the bed and hooked the IV bag back up. Finding she was already asleep, he covered her with the blankets and stepped out of the way, letting Jennifer Keller attach her once more to the monitors, checking each readout.
Cameron settled back in his bed, his IV was put back in by Carson, who chastised him about removing it himself. Nurses were taking the General's, Daniel's and John's blood pressure, as per Cason's orders, and the three knew they weren't going to be getting away until it was done.
Teyla and Ronon joined Teal'c, staying out of the way. In the bed next to Teal'c, Ryan was once again sleeping peacefully. A few minutes ago the nurses had to sedate him.
"Colonel Mitchell and Kayla will be all right," Teyla assured the Jaffa.
"Of that, Teyla Emmagan, I have no doubt. However, the repercussions of what occurred on P6Y-0808 have brought us to the attention of an enemy more dangerous than the Goa'uld, and perhaps even the Wraith."
"You truly believe that?" Ronon asked him straightforward.
"Indeed."
"Then we'll do everything in our power to destroy them, as we do the Wraith," the former runner stated. "On that my brother, you have my word." He offered Teal'c his hand.
Teal'c reached out and gripped his forearm as Ronon clasped his, a warrior's handshake. Teyla placed her hands on their arms. "If we fight, we fight as one."
"So be it," Ronon said bluntly.
Not far from them, Jack pulled away from the nurse hovering around him and went over to Beckett. "So doc, how long are you going to keep my kids here?"
Carson sighed; he'd dealt with the General before when it came to SG-1. "I'll keep them overnight, and if their temperatures have returned to normal, I'll release them in the morning," he said. "Which means, General, unless you want to join them, I suggest you get yourself a good night's sleep, elsewhere." He saw the man begin to protest, stopping him short, "I have large needles, General, and I'm not afraid to use them."
Jack walked off, muttering under his breath about power mongers.
Daniel smiled wearily, and looked to the leader of the expedition. "Elizabeth, if it's no trouble, we'll head back to Auratora and brief Sam on what happened."
She smiled back. "It's no trouble at all. I'll expect you both back in the morning."
He nodded and stood. "Thank you." He went over to his daughter, moving around Rodney to get to her, and leaned over and kissed her forehead. "We'll be back, honey," he whispered and then straightened.
"She'll be fine, Daniel, we'll look after her," Rodney said sincerely.
Daniel knew he would, knew they all would. "Thanks Rodney," he said and then went over to his soon to be son-in-law. "Cameron."
He dragged Cam's attention away from Kayla. "Doc, Danny…"
"Danny will be fine," Daniel interrupted. "I'll stop in myself and see her, I'm sure Teri is handling it. You'll see her in the morning." He saw the Colonel nod, and put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Cam, she'll be fine, and so will you and Kayla."
He nodded. "I know. Thanks Daniel."
"No problem; we'll see you in the morning," Daniel said, and after a quick nod of assurance from Teal'c, he left with Jack and Elizabeth.
John, Rodney, Teyla and Ronon remained. Carson knew he wasn't going to get rid of them so easily. "Not too long," he insisted, and then left the ward with Jennifer Keller, his staff going on with their duties.
John came up beside Rodney. "You did good in there."
The scientist half smiled, a little embarrassed. "She's family," he noted, and then added, "They're all family."
"Yeah, they are." John agreed.
DF
At Auratora, Cassie Fraiser waved her hand in front of the door controls and walked into the quarters she shared with Jon O'Neill. Jon came out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist. "Any news?"
"Doctor Beckett is releasing them in the morning. Uncle Jack and Uncle Daniel just returned," she reported and pulled off her jacket, leaving it draped over the sofa in their quarters. She went over and sat on the bed.
Jon grabbed some clothes and dressed, except for his shoes, then sat beside her. "Have the kids settled down?"
She nodded. "And so have Sam and Margo," Cassie told him. "They're being briefed now."
"Come here." He drew her fully onto the bed, lying back he held her in his arms. "It's going to be all right."
"I hope so," she said. Slipping her hand under his shirt, she rubbed her thumb over his washboard stomach. Since their relationship had gone from friendship to lovers, she'd found she ached to touch him, to feel skin to skin contact. They'd overcome so much, and moved so far in their relationship, and one day they would take the next step.
Jon kissed her forehead. "What are you thinking?"
"About us," she looked up. "I love you, you know that."
"Of course I do," he put his hand on the back of her neck, her hair silky under his fingers. "I love you, too."
"Margo said you were an old soul."
"She's right, in a way," he gently stroked her hair. "Is that what this is all about?"
"Yes and no," she admitted and straddled his waist, leaning forward to lie in his arms. "I know who you are, Jon, and I know who you aren't, not any more. I fell in love with Jon O'Neill, and that's who you are. The man I love, the man I want to spend the rest of my life with."
"We have time, Cass," he said softly. "I'm not going to rush you."
"I know," she smiled and brushed her lips over his. "I just want you to know, I'm not going anywhere. One day I'm going to be your wife and mother of your children. I promise you that."
Jon felt an old pain grip his heart, and he pushed it away. That pain wasn't his, not anymore, and one day the love of a child was going to replace that pain forever. "I want that too, Cass." His voice grew husky. "I want to have you as my wife; I want to see our child growing inside you, then to hold him or her in my arms."
Tears welled in her eyes. "You're going to make a wonderful father, Jon."
"You're going to make a wonderful, mom, Cass," he kissed her, "one day."
She nodded. "One day," she promised.
DF
Rodney McKay had never been the touchy feely kind of person, but he did manage to make the effort to be there for his teammates and friends. Therefore, he made the effort to be there for Kayla. She was as much a part of his family as the rest of Atlantis, the fact she'd accepted him into her family while at Auratora had proven that.
Joining her out on the Atlantis balcony, he cleared his throat, knowing better than to sneak up on her. "Hey… um, how you doing?"
She looked, seeing who it was. She was back in uniform, including the nine-mil holstered at her thigh. She managed a smile. "Hi Rodney."
He went a little closer. "So you're okay?"
She shoved her hands into the pockets of her jacket. Actually, it was John's, the leather jacket he wore while in the city and off-world. Since their dip in the ice water; she felt she might never get warm again. "For someone who brought us to the Ori's attention; yeah I guess I am."
"Yes, well, we don't know where or when they've gone."
"Thanks Rodney, that makes me feel so much better," she said a little sarcastically.
"Sorry."
She sighed and put her hand on his arm, giving it a gentle squeeze before removing it. "It's okay; I'm just not very good company at the moment." She turned back to look over the city.
"That's okay, I'm never very good company," he retorted confidently.
Kayla chuckled, and then asked him. "Do you miss anything from Earth?"
"My cat."
"Really?"
"Yeah, she was a good companion," he said. "What about you, any pets you left behind?"
"No," she shook her head. "Between being allergic, and moving from one family to another, it wasn't possible."
"Oh, so you're allergic to cats?"
She nodded. "If I take my meds, I can handle being around one for a short period of time, but that's it, I can't have one around all the time."
"That's too bad."
Kayla smiled. "Yeah, I guess so," she turned and saw he was trying. She wrapped her arms around him and gave him a hug, feeling him slowly hug her back. "Thanks Rodney," she pulled back a little, then rose up on her toes and kissed his cheek before leaving the balcony.
Rodney smiled, pleased with himself. That hadn't been that hard.
John found him still standing there, a grin on his face, and looked at him, curious. "What's got you in such a good mood?"
"You're sister."
"Kayla?"
"Yeah," he said, still pleased with himself. "I came out here too, you know, cheer her up a little. We talked and she um, gave me a hug and kissed my cheek."
"So, she was being nice, that's just Kayla," John dismissed, and headed inside.
Rodney hurried to catch up. "Yes, well, it meant something, okay."
"Sure Rodney, if you say so," the Colonel teased him as they headed to the Gate Room. SG-1, the General, and Daniel were waiting with Elizabeth. SG-1 was geared up, their weapons returned to them, cleaned and loaded.
Kayla had John's jacket in her hands, and gave it back to him when he and Rodney arrived. "Thank you," she said sincerely. "For everything."
"No problem," he said and then drew her into his arms, hugging her. "Be careful out there, squirt."
"You too, Johnny," she smirked, and stepped back, seeing him roll his eyes at her.
"Dr. Jackson. Kayla!"
They turned and saw Major Lorne jogging in. He went over to them, a beautiful brown bear from FAO Schwarz Toys in his hands, and gave it to Kayla, "I had it sent though in the last mail. It's for Danny."
"Thank you, Evan." She took it and gave him a hug. "She'll love it." She then kissed his cheek. "From Danny."
He stepped back, a little embarrassed. "I'd… um… better go," he stammered and then hurried away, ignoring the amused smiles from his friends.
"We've got to get going, Indiana." Jack told her, the Stargate activating behind them. "Elizabeth, thank you for looking after my kids."
"You're welcome, Jack, anytime," she said, smiling.
Major Michaels sent his IDC and received a radio signal back, "We're all set General."
"Alright, kids, let's go," he urged, and ushered them through the Stargate.
DF
Two days later, Rodney was called to the Gate Room, arriving to find Major Hayden standing with Elizabeth and the rest of his team, a large box at their feet, and Matt cradling something inside his jacket.
"What's going on?" he asked.
"You've got a present, Rodney," Elizabeth said grinning.
"Really, from whom?"
"Dr. Jackson, sir," Matthew Hayden announced, and then gentle drew a small bundle of white fur from his jacket, where the little kitten had made the journey through the wormhole, protected from the chill of Gate travel. He gave the kitten to the scientist. "Kayla said you mentioned you missed your cat, so she had Colonel Reynolds purchase the kitten and the supplies for her on Earth. And since she's allergic to cats I volunteered to bring her to you."
"It's a her?" Rodney asked, besotted with the little kitten.
"Yes sir, she doesn't have a name yet, she's only eight weeks old," the Major happily replied.
"She's beautiful, Rodney," Elizabeth said happily.
"Oh, she is," he gushed, the kitten purring in his arms.
Major Hayden chuckled softly. "I have to get back, Dr. Weir."
"Yes, of course." Elizabeth waved her arm and finger up at the sergeant in operations.
"Thank you, Major, and tell Kayla thank you," Rodney told him.
"I will doc," he agreed cheerfully. As the all-clear was given, he added, "Dr. Weir, Colonel."
"Say hi to Kayla for us too," John insisted.
"Yes sir," he said, and then walked through the Stargate.
"So, Rodney," John turned to his friend. "What are you going to call the little bundle of fur?"
"Um," he looked at the little kitten; she wasn't completely white as she had a little grey mixed into her fur. "Cleo."
"Why Cleo, Rodney?" Teyla inquired.
"Well, it's short for Cleopatra," he said smugly, "and since she's going to be treated like a Queen, it's appropriate."
John chuckled, and picked up the box of supplies. "Come on Rodney, let's leave Elizabeth to explain that one to Teyla and Ronon, and go set Cleo up in your quarters."
"Yes, yes, good idea, I hope Kayla thought of everything," he said eagerly and was ushered away by his friend.
DF
To be continued…