Epilogue
Jack O'Neill was actually slightly nervous as he watched the five Atlanteans walk through the stargate. Once he might have thought of them as three humans, a Satadan and an Athosian. But as they walked down the ramp he realised there was something different about them – something he could only define as 'Atlantean.'
Though Doctor Weir walked in the front, he saw that there was no way someone would be able to get to her before her guards got to that someone. Right behind Weir, and to either side, John Sheppard and Ronon Dex walked; their weapons ready. Slightly behind them Teyla Emmagan and Rodney McKay completed the small procession, no less dangerous than Sheppard or Ronon.
Beside Jack his wife, Sam O'Neill – known until recently as General Samantha Carter – stood even straighter. This proved slightly difficult, as this only caused her belly to protrude even more. He grinned at the thought of becoming a dad once more at his age. He was a good fifteen years his wife's senior, but this did not mean for one moment she was allowing him to act superior. Or old, for that matter.
To his other side Daniel Jackson lowered his head behind his hand, hiding a grin. Jack spared a moment to glare at the good doctor, but Daniel ignored him. From the start he had been very good at ignoring Jack.
On Daniel's far side Jonas Quinn stood openly smiling at the group, though Jack could detect no irony. They were on Quinn's planet, as it was the only other planet that could generate enough energy to send the Atlanteans home afterwards. They had had to bring the earth-gate's crystals, though.
Finally the two groups stood opposite one another. At first Jack thought things would be awkward, but then Elizabeth smiled.
"Jack, it's good to see you," she greeted him and the tension was broken. With smiles all round they greeted one another and Jack introduced Jonas. Elizabeth smiled warmly at the man. "I've read your files," she informed him. "I think earth is missing out on not having you around anymore," she continued. Jonas smiled a bit self-consciously at her praise.
Jack thought the pleasantries were nearly at an end, but then his wife suddenly spoke up:
"How far along are you?" she asked Weir. The other woman smiled.
"About eleven weeks," she replied and Jack had no idea what they were talking about. "And you?" the doctor shot back and Sam smiled prettily.
"Nearly twenty-two weeks," she said and Jack finally realised they were talking pregnancy. Eyeing Weir he could not see any change in her, though. She was dressed in a neat blue dress, her hair long and loose at her back with a number of beads in it. Now, come to think of it, that was one of the things that were different about all of them. With the exception of McKay, everyone wore a string of beads in their hair. Ronon had for some reason cut his dreads, but a single string of beads still gave him an untamed look. He now also noticed McKay was wearing an outfit much like the wild man's. But, getting back to the women, though Weir was dressed differently, she was not showing yet. Unlike his wife, he happily thought.
Finally they pleasantries were finished and Jack informed them of the mysterious call the SGC had received a few months back. As his story ended, he handed a copy of the official report to Weir. She frowned at it. Then she regarded him with her head still slightly lowered.
"And you had to send us an untraceable message, inviting us to a secret planet in order to tell us about a threat that might destroy us," she summed up the report.
He looked at Jonas. "Well, everyone knows about this planet," he began, but he knew she was correct. He stood up straighter, but Daniel interrupted them.
"Look, it's not exactly as if you made many friends by stealing Atlantis that way," he told them. Weir's eyes flashed and she frowned at Daniel.
"It was never theirs to begin with," she interrupted. Once more she looked at Jack. "I suppose we can't expect any help from earth?" she needlessly asked.
Jack smiled ruefully. "Not exactly, no," he had to admit. "As far as earth is concerned you are no longer welcome." Weir nodded once.
"Thank you for your warning," she formally thanked them. Then she looked at Quinn. "Please, dial us home," she commanded.
"But we might need earth's help," Rodney protested, but she held up a hand.
"Perhaps," she conceded. Then she became serious. "All the same, take us away," she continued. "We're dead to the world."
Without another word the small procession turned towards the stargate. Jonas dialled the DHD and the familiar whoosh of the wormhole forming filled the air. Almost immediately Rodney and Teyla disappeared back through the gate, but Weir, Sheppard and Ronon paused a moment at the edge of the wormhole. As she turned around, Weir reached into a pocket. Quickly she descended the ramp and held out her hand to Jack. When he held his beneath hers, she dropped five bright blue beads in his hand.
"For you and your wife, Daniel, Teal'c and Woolsey," she informed him. She smiled. "It is something our scientists came up with. If ever you want to contact us, these will identify you," she said. Then, without another word, she turned and retraced her steps up the ramp. It occurred to Jack that she looked like nothing as much as a queen returning to her kingdom. He grinned at Sheppard. He had seen the ring Weir wore and guessed that, though she kept her own name, Sheppard was the one that had put the ring there. Thinking of his own spitfire, he shot grin of understanding at the dark-haired man.
And just before he turned to go through the stargate, Sheppard returned the grin with a cocky one of his own.