A/N: Hey Everyone! Here is the next chapter. As always thank you to all that have been reading and reviewing. You all are great and make this fun. Hope you like this chapter and I'm working on the next one as I write this. Take care and Happy Reading!!!
It was 0600hrs and Teyla was already up. She had left a sleeping John in his quarters and decided to go for walk to clear her mind. They had gotten back very late last night from New Athos and other activities made them go to bed later than they should have. Teyla should have been getting some much needed rest too but she couldn't sleep. Her life was changing at too fast of a pace and she needed a moment to take in all that was happening in.
Before Teyla knew it she was standing on the East pier, her favorite spot to come and think. It seemed like she was finding herself more and more there these days. She looked out to the horizon and could see that the sun was just starting to come up. The sky had just a hint of orange against the dark blue of the night. It was so beautiful. Another wondrous gift from the ancestors she thought. Teyla thanked the ancestors for this and the many other blessing they had bestowed on her, Torrin, John, her people,her friends, and now Danielle.
Teyla moved over to the railing and let the cool sea breeze caress her face and hoped it would help to calm her growing worry down. Suddenly she felt a presence near her and knew exactly who it was.
"I can feel you there." Teyla said.
"I know. That's how I found you. This bond we have does come in handy." Danielle said.
"You can not sleep either?" Teyla said.
"Nope. Too much on my mind." Danielle said walking over to Teyla. Danielle yawned when she reached the railing.
"I have no clue how you morning people do it. I just can't seem to function at this hour." Danielle said stretching.
Teyla smiled at Danielle's comment. She remembered that Danielle was not a morning person. So Teyla was quite surprised when she looked over to Danielle and saw that she was already dressed in her uniform. Taking a closer look Teyla saw that Danielle also shared the same look she did and possible shared the same feelings.
"What ever is bother you must be weighing very heavy on you to have you up at this hour. Does Major Lorne know you are here?" Teyla asked.
"Heavy is not the word and no, Evan doesn't know I'm here. I let him sleep. He had a long day yesterday and I didn't want to burden him with any more my issues. Does the Colonel know you are here?" Danielle said.
"No. John is still asleep. He too had a long day...and night." Teyla said.
Danielle looked over to Teyla and laughed at the rarely seen saucy side of Teyla.
"Evan and I too had a..... long night. That's one of the reason's why I let him sleep. Plus, I needed some time to myself. Some place peaceful and quiet." Danielle said then leaned onto the railing and looked at the rising sun and sighed.
"I almost wish the sun wouldn't rise. Yesterday was one of the best days of my life." Danielle said.
"I wish that as well. Yesterday was a very good day and I wish to hold on to that a little bit longer." Teyla said.
Danielle's hand found it's way to the St. Micheal chain that Evan gave her.
"Everything is happening so fast. At first I was really excited to know more about the sisters and how they were connected to us but now..." Danielle sighed.
"Now you wish things would return to normal." Teyla said.
"Exactly. There are somethings that I wouldn't change. Like Evan and I getting closer and finding out that you and I are somehow related but there are other things I would change. I just can't help feeling.." Danielle looked to Telya who finished the sentence.
"Like we are being lied to. Like there is more that we need to know but are not being told. I have that sensed too. What I fear the most is that today is the last day I will be myself. Like the Teyla Emmagon I am right now will be more." Teyla said.
"I'm glad you said it first because I am feeling the same way. I just keeping thinking that this will be the last sunrise I see as Danielle Campbell. That the next sunrise I see on Atlantis will be different because I will be different. I only hope that it will not effect my relationship with Evan. I don't know what I would do if he couldn't accept who I may become." Danielle said.
Teyla looked over to Danielle's hand and saw that she was wearing a ring on one of her fingers. She wondered if this was what John was talking about when he said there was an Earth custom of when two people who wanted to be joined on his world that one of them got a ring.
"Danielle are you and Evan to be joined?" Teyla asked.
Danielle looked over to Teyla and was shocked that she knew.
"How did you know? Are you reading my mind or something?" Danielle asked.
Teyla laughed at how flustered Danielle was becoming.
"No. I am not reading your mind. On your finger is a ring that I have never seen you wear before. John had told me that men of your world will often give the women they wished to be joined with a ring. I just assumed that is what the ring was for. Also, you did not deny it either." Teyla said.
Danielle cursed underneath her breath for being so careless. She should have taken the ring off when she went to bed but she wasn't ready yet to remove it. Danielle was so happy that she forgot to remove it. She was glad that it was Teyla and not Colonel Carter who saw it.
"Yes, you are correct. I'm engaged to Evan and I couldn't be happier. He is everything and more. I can't wait to be married to him. Just please Teyla don't tell anyone. There is still some red tape we have to go through to make this work so I would appreciate if we just kept this between us." Danielle said.
"I will keep your secret if you keep mine." Teyla said as she pulled the dog tags out John had given her.
Teyla waived Danielle over closer to her and let her see the name on the tags. Danielle looked at the tags around Telya's neck and read the name.
"Wow! You and the Colonel are enaged too? Man was there a memo that I didn't see? It must have said if your going to get engaged today is the day." Danielle chuckled.
Teyla looked at Danielle and was little confused by what she said.
Danielle waived Teyla off.
"Never mind. It was my poor attempt at humor. Well, I'm happy for you and your secret is safe with me. Now let me see if I do this right." Danielle said.
She faced Teyla and touched her forehead in the traditional Athosian way.
"Congratulations Teyla. I hope the ancestors bring many blessings upon you and Colonel Sheppard. Do I do it right?" Danielle asked.
"You did just fine. Now I will give you a hug as is a custom on your world." Teyla said walking over to Danielle.
"I wish you and Major Lorne nothing but happiness. My the ancestors watch over you and bless you." Teyla whispered in Danielle's ear while she hugged her.
"Thank you. I hope someone's listening up there. I think we are going to need all the blessing and help we can get." Danielle said.
"I do too." Teyla said.
Danielle heard her watch beep while she was hugging Teyla. She moved from Teyla and looked at her watch. It showed 0630. She knew that Evan would probably be up by now and wondering where she was.
"I better get back. Evan should be waking up by now. I will see in the gate room at 0800." Danielle said.
"I will be there." Teyla said.
Danielle was about to turn and walk away when Teyla called her name.
"Danielle wait. I will walk with you." Teyla said.
As Teyla and Danielle walked back they didn't say much to each other. They just walked in silence enjoying each others company.
Danielle punched in the code to Evan's room and walked inside after she said her good byes to Teyla. She walked over to the bed where Evan was still sleeping. He looked so peaceful and content. Danielle couldn't help but envy Evan right now. She sat on the edge of bed still looking at Evan. She ran her fingers through his hair and felt him start to stir. He rolled over to her and placed his head on her lap. Danielle kept running her fingers through Evan's hair and heard a content sigh leave his lips.
"That feels good. What time is it?" Evan said keeping his eyes closed enjoying the feel of Danielle's fingers in his hair.
"It's 0640. It's time to get up." Danielle whispered.
Evan opened his eyes and turned over so his face was now looking up at Danielle. He had to focus his sleepy eyes because he couldn't believe what he was seeing. Evan rubbed his eyes again thinking the image would change but it didn't.
"What's wrong?" Danielle asked.
"You're up. Not only are you up but you are dressed and up before the sun. I thought your kind burned up when the sun came up." Evan laughed.
Danielle grabbed the pillow from behind her and hit Evan in the face with it. Evan quickly grabbed the pillow of out Danielle's hand and threw it to the other side of the room. He grabbed Danielle around the waist and forced her down on the bed and climbed on top of her.
"Ok. Who are you and what have you done with my fiancé?" Evan asked.
Danielle laughed at Evan.
"It's me silly. Now let me up. You're going to wrinkle my uniform."
"Oh. Now I now somethings wrong. My fiancé does not do morning, lateness is written in her DNA, and she definitely would not care if her uniform was wrinkled. So who are you?" Evan asked.
"So, what do I have to do to prove to you that it's me?"Danielle asked.
Evan smiled and leaned closer to Danielle's face.
"I could think of a couple of things." Evan said in a husky voice.
As Evan leaned closer to Danielle she seized that moment to turn the tables on Evan and flipped him over so she was now on top. She leaned down and kissed Evan until they both were out of breath.
"So, is it me?" Danielle asked.
"I think I might need some more evidence that it is you." Evan said.
"Oh no big boy." Danielle said climbing off of Evan. "You need to get ready because I'm hungry and before you know it it'll be time to leave. So go take your shower and get dressed." Danielle said.
"Now I know it's you. Nothing gets in the way of you and a meal. You realize now thanks to you it will now be a cold shower?" Evan said sitting up.
"You needed proof and I provided it. Don't complain about the results." Danielle laughed.
"You're evil to leave me like this." Evan said getting out of bed.
"I promise that if I make it through the ceremony without screaming I'm melting what a world like in the Wizard of OZ I'll make it up to you." Danielle said.
"That's not funny Danielle." Evan said seriously.
"It's a joke Evan. Look, humor is my only defense right now and it's really keeping me from going insane with worry. So how about giving your girl a break here huh?" Danielle said.
"Sorry, I just don't like to hear you say things like you aren't going to make it." Evan said.
"It was a bad joke and I'm sorry. Forgive me?" Danielle asked walking over to Evan.
"Always."Evan said then gave Danielle a quick kiss on the lips. "Alright, I'm off to take my shower." Evan said.
"You're cold shower." Danielle added.
"Yes, my cold shower. Thank you again for that again." Evan said then walking in the bathroom.
"You're welcome honey."Danielle said sitting back on the bed.
As Danielle propped her feet up on the bed she heard Evan yell from the bathroom.
"Oh that's cold!" Evan yelled.
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When Teyla walked back into John's quarter's she saw that he was already out of bed and dressed. She was a little upset that he was not asleep because she liked to see John when he woke up and how happy he always looked to find her there. Not to mention how cute John looked with his unruly hair in the mornings, that always made her smile.
"Good morning beautiful." John said.
"Good morning John. Did you sleep well?" Teyla asked.
"Like a log." John said.
"How long have you been awake?"Teyla asked.
"For a little bit. I rolled over this morning and you weren't there. I figured you were probably up early meditating that's way I didn't come track you down. I was going to go back to sleep when Rodney called me." John said.
"Oh? Why was Rodney up so early?" Teyla asked.
"He wanted to run somethings past me about the mission. It was all stuff that could have waited but you know how Rodney is. Once he gets something in his head it has to be done right now. So now I have to go settle him down as well as finish up some last minute paperwork before we go." John said.
John walked over to his nightstand and put his ear piece in his ear. He looked over at Teyla and noticed that she had a sad expression on her face.
"Hey? What's wrong?" John said walking over to Teyla.
"It is this mission John. I do not have a good feeling about it." Teyla said.
"That makes two of us. The good thing is that we're not walking into this thing totally blind. We know that we need to keep our eyes open so we will. Lorne is going to keep a close watch of Campbell while I keep a very close watch on you." John said.
"How close?" Teyla said moving closer to John.
John chuckled and pulled Teyla into his arms.
"This close." John said then kissed Teyla on the lips.
"I like you this close." Teyla said when the kiss ended.
"Me too." John smiled.
"I need to go and get my gear ready. I will see you in the gate room. I love you." Teyla said as she was leaving John's room.
John was about to tell Teyla good bye and that he loved her too when Rodney's voice came over his ear piece.
She waived good bye to John who was clearly annoyed at Rodney's interruption.
"Sheppard are you coming or what?"Rodney snapped in his usual impatient way.
"Keep you shirt on Rodney I'm on my way. I was just getting ready to walk out of my room." John said.
"Well hurry up. I still need to eat." Rodney said.
"I said I'm on my way Rodney. Now cool it before I tell Mina what the M in your name really stands for." John smirked.
"You wouldn't?" Rodney said.
"Try me. Sheppard out." John said then walked out of his room towards Rodney's lab.
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Atlantis was truly a beautiful place Colar thought as he stood on the balcony looking at the city. He had been up since before the sun looking at the sea and the city, hoping that maybe the wonderful view might lift his troubled spirit.
Colar still was having trouble with the secret he was keeping away from the descendants about the ritual. It bothered him so much that he had tossed and turned all night and received very little sleep.
What was most interesting to him is that while he had trouble sleeping his teacher Tollar had no trouble at all. While Colar paced the night way Tollar slept like man who had no worries. Colarwasn't sure whether he should envy or hate him for that. He shook his head and looked back to the sea that seemed to be as long and as deep as the troubled heart he carried inside of him. Colar heard footsteps coming toward him and knew that Tollara had finally woken up from his peaceful slumber.
Tollara walked out to the balcony where he saw Colar was standing and walked up to his student with a smile on his face.
"Glory and Honor to you Colar." Tollara said happily.
"Glory and Honor to you Tollara." Colar said quietly.
Tollara looked at his student and saw that he looked troubled.
"Colar, what troubles you on this glorious morning? You should be happy. You have found the saviors of our people and today they are traveling back home to fulfill the prophecy. My young friend you should celebrating not sulking." Tollara said.
"I know but my heart is still troubled." Colar said.
"Why?" Tollara asked.
"Because we are not being honest." Colar said looking out to the sea. "Please believe me when I tell you that I am truly honored to know I was selected by the sisters to find their descendants and bring them back home but, now I feel ashamed for lying to them. It is not right keep this secret away from them. They deserve to know what the ceremony truly entails so they can make clear decision." Colar said.
"And what if they would say no? What would we do then? Where would our people be then?" Tollara questioned.
Colar turned and faced his teacher with irritation clearly seen on his face.
"You continue to give these people too little credit. You keep assuming that they would not help us. I have found in my short time with them that they are a kind and giving people. When the Brinar beat me and left me to die, these people took me in and defended me without question or hesitation. When I told them the plight of our people they wanted to help. They risked their lives to get the artifacts and they continue to now risks their lives now for a people they do not know. To me that says they are worthy of our trust and the truth." Colar said.
"Colar, I appreciate all they have done for you. My heart truly would have been broken if you would have been killed at the hands of those people on Brinar. They will forever have my sincerest grautitude for saving you and the artifacts. And yes, you are right when you say they have helped us. They truly have used all the resources they have to help us but in my experience with them so far...especially Colonel Sheppard...they are a very...questioning people." Tollara said.
"Because they do not follow blindly?" Colar asked.
"Yes." Tollara said.
"Would you not do the same thing if someone from an unknown world came to you and told you what we have?" Collar said with anger in his voice. He could not see how his teacher could keep justifying not telling them the others the truth.
"There is no honor or glory in what we are choosing to do here." Colar said.
Tollara looked at his student and nodded. He knew Colar's word were true.
"You are right there is none. I know what I am doing will be viewed by others and you as wrong but I will stay this course. I will not risk the lives of our people on a maybe. Judge me how you will Colar but I will do anything or sacrifice anyone to keep our people alive. You will do your duty and keep this between us. There will be no more discussion on this. Is that understood." Tollara said.
"I understand." Colar said turning away from his teacher again.
As Tollar started to walk away he heard Colar's soft prayer to the ancestors.
"Please forgive me ancestors for what I am about to do. I only hope that in time my actions will be understood and forgiven." Colar said.
"Mine as well." Tollar said softly as he walked away.
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It was 0745 hrs and John,Teyla,Ronon,Danielle,Evan and Sam were in the control room talking and waiting for the others to arrive. John had tried calling Rodney several times to see where he was but he wasn't answering him.
"Where's McKay?" Ronon asked.
"I don't know. He's usually here by now muttering about something scientific he should be doing rather going with us." John said.
"Maybe we should send someone to go check on him." Teyla said.
John nodded and was about to get one of the marines to check on Rodney when he came into the control room looking more frazzled than John had every seen him.
"What's up Doc?" Evan asked causing John and other in the control room to snicker. It took Evan a second but he realized why everyone was laughing at what he said.
Rodney on the other hand didn't appreciate the humor at his expense.
"Not in the mood for the humor this morning Major." Rodney huffed out.
"What's got you in foul mood McKay? You have been barking all morning." John said.
"Nothing." Rodney said still looking miffed about something.
"Spit it out McKay. This mission already has me on edge on and I don't need you acting like a two year old that lost his puppy. So please say what it has that has put you in such a bad mood." John said.
"Fine. It's gone." Rodney said.
"Care to elaborate McKay?" John said not understanding.
"The Jello. Specifically the Blue Jello. Someone took the majority of it and only left about a weeks worth in there. What am I going to eat while I'm on that planet huh? Those ration bars only last so long. I mean who would have done such a thing?" Rodney said.
Rodney looked at John who only shrugged his shoulders and tried to look at innocent as possible.
"Sheppard did you have something to do with the my missing Jello?" Rodney asked.
Before John could answer he was saved by Chuck who announced there was an incoming message from Captain Harrington.
"Put in through." John said turning quickly away from Rodney and walking over to Chuck. "Quick man, put it through." John said as Rodney followed him.
As Chuck was quickly inputting the commands to accept Captain Harrington's signal, Tollara,Colar, and Dr. Sona were brought in the control by Cpl. Matthews.
Sam walked over to Tollara and the others greet them.
"That will be all Cpl. Matthews thank you." Sam said.
"Yes ma'am" Cpl Matthews acknowledging Sam.
"Thank you for your assistance Cpl. Matthews while we were here." Tollara said.
"No problem sir. Safe trip back home sir . Cpl Matthews said then exited the control room.
Good Morning Councilman, Colar, Dr. Sona. Did you all sleep well?" Sam asked.
"Very well, thank you Colonel." Dr. Sona said.
"Yes, I slept well also thank you. It is the best rest I have had in my weeks." Tollara said.
"I bet. I'm sure with all the worrying about the shield that you have had many nights of restlessness. I'm glad that we were able to provide you with some piece of mind so that you could rest." Sam said.
Sam looked over to Colar who hadn't said anything. She noticed the look of disgust on his face when Tollara said he had slept well.
"How are you this morning Colar?" Sam asked.
"I am well Colonel Carter. Thank you for asking." Colar said.
Sam noticed that Colar's face brightened somewhat when he spoke to her but she could see that there was still something wrong.
"If you all excuse me, I need to check on my people." Sam said.
"Of course." Tollara said.
Sam walked over to John and the other to see what Captain Harrington was trying to report.
"What's going on?" Sam asked.
"That's what we were just going to find out." John said.
"Can you read me better now?" Harrington asked.
"Much. Now what's going on?" John asked.
"We found something that I think someone needs to get down here and look at sir." Harrington said.
"What is it?" Sam asked.
"Ma'am, I'm not quite sure but I think it may be an ancient lab that one of men literal just dropped on." Harrington said.
"A lab? How did you find a lab?" Rodney asked now. His interest now peaked.
"We were surveying a new area one of the locals was showing us when one of the men fell through a hole that had been covered up by some brush. When he turned on his light he saw that he was in some type of hallway. He radioed up to me that he was ok and that he found something. I went down there to take a look around with him and that's when we found the lab. It has a lot of the same technology we have found in other ancient labs and a few others I haven't seen before. I figured that this might be something Dr. McKay and his people might want to take a look at." Harrington said.
"Right. We'll send a group of scientist to you to evaluate the lab and what ever else is down there." Sam said.
"Yes ma'am. Oh and Colonel. I hate to be cliché but the natives are getting restless and they would like us to hurry because they feel like this is really bad juju." Harrington said.
"We'll get someone there asap. Hang tight Harrington." John said.
"Copy that. Harrington out." Harrington said then shut down his transmission.
"Well looks like I will be going on my own mission while you all are away." Sam said.
"You?" Rodney said.
"Yes, me. I have had some experience with ancient technology Rodney. I would say to send Zelenka but you have already bogged the man down with trying to find out more about the sisters in our database as well as all the other projects you have been working on. I don't think he can handle one more thing on his plate." Sam said.
"Samantha, I would never doubt your skill or experience with ancient technology but I don't think that it would be wise to have you go when we are all leaving." Rodney said.
"I have to agree with McKay. We can't leave Atlantis with someone in charge. If you leave one of us has to stay." John said looking around the room.
"I'll stay!" Danielle said raising her hand.
"Nice try Campbell. You're still shipping out." John said.
"I'll stay." Evan sighed out.
"What? No!" Danielle said turning to Evan.
"Are you sure Major?" Sam asked.
"Yes ma'am." Evan said.
"Alright." Sam said.
Sam looked her watch and saw that it was time for John and his team to leave.
"Colonel, you and your team have a green light to leave." Sam said.
"I'll meet everyone at the gate. I need to speak to Lorne and Colonel Carter for a second." John said.
"Don't leave without saying good bye." Evan said to Danielle.
Danielle nodded then headed out the control room towards the gate with the others.
Evan walked over to John and Colonel Carter who were now out of earshot of everyone.
"Lorne are you sure you want to stay?" John asked.
"Of course I want to go sir but I also know my duty. The only reason why I volunteered to stay is because I knew you were going sir. We both share the same suspicions about Tollara so I feel much better knowing that you are with Danielle and Teyla." Evan said.
"Thank you for staying Major. I promise that I will not stay long off world. Three days tops. And I also share your suspicions gentlemen about Tollara." Sam said.
"Really?" John asked.
"Yes. It was the way Colar looked at Tollara while we were in the control room. Colar knows something and if Tollara isn't going to be truthful then maybe you can get Colar to fess up." Sam said.
"I knew that kid was hiding something. He chimed up to quickly when Tollara tried to reassure us about the ceremony. Dammit. I'll have to keep an eye on him." John said.
"You better get going Colonel. I'm going to get my team ready go. Be careful Colonel and if you need Major Lorne earlier than three days let me know and I will come straight back." Sam said.
"I will." John said.
"C'mon sir. You got a gate to catch." Evan said.
John and Evan walked into the gate room where the others where waiting.
"Where ready Chuck. Dial up Naharra." John said.
Evan stood next to Danielle and the others and they both watched silently as the gate symbols lit up. When the worm hole was established Evan took Danielle's hand in his.
Evan watched as Tollara, Colar, and Dr. Sona went through the gate first followed by Rodney who said his good-byes to Evan.
Teyla walked over to Evan and Danielle with a sad smile on her face.
"Do not worry Major. I will take good care of her until your return." Teyla said.
"I know you will. Thank you Teyla." Evan said.
Teyla bowed her head then went through the gate.
Evan looked at Danielle and could she was barely holding it together.
"I'll see you in three days. You hold on until then." Evan said.
"Ok." Danielle said almost sobbing it out.
Evan pulled Danielle into a hug and she melted into his arms.
"I love you. I love you so much Dani. I'm so sorry I can't be there with you. You'll see three days will go by fast." Evan whispered.
"I love you too Evan. I wish you were coming with me but I know why you had to stay. There better be something good in that lab." Danielle said.
"I'll be there before you know it. Now you better go." Evan said.
Danielle nodded and reluctantly pulled away from Evan. Then she looked down to her hand and saw that she still had the ring on her finger. She quickly pulled it off her finger and put the ring in Evan's hand before anyone noticed what she was doing.
"Please put this somewhere safe. You better be there in three days. Or I'll come and get you myself." Danielle said.
"I will. Now go. Don't keep the others waiting." Evan said.
Evan watched as Danielle walked away from him towards the gate. She turned towards him and smiled one last time and mouthed the words I love you then crossed over into the gate.
Evan walked to Ronon who was just about to walk towards the gate.
"Ronon, I need a favor." Evan said.
"What do you need Major?" Ronon asked.
"Look, I know Sheppard and Danielle don't really get along and he will have his hands full watching over Teyla.." Evan began.
Ronon put up his hand and stopped Evan because he knew what the man wanted.
"Say no more Major. I'll watch her back while your gone. And I'll keep both of them in check." Ronon said.
"Thank you Ronon." Evan said feeling much better that someone will be playing referee while they were gone.
"See you in three days." Ronon said then walked through the gate.
"See you in three days Major. We'll check in every night 1900hrs Atlantis time. " John said.
"Copy that. Take care sir." Evan said.
John gave Evan a two fingered salute then walked through the gate.
Evan watched as the gate shut down after John and the others left. It suddenly became eerily quiet in the gate room and Evan felt more alone now than he ever did while being stationed on Atlantis.
"These three days better go by quick." Evan said to himself. He walked back up to the control room,picked up his gear, then made the lonely treck back to his quarters.
-Next stop. Naharra-