The Janus Orb chpt 8
Chapter 8
Later in John's quarters…
"Are you sure it's okay? We don't have to take your bed, you know." Xander kept one hand behind his daughter's head as they walk into his brother's quarters. Atiya, like many children, had been chattering one moment and then gone limp with sleep the next.
John waves off his brother's objections, "It's okay. Mine's a double, big enough for the two of you while hers is only single, perfect for just me. I wouldn't want her to wake up in the night and think she'd dreamed you coming back."
Both smiled indulgently at the sound asleep girl in Xander's arms. The father felt guilty for having to leave her for so long, knowing she'd worry. Earlier she'd told him of the Wraith and her adventure offworld with her Uncle John, Uncle Ronon and the Marines, so he knew she'd had a full day before he'd even arrived with her grandfather.
John appeared to think of something as he pulled back the covers of the bed, "Not that I'm trying to get rid of you or anything, but are you sure people won't get worried if you don't hurry back?"
Carefully placing Atiya on the bed and tucking her in, Xander answers, "I have strict orders from Ibuin to spend some time getting to know my big brother better. She's said it's shameful that our daughter knows you much better by now than we do."
Chuckling quietly at that, John tells him, "Well tomorrow will be soon enough for that. Get some sleep, little brother and we'll talk in the morning."
Two days later…
John, Xander and Atiya were in the cafeteria grabbing breakfast. Teyla and Rodney were already there waiting for them, along with Ronon and Lorne. The last two had been having running discussions with Xander on new ways to deal with the Wraith that hadn't been used before.
Half an hour later everyone was finishing up their meals and Xander was saying, "They took claymores apart and wrapped each individual bearing in tinfoil or aluminum packets filled with thermite. They then put magnesium across the explosive charge so that when the claymore blew, it would fire off FLAMING ball bearings that would eat through a TANK."
Lorne's mouth dropped open. He looked at Sheppard, "Can you imagine what that would do to a Wraith Hive ship, sir?"
Ronon's grin was huge and his eyes gleamed with a manic light, "I am!"
John wrinkled his nose in disgust, "I'd rather not while I'm eating, thanks. Great idea though.