Disclaimer: None of the stuff and characters recognized from TV are mine. Please don't sue me!
A/N: I appreciate reviews, even ones that are critical. The thing is, they need to be constructive because saying mean stuff about an author's writing isn't helpful. If you're having a bad day and you only want to be rude and hurtful to make an author feel bad, you're just a pathetic excuse for an adult and you need to grow up.
Guest reviewer, (you know who you are) your "critical" review might have carried isome/i weight with me if you had used proper sentence structure, grammar and punctuation. Just a little fyi for you dear. And I want YOU to know that I'm praying for you. God bless you anyway.
A few months later…
John was in his quarters, packing a bag while being harangued by Rodney.
"You can't go on vacation in another universe! Don't you remember entropic cascade failure, the horribly painful way to die," his hands gesticulated wildly while he followed John back and forth between his wardrobe and his bed.
John rolled his eyes at his best friend's histrionics, "Rodney, you know they explained that won't happen. I'm taking the Ibuin express and she promised me she'll align my molecules correctly with the universe when we materialize. So there will be no entropic cascade failure and no horribly painful death. Willow even had a very interesting hypothesis that the mirror thingy the SGC had was defective and that's why people had that problem."
Their other two teammates were also in the room, watching with interest. Ronon was even eating popcorn as his eyes followed the two back and forth across the room.
Growling with frustration, Rodney demanded, "Who the hell is Willow?"
"Oh boy," Sheppard made a face, as if wishing he could take back bringing that up. "She's Xander's best friend since kindergarten and she's the smartest person he knows besides you. Willow is their computer expert, among other things."
McKay looked confused and asked, "Why do supernatural fighters, goddesses and those watching people have anything to do with computers?"
Teyla sighed exasperatedly, "You know they are called, Watchers, Rodney."
Giving the woman a smirk for that and glad his upset friend hadn't latched onto the very last thing he'd said, John gratefully answered, "Willow actually came up with computer programs that the slayers use in the States, different ones for rural and city areas, that let them figure out where newly made vampires are buried. So that way, the slayers can be ready to stake them as they rise, thus saving lives. The success rate is almost eighty percent!"
The scientist was frowning, "Wouldn't they have to have access to coroners' databases to get the information they'd need to make the programs work? Isn't that hacking and therefore illegal? You can't go, you'll get caught up in their lawbreaking and go to jail right along with all of them and we won't be able to come and bail you out!
Sheppard packed the last of his items, zipped his bag and led the way out of his bedroom. He then turned around to face his friend as he asked, "You know I'm going to be in Africa with Xander, so what are you really worried about here, McKay?"
The other man looked down at his hands, as if examining his nails and grudgingly admitted, "What if we have an emergency here on Atlantis and we need you to fly the ship?"
Staring at the other man, John answered, "Carson can fly it if he has to and you know it. Come on, spit it out! Why are you really so hung up about me going away for vacation?"
Ronon put down his popcorn and said, "He's afraid you'll like them more than us and want to stay there."
McKay whirled to face the much larger man and demanded, "How did you-? I mean, why would you think that?" He looked down, refused to meet anyone's eyes and blushed.
John was stunned speechless for a moment and dropped his bag on the floor, then he said, "Hey… Yeah, it's kind of cool getting to know my brother and all of his family in another universe, but you guys are my family, too. I'll only be gone a week and I iam/i coming back. Never doubt that!"
Teyla smiled at their team leader, then lifted Rodney's chin with her finger, "See, Rodney? We told you."
The man fidgeted where he stood and even bounced on the balls of his feet a little while looking anywhere but at his teammates, McKay spoke agitatedly, "That's good to know. Well then, Sheppard, I suppose we'll see you later. Have a good trip!" The moment he said that, he darted out the door of Sheppard's quarters.
They all laughed a little, fondly exasperated expressions on their faces before Teyla stepped close and clasped both John's hands in hers. She gave him the Athosian farewell of touching foreheads with him and spoke with feeling, "Safe journey, my friend."
He smiled in answer and when she stepped away, Ronon reached out and clasped his forearm. He grunted, "Stay safe, Sheppard and don't worry about Rodney."
Teyla agreed, "Yes, we'll keep an eye on him so that he does not get too wrapped up in his work."
Ronon snickered and his eyes gleamed mischievously, "I'm sure we can get Jennifer involved if he gives us too much trouble."
John let go of a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding and told them, "Thanks, guys. Take care and I'll be back before you know it."
They also left his quarters and as soon as the door shut, John rubbed the back of his neck and spoke aloud, "Thanks for waiting for them to leave. I appreciate it," he said as he turned and faced his sister-in-law who was in the doorway to the guest bedroom of his apartment.
Ibuin smiled, "You're getting better at sensing me, my brother. Very good!"
He shrugged and grabbed his bag, slinging it over his shoulder and stepped closer to the beautiful, dark skinned woman. With a laugh, he told her, "It kinda makes the hairs stand up on the back of my neck when you arrive close by. Guess I'm getting used to it now."
She smiled, "Your loyalty to all of your family is very admirable, Sheppard. I knew it was the right move, telling my Xander he needed to get to know you better."
It was Sheppard's turn to blush. He shook his head and laughed, "I'm glad you did, Ibuin. Thank you."
Ibuin looked up with a grin, "Atiya has so been looking forward to this visit from you. She has missed her Uncle John terribly."
He grinned back, "I've missed her, too. This place is a lot more dull without her around, that's for sure!"
Laughing, she asked, "Are you ready?"
He holds up a hand and taps the com he held in his other one, "Woolsey? My ride is here, so I'll see you all in a week."
"Enjoy your vacation, Colonel. Please come back in one piece," Woolsey's plaintive voice can be heard by the dark skinned woman standing at Sheppard's side.
With a snort, Ibuin loudly commented, "I make no promises if the man chooses to spar with the slayers, but other than that, I will do my best to return him to you unharmed."
Sounding relieved, Woolsey said, "Thank you, Ibuin, that is all we can ask. Bon voyage."
Sheppard made a face at his sister-in-law as he said, "Sheppard out." Putting the device on the shelf nearby he turned slightly toward her and offered his arm as he asked, "Shall we go?"
She placed both her hands in the crook of his elbow and said, "Yes, we shall. The two disappeared in a bright flash of green light.