The chapters have been jumping back and forth past/present but they've sort of been consistent in that they discuss something that was brought up. So far everything's been from Teyla's perspective but in order to bring in Michael I had to switch to John's.

Disclaimer: I don't own SGA, etc.

The first thing he notices when he enters the room is the cowboy hat. "Can I help you?" John asks. He doesn't have time for this.

The guy stands and extends his hand, broad smile on his face. "Sgt. Sheppard, nice to finally meet you. The name's Michael Kenmore." His smile falters and his hand drops. "I thought that you knew about the transfer, Sir?"

He really doesn't have time for this. "I have to make a phone call." He shuts his office door behind him, leaving the new guy rocking uncomfortably on his heels.

John doesn't give a preamble. "Why is there a Michael Kenmore sitting at Emmagen's desk."

He can hear Chief Weir give an exasperated sigh over the phone, "Don't act like you're surprised, Sgt. Sheppard. Kenmore was transferred to your division."

"I don't remember signing off on that."

There's silence. He can tell that she's frustrated. "That's because you didn't, John. I explicitly informed you that you had three weeks to find replacements when Ford and Emmagen went undercover and you didn't even bother to look at applications. You gave me no choice."

"You can't-"

"Sergeant," she warns, "Do I have to remind you that you've been on thin ice since you got here?"

She doesn't. Forced out of the NYPD for refusing to follow orders. Transferred out of the LAPD for disobeying a direct order. He would have been fired but it would have been bad publicity, his actions had saved lives.

"O'Neill suggested I take a chance on you and I did. But don't push it."

"Yes, Sir."

"Oh, and Sheppard?"

"Chief."

"Play nice."

He clears his throat and Kenmore stands again. "Sir."

"Lose the hat, it's against regulation. The cowboy boots, too." He hands Kenmore a file. "Welcome to the team."

He's picked up another new recruit before the week is out. They're…adequate. It's not the same. He misses Emmagen and Ford. Those two had seemed to be one step ahead of the game and it made his life easier.

They've also managed to royally piss off McKay and it isn't long before he has to make his way down to the lab. "Look Rodney, I get it. You aren't happy but you can't refuse to run evidence just because you don't like people."

"I'm sorry, are you talking about the evidence that your team contaminated? How am I supposed to do my job when your people can't do theirs," he snaps.

"McKay," John says. "I'm going to say this once—do your damn job." Then he takes a seat. "Things were easier with Ford and Emmagen."

Rodney snorts. "You don't say." He fiddles with one of his instruments. "Shouldn't you be out chasing criminals or something?"

John shrugs. "It's on the agenda."

This causes Rodney to stop what he's doing. "Wait a minute," he squints at John. "You're hiding out down here, aren't you."

"That," John says indignantly, "is ridiculous."

"No, oh no." Rodney points towards the door. "I am not letting you shirk your responsibilities just because you don't feel like dealing with your new team."

"There's nothing wrong with my new team," John insists. There's not. He likes them well enough.

He doesn't say it out loud but the next thing he knows Rodney says, "I miss them too." Then the scientist frowns. "Now get back to work so that I can get back to work."

John gives a fake salute. "You got it." He faces Rodney before he walks out the door. "And McKay. I better have the report on that analysis by the end of the day."