600 words. The saga continues.

John left the Infirmary with Stone in tow. Despite his sixty years of age, he still managed to reach the control room ahead of the younger man.

"Colonel?"

His second in command glanced at him before turning her attention back to the Hive ship displayed on the monitor.

"It popped in a few minutes ago, sir," answered Colonel Laura Cadman. She looked at Sheppard and added, "All they've said so far is that Delilah wants to talk to Rodney." She waited until Sheppard was standing beside her to quietly ask, "How is he?"

"Hanging in there," replied John as he studied the screen. "Tell her to come down. She can bring one… person… with her. If we detect any more than two life signs we blow them from the sky."

"Yes, sir."

John turned and walked towards his office, wondering as he moved just what the hell the universe was coming to.

Cadman leaned in towards John and whispered, "I always hear the theme from Jaws in my head when I see her."

Sheppard grunted in amusement as Delilah made her way towards them.

"Where is Rodney?" she demanded when she finally reached them.

"He's unavailable," he replied. "And just how did you know where to find us?"

"My queen is always aware of your location, John Sheppard," said Todd as he stood next to Delilah. "The fact that she never reveals it to anyone should earn some gratitude from you."

John was about to tell Todd where he could stick his gratitude when Delilah hissed and edged closer to him. He was ninety-nine percent sure she wouldn't try anything, but it was definitely comforting to hear Cadman grip and raise her weapon.

"Where is Rodney?"

"I told you he's…"

"He's dying," came a new voice from the entrance. All eyes, Wraith and human, turned to see Jennifer McKay standing in the open doorway. "And if there's anything you want to say to him, you'd better," she stopped as tears started flowing from her eyes and her voice abandoned her. A sniff and small cough later she said, "You'd better hurry."

"What is wrong with him?"

Jennifer stood next to Delilah, and even though she answered the question her attention was focused on Rodney. "He's dying. He's nearly sixty years old. He's spent most of his life not taking the best care of himself and his body has been through so much…"

There was silence in the room, save for the beeping of the heart monitor and the background noises one could normally hear in the Infirmary.

"If I speak to him will he hear me?" asked Delilah, though like Jennifer her eyes stayed on Rodney.

"I… I don't know," replied Jennifer. And she truly didn't, not that that kept her from talking to him. "I like to believe he can hear," she gave Delilah a quick sidelong glance, "us."

"Then I wish to speak to him. Alone."

There was an immediate chorus of negative responses, all of which swiftly ended when Delilah quickly spun so that she was facing Jennifer. "To offer him my sincere thanks for the pleasure he has brought me with music and videos." She stopped and hesitated as though what she was about to say next was going to leave a distinctly unpleasant taste in her feeding organ. "Please."

Jennifer looked into the green inhuman eyes of Delilah and found herself nodding. "One minute and not a second more."

Delilah inclined her head, in thanks or acknowledgement Jennifer didn't know. What she did know was Cadman was nearby and ready for anything.

A/N: The classic "Theme from Jaws" was written by John Williams for the movie 'Jaws'. It was released on the movie's soundtrack in 1975, and re-released on CD in 1992.