Sheppard watched the hustle and bustle of residents and personnel in the main tower from the control area. He leaned against a railing and watched for Colonel Carter.
"Ah Sheppard, there you are." Rodney, sounding smugger than usual, declared.
John stifled a winced, put on a smile and turned to face McKay "Hi Rodney, how are you today?"
"So glad you asked –" Rodney said gleefully as John turned back to the railing and let Rodney's excited babbling wash over him.
Carter still hadn't shown up.
"Rodney have you seen Carter?"
"Sure she was getting breakfast with Tey'la like twenty minutes ago."
"Thanks." John said patting Rodney's shoulder and gently pushing past him. Rodney looked vaguely stricken then irritated at having his tale of triumph overridden.
Sheppard spotted her leaving the main chow hall with Tey'la.
"Colonel Carter." He called. The women paused and waited for him to catch up.
"Colonel Sheppard, where's the fire?" Sam asked with a smile. She knew what had him worked up. Tey'la smiled at her friend and commander and waited to see what would unfold.
"The Daedalus hasn't advised of an arrival time yet. You don't think that's strange?"
"Not really." Carter said simply.
"I believe Colonel Sheppard is worried that Major Lorne's charge may be a source of delay." Tey'la said diplomatically.
"Yeah I am, thanks for summing it up. Colonel you know how I feel about this idea –"
"I worked and fought with Max for years. I'm not worried about her."
"So you are worried." John pressed.
"Of course I am. I'm worried we won't establish enough trade alliances to supplement supplies from Earth. I'm worried the wraith are going to find us again and we won't be ready for them I'm worried about a dozen things but Max isn't one of them." Carter said firmly.
Tey'la watched the interplay and tried to sort out her own feelings. She trusted both officers but worried mostly for the safety of her people.
"It's been five years Colonel, how do you know prison hasn't changed her for the worse?"
"Because Major Lorne and General O'Neill have cleared her."
John sighed he didn't have any other real arguments to make.
"I suggest that we at least put her under guard –"
"Colonel we're prepared to test her reaction to the wraith as soon as she arrives, if things don't work out she'll be returned to the Daedalus and the wraith will be destroyed."
"No harm no foul?" John asked coldly.
Carter turned on him with the full force of her rank and combat proficiency weighting her words. "Max was my friend, she saved my life more than once. I'm doing this out of necessity. She's fully aware of what we're asking of her and willing to take the risk."
John took a step back and let out a held breath.
"You can have her under guard if you like." Carter said by way of appeasement.