PRIMIS : THE HOPE

Chapter Four

A/N... So here we are, the last chapter in this story and series. Why? I'm afraid I got bored of it...and I gather you were too, what with the lack of reviews! But what to do? I didn't want to just leave it unfinished, so I discarded what I had already wrote to give you the hereunder instead. It's different, I grant you. I hope you like it and are not too disappointed...

SGA SGA SGA

...YEAR SIX...

"Tell us the part again when the Wraith..."

"I can't just now, I have to help pack everything up, and we are leaving soon anyway." He joked.

"Aw, Torren. You promised!"

Torren laughed and pulled the young child onto his knee, enjoying the innocence of the wanting cheeky smile she gave him. Kit scrambled on his knee until she was facing him and flung her small arms around his neck. "Will we be okay when we leave here?" She asked him in a small whisper into his ear that tickled him.

Torren pushed her back gently until he was facing her. "I promise everything will be okay. Uncle Rodney told me that the time has come to leave here so we must be happy with that. We are going home."

"But this is home!" She argued and silenced Torren for a moment.

Thoughtfully, Torren drew her back into his arms for a hug; possibly even to subdue her so he didn't need to reply to that statement – after all in some ways she was correct. This had been her home for all of her five young years; her and her twin brother Aiden, and all the other children he had been entrusted this day to gather and keep entertained whilst the Atlantis crew packed up their possessions in a hurry.

They were about to leave Chol for the last time.

"Torren!"

Torren looked up at the voice shouting for him, and thankful for the distraction from Kit.

"Here!" He shouted back, placing Kit on the ground and standing up to meet his mother as she strode towards him.

"Why are you all hiding here?" Teyla asked as Kit jumped into her open arms. She kissed the top of her head and then drew her quieter brother, Aiden to her side. "Did you make sure the children have all their toys packed in that box I gave you?"

"We can see better all that's going on from here, and yes, it's all packed." Torren replied, pleased with himself.

"Good. That's so very kind of you, Torren."

"Mamma?" Kit smoothed the hair off her mother's forehead as she spoke. "Torren told us this isn't our home!"

Teyla's smile fell slightly from her face and gave Torren a quick look of understanding. "Well, my little one, he is correct, although you were born here so it will forever be the place of your birth. Our stay here was always going to be temporary though. I thought your father had explained that to you again yesterday."

"He did. I guess I just don't understand it all."

Teyla set the small child down on the ground and smiled. "It is a lot to explain, and I am afraid I do not have time at the moment, although later I will explain it all again in a way you will understand…" Teyla swung a semi-circle and looked at each child that was now gathered together, "Torren is in charge of you all today, and you must do as he asks, okay?"

"Aw!" came the chorus.

Teyla chuckled and gave Torren an understanding look. "We still have much to do. Perhaps you can tell the children some of the stories they like to hear?"

"Yes."

"Yes!"

Torren sighed, but sat down on the compacted sand again. "Come on then, what do you want to know?"

Teyla fussed with his hair and started to walk off when a familiar face came to catch up with her and smile at all the gathered children.

"Where's dad?" He asked, suddenly realising he hadn't seen him about for quite some time.

"Yeah?" Chorused Kit and Aiden together.

Teyla stopped walking but didn't turn to look at him. Instead she hung her head for a moment before throwing an answer over her shoulder as she slowly walked off with her male companion. "He's gone to see …him… one last time." The two friends shared a look.

Torren didn't need to ask any more. Their moment of stillness and his mother's reluctance to say his name was signs enough of her disapproval of his father's choice of visit.

"He won't be long will he? He might miss…"

"He'll be here." She turned to look at him once again to give him a reassuring smile. "Uncle Rodney says we will probably leave as soon as it gets dark, he knows this."

"So - we are really going home?"

Teyla cocked her head to the side. "We are truly going home, my love."

One more smile and they walked away, Teyla's head looking up to the sky as they walked. Torren noticed her hands were balled into fists as she looked skyward at the place in the sky Torren knew the Hive ship hovered, and that was where his father was visiting.

Torren felt someone tug his jacket. "Torr, there is time, please tell us about the part when 'lantis went to find my father?" James, Ronon's son, looked at him expectantly as all the children gathered around him, saying 'Please!"

"Okay!" Torren laughed, his hands in the air.

Although only very young at the time himself, Torren did remember everything as clear as if it was all new, and he kept the stories about what happened on the rescue tucked in his heart.

"Well, you know the part that I was left here, on Chol with your mother, James. Some others stayed with Aunt Amelia, whilst my mum went to find my father, and yours, and none of you were even born then. I was the only child."

"My mum and dad also went with your mother, didn't she?" Jilly butted in, face rosy red with excitement upon hearing the stories again.

"Yes, Jilly. Uncle Rodney and Aunt Jen left that day too to go on the rescue. Now, are you going to let me tell you the rest of the story?"

Several nodding heads later, and Torren made himself comfortable.

"The bad people held my dad, Uncle Ronon and Doc Carson prisoners in exchange for Atlantis. Fully loaded with weapons, including what they said was their secret weapon, Richard had Atlantis flown by Uncle Rodney to near where this new huge Hive was waiting on the exchange…although you have to know at this stage that they were never going to just give the bad guys Atlantis…oh no, they had a plan to keep it AND get my dad and everyone else back alive."

The children at his feet were leaning in closer with wonder and excitement. Kit prodded Torren's side to continue.

Torren took her hand. "But when they got there a battle between the other Hive ships had already started"

"Then there was explosions and stuff."

"Sure was, Aiden, but Atlantis was safe, as Uncle Rodney made sure the cloak to hide her was working and that her weapons were primed. My mom, Uncle Rodney, Uncle Lorne and some Marines boarded a 'jumper with Aunt Jennifer and left Atlantis on the great rescue.

"And when they got there?"

Shaking his head at an interruption once again, Torren sighed but took a moment to get the facts correct, then he started up again. "When they got there…..

SGA SGA SGA

"Rodney! What's going on?" Teyla screamed against the noise of the outside raging battle coming through the 'jumper's speakers, glad they had the back up from Atlantis if they needed it, although now she doubted if they should have left her at all.

Rodney ignored her, typing frantically into his device. Major Lorne had brought the 'jumper to a stop on the outskirts of the battle between four other Hive ships, all firing at the huge super Hive that John, Ronon and Carson were on.

"Rodney!" She repeated, worry growing in her very being.

"It's plainly obvious, is it not?" He replied, and Teyla knew she had been too harsh. "I'm sorry. I'm just worried."

"Well, we all are now? How are we supposed to infiltrate all that without being noticed?"

This was a question no-one could answer immediately.

"Hover for now. Let's rethink our plan. Rodney gather what you can about what we are looking at, and…" Lorne said.

Teyla walked away and left them with their plans; better to see to their two guests under guard - with a serious contingent of Lorne's Marines.

They nodded towards her as she passed on her way to the bench where the two she despised most in the world sat.

All kited out with ear pieces, the Marines were stone faced with the heavy demands of their jobs and only allowed a small nod here and there whilst their instructions and plans came over all their ear pieces and they took note of them; not once taking their eyes off the two prisoners.

"Can I speak?" Santana asked of Teyla.

Suddenly feeling a little queasy, Teyla sat on the bench opposite him, and just giving his ankles a quick once over that they were secure and that his wrists were shackled still.

Santana, realising what she was doing held his wrists up. "There is no need for this. I am not going to attack you or anything."

"Unlike before?" Teyla spat, casting their other guest a hateful look when he suddenly laughed. Teyla returned her gaze to Santana. "Looks like your friends, the Wraith, are at war. We are too late."

Santana instantly looked worried and fell back into the padded wall behind him. "They are really fighting each other?"

"Did Mus'va'lan not say it was about to happen?"

"Yes, but, I…"

"…did not really think your friends would fight. That it would not happen?" Teyla stood, and stepped left, then right, before throwing herself down again getting annoyed at herself for 'loosing' it in front of the two.

Teyla looked at the other prisoner and cocked her head to the side, and regarded what they thought might be their secret weapon, watching him as he stared into space.

Rodney shouted back to her. "I think I can get us in. Closer anyway to get a better look. Jen, sit with Teyla as we move in, then it's over to you, Teyla, sorry."

Teyla turned her head and smiled quickly at the young doctor as she took her seat beside her, obviously worried, but Rodney knew that she, and their guest would need some of her ministrations soon. Teyla was about to put Woolsey's plan into action.

At first they had all been shocked with his idea, but the more they thought about it – almost collectively, they all agreed to the plan. If…and a big if…their prisoner would go along with it.

Jennifer squeezed Teyla's arm. I will help you with medications before and after to try and ease the pain of connecting with the Queen. I will be right here." She said as strongly as Teyla had ever heard her speak. She nodded sharply once, twice, before breathing out and walking in front of Santana.

"You. Stay where you are just now. I'm not sure what to do with you, to be honest."

"Listen. Mus'va'lan wants Atlantis. Once she finds out it's here, I think she'll give me what I want and then I will leave you in peace. It's all I've ever wanted from you. I do not intend to get involved with your particular war with the Wraith. Release my bonds. I will do you no harm."

"Only when you have no other choice." Teyla stood with her hands on her hips, but nodded towards the Marines and watched as one of them hesitated before releasing his restraints. "Just…just keep out of our way, Santana."

Jennifer Keller busied herself with sorting out a couple of syringes with medications and toyed too much with some gauze. It was nervous excitement, and she could not hide it. To Santana, she looked as cool as a cucumber. He smiled her way, recognising she was not the warrior type and accepted the quick check she proceeded to do to his wrists and ankles, but he knew they were okay.

"And you!" Teyla took a pace to the right. "You are certain you will help me? No changing side's at the last minute. I worry about that. You must be hungry after all?"

Jennifer watched Teyla's hands curl into fists, and waited on the prisoner to nod his agreement. She had already injected him with some much needed stimulants but she could already see the weakness in the prisoner that they had all expected, but hoped against.

The prisoner did not immediately reply, so Teyla took the advantage of freedom and looked him straight in the eyes, knowing he could not touch her; bound as he was.

"Todd? I am speaking to you."

A rough voice replied. "I hear you."

Teyla stood tall. "I suppose I will have to trust you. You have had time to reach out with your mind. Can you hear them?"

Todd slowly nodded and smiled out the corner of his mouth. "...and, Shep-pard. He is alive."

SGA SGA SGA

Teyla felt like she had been punched in the chest and she gasped, blowing out air and sucking it back on greedily. "You know that for sure?"

Todd nodded again. He was sluggish with the drugs that had kept him in hibernation for so long and the stimulants were combating with them also, leaving him in a sort of stupor; slow to answer. He had been shocked to learn what had happened and that they were in another Galaxy. He knew he had been going home and that John had promised to let him go. Never in his wildest imaginings, though, did he expect what had been happening all those years he had missed…and now…

Now, John Sheppard needed his help once more and time was running out. Rodney McKay told him it would probably take years to properly understand the anomaly, checking and rechecking the facts and calculations until they day would come again when the light would appear again and they could enter it to go home. That's what he had been told anyway, and he had no reason the doubt the scientist's ability to make the correct calculations.

Then…ha!...Then they had asked him – after knocking him out for over a year mind you – to try to connect somehow with this Queen who had taken Shep-pard, Ronon and Carson hostage for Atlantis. Teyla had offered her Wraith connection abilities to aid him all she could, and he knew she would risk her life for the man she loved.

Todd looked away for a moment and down at his shackled wrists. They were the heavy metal kind. If he had been stronger he still would have managed to escape them. The problem was he had not eaten in a very long time. He was basically starving.

"Not here"!" Teyla said in warning, as if reading his mind. "There are plenty drones in the super Hive to sustain you when we get there."

Todd chuckled. She had known he would need sustenance soon.

"So we go on board now? For that is where my next meal is. Their voices are slightly different though. Most unusual."

"Who are you?" Santana finally asked, ignoring, up to now, his Wraith bench buddy since they had entered the craft, indeed wondering what one of them was doing here given their obvious hatred of them.

"An ally." Jennifer suddenly felt the need to defend the Wraith she had roused and was indirectly to blame for the hunger pains he was now going through.

Teyla threw her a look through half shut eyes but turned to Santana. "Dr Keller is correct, but you do not need to pay any attention to him. Just do as we ask."

Santana opened his mouth to ask further but swiftly shut it when he realised he didn't care. All he wanted was what Mus'va'lan had promised him for the bringing of Atlantis – the information about how to access the anomaly that had surrounded their son all those years ago and taken him away. Would he survive the journey through it himself? – He didn't care. It was the only chance he had to try to be reunited with him, and he would take it – or die trying.

"Santana?" Teyla was obviously waiting on an answer.

"Wha'…what did you ask?"

"We are going into Mus'va'lan's Hive. You will be allowed to take us to her, all we ask of you is that you do not mention Todd, here. Do you understand?"

Santana knitted his brow. "She will know there is a stranger."

"Perhaps." Both Teyla and Todd replied together. Santana was getting anxious. "You must not kill her, please. There is something you do not know."

Rodney had now come to check on some crystals and stood beside Teyla. "Yeah, what is it with you and this Wraith Queen anyway?"

Thinking it didn't matter anymore, Santana preceded to tell all that was gathered about how his son had also been thrown into the anomaly decades earlier, and how meeting them and finding out their story had given him great hope that he had survived and was now living somewhere safe and well in an unknown galaxy, just as they had upon reaching the other side.

"…of course, Van'te'enna could only but agree to take me to her. That is an account for another time." Santana continued.

"Why do I feel you are missing out on something?" Rodney prodded.

All eyes on him, Santana, bit his lip and closed his eyes. He opened them again when Todd chuckled softly on the bench beside him.

"Todd?" Teyla asked.

"I have been sitting here at your request to try and enter the mind of this Queen of yours to see what I could gather. You have been holding back, San-tan-a." Todd turned in his seat to look at him. "Shall I tell them, or do you want to?"

"What does he mean?" Rodney looked at Santana for an answer. He was getting impatient and Lorne was shouting in his ear to hurry it up.

Santana threw Todd a look of pure hatred. "Mus'va'lan…well, she is not altogether – Wraith."

Todd guffawed louder.

"Shut up!" Everyone in the vicinity cried.

Santana. "Ignore him. He is Wraith from another galaxy. He will get no respect here…even if he was free.

"He seems to understand something about you, though, that we do not." Teyla was not a fool. "For our mission to succeed – and that means for both you and Todd to remain alive to achieve both your travels home – I need you to be honest with us, Santana. What does Todd know that we should since it looks like he will not tell us?"

Santana gulped, the moment had come and he had to be truthful at last with the Atlanteans'. "Mus'va'lan she is…she was my wife."

There were gasps, cries of 'liar!', but soon the proverbial dust settled and they realised he spoke the truth. The story of what happened decades earlier between the three friends then materialised and they listened with horror and dismay.

Teyla chewed her lip. John had told her there was something different about this Queen…this Empress, as they had now been told. He could not explain his feelings – no wonder! Not with what they now knew about the other animal that was had blended with her that day along with a Wraith Queen.

How Santana must have missed his wife after all these years. Teyla looked at him with a new light. The man tried hard to look like the hardened warrior he obviously was – but now she noticed the sadness that was behind his eyes and the expectation that soon, after all these decades, he would be given the information about how to possibly reunite with his son – their son, the son she did not acknowledge or cared about any longer.

"I cannot guarantee we will not kill her given the chance – I am sorry, Santana."

"Please - please, if I get the chance, let me ask her for the knowledge she has about the white light. Van'te'enna knew she had it. I need to find my son. I have waited my whole life for this time to come. She, as my wife, is gone. But I still need her information."

Teyla bowed her head in sadness. "Once you get us in the Hive; as she expects you to - you are free to do what you want. We have no debt with you. I hope that gives you enough time."

"Teyla." Lorne said simply from the cockpit.

"I have promised." Was all she said. Lorne turned back to the screen but managed to relay his worry to her by his stiff posture and lack of reply. Teyla shook it off.

"There's no time for any more revelations." Rodney announced, back in the co-pilots seat. "We have a window. It's time to get our friends back.

SGA SGA SGA

"So then they managed to get into the Hive - you'll have to let Uncle Rodney tell that story as he says it was a stroke of genius!"

Torren looked at the expectant faces surrounding him for the next part. But that's where he had a bit of a gap because he had never been told about what happened all together; he knew they were just protecting him, but he knew it had been a close call for his father. He had almost died. Perhaps he would find out some day what had happened…

SGA SGA SGA

"John. Are you okay?" Ronon gripped his bicep hard.

Getting no answer from his friend, Ronon turned him to face him and took a step backwards when he saw the black creature fused to his friend's face and neck. A pair of sunken golden eyes blinked up at him and portrayed, as much as he could, that he was sorry for what he was doing. John went through a series of nodding and closing his eyes in pain; before then nodding and opening his eyes once more and then he seemed to finally focus on his friend.

"Ronon." He croaked. "We have to go…now!"

Mus'va'lan was clutching her head, neck and stomach in agony, so Ronon took the opportunity to grab his friend and haul him out of the cell whilst no more drones were in their way to stop them and the Empress seemed to be in agony.

"What the hell?" Ronon gestured towards the creature attached to John's neck, as he supported his friend as they ran towards where they knew the 'jumper must be kept.

"I…I don't know what happened. He…" John was fairly panting, and in obvious pain and discomfort. "I know his thoughts – somehow." John stumbled, but was quickly righted by Ronon's strong grip on his arm; even though he felt himself start to falter.

Ronon's head was pounding, and he just knew that Carson would diagnose a concussion on him. Still, he hoped it was a mild one, and that he had enough remaining strength to get them both out of the Empresses clutches and discover just what the hell was happening outside the Hive.

"His name is Fra'kaa. Somehow I know this, Ronon." He said when he watched Ronon looking at it.

Ronon just screwed up his face once more, trusting that this new addition could be removed from John soon. It had somehow left Mus'va'lan body, so Ronon hoped it could do the same to John – or he would blast it off somehow.

"Argh!" John clutched his head.

"She trying again?" Ronon asked. "We are almost there!" he encouraged.

"She…uh…" John tripped and went limp, falling to the floor in a crumpled heap, Ronon being unable to totally control his fall. His vision swam as he leant over his friend. Blinking continuously, Ronon somehow managed to pull himself together and shook John's shoulder.

"Get up! Come on, John. Wake up…"

SGA SGA SGA

"I DO know that, outside the Hive, a battle raged."

"Yeah, my dad said your mum and our Wraith were trying to enter into the Empress's mind." Jilly jumped up and added to the story.

"Well remembered, Jilly. This was important as by them doing that and controlling her for a few minutes, Uncle Ronon and my dad were able to run away from her, and with the black bird attached to my dad." Torren said that last bit slowly. It still freaked him out and knew the other children felt the same – even after all these years.

"Are you okay, Torr?" James asked.

Torren shook the memory from his mind. "Yeah. Just don't like remembering about what happened to my dad with that Fra'kaa attached to him."

"Yeah. He's spooky!" Kit proclaimed.

"How would you know, you've never even seen him?" Aiden wound up his little sister.

"And be grateful for that." Torren smiled. "Enough of him. He saved our dad's life after all, so he deserves some respect I suppose."

"Do you think he's still alive?"

Torren considered this. "I hope so! Mum and Dad went back to his planet with Doc Carson to return him to his family and he was alive when he left my dad's body and called for them."

"My mom said that your dad was real sick for a while when the tattoo left him." James said.

"Yeah, well. He was. But it was also what the Empress had done to him. My mom says that his immune system was not good with all that had happened to him, so it took a little while for my dad to regain his strength. Doc Carson was able to reduce the scarring over time as well, so he is only left with the small scar on his arm and under his chin now." Torren felt the need to defend his Father's health.

"My dad got hit on the head and has a small scar from then too." James piped up.

Torren grinned. "He sure does – to go with the many others!"

All the children laughed, and Torren was glad he had lightened the mood somewhat. He swivelled round on his bottom to look over as the last 'jumper took off, taking with it another load of their food and possessions acquired over the years. It left no 'jumper standing. He understood now that his Father had taken the last one away to see Todd, so now they were on their own.

Torren stood and watched as his mom and two companions this time, walked their way. They seemed to be the last left on Chol besides themselves.

"I haven't finished the story yet. Are we going already?" Torren asked.

Teyla reached her son's side and laughed, gesturing for all the children to sit down again. "No. Not quite yet. We are waiting on your Father to appear." She rolled her eyes and he laughed.

"Are you talking about the time I was rescued?" Arla put out there, her aged face creasing into a grin and pulling Kit in for a tight embrace.

"Doc Carson got you to safety didn't he? Tell us, please?"

Arla leaned in on the group. "He sure did, although the poor man was a tad bloody and battered himself. We made a right pair. But that lovely man got me to their craft and placed me on a bench before quickly running his doctor eye on me and declaring me fit enough until we got to safety. He then ran to the cockpit and said he had to ready the craft and probably cloak it. I was unsure what he meant so he explained it to me very quickly. My head was spinning with all this information I don't mind telling you." Arla lifted the chin of Aiden that sat by her side. "Your Father was in desperate need of rescue at this stage. I grew worried…"

SGA SGA SGA

"Ronon…urghh…I can feel something happening. What…"

The fighting that had raged between the Hives, battering the one they were in so much, with gunfire and drones, that the floor had been constantly tilting and moving. It suddenly came to a stop.

Mus'va'lan screech was the reason.

John and Ronon stopped in their run. Ronon put a hand out onto a wall for support and John tried to straighten up.

"My god…"

Ronon, unaware why the Hive had stilled, looked a John for an explanation. "What?"

But John stood as still as a statue, eyes closed, breathing in fast and out through his nose; sometimes he missed a beat and Ronon clutched him tighter less he fall again onto the floor.

A good minute or two passed before John opened his eyes and allowed a wry smile to appear. "Teyla." He said simply, and Ronon understood she was trying to infiltrate the Empresses mind to subdue her. Ronon knew that would take much from his friend; and he also knew she had failed before. But as he watched John's smile get broader, he couldn't help but do the same. "What?" He asked again. "What is it?" although the suspense was hurting his head.

"Todd." He said in explanation. "My goodness, Todd is here…and helping Teyla! He has taken Mus'va'lan!"

"How?...Why…?" Ronon stuttered.

"I don't care why he's helping; why they woke him up. Let's just get the hell out of here and see if we can find Arla and Carson before one of these Hive ships takes out the other – probably us!"

Ronon flung John's weary arm around his shoulder – with no protest – and they ran together towards the docking bay."

SGA SGA SGA

"That's when I noticed them running towards us outside the 'hidden' hatch." Arla felt a familiar hand on the other side of her grab her hand and squeeze it. "Now, now, Vari, I am okay to talk of this now."

"I'm sorry, my dear, I just hate the thought of you up in that Hive whilst I was safe on Chol all this time."

Arla patted the top of his hand. "And how glad was I to learn that when we landed here to gather some water and food; only to find you had managed to escape and was living in our old house and tending to the vegetables. Why my old heart almost burst out of my saggy skin when you came running – well, fast walked, towards us!" Arla made an explosion movement and flung her arms in the air. All the children laughed, including the adults. Vari briefly embraced his wife and they quickly kissed, causing all the children to grown.

"I think John almost had a heart attack when you two were reunited." Teyla added with a soft smile; knowing how he loved the husband and wife.

Vari nodded. "He did not expect to see me alive that day, never mind, you. How glad I was to see you all…and what a party we had to celebrate!"

More stories amongst the adults about that time and the years that followed bored the children quickly. They started to moan and roll their eyes.

Torren noticed and pulled his mother's sleeve.

"They want to know more of the rescue."

Teyla looked up to the sky.

Perturbed that it was turning the soft amber hue of the evening sky colour, Teyla searched Vari's eyes as Arla could be heard joining Torren's of the story of their parents' great rescue. "He should be here by now." She said simply.

"There is still time. He will be here. You know that. He would never leave you or the children to stay with him."

Teyla still stared upwards, but nodded. "You are correct. But there is a bond that he cannot explain with Todd. It worries me that he did not want to leave him behind."

She looked down and over at Torren, and in turn her five year old twins that had been born here on Chol not seven months after Mus'va'lan had been killed by a sword through her body by Todd when he had finally boarded the Hive. Teyla had been unaware she had been pregnant at the time. She remembered John's face when she had told him after Carson had checked her over and told her with the cheesiest smile she had ever seen on his face when she had been worried about being sick for days.

"Pregnant?"

"Uh –huh."

"Pregnant? She repeated, stunned.

"Twins!" Carson just popped out.

Teyla grabbed the gurney. "Twins!"

"Are we gonna repeat everything, or are you just going to accept that what I say is true!" Carson said, a smile threatening to engulf his whole bottom face.

Teyla was opened mouth when John appeared to see if she was okay. He stopped short when he saw the mixture of expressions on both of their faces.

"What the…what's going on?"

Carson walked over to him and took his hand in an awkward grip before shaking it and walking off. "This is something the two of you need a moment's privacy for."

John jerked his thumb over his shoulder. "What's he muttering? Are you okay?" Suddenly concerned that she looked shocked or something. He was quickly by her side.

Teyla patted the empty space on the gurney beside her. John eased himself up onto it on one hip. "Teyla?"

"I've been sick…on and off… for a few days now…"

"I know. I've held your hair out of the way every time." John said with a slight grimace. "Are you sick? Tell me!"

"No, John. I am not sick. Well, technically I have been sick …going to be sick for a time yet, probably."

"Teyla?"

"Have you not guessed?" Teyla cupped his face with both hands. Her left finding the raised red mark off one side and under his chin that was slowly fading. She looked at it briefly before looking straight into his eyes. "It's the most marvellous thing – I am pregnant." She watched for his reaction.

John had been through hell for the last decade. Died, almost died; wished he's died. Sometimes by Wraith, even humans had made an attempt on his life. Disease, knives, guns and blasters had all tried to take strips off of him, and to end him; and yet, he had clung on with a determination to look after and protect his family against all the bad things several galaxies always found to throw at him. And yet…

He had found life and love with a band of people he called family. On top of the list was a woman he was about to marry; and even adopt her child that he loved like his own. Never, NEVER, in a million years did he think that HE would father any child of his own.

Teyla told him it was twins. His eyes widened – correction then; children of his own to add to his son, Torren.

John found his arms going up and covering hers; smiling deeply, just as Ronon with Amelia, and Rodney with Jennifer walked into the hospital room and stopped still when they realised what was going on.

"Carson called us all here." Rodney announced, jumping up and down on his heels.

"That I did."

"John?" Teyla asked. John nodded and kissed her quickly; not being able to hold back a huge grin.

"We are pregnant!" Teyla announced.

Laughter filled the room with choruses of "Us too!" from Rodney and Ronon. They all looked at each other in shock.

Carson laughed and popped a bottle of fizzy juice. "No champagne for the mothers!" He said. "Beer later for us guys!"

"We are having twins!" John said slowly out loud…

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"Teyla. Teyla?"

Teyla shifted against Vari's leg. "Sorry, I was miles away. Remembering some things."

"Not a problem…but look up!"

Breaking up the amber sky, tinged with the darkness of night, came dancing colours of blue, green and red. The 'light show' as they told the children it was called, had started.

Teyla felt a coldness creep up her spine and pulse at the top of her head. Rodney had assured them all it would be safe and they would be 'spat' out back into the Pegasus galaxy; home again, but she feared the anomaly – like everyone else she supposed.

The light show continued for ten minutes and the children huddled closer. It did seem a threatening thing to watch.

When the first stroke of white flicked across the sky like some artists forceful brush stroke, Teyla was on her feet in an instant, fearing it would be too late for John to join them. This was when they had to have been on Atlantis by.

Panic seized her and squeezed her heart so tight she could not breathe. John? The children – all of them?

Vari was there to put an arm around her. In her hand she could feel Torren slip his small one in, and attached to her coat, the twins, Kit and Adrien clung tight.

"There is still time; albeit less than we would ideally want. John will be here to pick us up in a minute, though. You know him."

That was the problem: she did!

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Todd smiled.

John smiled back. He raised his hand up to touch the 'jumper's hull and she purred against his ancient touch, raring to go.

It was a funny parting; saying goodbye to his supposed mortal enemy turned ally…and dare he say it – friend. But John was willing to part with the Wraith he called 'Todd' knowing – this time – it would be the last time he ever saw him.

Todd had chosen to stay in the Primis Galaxy.

It had been an obvious decision in the end.

Earth would not have him for sure. On Pegasus he was now wanted by his own kind for collaborating with the enemy too many times. They now resented him and word had spread of his deception. So when he had been woken forcibly from his hibernation straight into a battle in the Primis Galaxy, Todd had been, at first, annoyed and furious with his so called allies – namely John.

Setting his anger aside for a moment, he forced himself to listen to what had been happening the last few months. Satisfied that they really had not had any other option available to save Shep-pard and the others, Todd agreed to help.

Todd had been asked to channel his mind along with Teyla's wraith powers to enter into the Empresses mind. It had not been what he had expected.

The Empresses had been weak, yet powerful. Unnatural, yet indigenous to the planet in a strange way he had not understand too well. So Todd had pushed deeper until he had realised the power was oscillating between warring beings that had somehow ended up as one.

With one huge jolt to startle her mind, he had managed to freeze and disorientate her long enough so that he could pull out again and update the others that she was in flux and they had better make their move soon or lose John forever as she planned an all-out attack on him.

Now he stood looking at the man over the years had had known in every way; from being a meal, to an enemy, rescuer and friend – latterly guard and keeper.

He cocked his head to the side and studied him; surprised in a way that he hovered too long in leaving him on board the Hive ship he had commandeered six years ago when he had killed the Empress and had taken on two Queens and their Hive contents with no problem. Perhaps they liked this strange, and strong stranger with a different voice.

"Shep-pard?"

He watched as John slowly reached out his arm in the Earth manner of shaking hands. This was good-bye, he realised.

Funny how he felt a lump in his throat. Todd touched it investigating the cause. He watched as the man looked upset himself in some strange way, mirroring his action. Todd watched him as he swatted his face as if something was bothering him, then outstretched an arm his way.

Todd also raised his arm, looked at his feeding hand, and back at John. With a deep, resonating growl in his throat he took a step closer and shook his hand.

"My brother." He stated.

John shook his hand quickly and let it drop. "'Todd' – my brother." He simply replied before turning on his heel and entering into the 'jumper without a backwards glance.

Todd looked in just as the door was shutting. He heard, "Thanks …Todd…for your help. You brought me back twice; I'll always remember." And then the door closed and it was cloaked before his eyes. He only knew it was gone by the heat that followed its wake leaving nothing but coldness creeping on him that was nothing to do with the outside temperature.

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"He's here! Dadda's coming! Look!"

Sure enough, when Teyla finally found the dark spot in the colourful night sky the children were pointing to, as it grew bigger, she folded into the embrace Arla offered and clutched her children just a little bit tighter to her bosom.

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John clutched the controls with a strength he had not felt in over a year. He remembered the last time he had been on the super Hive before now. Ronon had more or less carried him back there as his legs could not support his weight any longer; even though it had turned out he had been suffering from a bad concussion himself.

He remembered the pain all over his body from many wounds and mind infiltrations that were too many to count. He also remembered, with a shiver, the feeling of life leaving his body and he would never see Teyla; his life and love, again.

John shivered at the thought. Morbid it was. He did not intend to go there again. He had had enough of that.

Disturbed by the darkening sky, and knowing he was late in picking everyone up, John urged the small craft on in speed with all his mental powers. How could he have been so stupid to go back and visit Todd after all these years – one last chance? That's what it had been; to see the Wraith that had saved his life numerous times now – the latest being the gift of life for a second time six years ago.

The wound to his side, Mus'va'lan, gave him, thrummed in an imagined pain as it tended to do sometimes. It had been a deadly blow, although he did not know it at the time; too wrapped up in his painful headaches of mind games.

His arm itched, as it also tended to do, although both were long since healed. He daren't tell Carson these things or end up lying in the infirmary for a barrage of tests. No. He knew it was probably physiological.

Todd had given him the gift of life as it had poured out of him within minutes of their meeting up. Fra'kaa had healed his mind from the merge and left his body as gently as he could when they took him back home to FHX-378 where he was, at last, reunited, with his own kind. He was severely wounded with his forced extractions, but, with time, his elders had assured him he would regrow with the countless blending's he would endure. Somehow he was able to relay this to John. Somehow John was able to be happy for him.

Then, one of the whole Duk'tarra crept forward and swiftly, but deftly tore the poisonous seed from deep within his arm that had troubled him for so long.

"You are not meant to carry part of a planet that does not belong to you. You are very fortunate to have Ancient in you, for without that you would not have survived its slow poison. I have taken it as a thank you for returning our 'tarra. Thank you."

John flew the 'jumper over the land towards Teyla, just slowing down ever so slightly to view for the last time the grave of his friend Blu, who also had saved his life. He was one fortunate man.

There, in front of him, was his family, waiting on him to take them home. He grinned from ear to ear when he thought about the birth of his twins with Teyla being so good and brave, and Torren excited to have some siblings. How two months later, Ronon and Ameila had had their son, James. He laughed even louder when he remembered Rodney telling him he and Jennifer were going to have a baby girl – he had fainted when told, during the birth and afterwards with too much drink to celebrate. John remembered clasping him on the shoulder days later, and said he couldn't do that anymore. Rodney agreed.

Santana flashed in his memory as a white streak in the sky flew past him too close. He picked up the 'jumpers speed once again. He would not miss this chance to return him. But what of Santana? Had he, when Mus'va'lan had given him the knowledge and instructions as promised him, made it back to their son, as had also been her dying wish in the end? He genuinely hoped so. When he watched the calculations take place he watched him leap onto the unknown and prayed for him.

Mus'va'lan's way there had been manufactured. Her scientists had managed to summon the light, but Rodney said it was not a full proof way of doing – no, they had to wait until the rotation brought it round to their time again to jump. They had only to be patient. Santana had went into the light with no hesitation, pleased by the fact that as Mus'va'lan lay dying she had kept her promise to him and summoned her top scientist to give him the information he wanted. After all, she had lost her son also. Worse; she had lost herself a long time ago.

John now landed the 'jumper and watched as Teyla, Arla, Vari and all the children climbed on board; all berating him for being late. John grimaced and chewed his bottom lip when he noticed the look Teyla had on her face as she walked towards him.

"Six years, John! Six years you could have visited him. But, oh no! The very day we have to go, you leave us to go and see him."

"I did see him twice before, only he…"

A hand in his face left room for no more arguments.

John left his seat to give each of his children a peck on the cheek. He also ruffled Torren's hair, and done the same to Jilly and James. "Okay" He asked everyone. Acknowledging also his good friends, Arla and Vari.

Nods all round, and John smiled and made his way to his seat where Teyla was sitting with a smile this time.

"I'm forgiven."

"You are. Just…ooh you are a pest at times Colonel John Shep-pard!"

"You love me though."

"I do and you know it, but, John, this is it. I'm a bit scared."

"I know, Teyla. We are going home at last. You know, I could have lived here quite happily."

"Me too, but this small planet does not have much life left in it now. Atlantis is fixed up after the battle with the Hives that did not follow Todd's rule and protection. She has been ready for a year or so now. She can take the strain."

John made sure the bulkhead door was closed and started the 'jumper on its small journey towards the glittering city that was Atlantis.

"I still can't believe the strength that you and Todd managed to achieve together and beat Mus'va'lan in her weakened state. I am in awe of you, my love."

"You'd better be!"

John laughed. He took her hand and kissed its palm before concentrating more on his flying.

"Was he okay?" Teyla said after some quiet reflection.

John nodded. "Called me his brother."

Teyla turned to look at him. "He brought you back twice. I understand you had to see him one last time."

"I felt I had to say good-bye and just check he didn't want to come back with us."

"He wanted to stay, of course."

"Yes. Once he took control of two of the Hives with Queens and destroyed four others that fought them they even chose him to lead them, how he could he refuse - he had found a new place for his life. Then he convinced them to go into hibernation until he could find them better feeding grounds. They are still in hibernation six years later. Todd says he plans on keeping it that way. He keeps the other two Queens Hives running on minimal power. They do not seek to be Empress yet as they are too young, Todd says."

"He kept his word. Amitiyaz's people say it is very peaceful now."

"When I mentioned 'peace' to him there was a slight tilt to his smile. Whatever he has been up to has obviously not been too peaceful, but he did not tell me – I didn't ask. He has been nothing but helpful, Teyla, and left us living a good life on Chol until now - as he promised."

"I know, John. I am not meaning to be horrible. I…we… were just worried you would be too late."

John looked at her guiltily. "I'd never risk you or our children's lives, Teyla."

Teyla conceded. "You are correct."

John fidgeted in his seat, and after a short journey, he started the descent into Atlantis. "No. You are right. I took a risk going to see him one last time. I promise I won't make you worry again."

Teyla laughed. Stood, and took his face in her hands. "John, I love you, but you are far removed from ever making me worry again. You were born to worry me!" She joked.

"Teyla!" John protested, sweeping her up in his arms and running out of the 'jumper with her legs kicking in the air, followed by all the children screaming after them, before they then ran into their prospective parents' arms.

A chorus of "John!" rattled around the Ancient city, and John could not have been any happier in that moment. He put Teyla down and took the punch in his arm from Ronon as payment for being late. He grinned his way but quickly outstepped him to catch up with Richard, leaving Teyla to calm down their excited children.

"That's it then, Richard. All packed?"

"All packed, Colonel…now that you are here we may proceed when Rodney says its time."

Noticing the rebuke, John coughed. "Sir.

"'bout time John." Rodney strode towards him, Jilly hanging over his shoulder.

"I had to see him, Rodney."

"Thought you might." Said, Ronon.

"Couldn't help it, buddy. There's a …."

"Connection?" Rodney and Ronon said at the same time.

"Seems that way." John scratched his head.

An alarm broke their thoughts and Rodney's head snapped up.

"That's it then folks."

Some of the residents of Atlantis had opted to stay in their quarters. Major Lorne and his Marines decided to stay by the 'jumpers in a group in case when they got to Pegasus they landed in the middle of a war.

Richard waved them forward and entered his office where Carson was already sitting with his feet up, drinking a glass of Whisky and talking to his new girlfriend of a few months, Harriet. He looked content, John noted and smiled a real genuine smile his way when he took the seat next to him, taking a swig of the Scottish drink from him. Teyla sat on his right and handed Kit to him, she soon snuggled in. Torren sat on the table and swung his legs around his younger brother, grounding him in place.

John looked at each and every one of his friends and family all sitting their together waiting on their return to Pegasus.

They all looked happy and content. Perhaps they should have stayed where they were. He hoped their return to Pegasus would not end in tears.

Rodney had warned of a slight tugging feeling and then the light and movement would probably be too much for them and they would lose unconsciousness again, so when John felt the strings of the first pull, he asked Torren and Aiden to be seated and they all held hands.

Primis had not fared well for John in many ways, but it was ending on a positive. He hoped, again, it was that way for the huge man, Santana. He wanted him to he have found his son.

He tightened his grip on Teyla's hand; held tight to the wriggling, Kit, and felt the pulling sensation stronger. He glanced quickly at each and every one of his friends again before turning Teyla's head his way and placing a soft and long kiss on her lips.

"I love you." He whispered.

He never heard her reply, because in the next instant a dancing white light engulfed the great city of Atlantis, and the only awake occupant of a super Hive watched as the only friend he had ever had vanished in the blink of an eye, never to be seen again.

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…THE END…