Thank you to everyone who's still reading. I hope you're still enjoying it.

Chapter 25: Through the anomaly.

An hour had passed since Rodney fell asleep, and John had no desire to wake him. He knew he should probably try and get the scientist to go to his room, but Rodney was sleeping peacefully, so he didn't want to disturb him. It was endearing how he was drooling from the corner of his mouth and how a soft snore escaped his lips - endearing but a little gross.

Teyla and the kids would have gone to bed a long time ago. He'd told Teyla he'd be in the lab for most of the night. So he didn't expect her to be awake when he'd finished. She still wasn't one hundred percent, but with each passing day, her health was improving.

Two hours had passed since they'd run the simulation that had them arriving home before the unknown enemy went back in time, and although Rodney had run plenty more simulations, he was no closer to finding a way home.

Rodney was sleeping in a cot in the corner of the lab, so John decided to run a few simulations without Rodney. John was a Math whizz, although he'd never tell anyone. So he decided it wouldn't hurt to look at Rodney's equations.

John had nothing else to do and had too much energy to sleep, so he may as well see if he could come up with anything.

Sitting down at Rodney's desk, John started to check Rodney's calculations, and it was clear some of them were wrong - not that he'd tell Rodney that.

Twenty minutes later, he had a set of calculations he was pleased with, so he decided to run a simulation. Pressing enter on the computer, he held his breath and waited for the result.

The information on the screen shocked him. He knew he needed to let Rodney know, so he shook his friend.

"Hey, McKay, wake up? I have something to tell you."

He stood watching him for a few minutes, and luckily the man slowly opened his eyes Because the last thing he felt like doing was shouting at the scientist.

"What's happening, Sheppard? Why did you wake me up."

"I think I've found the answer."

"What?" Rodney asked, with a look of confusion.

"Take a look at the computer?"

Rodney looked at him and scowled, "What have you done?"

He looked at his friend indignantly, "I've done nothing wrong, so how about you look at the computer."

"I'll take a look, but if you've screwed anything up, I'll throw you out of my lab." Rodney stuttered, and it was clear to John that the scientist couldn't think of anything else to say.

All he could do was roll his eyes at his friend, "Just take a look, Rodney."

A strange look crossed Rodney's face when he looked at the computer, and John couldn't work out whether he was angry or happy. When Rodney spoke, he sensed suspicion in his voice.

"So, Sheppard, you came up with the calculations for this simulation?"

"Well, not exactly. I corrected your calculations," John answered sheepishly.

He was ready for Rodney to erupt, but thankfully the scientist remained calm.

"Let me double-check these, and then we can rerun the simulation."

John knew his calculations were correct, but he nodded and let Rodney double-check anyway.

While Rodney checked his calculations, John decided he wanted to do something useful, "Do you want some more coffee?"

"Sure, go ahead, Sheppard," Rodney replied with a wave of a hand.

He heard Rodney muttering as he walked away, and it sounded like the scientist was calling him a genius.

When he looked in the secret cupboard where Radek kept his coffee, John was shocked at how much they'd drunk that evening. He decided when they finally returned to Earth, Dr Zelenka would need a new supply. Perhaps, he would replace what they had used.

Five minutes later, he returned to the lab to find Rodney looking stunned. The scientist was sitting at his desk, staring at the screen, and he wasn't moving.

"Are you alright, Rodney?"

Rodney turned to him with a confused look on his face, "I'm only going to say this once, so don't get a big head or anything, but you're a genius."

John knew he was a genius but didn't want anyone else to know about it.

"Gee, thanks, Rodney, but what do you think of the outcome of the latest simulation?"

"Arriving back an hour after we left in a similar part of the galaxy to where the original anomaly was. I'd say we hit the jackpot." Rodney paused and wiped his brow before he continued, "Are you that serum Carson injected into your brain didn't turn you into a genius?"

"No, Rodney, I've always been good with numbers and equations. I choose not to brag about my abilities."

Rodney answered with one word, "Why?"

"Nevermind, I'm going to contact the senior staff. You get our findings together, and we'll meet in the conference room in one hour. But first, I'll check on Teyla and the kids."

Finally, they were going home, and he couldn't be happier. John knew things could still go wrong, but there was a high probability of success, and if all went according to plan, they could be back in the Pegasus galaxy within twenty-four hours.

oOo

Rodney watched John leave his lab, and again he was surprised by the man. The man was a genius. Almost as intelligent as he was. The complex equations Sheppard used to correct his work took a high level of understanding. It was clear that Sheppard had studied Math at College. All he knew was Sheppard took the MENSA test and went to Stanford. He'd never bothered to ask him what course he'd taken in college.

Sheppard was a brilliant strategist and soldier and one of the bravest men he'd ever known, but he could use a brain like John's on his science team. Maybe he'd get more work done with Sheppard working for him.

What a waste of intellect, he thought, as he began to collect his things.

Fifty minutes later, he walked into the conference room to find Sheppard sitting at the table, and he was vibrating with excitement.

Two weeks ago - or was it three - John had brain damage, and Rodney thought he'd never see this side of the man again. John could be a kid and was the eternal optimist, but when protecting Atlantis and its inhabitants, the man was a consummate professional.

"Hey Rodney, I've contacted Lorne, Ronon and Beckett, and they should be here soon. I contacted Keller, but Lt Menzies broke his leg while sparring, so she can't come."

He was about to ask why Menzies would be sparring at three in the morning but quickly changed his mind when he remembered marines fought any time of the day or night.

"Okay," Rodney said, wondering if he should ask Sheppard what he'd studied at college. In the end, he decided to run with it."So, Sheppard. What did you study at college?"

"You want to do this now, Rodney? When we're about to have an important meeting."

Before he could reply, Carson came into the room and glared at Sheppard.

"General, what is so important that we have to hold a top-secret meeting at three in the morning? I was spending the night with Jasmine, and as you can imagine, we don't get much time together these days."

John's raised his eyebrow, "Really?"

"Don't get cheeky with me," Carson replied, with a glint in his eye, "now, why have you called us here?"

Rodney's mouth dropped open as he spoke, "Sheppard, You mean you didn't tell them what's happening?"

A grin spread across Sheppard's face, and he looked like a kid with a secret to tell, "no, I wanted to keep it a surprise."

Of Course, if Sheppard said jump, everyone said how high. The last time Rodney wanted a meeting with Lorne at two in the morning. Lorne had practically told him to get lost.

Ronon entered the room next, "So, Sheppard, what's happening?"

Finally, with a few minutes to spare, Lorne entered, "Okay, General, what's going on? It's three in the morning, and I don't appreciate being disturbed."

Rodney could sense fondness in Lorne's voice, and he wondered what Sheppard had said to Lorne.

"Okay, now we're all here," Sheppard began, "Rodney has something to share with us."

Rodney wanted to take credit for finding them a way home, but if he were honest, he would have to admit it was a joint effort.

"Well, umm…Sheppard and I have been running simulations all night. And we have finally found a way to open an anomaly that will return us to the Pegasus galaxy an hour after we left."

"Great, let's open the anomaly and get home," Ronon said, standing to his feet.

Sheppard shook his head and sighed, "No, I think I'll go to bed, and we can meet back here in a few hours. I'll fly the city through the anomaly, and when we arrive on the other side, we'll pause to consider our next move."

Rodney looked at John, and he knew the man was exhausted, so at this point, he would have to agree with him.

"I think I agree with Sheppard. When we arrive on the other side of the anomaly, I'll start researching planets to call home. But now, I'm heading to bed for a few hours."

Rodney watched as the others left, leaving him and John in the room. He was about to leave when Sheppard spoke.

"Aeronautical engineering."

He turned to look at Sheppard, "What?"

"That's what I studied at College."

"Why?"

"You need a degree to become an airforce officer, and I always wanted to be an officer. I studied Aeronautical engineering because I love anything that flies. And one day, I may like to run my own company to design and build aircraft. I joined the airforce and studied while I worked."

Rodney was intrigued. He'd known Sheppard for almost ten years, and he'd never opened up like this before.

"So, what qualification did you leave with?"

Sheppard went red, and Rodney immediately knew the answer.

"You have a PhD, don't you, Dr Sheppard."

Sheppard went even redder as he answered, "It's General Sheppard. So don't you ever call me Dr Sheppard in front of anyone! Do you understand!?"

"I've known you for almost ten years, and you haven't bothered to tell me you have a PhD?"

"I don't need it for my job, Rodney, so please don't tell anyone what we've discussed here tonight?"

"Does anyone know?"

"Yeah, O'Neill, Carter, Teyla, and now you. So please don't tell anyone else?"

Rodney saw the pleading in Sheppard's eyes and decided to keep his secret.

"I could really do with someone like you on my science team, but you have my word, Sheppard."

"Good, I'm going to bed."

Rodney stood with his mouth open as John left the lab. He wondered if Sheppard's brain had remained damaged, would his intellect still be the same? And if so…Well, that didn't bear thinking about. It didn't matter anyway because Sheppard was back to leading the expedition and was one hundred percent well.

He started to walk down the corridor towards Jennifer's quarters, but then he remembered she was working, so he changed direction and slowly walked towards his. Sheppard had given him a lot to think about. If a guy like Sheppard could be a genius, why couldn't he be brave like John was?

He'd been going through the gate on teams for the last ten years, and Rodney knew he was braver than he had been in the past, but he still wasn't as courageous as John Sheppard was.

oOo

John left Rodney's lab, intent on returning home and going to bed. But John didn't feel tired, so he decided to run through the deserted levels of the city instead. He might even go for a run on the walkways around the city.

Luckily, he had on his running clothes, so he changed direction and started to run towards the deserted levels of the city.

He'd slept so much over the last few weeks - when he wasn't having nightmares - that he wasn't tired. Now, he had something to look forward to, a chance to get back to work and to go home. He had no idea what would happen when they finally contacted Earth. He didn't really care right now because as long as Teyla and the kids were with him, he'd be happy.

It wasn't long before he reached a door to an outside balcony. Swiping his hand over the control panel, he walked outside. What surprised him the most wasn't the stars or the cold vacuum of the endless void. It was Ronon standing by the railing, staring into space.

"Hey, Chewie. Whatcha doing?" He asked, standing beside his friend.

"Just thinking," Ronon replied.

John could see his big friend had something on his mind, and he wondered whether he should ask him about it. In the last few months, he'd had enough emotional conversations to last him a lifetime, so the last thing he needed was another. Perhaps in ten years, John had learnt to express his emotions more, and maybe Ronon had as well. He could only hope his friend would talk about what was bothering him now.

"What about?" He asked apprehensively.

Ronon pointed at the scars on Sheppard's head, "If we go through the anomaly and arrive back in our time an hour after we left. It would be like none of this had ever happened."

He laughed at Ronon's comment, "Believe me. It happened, and I have the scars to prove it."

"What will you tell Stargate command?"

"We'll tell them the truth, except for the part where I was brain-damaged and suffered from epilepsy."

"Yeah, the SGC doesn't need to know about that." Ronon was quiet for a while before he continued. "Do you think they'll make us go back to Earth?"

"I'm sure the brass will want a detailed report of what happened to us, but whether they'll do it on Atlantis or Earth, I don't know. I was thinking that I needed a vacation anyway. What about you, Ronon?"

"Amelia wants to show me the sights, and then we should go baby shopping. So I guess a vacation could be good."

"That sounds like a plan, Chewie. I think I'll finish my run now. And I'll see you in the conference room at 0700 hours."

As he started running on the walkway surrounding the city, he left his friend standing on the balcony. Ronon had made some good points in their conversation, but he had no idea what would happen when they contacted Earth. That was a problem for another day.

oOo

Rodney was the first to arrive in the conference room, carrying a choc-chip muffin and a cup of coffee - the coffee substitute. Looking at his watch, he realised it was five minutes before the meeting.

A few minutes after Rodney arrived, John walked in, and it looked like he hadn't slept. The grin on John's face was huge, though.

"What are you so happy about, Sheppard?"

"Today is Charin's first birthday, and once we find a planet to settle on, we're having a party, and Rodney, you're invited."

"How does that work? When we exit the anomaly, it will be one hour after we left, so technically, she'll only be ten months old."

He felt Sheppard's glare as the man answered, "Shut it, McKay. All you have to do today is open an anomaly and find us a planet to live on. So don't even comment on the complexities of time travel."

Rodney was about to reply with a snide comment when Lorne walked in, followed by Ronon.

"Have you opened the anomaly yet?" Ronon asked impatiently the minute he walked in.

"I'll do it when the meeting has finished, and we're ready to go!" Rodney answered forcefully.

Carson walked in before Ronon had to say anything else.

"Okay, now everyone is here, "John began, "let's get this meeting started. Rodney, what have you got?"

"Everything is in place. All I have to do is open an anomaly, and then you can fly Atlantis through it."

"Carson can fly Atlantis through it," John replied, "I'll be in the control room with you. I want Zelenka in the chair room with Carson, and Lorne and Ronon can stay in the control room with Rodney and me."

"How long will the trip through the anomaly take?" Lorne asked.

"It shouldn't take more than five minutes, "Rodney replied, "then all I have to do is find us a planet to land on."

"Once we've found our new home. Lorne can pilot the city to the planet, and I'll land." John explained to them. "Does anyone have any questions?"

When everyone shook their heads, John dismissed them, "I'm going to have breakfast with Teyla and the kids. I want everyone ready to go in two hours. You're all dismissed."

Rodney remained and watched everyone leave. When everyone else had left, he told Sheppard about his concerns. "Do you realise there is a small chance that things could go wrong?"

"Of course, I do, Rodney. I was the one that came up with the calculations in the first place. Considering there's only a ten percent chance we'll be blown to pieces or end up in the wrong time. I think it's a risk I'm willing to take. How about you?"

"I'm just saying that you didn't tell the others."

"Neither did you, Rodney," Sheppard replied before standing up and leaving the room.

Rodney sat and stared at the empty room. Perhaps Sheppard was right, and it was worth taking the risk to return to where they belonged. He'd had enough of this time period and galaxy, and it was time they went home. Then he and Jennifer could get married, and they could all get on with their lives.

oOo

The selection on the serving table was minimal when Sheppard reached the mess hall, but that wasn't surprising, considering they hadn't picked up supplies since they'd left the Hillaring home world. They did procure a small amount of food from the ancients on Ilaria two, but that hadn't lasted long. When they got the gate online, one of the first things they needed to do was contact their allies to see if anyone could spare food.

The numbers on Atlantis had dwindled. There were only seventy people left. When this whole mess had started, a hundred people had been aboard, so they had lost thirty men and women along the way, and his heart was breaking. He knew that when Atlantis had found a home, he would have to write letters to the deceased men's and women's families, and it was a job he wasn't looking forward to.

He chose some small red berries, a piece of toast and a cup of the substitute coffee from the serving table. When he was happy with his choice he scanned the room for Teyla and the kids. He was glad to see them sitting at their favourite table near the window. Charin was in her highchair and happily clapped her hands. Torren and Teyla sat beside her with amused looks on their faces.

"How are you, princess?" He asked, walking up to Charin and kissing her head.

"Da da!" She squealed with excitement.

He kissed Torren on his head, "How are you this morning, T.J.?"

Torren looked up at him with big brown eyes, "Is it true we're going back to Pegasus galaxy, Daddy?"

"Sure is, Buddy. We should arrive back in Pegasus an hour after we left."

"John, that is excellent news," Teyla stated.

He looked at his wife. She was looking better every day, and he couldn't wait until they could get on with their lives together.

When he had been in the chamber on the Hilaring home world, Ilaria had shown him a future where he had a son, and he wondered if it would happen. He hadn't discussed with Teyla whether she wanted more kids, but he wouldn't say no to having at least one more.

He kissed Teyla's cheek and sat down beside her with a grin on his face.

The children started to giggle, which had become standard when he and Teyla showed affection for one another.

He kissed her again, and the children started to laugh louder.

Although he was enjoying himself with his family, he knew there was still a lot of work to do before things got back to normal. He did have one thing to do while he was with his family, though.

He turned to look at his beautiful daughter, "Happy birthday, Princess."

Charin wouldn't understand what was happening, but he knew and had every intention of making a big thing about it. He didn't have a gift to give her, but when they were in contact with Earth again, he would make the time to find her something special.

"I cannot wait to speak to my people again, "Teyla said, interrupting his thoughts. "I was happy when you told me they had been living with the Satedans."

"The first people we'll contact when we find a home planet will be the Satedans and Athosians. Then we'll need to communicate with Earth.

"I cannot wait to be in the Pegasus galaxy again," Teyla replied with a tiny smile.

He knew what she meant. And the thing he looked forward to the most was a vacation with his family.

Torren kept up a constant stream of conversation while he ate, but Teyla was quiet. Charin was happy to try to eat as much food as fast as possible while making a huge mess.

John ate in silence while looking out the window at the neverending void. He couldn't wait to be on a planet again because he was getting sick of looking at space.

Looking at his watch, he realised it was time to go to the control room. Sighing, he turned to Teyla, "I have to go now, Sweetie."

"I will see you on the other side of the anomaly, Honey."

He kissed Teyla on her cheek. Then he kissed Charin, and Torren, before turning around and leaving the mess hall.

When he arrived in the control room five minutes later, he was surprised that everyone was ready to go. Carson was already in the control chair, Zelenka was with him, and Rodney was about to open an anomaly.

"Is everyone ready?" He asked the room.

"We're ready when you are, sir," Lorne answered.

John turned to Rodney, "Put me on the open comm."

Rodney nodded and opened the comm.

John took a deep breath and addressed Atlantis, "In a few minutes, we will be heading through an anomaly that Dr McKay will open. In five minutes, we will arrive in the Pegasus galaxy in our own time. Do not worry. Just go about your normal business."

"Is the anomaly open, McKay?"

"Everything is ready, Sheppard. I've sent the coordinates to Zelenka."

He tapped his earpiece, "Sheppard, to Beckett, you have a go."

A few minutes later, he could hear the stardrive firing up. Then Atlatnist was moving. Rather than stand in the control room, he rushed to the balcony to see what was happening. The anomaly was enormous and brightly coloured. He didn't remember the first one looking like this.

As they approached the anomaly, he held his breath because he remembered going through the first anomaly, and it felt as if his head was in a vice.

This time as Atlantis crossed the event horizon, he was pleasantly surprised to find that his head felt fine. The colours were magnificent and made up of reds, oranges and purples. He stood and stared at the swirling colours as Atlantis flew through the anomaly. The swirling colours began to dissipate. And within seconds, Atlantis was back in space. Hopefully, they were back where and when they were supposed to be.

He was about to go inside when he saw a Wraith Hive, and he had no idea whether it was friendly.

Great. What now? He thought before rushing into the control room.

TBC…