Dr. Weir called AG 1 to her office to discuss the conversation with General O'Neill. It didn't start out well.

"Why do they want the database?" Rodney asked.

"I don't know. We're not cleared for that information. General O'Neill wants it transmitted in its entirety and without us accessing it, immediately. Also, we're to concentrate on taking Xander to all of the facilities or labs that we've so far been unable to access."

"They're looking for something. They think these facilities or their databases have the information that they're looking for." Rodney said. "But what are they looking for?"

"There may be a new threat. One they're keeping quiet for now." Sheppard said. "They may hope to stop it before it becomes a big deal."

"That makes sense. But that would also imply, that Xander and Cordelia's visit is more then just to help us." Elizabeth said.

"I doubt that. Why bring their son, if they are here doing more then helping?" Teyla asked. "Perhaps something has occurred that changed the original focus."

"Well, the only thing that's happened is finding those creatures. I wonder if they've found more of them. Maybe they're the threat. Maybe they just thought they were a Milky Way problem, but now they've been found here. They want to make sure, they don't end up with another Gou'ld or Wraith problem, so are having him investigate while he's here." Sheppard said.

"Now that I can believe." Teyla said. "We have barely been able to beat back the Wraith with your help. If there is a new threat, we too would want it eliminated quickly, before it becomes a bigger problem."

"That means, they'll probably tell us sooner or later what's going on. They just need to confirm first, if there is a problem. No use risking causing a panic." Elizabeth said.

"Then I suggest we get out there and check those other places quickly. The sooner we get that done, the sooner we'll know if there's a problem."

"Agreed. I'll start drawing up a schedule. Rodney, please make sure the database is sent immediately. And no accessing it"

"I'll do it right now." He said heading out to the control room to active the Stargate and send it through.

"Ronan, you haven't said anything."

"Those things, they remind me of an old story from when I was a kid. A story of the Ancestors fighting monsters that came from below."

"Below what?"

"The darkness below."

"We have similar stories." Teyla said. "Of the Ancestors fighting a terrible war against the Dark Ones."

"I assume you're referring to the Wraith?" Elizabeth asked.

"No, these stories predate the Ancestors leaving Pegasus." Teyla told her.

"Same with our stories." Ronan said.

"Interesting. I wonder if there's any connection?"

Elizabeth was left to wonder for awhile. The mysteries were beginning to pile up.

Since neither Xander nor Cordelia wanted to go off world while Jesse was recovering, they both helped in the lab for the next couple of days. They were able to activate several devices that had so far frustrated the expedition members. Everything from what turned out to be a portable healing device, similar to the hand device someone with naquada in their blood could use to heal someone, to new scanners. All of it proved useful in one fashion or another.

Finally Jesse was well enough to be released from the infirmary and Xander and Cordelia brought him back to their quarters. After a nice family night, Xander felt ready to head off world again. Both Cordelia and Jesse reminded him to stay out of trouble. The cheeky grin on Jesse's face got an evil eye look from Xander.

The next day AG 1 and Xander headed out to investigate another facility that so far the expedition had been unable to access. This one was situated more then ten miles from the gate, so they took a jumper to get to it, rather then walk. Before leaving, Xander asked if he could have a flying lesson. Sheppard agreed that once on the other side of the gate, they'd set down and Xander could try flying it.

"Oh man, this is fun!" Xander said excitedly, as the jumper responded smoothly to him and flew in a straight path toward the facility they were heading for. A large bird passed in front of the jumper and Xander reflexively flew around it. "Man, that is so cool. I feel like I'm Jesse's age again. Man, Jesse woulda love this. Different Jesse, I mean. My best friend. He died when we were teenagers. He loved roller coasters. This would remind him of one, I'm sure."

"You named your son for your best friend, as I named mine for my father?" Teyla asked.

"Yeah, he was the closest thing to a brother I ever had. I miss him. He'd have loved being an uncle."

"John, Ronan and Rodney all enjoy being an uncle too. It is nice to have family again. Charon, the closest thing to a grandmother I had, died many years ago. She was the last one I called family."

"The people Cordelia and I call family aren't related to us either. There's Giles, he's like a father to us all. He gave me my sword. Then there's Willow, sister of my heart and her girlfriend Tara, and Faith, Cordelia's best friend and Dawn. We all raised Dawn after her mother and sister died. She's just finishing college now. She grew up beautiful and smart. They'd be proud of her. We are."

The jumper ride was over before Xander would've like it to be and he gently set it down outside this new facility that they'd come to investigate. Hopefully, what they'd find here was less dangerous.

I suppose that would depend on your definition of dangerous.