"I've got a question, Major." Xander said.

"Go ahead, Captain."

"If we're back on Earth, where's Cordy? You would think if I was going to pay a visit to Earth, my wife would be here with me. Not to mention, I would like to be in Colorado Springs, which is our home, seeing Jack, Sam, Teal'C, and Daniel, as well as Janet and Cassie. Or baring that, our hometown, Sunnydale, and our old gang of friends, including Cordy's best friend, Faith. Not hanging out at a party at your really cool bachelor pad."

"I think I may have a better question, Captain. Why are there dead people at my party?" Sheppard asked.

"Dead people, sir?" Xander asked, startled.

"Yes, because those two over there, died in a helicopter crash a few years ago. And that one over there, was shot by an enemy soldier."

Xander went over to the people in question, who were staring at them, like they thought they were crazy and examined them.

"Not a vampire, not a zombie, not a ghost. Too solid to be a hologram. That leaves an illusion of some sort. Which most likely means, we're not actually on Earth, someone is trying to trick us."

Suddenly the air shimmered and they were in Stargate Command standing in front of the Stargate. What appeared to be General Hammond was standing in front of them. Nearby was Dr. McKay, Teyla and Dr. Weir.

"Your ability to resist our mind probe is impressive Alexander Harris. You as well John Sheppard. But while we were able to glean a few images from your mind, Major Sheppard, we got absolutely nothing from yours Captain Harris."

"Go to know, since I like my secrets locked up in my head, where they belong." Xander snarked back, feeling very uncomfortable at the idea of mind probing. "So why are you trying to read our minds?"

"And why try to make us think we were on Earth?" Sheppard asked.

"In the hopes that you would think you had accomplished your goal of returning to your home and would leave us be."

"I don't understand." Dr. Weir said. "How are we bothering you?"

"You were attempting to open the Stargate to return to your world. Your arrival on this world killed many of us. Your attempt to use us to return to your world would have killed many more."

"What do you mean killed you? Or to use you? We were trying to harness the energy in this world's atmosphere to power the Stargate to dial Earth. How would that kill whoever you are?" Dr. Weir asked.

"We are that energy, Dr. Weir."

"Oh my God." She whispered. "We didn't know."

"Now that you are aware of our intent, please choose your own vision and we will ensure it is believable."

"Why?" Xander asked.

"So that you are comfortable. We can not allow you to leave, doing so may kill more of us."

"We have to leave, if we don't, others will come looking for us." Xander said.

The General Hammond look alike looked alarmed. "No! If others come, we will die!"

"Then let us leave. We will mark this planet as off limits and never return." Dr. Weir told him.

"How can we be sure you would not try again? Your desire to return to your home is strong."

"Not strong enough to knowingly commit murder." Dr. Weir assured him. "If you can read us, then you can tell that."

"We can read you, Dr. McKay and Teyla Emmagan. As I said, we are unable to read Major Sheppard, beyond a few vague images or Captain Harris at all."

"Dr. Weir is our Commanding Officer. By our custom, her word binds us as well." Xander told him. "We will leave and never return."

"You feel this way, as well Major Sheppard?"

"Yes, if you can read the others, you can see in them, the truth about that." Major Sheppard said.

The General Hammond look alike looked thoughtful for a moment and then said. "Very well, we will allow you to depart. Please honor your word."

"We will." Dr. Weir assured him.

The Stargate flared to life as McKay entered the coordinates for Atlantis and they stepped thru.

"So what did they show you?" Xander asked, once they were in Dr. Weir's office and Cordy was holding his hand and he was assuring himself, she was real.

"Stargate Command and they were trying to convince me that militarizing the expedition was a good idea. Totally not believable because Rodney was agreeing with them." Dr. Weir answered.

"Really, because I had women hitting on me in mine. Totally believable." McKay said.

"Yes, if they're blind, deaf and dumb." From Cordelia.

Which had McKay pouting. "I'll have you know, woman find me very attractive. Sam Carter and I flirt every time I visit Stargate Command."

"Actually, Sam tries to avoid assault charges whenever you're around." Xander told him. "She can't stand you, thinks you're an arrogant asshole. She was grateful you were chosen for the expedition because it meant she might not have to endure your presence again."

McKay gaped at him. "Well, how were you two able to keep them out?"

"I don't know, maybe the fact that we're natural gene holders had something to do with it. After all, natural gene holders can connect much more easily to Ancient technology then ones like you, with Dr. Beckett's gene therapy. That implies some differences in our brains." Xander answered.

Dr. Beckett looked thoughtful. "Aye, you may be right. Perhaps I should do some in depth scans of our brains and compare them, it might help with understanding just how we connect and use the technology."

"That's a good idea, Carson." Elizabeth said. "Well, if there's nothing else, let's just call this day a bust and end it, shall we?"

Various murmurings of agreement had everyone heading to their quarters. "So, what would your dream scenario be?" Cordy asked, as they headed to their own quarters.

"You in a bikini."

"Seriously?"

"Well, the bikini part's optional really. The important part is that you're there. Home isn't home, without you, Cordy."

She smiled that thousand watt smile he loved so much and said. "Home isn't home, without you there, Xander."