Once the pod had been disconnected from Atlantis' systems and it was moved to the infirmary, it was shut down and for the first time in more then 10,000 years, the unnamed baby took a breath. Later, Cordelia would liken that moment to when a baby emerges from the womb and takes its first lungful of air. Carson and his nurses went to work. Nurse Amanda Cho, held her and soothed her as Carson drew blood from her tiny foot for analysis. He sent it off for immediate examination. Then she was scanned with Atlantis' scanners. They found the pathogen in her blood work and immediately began studying it, trying to understand how that so-called scientist, had thought this could be used to kill Wraith. The scans showed no deficiencies or injures. A physical exam found scarring on her tiny chest. Layers of scaring from repeated attempts at feeding. It was heartbreaking and no one, not the doctors and nurses or the observers watching thru the window were unmoved. Cordelia, Teyla and Elizabeth were all openly crying. Xander, Sheppard, McKay, Ronan and Zalenka kept wiping tears from their eyes. Each one of them, even the gentle Radak, would have enjoyed introducing that scientist to well deserved pain. Xander held Cordelia and Sheppard held Elizabeth, Ronan awkwardly tried to comfort Teyla, his attempts may have been awkward, but Teyla welcomed her teammate's attempt anyway, she needed it just as much as the others did. The baby was determined to be approximately six months old.

Later, after collecting herself, Elizabeth contacted Earth to inform them of the discovery. They weren't thrilled for a variety of reasons.

"The IOA wants us to keep her here on Atlantis as a kind of quarantine for awhile, to ensure she's not a danger and they want that pathogen thoroughly analyzed. Also, they want to know if you can transfer the High Councilorship to anyone else."

"I can ask Atlantis." Xander said.

"Do that." Elizabeth ordered.

"Atlantis?" Xander called out.

The hologram appeared. "Yes, Captain Harris?"

"Is it possible to transfer the High Councilorship?"

"No, Captain Harris. You are now connected to Atlantis. Only your death will sever the connection. You are apart of Atlantis now."

"What does that mean? I thought it was a political position." Xander said, startled.

"No, Captain Harris. That would be Leadership of the Council. You are now the Guardian of Atlantis. Atlantis is responsible for the inhabitants, you are responsible for Atlantis."

"Oh. Okay. Good to know. Thank you."

"Acknowledged." And disappeared again.

"I'm the adopted daddy of a city." Was Xander's stunned summation of the situation. A statement that released some of the tension of the observation of the baby's examination and caused borderline hysterical laughter from the assembled group. They managed to get themselves under control after a bit.

"Apparently." Elizabeth said. "I wonder if this means you'll have to be permanently stationed here. For all we know, you may not even be able to leave Atlantis."

"Hold that thought. Atlantis?" Xander called out again.

"Yes, Captain Harris?"

"Am I allowed to leave Atlantis? What does this Guardianship entail?"

"You can depart Atlantis. I can maintain a subspace link with you. As Guardian, you speak for Atlantis. I can notify you of any concerns, so it may be addressed. You ensure Atlantis is maintained."

"I think I understand." McKay said. "You're now an interface for Atlantis itself, for ease of communicating. Atlantis is so complex, so big, that things can get overlooked. Having one place or person to constantly monitor simplifies that process. The human mind is capable of rivaling a computer for its processing powers. In some cases, it's even faster. You'll know if there's a problem before we would. Before Atlantis could even signal an alert. Even across subspace. That's genius!"

"Okay, so transferring it isn't possible and not a good idea, since I don't want to die." Xander said.

"Agreed." Elizabeth said. "I'll notify Earth. In the meantime, since the baby will be staying here, she's going to need someone to take care of her. Any volunteers?"

"I think you know the answer to that, ma'am." Xander told her.

Cordelia was looking hopefully, but for once, was too choked up to talk.

"I thought so. Captain Harris, Cordelia Chase, do you want to be this baby's temporary guardian, until permanent arrangements can be made?" Dr. Weir asked formally.

"Yes, ma'am." Xander answered, while Cordelia nodded vigorously.

"I'll let Earth know. You're dismissed to get your quarters together for her. And she's going to need a name."

"Daniela Joyce. D. J." Xander answered.

Cordelia giggled. "Jack will never stop teasing Daniel."

They left to prepare their quarters.

"You know they're going to end up petitioning for permanent Guardianship." Sheppard told the rest of the group.

"Definitely." McKay said. "They'll be very protective parents."

A sentiment they all could agree with.

Xander and Cordelia were very excited and nervous. D. J. stayed in the infirmary for a week, as Carson monitored her, to get a baseline for future comparisons. Xander and Cordelia visited daily, bonding with her. Kate Heitmeyer, the psychologist assigned to the expedition warned them that given the abuse she'd suffered and the emotional isolation she's been subjected to, her development could be delayed and she could have emotional and mental concerns. She made herself available for them for additional counseling sessions. Xander had been a regular since she was assigned to the expedition. The counseling that Janet had arranged for him back when he was a teenager had helped him enormously over the years and he knew its value. Cordelia had been going in order to learn strategies for helping Xander with his own issues, as well as her own losses.