Star Man (Part two)
Chapter 2 - Gathering
A/N ... As promised, here is the sequel to 'Star Man'...enjoy!
SGA SGA SGA
With the arrival of the Daedalus safely guarding Earth from above, Samantha Carter was torn what to do next. Stay on the great ship; possibly under Caldwell's feet, or beam back to Earth to help out there; but she was second on the Trusts most wanted list so perhaps better to stay away. It left the only feasible choice – Atlantis. She would share the responsibilities of moving her away from danger and back to Pegasus with the person who was number one the wanted list – Colonel John Sheppard.
Problem was, Sam was still unsure if she fitted in there with the tight knit crew of friends – family really. She knew she had no problems with anyone of them. She also utterly respected and admired John, and how he had this band of followers that would do anything for him; had done, just this last few days. It was while she was reading over his file again, she made a decision. She would not go with them back to Pegasus as their leader. She would share that responsibility with John. He could lead missions as he had done for years, and she would stay on Atlantis and manage it solely when he was not present.
Next up – would John agree?
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John piloted the cloaked 'jumper through the deep waters of San Francisco Bay with just a pang of despair with the realisation this might be the last day he would ever be on Earth the way things were going.
"You, okay?" Ronon asked him from the co-pilots seat.
A dancing light of rainbow colours disguised John's face from Ronon's to be able to read him well, but the white knuckles on the controls betrayed his mood.
"M'good." Came the standard reply.
Ronon scoffed. "Not too late for you to stay y'know. Once we pick up Carter and she comes back with us. Bradshaw can fly us back."
"Seriously?" John laughed.
"No!" Ronon grinned. "Just thought I'd see if you were serious."
"Honestly, Ronon, the sooner we pick up Sam and high tail it out of here the better."
"Yeah, about that? You okay with this sharing the responsibilities thing." This Ronon did not know what his friend was thinking.
John moved his head slightly from side to side. "Can't say I wouldn't have preferred to take Atlantis back on my own command…but, it will take some of the burden off me. Besides, there really is no place for her to go on Earth at the moment, and, well…Caldwell?"
"Yeah. Bit of a reprieve there for her not staying on the Daedalus right enough."
John just grinned.
"So, are we almost there?"
"Yes, Ronon. We are almost there. You don't like under the water too much, then?" John smirked fully aware of the fact, and how increasingly nervous he looked when some sort of fish or plant swiped past the screen.
"Can't say I'm enjoying this too much." He admitted.
"Well, you could have stayed behind."
"And leave you with nobody watching your back. You were the one that ordered Lorne and all the Marines; except Bradshaw and Collins, to stay back on Atlantis."
"Listen, when that alarm started up again, and all of a sudden Rodney was crying out 'sabotage!', 'imminent failure!'…all sorts! …I reckoned even though the system was telling us Wraith were on board…but we know it's Todd, it not to say something else could happen later, so I wanted to leave enough of a security contingent as possible for my peace of mind…and, as I am the only one present with the codes to leave Atlantis I had to go myself.
After a few minutes of comfortable silence, John looked over to Ronon. "I spoke to Teyla."
Ronon grinned. "I'm glad I gave you that push."
"You did?"
"I did, now don't be too long in taking it further, buddy. Teyla deserves some stability…as do you. I am really happy for you both by the way."
John threw himself back in his seat and laughed. "Ah, of course! The real reason you came with me has just dawned on me – Amelia! We are picking her up, and a few others, with Sam. How could I forget…buddy!"
Ronon wriggled in his seat and suddenly stared straight ahead. Found out.
"We had a thing once. Not sure if it's still there." He admitted.
"Well, she had a choice to hide on Earth somewhere like the others, but she chose to come. Maybe because of you, who knows?"
"Yeah." Ronon smiled, thankful that John then had Samantha Carter speaking in his ear.
Ronon watched his friends face become serious. "What's up?" he asked when John then manoeuvred the 'jumper away from the intended heading.
"Jack's just advised Sam that their position has been compromised. I have the new co-ordinates, they should be there in ten minutes. Jack thinks that some of the Trust have been identified; they have been taken in for questioning…"
"That's good."
"Yes. But they obviously have some sort of Intel that we are about to run with Atlantis. They are hotting up their attacks on some that have remained behind on Earth…Watson's dead; supposed burglary in her house." Ronon watched the vein on the side of his neck pulse as he chewed his lip.
"Damn, she was a sweet kid."
John nodded. "Seems more are joining Sam. It's going to be a crush in the 'jumper."
No more words were spoken until John reached the large pre-fabricated building sitting on its own in the middle of a plot beside a good sized parking area; large enough for a 'jumper to land in, he noted. John gently brought her down; made sure they were still cloaked, and awaited the arrival of Sam as he had arrived first.
"Be ready to hurry things along, Sgt when Colonel Carter arrives. Double up what you can carry. I don't know who else is coming, but if you see any civilians; they get on first." John walked towards the ramp and lowered it in readiness.
Ronon stood beside him and together they looked out.
"I can't believe this might be my last time on Earth."
"Step out. Feel the ground under your feet; breathe it in so you remember. You have a minute before you fly us back."
John considered Ronon's words. But he already has his memories. It was time to leave. His ear buzzed: Sam was here anyway.
"This is it. Make it smooth. Let's get everyone safely on board."
Ronon brought his gun up and walked half way down the ramp whilst John advised Sam where they were.
"Bloody hell!" Bradshaw shouted over his shoulder, "…I didn't expect that!" He laughed.
John, who had been half way back to the pilot's seat for a quick getaway, turned back to see what he meant, and his eye brows rose with surprise.
Samantha Carter could not have commandeered a larger truck if she had tried. It was not the fleet of black vans he expected – perhaps they would have been too obvious right enough. His immediate desire was to help with all the supplies on board and shepherd the extra marines and staff onto the 'jumper, but he was twitchy and wanted to be able to fly off quickly if need be. Still, before he did, he waited to wave at Sam as she left the truck's cab and ran towards the ramp after spotting Bradshaw's waving arm seemingly in mid air.
John waved back and watched as she decided to double back to the end of the truck to retrieve some supplies herself. With the new marines assisting, they made quick work of loading the welcome supplies of first aid, clothes, food and other unknown items in large black crates.
Sitting in his seat, nervously tapping his leg up and down. John smelled the air and smiled; he knew by her perfume that Amelia was indeed one of the new refugees. Sure enough, striding up the ramp with Ronon grinning like a fool by her side, Amelia acknowledged him with a sharp nod. John smiled back and then spread his grin more towards his big buddy.
"John!" Sam said suddenly by his side.
"Sam…"
"No, don't get up." Sam said, placing a hand on his shoulder…the still healing one. He flinched. "Ah, sorry. I heard, of course, about your injuries, but didn't know which shoulder it was. Are you okay?"
John put his hand back for a quick hand shake. "I'm fine. Really. Just the occasional twinge."
"Sorry, anyway. Some position we have found ourselves in, eh?"
John nodded. "Yup. Like the truck!"
"Thought it was so obvious a vehicle they would discount it. Think I was right."
"As per!" John laughed.
"Well, I wouldn't go that far."
"Are those who chose to stay on Earth going to be okay?"
Sam sighed. "As well as we can supply, help, and assist – yes."
"Colonel Sheppard, Sir." Bradshaw advised they were all loaded.
"Sgt, is that us good to go? Everything fitted?"
"We cannot see each other." He laughed. "But, yeah. Will I close the ramp?"
"On it, just buckle up." John said, ordering the ramp up.
Sam took the vacated co-pilots seat and cocked her thumb back. "Amelia and Ronon, then?"
John nodded. He pulled the 'jumper up. "Pleased for him. He was in mourning." He whispered.
John and Sam spent the next few minutes catching up with recent events, until their speech mellowed down to friendly tones and stopped sounding so official.
"Rodney and Jennifer?"
"Still together."
"He is okay at not giving his lectures then?"
"Ah, well, you know he was looking forward to it, but I do believe he is more tied to Atlantis than even he knew."
Sam grinned. "No wonder. Teyla?"
John felt his face go red, like she had already guessed. "She is fine. Looking forward to getting home to her son."
"Right." She continued to grin.
John shifted in his seat, knowing he would have to tell her anyway as they now shared command of the flying ship. "Actually … Teyla, and I…"
Sam clasped her hands together. "At last!"
John just sighed and shook his head. "Tell me, did everyone think we would get together?"
"Yes. Actually." She replied with nothing short of a girlie giggle.
"Man!" John said, but broke off their conversation as they had arrived over the Bay already.
John relayed his intent to board Atlantis to an excitable Rodney, and prepared the small ship to lower into the water and make its way to the top of the tower.
In time John became thoughtful as he entered Atlantis. He glanced at Sam and watched her face show excitement at the arrival of the submerged and hidden city.
"Do you think that was way too easy?"
Sam turned to look at him. "It wasn't easy my end organising all that."
"I guess not. I'm just being paranoid. Hey, what happened to our two wayward marines?"
"Still being questioned. Both stubborn. Both not willing to help us with who is in the Trust."
John nodded. "They probably don't know. I think they just both took the chance to get at me!"
"You do attract trouble."
John clucked his tongue off the roof of his mouth. "Thanks for that."
John entered the code and soon the 'jumper was through the briefly dropped cloak and shield, and into Atlantis. "So our new batch of marines; did Lorne pick them?" (He had left that to the Major to organise).
"We both did. All trusted in the past. Also, three new scientists that Rodney wanted, and four new nurses for Carson and Jennifer; six domestics/chefs and six extra command staff that I personally picked. I know you may find it hard to one hundred percent trust everyone, John. But I am more than sure we do not have any traitors in our midst this time."
John let go of the controls, and nodded. "Then I trust you." He smiled as he got up from his seat and then noticed the barricade of stacked crates. "Hey!"
"Guess we are last off." Sam laughed.
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Seventy five minutes later and John joined Sam in her office as she looked at her computer. "Settling in again?"
"I am. I did like it here. Sure you okay with me being here, John?"
"Sam. If you ask that once more…" He jokingly went to punch her.
Sam smiled and nodded. "Okay. I won't."
Rodney then arrived, smiling. "Sam, nice to see you again!"
"You are only happy with the supplies I brought you, Rodney!"
"Can I not be happy for that as well?" Rodney shrugged his shoulders.
"Sorry that this is both your office and quarters at the moment." John interjected.
"No. I get it. Rodney, here, has explained MANY times how much we need to conserve power."
Rodney just playfully shrugged his shoulders again
John laughed. "We think we know where we can get another ZPM, but, he's right; until we get there we are running on fumes. It's going to take a lot to get her out of this water and back on the way to Pegasus."
"And a lot for you too, John, don't forget!"
John ran a hand through his hair; messing it up. "Yeah. I'm not looking forward to that. The chair is very draining without it running at half speed."
Sam came around her desk perched her hip on her desk clearly concerned for him. "Are you fit enough for this? Should we delay departure until you are more recovered from the poisoning?"
"No. It's not safe enough to wait. We leave in five hours once it's dark."
"John…"
John put up a hand. "I'll be fine. Piece of cake!" He flashed her one of his most charming smiles.
"That won't work on me, John."
"Damn."
Sam studied him. He did look tired; black rings increasingly obvious on his pale face that wasn't still pink and sore looking in various spots where his face had been almost grated not days before. He favoured his sore shoulder often, and Sam was aware that his sweater was thicker than most, so if he was feeling the cold he was definitely not fully recovered.
"John … I know I am not your boss, that we are sharing the responsibility of this great city…but can I FRIENDLY ask you to go lie down for at least the next three to four hours. By your own admission, moving Atlantis is going to be very hard, and will take it out on you."
"And by 'lie down', son," Carson arrived suddenly at the door, "…I want you in the infirmary. I was just coming to find you to let me pop some I.V. fluids in you before you attempted this monumental flight. Your electrolytes are all over the place."
"Aw, come on, doc. Stop hounding me!" John looked at Rodney for some back-up, but he nodded his agreement leaving John throwing him daggers.
Sam caught Carson's worried look, before glancing quickly behind him at a newcomer to the party.
"John."
John threw up his hands. "You, too?" He said as Teyla walked up and softly put her hand under his elbow.
"I brought the heavy artillery!"
Teyla cocked an eyebrow at the 'heavy' bit, but gently tugged on John's sleeve. "I'll walk with you to the infirmary."
John dropped his chin to his chest and sighed. "Fine…this time!" He moved out of her hold, but grabbed her hand instead as they walked away. "Two hours, Carson!"
Carson countered, "Three!" and followed them out the door leaving Sam and Rodney laughing.
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Teyla tried not to show how delighted she was at John's open display of affection for her – guess it was all out in the open now. She squeezed his fingers in return and beamed up at him, noticing the replying smile was as warm as she could have wished for.
"I can stay with you, if you like?"
"I like. If you lie down on the next bed and get some sleep too?"
Teyla nodded. "I could do that. Where's Ronon by the way?"
John raised his eyebrows and smirked down at her while they walked. "Did you not see who arrived with us in the 'jumper?"
Teyla laughed. "Of course, they must be making up for lost time!"
"He wants to be with me in the chair room when this all kicks off, so we'll see him in a few hours."
"After you have slept and eaten something." Carson added.
"Believe me, Carson. I am well aware that I need as much strength as I can to fly Atlantis out of here. You'll get no fight out of me. Bring on the steaks! Hey, is Todd okay?"
"Stasis chamber is doing what it needs to do to keep him under AND alive until we get to Pegasus."
"Good, good." John said, clearly thinking about the trip ahead.
"Son? What can I do to help?"
"Nothing now. Might need you later as I will probably get a headache. No surprises there!"
Carson knew he would; he was glad he admitted it. "Will do, son. Something stronger may be needed to get you there."
"Well, not just now. Fluids, sleep, eat – in that order."
At that they reached the infirmary and Teyla watched Carson ready the I.V. equipment for John's fluids. John, in turn, sighed heavily, but took off his boots and jacket and waited on the push of the needle. Teyla perched on the bed beside him, watching, but with John pointing his chin to her bed, she removed her own boots, laid herself back against the pillow and watched as John's fluids started flowing, then he crossed his ankles and wiggled his head into his pillow.
"Night." He looked over at Teyla.
"Night." She giggled.
"Night, night!" Carson smiled and pulled the curtain around the two beds, leaving them alone and to be undisturbed.
John reached out his I.V free hand and Teyla wiggled over until her hand reached his and clasped it tight.
John's heart was in his mouth. He hadn't known really, until recently, how much he had wanted a romantic relationship with Teyla. He supposed he didn't want to spoil what they did have already – but how much better is this than a platonic one. He grinned, blew her a kiss, and closed his eyes, content enough to fall asleep before he faced what would be a colossal task of strength and endurance flying an entire city with an almost depleted Z.P.M and no-one else with a strong enough A.T.A. gene to take over if the going got too much.
He felt himself begin to drift unreturnable away: Carson had been at work, he realised with a contented sigh. Perhaps it was good to get such a deep sleep. It would help him recover from the last few fraught hours and into the next stage of their escape from Earth.
A montage of mind's eye images of him and Teyla together spurned on his unconsciousness. If he had been counting it down, he reckoned he wouldn't have got past number five.
From the other bed, Teyla watched as John succumbed to Carson's dose of sedatives and smiled when his facial features lost that tight and haunted look. He looked relaxed, younger almost. Unable to resist she left her own comfy bed and padded over to put her hand on his brow. It felt warm but not overly so. The fever he had had recently had persisted for days – she did not want its return. Although Carson thought the poison in him and all but dissipated, there was a lingering strand that was hanging on in his latest blood tests. Carson had believe it to be a marker that they had some-how manufactured to target just his DNA. It was stubbornly refusing to totally give up – and it was worrying them all very much. Carson had decided not to divulge that piece of information to John himself; believing that he had enough to contend with just now – besides, he was confident they would eventually leave him and he would be okay without him ever knowing they had still be worried about him.
"Teyla?" Carson whispered from behind the closed curtain.
Teyla snatched back her hand. Carson must have heard her.
She drew the thin material to the side and looked at him and smiled; cheeks bright red. "Sorry, I was just…"
Carson held up his hand. "No need to explain lass. Just wanted to check everything was good. John asleep?"
Teyla nodded. "He went out like a light. I feel guilty for being in on your little plan."
"It was his benefit."
"That is why I agreed." Teyla cocked her head to the side and smiled at him one last time. "I think I will catch up on some sleep myself after all."
Carson nodded. "Why did I not think of that?" He laughed and drew the curtain again, leaving Teyla shaking her head at his scheming ways.
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"Five hours!"
Currently, John's team, Sam and Carson were on the receiving end of John's tirade. "Five hours!" he said again; anger evident in the way his hands were on his hips.
Teyla ducked her head and could not look him in the face.
"Son!" Carson stepped up. "You needed it…"
"Anything could have happened, Carson! I was out of it that long - drugged!"
"Well, the good news is nothing did happen. Save, my slaving away trying to get you some extra power from some-where to help." Rodney lifted himself up and down on his heels, hands in pockets; contrite.
John flung his arms up in the air. "Well, that's all fine then. All hunky dory, if you get to work away with no sleep…"
"He is not flying an entire city on his own in the next hour or so!" Carson defended his decision to knock him out. "You needed the rest. You admitted it yourself."
"My point is I would have got to the land of nod myself without some chemical intervention. Goodness, Carson, I have had enough drugs in my body of late, thank you very much!" He gave them all a disappointed look and then spun on his heels and fast walked away, leaving them all feeling ashamed and thoroughly reproached, huddled as they were together on the 'gate room floor when he had ran down the steps in two leaps, with Teyla hurrying behind him to catch up.
"I'll go after him." Ronon said, looking at Teyla apologetically.
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Ronon had not wanted John knocked out. He had protested that his mind had been in a good place, and that he was so exhausted he could have got there himself. He had been out-numbered. The repercussions were obvious – his friend had been deeply upset at their betrayal.
The corridors leading to John's favourite balcony – when in the open – had a faint grey/blue hue that made Ronon's stomach whirl. He was still under water, even though he had swapped the smaller space of the 'jumper to the larger city. He knew he was still in a vast liquid, crushing space, and he didn't know why it unsettled him so much, other than he was in a vast, crushing space.
Ronon winced at the thought.
John was there, where he thought he would be, when he caught up with him.
Ronon noticed how his shoulders had slumped slightly. "Sorry."
John did not acknowledge him, just shrugged. "Guess you had my interests at heart. I just …I've just had enough of feeling out of it…y'know?"
Ronon did know. "Don't lose too much energy on this, John. It's not worth it."
"Guess you are right." John said as he turned to face him. "I shouldn't have sped past Teyla like I just did!"
Ronon grimaced. "Yup. You've got to think of Teyla more, you are in a relationship now."
"Gee, thanks, buddy. For your words of wisdom." He started to smile. "How's things with Amelia anyway?"
"Good." Ronon's face split into a wider grin.
"Uh huh." John watched his friend. "That goes for you too then, buddy!"
"Guess it does."
John squeezed his lips together and sighed. "Just as well Lorne is with his Marines and not party to knocking me out!" He mused out loud. "Right, let's get this show on the road."
"Now?"
"No time like the present. It'll be dark in America by now as FIVE hours have gone past!"
"Not gonna let us forget that are you?"
"Nope!"
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Teyla was wringing her hands nervously when John approached her. She needn't have worried though as he walked right up to her and brought her to his chest for a hug. He ran his hand down her hair and gently held onto the back of her head.
"Sorry I took off like that."
"It is fine, John. It is I who should apologise." Teyla mumbled into his chest.
"We all apologise, John." Sam said as the others congregated around John and Teyla, who had now reluctantly pulled out of his embrace.
"Yes, I'm sorry, son. I should thought about what your reaction might be." Carson apologised. "I was careless."
"Look, everyone. It's over. Gone. Nada. Let's now just concentrate on the task ahead. I presume you have heard from Jack, Sam?"
Sam nodded. "We are good to go. Seems NASA etc. is going to have a sudden blackout so they won't notice us leave. That's the plan anyway."
"20:00 hours still?"
Rodney stepped in beside Sam. "Starting in fifteen minutes time." He said, looking at his watch and chewing his bottom lip. "John…?"
"Rodney, I said, forget it."
"I know, it's just…look…all the best, yeah, for moving us out."
John suddenly realised just how worried everyone was. Time to be Military Commander.
He tapped his ear piece.
"Everyone, can I have your attention. At 19.50 hours I want you at your assigned stations. We will be taking Atlantis home at 20.00 hours sharp."
He looked at his friends and behind him to the command crew. "It will most probably be a bumpy ride. I'll try to take her up as smoothly as I can, but…I can't promise it. We have a black-out taking place on Earth, so we should not be detected. That said, you never know if we have been identified on Earth by the Trust and they may take drastic efforts to stop our plan to return to Pegasus…home. Be alert for anything unusual happening on your computers. Any anomalies or alarms tell Rodney or Radek immediately. Sam will be checking in with you all once we are in outer space. Any questions; ask me now?"
John allowed a few seconds. "Good." He said when no-one replied. "At full count we are thirty two souls. We will all make it there with each other's help. Do not be shy asking for help if you have a problem. To survive we have to act us one. Sheppard out."
A chorus of, 'Sirs', almost deafened him and he grinned. Guess the Marines were having some sort of impact on everyone aboard. Speaking of which, "Lorne?" he pressed their private channel.
"Sheppard. Are you okay?"
"I'm good. Wanting to go home, Evan?"
Lorne smiled. "Sure am, John."
"Good. Keep an eye on your men, but I don't expect to have any trouble inside Atlantis with anybody."
"I believe we are good, John."
"Todd is safely secure?"
"John…you know he is!"
John laughed. "Just double checking. Teyla says the presence of Wraith feels quite strong to her. More than Todd normally does." He had kept that piece of information between Teyla and himself.
"He is quite out of it…and the only wraith here, I assure you!"
John tapped his ear piece. "See you in Pegasus."
When he turned around to find only Ronon and Teyla left standing there waiting on him finishing his conversation, John shrugged. "Okay, let's do it!"
Ronon watched the look between him and Teyla, and gave his excuses to leave. He would wait on John arriving in the chair room so he could guard him just like he said he would.
Not waiting on an invitation, Teyla flung her arms around him and waited on his strong arms to encircle her waist. "In case something happens…" she started.
"It won't!"
"Please, John. Let me continue….just in case, I want you to know…well, I believe I have always loved you, even since…"
"That first day we met!"
Teyla looked up at his dark eyes looking down at hers and nodded. "Why, yes." She laughed.
"I love you, Teyla." He kissed the top of her head. "See you when we are home."
With that he turned and strode purposely towards the chair room to face the biggest strain on his body and mind using his A.T.A. gene to date.
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To be continued ….. Let's hope it all goes smoothly! Cough, cough…