It had been four weeks since the whole bug fiasco and Rodney was finding himself more willing to spend time with his brother. They were finally on good terms…granted all the bad terms weren't gone yet. John and Rodney weren't back to completely normal, but they were getting there. Lauryn was living with her daddy again, things finally seemed to be getting back to normal.

They were scheduled to go off world in less than ten minutes, and they were all suited up and ready to go. Elizabeth smiled as she looked at her friends, her eyes fell upon Rodney, giving him a slight nod she grinned, "you've got a go Colonel, be safe." With that they stepped through the wormhole.

They stepped through the other side and were stunned to find themselves right back on Atlantis. "FREEZE!" yelled several voices. The four friends did as told, rising their hands in the air. "Identify yourselves!" one very young voice commanded.

"I'm Lieutenant Colonel John Sheppard, Specialist Ronan Dex, Teyla Emmagan, and Doctor…"

"Rodney…" came a very familiar voice.

Rodney's head shot up to the balcony over looking the Stargate, to see Doctor Elizabeth Weir, but not the same one he had just left behind. She had dark brown hair…with bits of gray slipping into it, her hair was straighter and hanging just below her shoulders. Her eyes, however, were just as strong as ever.

"Elizabeth?" John Sheppard broke the silence first stunned.

"Lieutenant, if you could escort our visitors to the briefing room, and then page Beckett, McKay, and Sheppard and have them join me in the briefing room."

"Yes ma'am…" the boy spoke.

John, Teyla, Ronan, and Rodney sat around the tables in the briefing room, when Elizabeth, Carson and two young adults entered the room. Rodney felt his jaw drop at the sight of the two adults.

One was tall, probably six foot two, with dark brown hair and bright hazel eyes, it was like staring at his brother, only there was something very different about him. He seemed almost angry, and imposing.

The woman was beautiful, stunningly so, had long sandy blonde that fell just above her waist, her face was round and full, she had the most expressive looking blue eyes, full of brightness, but as Rodney really looked at her he could sense some sadness in her beautiful ocean orbs.

"What year is this?" Rodney questioned, his eyes still on the girl before him, which he had the rising suspicion was his daughter.

"2025…what year are you from?" Elizabeth returned.

"2005…" John answered.

"This is Doctor Carson Beckett…which I'm sure you knew, our leading Military Officer Major Jonathan Michael Sheppard, and our Chief Scientist Doctor Lauryn McKay…"

He had been right, his little Lauryn, she stood in front of him, her eyes on him as she studied him over: As though she was taking in every feature, every wrinkle, and every twinkle in his eye. He looked into her beautiful eyes and noticed the unshed tears as she looked at him.

"Uh…this may sound strange…but where's everyone else?" John questioned as he looked at the child he was sure he'd left back on earth with explicit instructions never to be told about his father.

"You've been dead…for nearly…"

"Lauryn…" came the warning tone from Elizabeth.

Rodney felt a grin as he heard his daughter's voice, so much confidence, so beautiful. His Lauryn didn't speak yet, she gurgled at best. Rodney suddenly couldn't wait for her to speak. To hear her every word, to get lost in the every day jabber of a small child.

"How did we get here?" Teyla inquired.

"It must have been the solar flares…they've been troubling us for days now…they cause a fluxion in the space time continuum…." Explained Lauryn as she looked over at Teyla; removing her eyes for the first time from her dad.

"Can you get us home?" John spoke this time.

"I believe so yes…" spoke Lauryn with conviction.

"Wait a minute Lauryn…" began Elizabeth, "it's not that we don't trust you…"

"I do…" Lauryn whispered as her eyes moved back to Rodney.

"Lauryn," Elizabeth spoke.

"Mum…" Rodney felt his heart jump into his throat at that single word. Elizabeth? When? How? Why?

"All right, but keep the information restricted, knowing McKay…he wouldn't want too much information being given…" Elizabeth finally relented, "Jonathan, if you could take them to the guest quarters…"

"Actually…I'd like to join you Lauryn…if you don't mind," Rodney said smiling at her.

"I'd love that," she replied.

Rodney was surprised to find Lauryn had taken over his former lab. What surprised him even further were the pictures decorating the four walls of the lab. Each at a various stage in her life.

"How did it happen?" Rodney asked as he moved over to one picture and smiled sadly.

It was a cute picture, Lauryn was probably seven or eight, sitting in his lap smiling, they both had their left arm in a sling. Lauryn's face was streaked with tear tracks, but a smile covered her beautiful face. John and Elizabeth stood on either side of him and Lauryn.

"Mum…never really told me much…just tidbits I gained over the past ten years…"

"Ten years?" Rodney whispered looking away from the picture.

"I was eleven years old…I was writing a report for you…you'd been teaching me science for a little over five years…Mum came in, trying to look composed and told me that you and Uncle John had died in action…" she looked down at the desk she was standing beside.

Rodney watched as she reached out and wiped a tear from her cheek. She was so strong even now…had he done that to her, had it been Elizabeth… "come here," he whispered.

Lauryn looked up in surprise, and suddenly he flew into her father's arms. Rodney grabbed her, holding her tight. It felt strange to hold someone who was so young in another world. This was his little girl, his only child, and probably the only one he would ever have.

"Mum, huh?" Rodney whispered as he gently caressed her hair.

"She was a mother figure most of my life…so it seemed so natural that she became my mother after your death, she legally adopted me a year after you died…"

"And Teyla?"

"Teyla died giving birth to her child…Carson says she died of a broken heart….she really missed Uncle John."

"And the child?"

"He lives with Jonathan…"

"Jonathan…as in Cheryl and John's son?"

"Yeah…he was about sixteen when Elizabeth and Carson went to his house and broke the news to Cheryl…he joined the Air Force two years later, found out about the Stargate Program…and the rest is history."

"Just like his dad?"

"No…he's bitter, very bitter about the death of his dad, and angry at his mother for hiding the truth all this time…"

"It was John's choice; he always thought Lisa and Johnny would be better off not knowing."

"Lisa probably was, she's married two kids, John and Rodney. But Johnny isn't, he never really was."

"I'm sorry to hear that…"

"Dad…" she whispered.

Rodney smiled softly as he pulled away and looked at his daughter, "it sounds so strange to hear you say that, you're only a year old back in 2005."

"I don't want you to leave…"

"Lauryn…" Rodney pulled out a stool and sat down in front of her, holding her hands tightly in his he smiled, "I can't stay here honey, and you know why…I've got a little Lauryn to raise…into a fine young woman."

"But you're going to die," she whimpered.

"One day I'll die…yes, but all parents die sweetheart, and I can guarantee you that I died thinking of you, and what a fine girl you were."

"Dad I need you…"

"I know honey, we'll do our best, but that's all I can promise you…"

"What if you weren't meant to die?"

"Lauryn…"

"No dad! What if you really weren't meant to die, what if you weren't meant to walk into the ambush…"

"You're crazy…just like your dad," Rodney said smiling.

"I can't lose you dad…not again."

"You won't lose me angel…I promise you…"

"Jonathan huh?" John said smiling.

"I joined the Air Force two years after you were killed."

"Rough job to do…"

"Someone had to do it…your son was already two years old…"

"Son?"

"Teyla and you had a son…his name is Tag…I've been raising him since he was two…"

"How old is he now?"

"About ten, he'll be ten in a few months…"

"You know…Jonathan…"

"Don't worry…" mumbled the boy.

John's arm shot out and he grabbed his son, "hold it right there, you may only be seven in my world, but you're still my kid…I'm sorry Johnny, I should have told you, something, I should have done anything, but it didn't seem right…I wouldn't feel right tearing you two away from a family where your happy."

"Dad…Lisa is happy…I always knew you were my dad, from the day you showed upon the door step…Lisa may have wanted to stay with them…but I didn't. I wanted to go with you, have amazing adventures."

"Son…Atlantis isn't exactly the greatest place for a little active boy like you."

"Look Colonel…Rob was never my father, we never even got a long. All my life he was comparing me to you…"

"Johnny…"

"If you give a damn about anything that will happen in the future, please come get me."

"Johnny, listening to me, I care very much about you, I always did. You are my son, I've always cared about you and I always will. From the moment I knew you were born."

Rodney stood outside on the balcony over looking the oceans. No matter how much time seemed to have change, and no matter what year he was in, Atlantis didn't seem to change at all.

"How ya doin'?" inquired John as he took a step out onto the balcony. He took in the stance of his brother and smiled softly, while Rodney didn't seem completely at peace at the moment, he seemed to be somewhat relaxed.

"Well knowing I'm dead is kinda of a downer," joked Rodney.

"I know what you mean…My son is quite the kid…"

"A lot like you?"

"Yeah…it's a little disturbing…he wants me to go get him when I get home."

"Do you?"

"Do I what?"

"Wanna go get him?" Rodney asked.

"Rodney, he's my son, Lisa is my daughter, but they're also Cheryl's kids. I haven't been in their lives for nearly seven years…why would he want me in his life now."

"You are his father…every kid needs a good dad," explained Rodney.

John gazed over at his brother and smiled, "I know…Rod, listen, I know it's been a rough few weeks here and there and that you and I have had some pretty bad spots and such…well I guess what I mean is my faith in you is still there. I believe you're a good guy, I just think you make human errors."

"Thanks…" whispered Rodney.

"So, your daughter…she's pretty cute," grinned John.

"Watch it John," Rodney shot in return.

John chuckled as he bumped his shoulder against his brother's. "So, how do we get home?"

"There's another solar flare the day after tomorrow…Lauryn is fixing up the ratios right now, making sure it's on the other side of the sun…we should be home soon…"

"But?"

"But it's our future I'm worried about. We know we're going to die…"

"So how do we stop it?" John finished.

"Is it morally wrong to want to stop ourselves from dying?"

"Everyone has different morals Rodney…I don't think there's anything wrong with not wanting to die…how many times have we almost died…"

"Do you have any regrets?" Rodney's questioned caught John off guard.

"Aside from dying? I regret not getting to know my two kids better…not saying bye to mom and dad…losing touch with you for ten years…What about you? Any regrets Rod?"

"Living with my real father as long as I did…losing touch with you for ten years…not marrying Katie when I had the chance…hurting Elizabeth and losing her trust…shooting Ford…"

"I think Ford will forgive you in the end," John said softly.

"I'm hoping he won't even remember it."

"I don't think Elizabeth hates you Rod, I think she's just disappointed."

"That's like saying mom is disappointed, I seem to remember we hated disappointing mom because she always had that look," chuckled Rodney.

"Ooh, that look, the one that said I'm-disappointed-in-what-you've-done-because-you-know-better look….Yeah I think all women have that look," grinned John.

"Elizabeth certainly does…."

"Are you kidding me, so does Teyla, good grief have you seen some of the stares she can shoot you," chuckled John.

"I've definitely noticed," grinned Rodney. "I wanna go home John…" came the small whisper.

"We'll get home Rod," whispered John, "I promise…"

Morning dawned on the future Atlantis, John smiled as he stepped out onto the balcony for the second time in twelve hours, this time he held a cup of coffee in his hand. "Your father comes out here all the time," John said grinning as he walked over to his niece and handed her a full cup of coffee.

"I know…I remember many nights finding him out here thinking…sometimes alone, sometimes with you, Carson or Elizabeth," she said smiling. "Mum…Elizabeth, always says I'm so much like him."

"You certainly act like him…from what I've seen…"

"I…I really miss him…you and dad grew up with your parents most of your lives…I've spent ten years without my father…and I miss him everyday that I wake up and every night that I fall asleep."

"Lauryn, he wouldn't want you to be sad, or to miss him…he'd want you to be happy…I miss my parents all the time too, but it gets easier."

"It never did with dad…"

"Maybe because you didn't get a good chance to say goodbye…that's how it was with our father…"

"Dad never spoke of his father…was he a bad man?"

"Rodney's real father…was a very bad man…" John paused, "What were we like…before…you know?"

"Funny…I always enjoyed being with you guys…dad loved you…so deeply…and I always knew you loved him back. It was his forty-second birthday…the day before he died, and boy you threw a party for him…it's amazing he even got out of bed…he was a wee bit drunk," grinned Lauryn.

"Me…that was all Zelenka," chuckled John.

"Uncle Carson was great too…he would always watch me and teach me things about medicine and science…"

"Sounds like you've had a pretty good life…"

"I think I have…I love you all so much…it was a very hard, on everyone, when you guys died."

"I'm proud of you…I know it sounds weird, I've really only known for a day…but I'm very proud, you've become quite a woman with both help from Elizabeth and your father. I know he'd be just as proud of you right now."

"I've found a way to get you home," she whispered, "tomorrow around eleven you'll walk through the gate and should get home."

"That's good…"

"Yeah…maybe, but I'll still be without dad, Johnny and Tag will still be without you."

"Yeah…but we'll see what we can do about that," John reached around and put an arm over her shoulders, pressing a kiss to her temple.

The day flew by all too fast for the Atlantis team; by ten forty-five the next morning, they were standing in the gate room waiting. The various members of Atlantis were talking to the four team members. Johnny stood in front of his father and smiled softly for a minute. He stuck his hand out to shake his father's hand.

John looked at it and bypassed it all together, grabbing the kid into a strong embrace, "you may have been a handful, but you're a fine young man. Take care of Tag for me."

"I will, and dad…don't stay away…"

"I won't."

Elizabeth smiled softly watching the two and turned to look at Rodney for a moment, "you're going to make so many more mistakes that will put us against one another…just remember that no matter how much I yell or get angry…that you're my friend too," Elizabeth said as she reached out and hugged Rodney.

Smiling he hugged her tightly around the waist, "I'll have to remember to give my Elizabeth a big hug when I get back home…and thank you for watching over my little girl."

"She's my little girl too," Elizabeth said smiling.

Rodney chuckled as she big Teyla, Ronan, and John goodbyes.

"Daddy," Lauryn looked at her father.

Smiling Rodney reached out and gently wiped the tears from her cheeks, "hey, I know I taught my little girl to be strong…I am a genius after all. Don't you forget how much I love you," he said as he pushed the hair from her face.

Elizabeth looked at John again and grinned, "he's going to get very drunk on the night of his birthday…you two aren't really going to feel up to the mission…no matter how angry I may be…don't go on that mission. I don't care what it changes or if it changes anything…but just use your head and say no."

"I will," John said smiling at her.

"It's time to go Atlantis team," called Carson from up at the top of the overlook.

"Good luck!" called Lauryn as her father and uncle looked back quickly before turning to leave.

Carson joined Elizabeth, Johnny, and Lauryn at the bottom of the stairs, watching as their friends stepped into the wormhole and hopefully back into their own time.

"Honey we're home!" called John as he stepped back into his own time.

"What happened?" Elizabeth asked in confusion as she hurried down the stairs.

"What do you mean?" John asked.

"You've only been gone twenty minutes," Elizabeth returned.

"Well…let's just say we decided there wasn't much that needed to be done," Rodney said smiling over at his brother.

"Should I even ask?"

"Probably not…so, coffee anyone?" John said grinning as he slapped his brother on the shoulder and they headed off down the corridor.