Author's Notes: - Thanks to Stonedtoad for betaing.

I am working on the next part.

Enjoy.

Ari grabbed a sandwich and headed to her bunk. They had spent the past few hours setting up what they hoped would be their way to Atlantis and Bridger had sent them all to get some rest before they were contacted again. She bounced up onto the bed and ate wondering why she'd been sent here. Shifu was not answering her anymore and she was pretty sure that she wouldn't hear from him again for a while. He'd brought her here to find a secret and so far she'd found nothing except maybe some new friends.

A knock on the door made her look up, "Yeah?"

The door opened and Miguel appeared, "Can I come in?"

"Sure?" confusion filled her.

He closed the door and pulled the chair over from the corner sitting across from her, "I wanted to talk to you."

"About what?" she frowned still confused.

"I know Tim told you about his past," Miguel started.

Interest filled her eyes at that before she told him, "And I won't tell anyone without his permission. Just as he's keeping what I told him confidential."

Miguel shook his head, "That's not why I'm here."

"Then why?" she challenged.

"He doesn't talk about it," Miguel explained, "But what his parents did to him, it undermines his confidence a lot. I won't let that happen."

Ari tilted her head thoughtfully, "Miguel, I like Tim. I'm not trying to hurt him. He reminds me of my Uncle Jack a lot."

"Your Uncle Jack?" Miguel asked.

She nodded, "You'd know him as General O'Neill."

"You call the General you work for Uncle Jack?" he asked stunned.

"Technically, he's my dad's best friend," Ari chuckled before musing, "Though Tim does also remind me of my dad too in some ways."

Miguel stared at her not sure what to say.

"My point is," Ari chuckled softly at his bemusement, "I'm not going to do anything to hurt him."

Miguel nodded, "Okay. Are you ready because Atlantis is due to call?"

x

Nathan smiled proudly to himself as he watched his people finish checking the connections to what was hopefully their way off this planet. Dr Jackson had fitted quite nicely in with them having developed a good rapport with Ortiz, O'Neill and Lucas.

"Sir," Johnson at communications called, "We're being hailed."

"Put it through," Nathan ordered wondering who it would be this time.

The face of Colonel Sheppard appeared again, "Captain, are you ready?"

Nathan glanced over to the remains of the Jumper where his team with Dr Jackson were waiting for his go. O'Neill turned to him and nodded quickly.

"We're ready, Colonel," Nathan replied.

"Alright, we are set up here and we're waiting for you," Sheppard told him, "Once you come through we'll guide you to the city."

Nathan nodded as the screen went blank, "Alright people, let's get this show on the road."

Johnson sent out a ship wide announcement for everyone to secure themselves before Nathan turned to Lucas.

"Do it."

Taking his seat and strapping in Nathan listened to Lucas and Jackson quickly confer before he heard a soft whine as the boxes were powered up.

"Sir," Henderson spoke up, "We're receiving the same energy readings as before."

Nathan glanced at Jackson who had taken her seat, "That's it."

"All ahead full," Nathan ordered, "And everyone hang on."

x

Tim gripped the side of his console as the boat moved slowly through the event horizon hoping that they were right and this would take them to Atlantis so they could go home. The boat shuddered and Tim winced slightly as he could hear creaking noises before it ended.

"Lieutenant?" Bridger asked.

Tim started sending a signal, "Trying to contact Atlantis through normal channels," he took a quick breath, "Atlantis base, this is Seaquest. Please respond."

"We've got you Seaquest," the now familiar voice of Colonel Sheppard came over to them, "Welcome to Lantea."

Applause sounded through the bridge.

"I'm sending you the co-ordinates for the city," Sheppard continued, "You can dock and we'll meet you there."

"We'll see you soon," Bridger said before they cut communication.

Tim felt relief fill him as they started towards the city, they were no longer trapped and would be able to go home.

"We're ten minutes out," Henderson reported bringing Tim out of his thoughts.

"Captain," Ari said suddenly, "I suggest you surface about now. To allow you to see the city."

Tim saw the slight confusion in Bridger's eyes at that but he nodded and gave the order. The moment they were on the surface he ordered the viewport opened. The sight that greeted him made him gasp along with the rest of the people on the bridge.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Ari smiled at them, "Welcome to Atlantis."

"Jonathan," Nathan motioned his second-in-command over away from the hearing of the crew, "Once we dock I will take Lucas, O'Neill and Dr Jackson to Atlantis."

"Yes sir," Jonathan nodded, "Are you expecting difficulties?"

Nathan shook his head, "No but I'd rather have a small group meet with the leaders of Atlantis."

"And the group you're taking?"

Nathan chuckled at the question Jonathan wasn't asking, "Well Dr Jackson is one of them so I have a feeling I won't be able to keep her here. She keeps talking about how much Lucas will love this place so I'd rather be with him to hold him back."

"And O'Neill?" Jonathan asked, "Are you still concerned?"

Nathan nodded slightly before clarifying, "Not about his loyalty but considering what we have discovered I want to keep an eye on him while we are here. As much as Dr Jackson has nothing but good things to say about the people in the city of Atlantis, I doubt she knows every one of them personally."

"Captain," Henderson called, "We're docking."

Nathan nodded to the woman before turning back to Jonathan, "We won't be long."

x

Daniel stood on the dock with Sha're at his side watching as the Seaquest settled. Their daughter would soon be with them again and they could relax. John and Rodney were standing to one side talking while Dr Westphalen stood back slightly so she wasn't seen at first.

Finally the boat was settled and opened revealing a few members of the crew led by Captain Nathan Bridger. Daniel had read up on him and normally would have been interested to spend some time talking with him but he wasn't who Daniel was waiting for.

Ari appeared from the behind the small group. She looked perfectly fine and from her smile Daniel knew he had been right, she was having the time of her life. Ari glanced over to where her parents stood giving them a quick smile before she stepped forward.

"Captain Nathan Bridger," she stated motioning to each as she introduced them, "Lieutenant Tim O'Neill and Lucas Wolenczak. I'd like you to meet Colonel John Sheppard, Dr Rodney McKay, Dr Daniel Jackson my father and Sha're Jackson my mother."

Daniel watched John step forward and offer his hand to Bridger who took it.

"Welcome to Atlantis, Captain," John said, "I have the UEO hanging on waiting for word that you made it safely. Your crew are more than welcome in the public areas of the city, and we can arrange rooms if they want."

Bridger nodded, "I'll extend the offer to them."

"Great," John grinned, he swapped a quick glance with Rodney before turning back to Bridger, "There is someone else who wants to say hi."

x

Nathan was stunned by the city in front of him but managed to focus on Jackson as she made the introductions. He grimaced very slightly hearing Lucas behind him.

"Mother?" he murmured at the introduction, "She looks more like her sister."

Nathan wanted to reprimand the teen but he had to agree the woman looked more like the younger Dr Jackson's older sister rather than her mother.

As Sheppard spoke with him Nathan struggled a little to focus as he was itching to get into the crystal city and see more.

"There's someone else who wants to say hi," Sheppard told him and Nathan frowned confused.

Following the other man's gaze Nathan knew he was staring at the woman who appeared from behind the others. She hadn't changed since he'd last seen her with the exception of the uniform she was wearing similar to Dr McKay and the elder Dr Jackson.

"Kristen," Nathan smiled hugging her when she reached him, "What are you doing here?"

The familiar chuckle filled him with warmth, "Strangely enough that was the question I was going to ask you."

Letting her go Nathan moved aside to let Lucas hug her.

Nathan turned back to a grinning Sheppard who held his hands up innocently, "It was her idea."

"Okay," he chuckled, "Why don't we go call the UEO."

x

Ari watched the reunion making a note to ask Tim or Miguel later about that relationship. When Bridger started walking with John she held back. Once everyone else had gone she turned to the two people standing there waiting for her.

"Dad, Mom."

Daniel caught her and pulled her into a tight hug for a moment before letting Sha're hug her.

"Are you okay?" Daniel asked once Sha're let her go.

"I'm fine," Ari grinned at them, rolling her eyes at his concerned look, "I promise I'm fine. It was fun actually."

Sha're took her daughter's face in her hands, "You are far too much like your father and Jack."

Ari chuckled as her father rested his arm around her shoulders while her mother held around her waist moving them all inside Atlantis.

"Dad, I have to introduce you to Tim," Ari told him, "You're going to love it, an O'Neill who can translate."

"I can't wait," Daniel told her.

x

"Is everyone safe, Captain?" Secretary General McGrath asked over the vid-link as they sat in a large conference room.

Nathan grimaced slightly, "We lost Dr McManus to a Wraith. Dr Jackson helped us to get it off the boat. However the rest of the crew are safe."

General O'Neill tilted his head slightly looking at the younger Dr Jackson, "Ari?"

"I'm fine," she told him with a grin, "There wasn't a problem."

He nodded before turning his attention to Nathan once more, "The Seaquest isn't going to fit through the Stargate so it looks like we'll have to use these boxes to return you to Earth."

"We'll need to send one through the Stargate," Dr McKay spoke up, "Otherwise we won't be able to open a wormhole. I'd like to wait a few days though to ensure the Seaquest hasn't been damaged or compromised in any way by their travel through the wormhole."

"Why would it be compromised?" McGrath asked confused, "You've been using this technology for years."

"No," McKay replied sharply, "We have been using the Stargate for years. This was experimental technology which from Captain Bridger's reports caused almost every member of his crew to have severe headaches as well as turned several of them into statues."

"We're simply being cautious," Sheppard took over, "If anyone asks the Seaquest is on a classified mission. The crew are more than welcome here. It gives Ari time to work on those she wants to defect to the SGC."

Nathan tried not to smile especially at the mischievous look on the young woman's face. McGrath and O'Neill disappeared from view so Sheppard turned to him again, "If you need anything, Captain then please speak to Sha're. Rodney and I are noted as the leaders of Atlantis but she runs the day to day of the city."

Nathan glanced quickly at the woman sitting serenely to one side of Sheppard and nodded, "Thank you, Colonel."

"Rodney wants to do a diagnostics before we try to send you back to Earth," Sheppard continued, "So we'll meet up in a few days and can discuss the results. Until then, enjoy your R and R."

Sha're wrapped her daughter in her arms the moment Ari entered the rooms Sha're shared with Daniel, holding onto her tightly.

"Mom," Ari laughed softly, "You're going to have to let me breathe at some point."

Sha're let her go, "I was worried."

"Come on, Mom," Ari said, "You knew I was okay."

"But something still could have happened to you," Sha're reminded her daughter, "And there was nothing I could do to help you."

Ari winced before hugging her mother once more. Sha're smiled before guiding her to the sofa in the corner of the room.

"Now tell me what is worrying you," Sha're said as she poured them both some tea.

Ari grimaced, "You know that's cheating, don't you?"

Sha're gently stroked her daughter's cheek, "Your father often tells me that."

Ari let out a long sigh, "Shifu sent me to the Seaquest to find a secret, I found nothing."

"Nothing?"

"I may have met some nice people," Ari conceded, "But no secret."

Sha're squeezed her daughter's hand, "You still have time. And I have never known you to leave a problem unsolved."

Ari nodded determinedly before tilting her head, "Now what's bothering you?"

Sha're shook her head, she found it annoying at times that Ari shared her empathic gift.

"Mom," Ari encouraged, "Come on. What's wrong?"

They sat in silence for a few minutes before Sha're turned to her daughter, "Do you remember the first morning I was allowed out of the SGC after I came back?"

"Of course I do," Ari whispered, "Dad and I had spent the few days before while you were still in quarantine tidying the house until it was spotless."

Sha're smiled fondly at the thought, "Your father had to go to the base to brief one of the teams, remember?"

"He told me you were sleeping and I wasn't to disturb you," Ari took over with a smile, "But for the first time in my life my mom was in the next room. I snuck in just as you woke up," she paused and wrapping her arms around Sha're's arm resting her head against her mother's shoulder, "Before I could scamper away you motioned me over and hugged me."

"We spent that entire morning lying on the bed talking and getting to know one another," Sha're finished for her before sighing sadly, "But you did not need me."

"Of course I need you, Mom," Ari protested.

Sha're smiled sadly at her, "No, you are a grown woman and I had very little to do with that."

"Mom…"

"I am hoping for another chance," Sha're explained.

Ari's eyes widened, "Are you pregnant?"

"No," Sha're sighed, "But I am hoping that we will expand our family soon. I have not mentioned it to your father yet. So, my dear one do not say anything to him."

Ari smiled, "I promise, Mom. But just so you know I would like a little brother or sister."

Sha're laughed hugging her daughter to her, "Now you have a secret to uncover, Arianna. You should spend some time with your new friends and see if you can find it."

Ari kissed her mother's cheek and left with a renewed sense of purpose.

x

Tim stood on the balcony he'd found staring out across the mythical city of Atlantis. After the meeting Bridger had returned to the Seaquest. Since they were docked then a skeleton crew were all that was required and Tim had a few hours before his shift. So he'd decided to explore.

"Told you it was an amazing sight," Ari's voice made him turn.

Tim smiled at her as she joined him at the rail, "It is beyond what I could have dreamed. How are your parents?"

"They're fine," Ari grinned, "Happy to see me."

Tim chuckled, "You know Lucas was stunned when you introduced your mother, she looks barely a few years older than you."

"It's the whole being dead, ascension for so many years," Ari shrugged, "She had me when she was about my age and only began to age again when she came back to us."

Tim stared at her for a moment before shaking his head, "Your family are really weird."

"You have no idea," she told him. Ari looked out at the horizon for a moment before turning back with a bright smile, "So, do you want a tour?"

Tim grinned back at her, "Of course I do but you know you owe me some explanations."

Ari chuckled as she started away, "That depends on what you have to offer for them."

Shaking his head Tim jogged to catch up with her.