Hello, Stargate Lovers!

Hope you're doing well!

I found this article about the 15th anniversary of the ending of this amazing show, and I thought you would like to read it too:

Link: news/2024/01/lost-legacy-stargate-atlantis-finale-15-years/?fbclid=IwAR2Cjl56zEKTY4yjixMcEG4B8n5o_fWHqG3_upuHQ7Nmg9euOynZuDN2oC0

Like always, thank you for the new follows and reviews.

Since I had a little time, and the last chapter was a little one, here's an extra one this week.

Hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 41: Chapter 5x08

"Alex, good! You're back!"

Walking down the hallway after gearing down from her latest mission, Alexandra looked up at her Athosian friend that were expecting her by the common area near the private quarters of the lost city.

"Something's wrong?" The scientist frowned looking between Teyla and Ronon. "Is Torren okay?"

"TJ's fine." Ronon mentioned, which earned a not so amused look from Teyla, even if she was already used to the nickname.

"I need you to look after Torren for a couple of hours while Kanaan is gone." Teyla continued, looking anxious.

"Sure. Going on a mission? Didn't see anything on the schedule."

"Well, after our meeting with Tood, I'll be turning into a…" Teyla hesitated, the words strange.

"A Wraith Queen." Ronon finished with a roll of his eyes.

There were a number of things Alexandra could have imagined, but not that one.

"Really?! How? Why? Are you sure that is wise?" The scientist was actually curious at the whole process.

"We need all the help we can get." With a shrug, Teyla smiled at her friend's questions. "After Dr. Keller breakthrough on the gene therapy found in Michael's lab, there is hope to finally end this war between Wraith and Humans."

"I see. Well, that will be interesting to see. But do not worry, Torren will be okay."

"Thank you, Alex." Warm as only Teyla could be, she hugged Alexandra.

"No problem. I'm gonna debrief Woolsey and take a shower and I can pick him up in an hour?"

"Perfect!" Teyla offered her one last smile before walking away, followed by Ronon.

"What are you trying to do?" The Satedan had a frowned look on his face.

"Speed things a little, I think that's the correct expression." The Athosian shrugged as she walked towards the transports to go meet with Jennifer Keller at the infirmary.

There was an headache coming, she could tell, Alexandra thought as she waited for Teyla to open her door. The debriefing with Woolsey had taken longer than expected and the man was infuriating with all his questions. In a way, she understood, but...

"What…?" Confused, the scientist thoughts halted as the pilot opened the door instead. "Teyla told me to pick up Torren…"

John, that currently had Torren in his arms, was also confused.

"And she asked me to take care of him while she was in surgery."

Realizing what Teyla had done, both Alexandra and John gave a little chuckle.

"I'll be back later, then." She said, stepping back.

"Wait! Stay. Please." The pilot saw her hesitate for a moment, her eyes going back and forth the two set of expecting eyes.

Of course, she immediately gave in, since John and Torren were looking terribly cute at her. The baby even raised his arms for her to pick him up. Which she ended up doing with a smile, entering Teyla's quarters, followed by John.

"What have you boys been doing?"

"Nothing much." John sat on the floor, where Torren's toys were layed out, watching her sit with the baby not too far from him. "Talking about cars, surfing, food… Oh, the ladies. Right, bud?" At that, Torren gurgled. "Yep, that's right."

Alexandra smiled at the interaction but she schooled herself immediately. After everything that happened, and even if they were somewhat back to normal, she had made sure to be in control of their interactions. However, there were some times harder than others.

"I'm sure he already steals all the looks, uh?"

"Yeah. He's on demand now. Teyla gonna have to be careful."

"Speaking of... aren't you worried? I'm surprised you didn't try to dissuade her from all of this." Alexandra was curious, since he tried to convince her to let go her quest on finding Kal.

"Oh, I've tried. Trust me. She's..." John sighed and looked back at the scientist. Of course, she could sense his turmoil inside. "She's as stubborn as you are. What is it with you two running into danger?"

"John..." But there was nothing she could say that wouldn't lead to another argument, and they had been very careful not to do that again. "I shouldn't have stayed." Alexandra looked down, unable to leave her spot though.

"Don't say that." His tone was soft without looking away. "I miss... my friend." Looking at him, something told her that those were not the words he wanted to say. "And I know you'll rest only when you're done with him."

With a frown, Alexandra averted her eyes, giving both a moment to collect their thoughts.

In the end it was Torren who broke the silence as he gurgled and moved his arms around demanding attention from the pilot, who picked him up and placed him on his lap.

"Have you ever thought about being a dad?" There was a curiosity in her question, but also a white flag in between the lines.

Looking down at the baby, John was thoughtful for a moment.

"Not really. Not exactly the dad type. Besides, wasn't home too much to actually think about it back when I was married. You?"

"No. Not in my plans."

It was said with such certainty, that John frowned, surprised about it.

"Why not?" His voice was soft and had a curious tone to it as he looked up at her. "I'm sure you would be great. Torren loves you and I've seen how you handle the kids from Keras settlement."

"I…" Damn her poor qualities on chess. Somehow, he always turned the tables on her. "I don't want them to have the burden of an Ancient gene." She ended up being honest.

John frowned, not sure of what to say for a second.

"You know, you're not alone in your... well, whatever it is you have with the Ancients, Alex."

"And you would do what, Sheppard? Fire a missile against them?"

"I'm sure Rodney would come up with something." He took her smile as a good sign and slid closer to her, careful to not jostle a cuddly Torren. "And Ronon would fight them with his bare hands."

"And Teyla would bore them into an agreement."

"There you go. Now we can go into battle." John was already imagining the scenario.

Alexandra chuckled, relaxing. Her eyes found him looking down at Torren, that had laid his head on John's shoulder.

"You would be a great dad too, you know?" She said after a moment. "You're good with kids and you're funny. And you are a good man."

"Maybe." He shrugged, his hazel eyes finding her own. "Who knows."

And there it was. A moment, so silent, filled with so much intent that her heart skipped a beat.

"You actually think he left something inside of me? Kal?" He ended up asking, curious to her response, since he believed she only said it to put some distance between the two.

After all, the attraction he felt towards her had always been there, from the moment he laid eyes on her in Antartica. And if it hadn't been for their ranks or the fact that she was Gen. O'Neill's niece, he would have done something about it back then.

Her brown eyes found his again and there was something inside of him that tugged at the doubt he could see in them.

"I don't know."

With those words, John knew that his patience would break her walls, would help him get past her defenses.

For now, he would enjoy whatever moments he could get with her.

"Dr. O'Neill, I was wondering when I would get to see you." Todd walked into the puddle jumpers bay.

"Hello, Todd." The scientist looked up at the tall Wraith, the vibrating feeling she had around him, always amazed her. "I hope you take good care of Teyla while she is under your care."

"Of course. Anything for you." Todd leaned his head forward. "I must say, it's always a pleasure to see you, Dr. O'Neill." He looked towards John that had just arrived with Teyla at the gate room. "And to speak with you. At least with you, I don't get some sort of... backlash."

Knowing what he was saying, Alexandra looked from Todd to John with a little smile.

"I'm sure Col. Sheppard has his reasons. Don't you think?"

The Wraith merely smiled and bowed his head.

Turning to Teyla, Alexandra was amazed at the sight. It looked like her friend and at the same time it didn't. At least that odd feeling she had around the Wraith wasn't there.

"Whatever Kanaan needs, I'll be here to help. Don't worry. Just be careful, Teyla."

"Thank you, Alex." Teyla offered her a tense smile.

Both women parted and Alexandra saw the team get comfortable in the puddle jumper for another mission.

After two weeks, Teyla was back to normal and the group of friends wanted to celebrate.

However, there was one missing, so when John got to Alexandra's lab and found it empty, he frowned. It was rare nowadays, since she had stayed in the city to help Kanaan with Torren, controlling everything from her lab.

As he looked around for any clue on where she might be, something caught his attention and he walked up to her computer.

There was a file opened and translated.

"Sheppard?"

With a frown, John turned around and saw her already geared up.

"You found him?"

"One of his labs, yes. I have orders to collect data and destroy whatever is inside."

"No. It's too dangerous. I won't allow it." The pilot stepped closer to her.

"Well, Woolsey allowed it." There was a serious tone to her words. "Who do you think gave me the orders?" She went to her desk and grabbed her notebook.

"So, you're gonna let Woolsey use your powers like that? Like a weapon?"

"It's my choice to use my powers against Kal."

"Then, I will make Lorne to stand down."

The scientist stopped and narrowed her eyes, almost in a challenge.

"Have you forgotten who is the Atlantis leader, Sheppard?"

"Woolsey knows how dangerous this is." He didn't want to argue again and he didn't like that side of her, not if it was putting her in danger without him by her side.

"Like you haven't done the same before." Now, there was an exasperated tone.

"It's different." He huffed.

"How's that, John?"

"Well, to start, I am not going to look for my enemy. Usually, he comes to me."

"How about saving Teyla? Or Ronon? Or even fly over a Wraith hive ship to get Rodney to a cave that might have not worked in curing him?"

Angry by the second, John narrowed his eyes.

"Damn it, Alex! If I have to call Earth for Gen. O'Neill, I will."

"For crying out loud!" Alexandra snorted. "Go ahead. See if I care." She could see he was fuming, the frustration, the angry flash in his hazel eyes. She didn't want to argue, not when they were supposed to be fighting on the same side. Not when they were friends.

Closing her eyes for a second, Alexandra took a deep breath and stepped closer to him.

Maybe it was merely to appease him.

Or maybe it was just to be near him before she left.

Or maybe it was something else pulling her to him.

"John..." She said softly, looking up at him. "I was the one that released him. This is my mess to solve."

His hazel eyes were fixed on her bright, brown ones.

"For heavens sake, Alex... I'll go with you... I... How am I suppose to make you understand that..." He took a deep breath.

"What?" A crease appeared between her brows.

John took just one step and his hands grabbed her vest to pull her to him.

His lips crashed onto hers and the yearning she had been feeling for the past weeks, after that last kiss, took over.

As she felt his strong hold, Alexandra's hands closed on the lapels of his black shirt and she kissed him back.

Their bodies met halfway and he groaned at the contact, cursing under his breath about the uniform she was wearing at the moment.

Knowing the layout of her lab like the back of his hand, John circled them until he found the high table and pulled her up on it, their mouths trying to tackle the other.

"John..." She half moaned, but not letting him stop.

"Stop thinking..." He mumbled against her lips, attacking them again, before she could pull away.

Wanting to feel more, one of his hands started to unzip her vest, while the other settled on her lower back, making their centers to meet. Both let out a contented groan at the contact.

All of a sudden a flash of electricity echoed from her to him and made the pilot jump backwards.

His hazel eyes were locked on hers, seeing her chest go up and down, her cheeks bright red, lips swollen, eyes bright. And when did he untangled her hair from her braid?

Her brown eyes went through him in a second. He was breathing hard, hair even more disheveled than normal, shirt half undone. When did she done that?

Both breathed deep.

"Alex..."

"No. I... This is crazy." She jumped from the table, not meeting his eyes and mumbling, which made him frown. "There is nothing more to discuss... The only one who have the ability to make me stop researching about Kal is Woolsey. And he knows how important this is for me. The same goes with my uncle. You should know this too. You suffered at his hands. He took over your mind, John." At that, their eyes found each other. "And that's why you're not going with me. I can't let you be a victim at his hands again."

The pilot smoothed the shirt to keep his hands occupied as he saw her do the same. He had been completely lost and he would have been happy to. He cursed her damn mind for getting in the way. Or maybe he should curse the Ancients.

"Fine." He held his hands up, in defeat. "I don't want to argue." And he was being honest. He was going to stop. Or maybe change tactics, he thought. After all she had kissed him back and he knew she had wanted more if his shirt was any proof.

Alexandra gave him a nod, for a moment hesitating. The man was messing with her head, the yearning roaring inside, and if she didn't leave right now, she was half tempted to close the door to her lab and do something crazy.

"I'll see you later." Her eyes avoided his as she left.

John saw her go, even if she seemed to hesitate at first... Patience be damned! However, there was one thing he could do, talk with Woolsey and dissuade him from enabling her to go forward on that ludicrous mission of hers.

Ps: Thoughts?