Hello, Stargate Lovers!

To start, I want to apologize for being gone so long. However, it wasn't the story that got stuck, but me because my computer decided to not wake up one day and once I got him back it was the end of the school term for Easter and then I got sick... still am, but much better - just couldn't think in much else but work while staying at home.

So, hope to hop back into the story, but slowly.

This one is a little short, but promise the next one will be a big one and to post it soon!

For now, enjoy!

Chapter 47: Episode 5x13

There was an invitation.

The leaders from various human populations of the Pegasus Galaxy invited the SGA-1 team for a meeting, somewhat of a Federation, to come together, possibly against the Wraith. And for that matter, and possibly many others, they wanted and needed Atlantis to be part of it.

However, as the team landed on the planet and waited for the council liaison, a strange smoke entered the closed room John, Teyla, Rodney and Ronon were staying, knocking them uncouscious.

A ruse and an abduction.

And the main team from Atlantis was placed under arrest and as representatives of the Atlantis Expedition placed under a trial to answer for their crimes since arriving in the galaxy, which ended up waking up the Wraith.

There was a quietness in the cell after the first round which had been focused on John.

"If Alex was here, she wouldn't let them do this to us. To Atlantis. A show of her powers and they would run for the hills." Rodney whined, upset and tired of that situation.

"She doesn't like people ordering her to use her powers." The SGA-1 team leader spoke for the first time.

The scientist, Teyla and Ronon looked up towards the spot John was sitting on.

The Colonel had been resting his back against the wall since coming back to the cell, after the first session at the makeshift tribunal. Of course, he had been thinking the exact same thing when Rodney formed the words and said them aloud. And that had made him think in all the things he had done wrong that led Alexandra to leave Atlantis.

"But you're right. She's an Ancient." He continued. "At the very least, she would have better arguments. Or a better presence in there, since they would believe in a much more higher power than just us, mere humans." That last word came out hoarse and in a tone of resentment he didn't know he still held for it. "Alex would set us free in no time, either way."

With a knowing look after hearing him, Teyla approached John, as if treading dangerous waters.

"Perhaps…" She saw him open one of his eyes. "You could send her a message when this is all over."

For a moment, the pilot stared at his friend before resuming his position and closing his eyes once again.

However, Teyla's words resonated and made him to actually wonder in the best way to contact Alexandra. After all, it had been almost a month. For one, he wanted to apologize and leave nothing to say. They were friends, for all intents and purposes. The second reason was to put his own mind at ease, since he knew that what he was feeling towards her and their current situation was not helping in his mental health as he couldn't sleep all night, like he used to, and eventually that would take effect in his work.

Hours Later

"And where is the one that calls herself Ancient?" One of the judges asked the Colonel.

It was the second time he was called into that room, so John placed his hands in his pockets, trying to be a good leader and not show any sign of anger towards the tone of rudeness given from the judge that spoke. His hazel eyes focused on her. Only a few people outside of Atlantis knew what Alexandra was and what she was capable of. And one of them was a leader, probably belonging to the new coalition as well. And, so she would have most likely told them about her. Larrin.

"She left. About a month ago. Back to Earth." John simply said.

The three judges exchanged looks and then stared at the pilot.

"Was there a reason?" The woman asked.

The Colonel's lips turned into a thin line.

"The reason was her own. She's from the Milky Way Galaxy and from Earth. You have no power over what she does or not."

"She is a very dangerous being as we gather."

"Ancients are not to mess with." He shrugged. "But, first of all, she's human." His tone was final. And that became so true in John that he wondered how he hadn't realized it up until that moment.

Of course, he knew Alexandra was human, but the Ancient element, in the moment he got to know about that secret of hers and what she was capable of, it had surpasse everything else. And he forgot what she really was underneath that powerful element. She was human. After all, it had been her human side, the side that had taught him, that had made him at ease with the SGC and Antartica, that had made him laugh, that had always called to him. Not her Ancient side.

Looking back, before he even got to know her name and who she was, he had felt an attraction the moment he saw her, back on Earth. And now that realization was very much true and one he had already made before. But now, missing her, knowing that the reason she had left rested solely on his behaviour, it was like a punch in the stomach. And the way he felt about her, he knew it wasn't because of her powers, or even Kal. It was him. Only him.

And Teyla was right. He needed to talk with Alexandra.

"She's human and she did nothing else but to protect everyone for the year she was stationed in Atlantis. You want my team or Atlantis on trial, that's fine. But Alex O'Neill is off limits." There was such a certainty and command in his tone that the three members of that tribunal tensed their backs and didn't exchanged any looks this time as they sent John back to the cell.

Eventually, Richard Woolsey is called upon his arrival, making a bargain to appear before the representatives of the new coalition after Atlantis realized his main team was missing and the representative of the tribunal if brought into the Ancient city.

Of course, being who he is, Mr. Woolsey works his magic in the negotiations, discovering what is needed to win, giving a bit of his tough and political side, which ends up in a Non Guilty decision. And also commit Atlantis to a much larger participation in the politics of the Pegasus Galaxy.

Ps: Thoughts?