Reading Time: 86 Minutes

Title: Truth Comes Out
Series: Untold Burden
Series Order: 2
Author: hellbells
Fandom: Stargate: Atlantis
Genre: Action Adventure, Episode Related, Family, Pre-Relationship, Romance, Science Fiction
Relationship(s): John Sheppard/Rodney McKay
Content Rating: R
Warnings: Medical experimentation, Past Family Trauma
Word Count: 50,463
Summary: John came back from the sanctuary planet a little bit extra. He has to stay hidden to stay on the Ancients good side but Beckett has an idea about how to solve the Wraith problem, and he knows it will end in ruin. Can he play politics; save the day; and get the Scientist? … While not revealing his extra gifts.
Artist: Halestrom

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Chapter 9: Sleeping Beauty

John closed his eyes in the Pod, and in a blink, he was on an Ancient ship running that was in prime condition. It was jarring for him, considering what he had seen the ship look like not only a second ago.

John knew he would have one shot at getting the information they needed about the Wraith. He also knew that it would go a long way to counteracting any leftover sentiment to get Beckett’s programme off the ground.

He closed his eyes for a second and whispered something his Dad used to say to him as a kid, “I can’t go back to yesterday as I was different back then.” The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland had been his mother’s favourite childhood story to read to them, and it was the one tradition his father had kept up with them.

John was a different person since his return from ascension, but he wouldn’t go back. He just had to squash the urge to reach for his powers. John needed to be innovative and use his cunning as time was of the essence. He hoped this used the same logical configuration as Atlantis. He muttered to himself, “Okay, so bridge.”

The door to the side opened, and John paused for a second, seeing a member of the Ancient ship freeze in shock at seeing him. The crewmember frowned, seeing him, and demanded to know. “Who are you?”

“Man on a mission,” John replied, not trying to be sarcastic.

That didn’t seem to work as a reason for the freaked out crew member. The crewman shook his head, “Access to this ship and this deck is restricted.”

John rolled his eyes because that was a given. It was clear to him that the simulation was designed to keep the crew members thinking they were going through their daily lives. He shuddered as ten thousand years was a long time to be on one shift.

The man pointed a pistol at John. “You’re not meant to be here.”

John shrugged as he couldn’t argue that point. “I get that a lot.”

“You stay right there and do not move!” He demanded and tapped his badge, “Security is on its way.”

John knew he could settle this quickly, but it could have repercussions. Rodney monitored his brain patterns back on the ship, and he had no idea what would show if he used his extra gifts. And yet, his abilities would show the crew John was of Alterran blood, and he’d be accepted quicker. In reality, he really did not have time to get thrown in jail and gain the Captain’s trust through captive conversations.

The crewmember was getting braver with the weapon now in his hand. “You are going to the brig.”

He was fortunate that John was in a hurry, or he would have disarmed him as a lesson. John shook his head because that was not the plan. “No, I am going to see the Captain.”

The crewmember scowled, “You are an intruder. You do not get to make demands.”

John sighed, “Ah, screw it.” He raised his hand, and the crewman flew into the air. He’d forgotten for a second that the clothes he’d picked to join the simulation wouldn’t mark him as one of the ship’s crew. He stepped forward, not bothering to hide his anger, “You know I come on business from my grandfather as a favour.”

The crewmember looked at his clothes and gasped, “You are highborn.”

John smirked and was never so glad that Janus had taken the time to teach him their history as it was coming in handy right now. “Correct, now where is your Captain?”

Security had finally reached them, but the one to discover John had sure changed his tune. “Don’t touch him. He is highborn.”

His Grandfather had mentioned that their family was one of the High Council, but it seemed to go beyond being politicians. He prayed that name never got back to Rodney as the rant would be so loud they’d hear it back on Earth.

The security guy asked the other officer, “Should we take him to the Captain?”

The crew member nodded, eager to get rid of the problem, “Yes, that is his destination.”

John was glad they weren’t his officers. He would have them in additional training so fast that their head would spin. Still, he could be gracious now there was no weapon pointed at him. He was also going to see the man he needed to talk with, which also helped his mood, “Lead the way.”

~*~

The door of the bridge opened for him as if it was Atlantis. It was like the simulation thought this was Atlantis. John took a quick look around, and it seemed that all the ships, whether cities or space versions had the same standard design. The bridge might be a classic design, but one of the officers stood out.

It wasn’t that the officer was pretty, but the energy around the first officer was off somehow. It was like she was fighting to belong in the simulation, which didn’t make sense. The simulation accepted John even though he’d only just arrived, so why exactly didn’t it like her.

The Security officer stood to ramrod attention. “First Officer Tribal.”

The pretty blonde woman whirled around. “What is going on?”

The officer looked sheepish as if he knew that his explanation wouldn’t be satisfactory. “We found one of the highborn on the lower decks, Ma’am.”

She glared at him, and John managed to sneak a look at the screens. She was hyper-focused on improving the hyperdrive, at least what he could glean from a glance. The puzzle pieces weren’t adding up to something that made sense which was even more annoying.

John sighed because he had a name, but he wasn’t sure he would reveal his real name. So he went with the Latin version of his name, “I am Ionathas.”

“How did you get on board?” She hissed, and John guessed that she wouldn’t be used to being ignored.

John wasn’t proud of it, but he didn’t appreciate the attitude. There was also the added factor of him not liking that the simulation wasn’t trusting her. “Your security officer already said, I am highborn.”

She waltzed around him, and he got the impression that he was being sized up like a piece of meat. She would be disappointed as she wasn’t his type. She barely refrained from sneering, “You highborn, you keep your secrets and expect us to waltz to your tune.”

John smirked at her because if she expected him to crumble under her glaze, she would be disappointed. John was calm and collected as he replied, “And I need to speak to your Captain.”

“I am not good enough?” She asked waspishly.

John shrugged but wasn’t apologetic, knowing it would rile her more. “Well, it’s like you said, council business, but you’re doing a great job with the crew.”

She snorted because that wasn’t entirely true. “If that were the case, then these two gentlemen would have dragged you to the Brig.”

John shrugged and with a smile that never reached his eyes. “It’s for the best as I wouldn’t have gone quietly.”

She huffed and glared at him but knew her role even if she didn’t want to play it. She tapped her badge, “Sir, you have a visitor.”

A side door opened up. John guessed there was no time like the present and hoped the Captain would be more receptive than his weird first officer.

~*~

“Now, what can I do for one of the highborn?” The Captain asked, and John wished he could find the man’s name on something. It was most frustrating to refer to him by just his rank.

John sighed as each time someone said highborn, it was noted with ever-increasing derision. “You know I do have a name, Captain.”

The man chuckled. “I used to have a name, I think. It has been so long since I have been called anything other than Captain. I have forgotten my name.”

John could relate to the feeling, but it was part of being military. “So you have had an interesting mission.”

“Why are the council suddenly interested in our mission?” The man asked, obviously distrustful of politicians, even if they were the ones who had sent him on the mission.

John wondered if there was a manual on gently breaking it to someone that they had been stuck in a computer for ten millennia. He chose to ignore that fact for a second, “Did you find the Wraith weakness?”

“Yes, we have the communique we were sent to find.”

John tampered back on his enthusiasm, “Great, so what did it say? We need to expedite things, and that is why I am here.”

“If you’re from the Council, then you will know that I was under orders not to read it.” The Captain frowned, and it was clear he was suspicious of John. “It is stored safely in our computer banks, and we are transporting it back to Atlantis.”

John scratched his head. “That is going to be a problem.”

“Why? I could give you the computer codes if the Council didn’t think to give them to you.”

John had to laugh inwardly at what the Captain believed was his sticking point. He kind of wished it was, as that would be a lot easier to fix than the computer core was fragile and crumbling into space dust and was currently keeping the crew in a stasis state. “We have two problems with that plan, Captain.”

The Captain didn’t seem to understand what he was hinting at, and John knew that sometimes you had to have difficult conversations because they were necessary.

John asked him, “How did you plan to deal with the long travel?”

The Captain frowned because he should know the emergency protocol. “We would have gone into stasis…” There was a pause, and the frown deepened. “You’re trying to hint that we did go into stasis. Is that why you’re here?”

John nodded and sat down at the chair offered. This might be a lengthy discussion, depending on how long it took him to convince the man. “Yes, but not in the way you’re thinking.”

The Captain didn’t get it, which was understandable considering the circumstances. “If we’d made it to Atlantis, then we would have broken stasis as part of the ship auto-pilot.”

John shook his head because that might have been the plan, but the ship never made it to Atlantis for one. He broke the news with the experience of having led men. “No, you’re in stasis because the technology in the ship knows that it is the only thing keeping you alive.”

The Captain collapsed back in his chair as he absorbed the news. He had to check the facts, “Are you saying that we will die if stasis is broken?”

John nodded because there were some truths that you couldn’t evade. “It’s been ten thousand years, stasis slowed the ageing, but it never froze you in time. I’m sorry, but your bodies will not cope with reanimation.”

The Captain snorted, “That doesn’t explain you.”

John threw his head back and laughed. “Yeah, I’m complicated, but we have more problems than my messy family tree.”

The Captain tilted his head to the side in curiosity, “What makes it messy?”

John figured that he wasn’t able to discuss this with his team, but he could talk to the Captain. “Janus is my grandfather, but I live with descendants of our people.”

The Captain shook his head in disbelief because Janus was always getting into trouble with his experiments. “He is so lucky that he is so good at creating new technology.”

John snickered, not unaware of his Grandfather’s luck in that respect. “He knows it and exploits it.”

It was odd because this was the first time he’d been able to relax, in the truest sense of the word, since his return from ascension. It didn’t matter whether he was on Atlantis, Poseidon, or Earth with his family. He’d always been reserved on account of having to hide his identity.

“Why do you keep looking at my bridge?”

John winced but figured he’d already told him the worst thing he could, and it hadn’t led to a mental breakdown. “Your first officer. The simulation is rejecting her presence. Why might that be?”

The Captain raced to his feet and stood in the doorway. He looked at his bridge crew through the eyes of an observer. It was odd that now it was pointed out that it was a simulation that several things were coming together in his head. He scrutinised and agreed with his new arrivals assessment.

“The simulation is designed to accept only our people.”

John knew that the only person to reject his presence was the first officer. At first, he assumed it was because she was good at her job and naturally suspicious, but now it was obviously different. “Wraith?”

The Captain sighed, “If you’re Janus’s grandson, you know about their origins.”

Now that was news to him. He did indeed know that the Wraith were a dangerous side effect to chasing ascension. It was one of the reasons why he was so against Beckett’s plan, not that he could admit it.

The Wraith proved that the best intentions could end in the worst of consequences.

“Damn it.” John had the missing piece to the puzzle.

“What is it?”

John knew why she would be so keen on hyperdrive improvements. “The bitch wants Earth.”

“Earth? What planet are you referring to?”

John winced because some things could get lost in translation. “You called it Terra.”

“We left there for a reason!”

John shrugged, “Sometime after your ship was lost, the war turned bad for us. The Council decided that their best option would be to return to Earth.”

The Captain shook his head in disbelief, “It is odd to think they would willingly return to the planet.”

John could only think of one reason. “I think it was to encourage them to reach ascension.”

The Captain agreed. “It doesn’t explain your presence.”

“I’m complicated,” John responded with as much honesty. “Know that I haven’t told you anything false.”

The Captain smiled as if John was amusing. “I know that you have, as it is one of my gifts.”

John wasn’t surprised, and it would be a nifty trick for a leader. “Okay, I think a Wraith has replaced your First Officer for the express purpose of learning about how to improve their Hyperdrive technology.”

“How many people now live on Terra?”

John sighed, “Over seven billion … If they make it there, they would be unstoppable.”

The Captain blanched because the war would be too one-sided if they did reach Earth. “There is only one group that would have a chance.”

John knew the group he was referring to, the Ori. The secret sect of the Ancients that no one likes to speak about in polite company. “Yeah, I don’t want to see what happens if they meet up.”

The Captain shuddered at the thought, “So what do we do?”

John thought about it, “I can go and find the Wraith out there. It will let us see how long they’ve been masquerading as your first officer.”

“Good. Then I will prepare my crew for what needs to happen.”

John wasn’t naive, and he could respect the strength of character it would take. He would hate to have to be put in that position. “I will be back, but Wraith may be closing in as they may have received the same beacon that led us to find you.”

The Captain was firm, “If they appear, you need to get off this ship and self-destruct it.”

John stood and shook his head, “Let’s hope that it doesn’t come to that. I will see you in a few minutes.”

The Pod opened up, and John saw the worried faces of his team. He wished he had better news to give, but time was of the essence. “We have a problem.”

Chapter 10: No Good Choice

“Did you get the information?” Rodney asked, eager to know what John might have gleaned from his time in the simulation. Rodney would have loved to gain an opportunity to talk to a real-life ancient. Still, it made sense for him to stay outside to monitor his friend’s vitals.

John shook his head, “Sort of.”

He took the offered hand from Ronan to help him right himself. The trouble with stasis was that it always messed with your limbs and coordinatio when you tried to move.

“Do you think you could be less frustratingly vague?” Rodney asked, not hiding his aggravation. He didn’t like spending so much time in a ship that could break apart at the seams at any moment.

John would typically tease him but now was not the time. They needed to move quickly because they needed to find the Wraith imposter and discover if it had any tactical information that could jeopardise the expedition. “The Captain gave me the codes, but the message wasn’t read, just stored in the computer for operational security.”

Rodney groaned in disbelief as that was the worst possible outcome. He’d scanned the computers once he knew that John was safe in the simulation. He should have known John would be safe in Ancient technology, but he still worried. They’d all come so far and got so close to a significant victory to have it just out of their grasp. He didn’t want to say it, but the team would be able to guess from the look on his face that it was terrible news. “The memory has been wiped.”

John snarled, “Fucking Wraith. One is on board. We need to find it now.”

“Where?” Ronan growled, and Teyla was already delving into her senses to see if she could sense them. This is why John loved his team. You couldn’t be their efficiency.

“There is one of them in the simulation. I am sure it has hijacked the First Officer’s place.”

“To what end?” Teyla asked astutely. She was aware of how they operated, and deception wasn’t in the Wraith’s usual operating procedures.

John thought back to what he’d seen on the screens and shared what he suspected. “She’s encouraging them to upgrade their hyperdrives. I need to know what else she knows.”

“Well, that is disturbing.” McKay shuddered.

“You think?” John was concerned about the tactical implications. “It will be difficult to stop the Wraith from reaching Earth if they figure out hyperdrive technology.”

“So how did you guess the sneaky bitch is faking being an Ancient,” McKay asked out of curiosity. If he focussed on the mystery of that aspect. Then he could try and ignore the terror of knowing he could end up close and personal with a nightmare.

John was vague, “She’s good but not perfect. Doesn’t move like the rest of them.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” Rodney asked out of exasperation because that was frustratingly vague and unquantifiable.

John was unholstering his weapon as he wanted to be ready to go on the attack. “The energy around her doesn’t fit the rest of the simulation.”

Rodney knew there was way more John wasn’t saying, and he was putting his friend on notice. “We’re so having words about this soon.”

John frowned. “You make it sound like I am cheating on you, McKay, and despite the rumours, we’re not together.”

He adored the fact his team chose to ignore the unspoken. ‘Yet’

Ronan rolled his eyes because it was painfully apparent that Sheppard wanted to share McKay’s bed, but apparently, there were stupid rules. Ronan kept telling himself it wasn’t his business, but this was just terrible to watch play out in front of him. He just said one word to get them back on track, “Wraith!”

Teyla sighed, but she could not use her genetics to support them. “I cannot sense them if they are in a pod due to the shielding. We will have to check them manually.”

John shrugged as it was as good as a plan as any. The technology should have picked up the cuckoo in the nest, so to speak, so Teyla wasn’t the only one struggling. “Careful she will know something is up. The programme added me in a way that she couldn’t understand.”

“It is fortunate that you are so proficient with Ancient technology,” Teyla remarked.

John was smart enough not to say anything out loud but simply nodded. “Teyla, Ronan, take the southside. Search each Pod, and if you find it, try not to kill the Wraith before we can interrogate it.”

“No promises.” Ronan shrugged. “If it comes at me, then I am going to kill it.”

It was the way he’d survived, and he wasn’t going to be able to put his instincts aside, not even for Sheppard.

Sheppard was more than happy with those rules of engagement and said as much, “That’s fair.”

McKay groaned because that meant he would be joining the hunt with Sheppard. “Come on then, let’s go down the dark, creepy corridors and go look for the monster who wants to eat us.”

John needed a distraction, almost an anchoring that he was part of the expedition. It was a hangover from being in the simulation because he wasn’t just pretending to be highborn. That was his reality, and John needed Rodney to pull him back to humanity. The last thing he ever wanted was to think that the galaxy’s affairs were unimportant compared to enlightenment.

John knew he would rile his friend up by replying, “You know that is not helpful, and you make it sound really rash.”

Rodney may be a little scared, but that didn’t mean he would lose his sarcasm. “I thought that was your middle name.”

John was cheerful as he replied. “No, it is Patrick. You know this. You’re my best friend, McKay.”

Rodney hissed, even as he raised his gun. “I want to revoke the privilege when you go hunting for Wraith.”

John frowned as if he was mortally offended by the idea. He felt the “I don’t go looking for them, but this one may have stolen hyperdrive technology.”

“Are you sure that you can’t find the message?” Rodney had to ask if only to distract himself from impending danger.

John rolled his eyes because while he was keeping secrets that weren’t ones he intended to keep. “The Council were paranoid bastards and didn’t want the information being spread if it fell into enemy hands.”

“That is stupid logic,” Rodney argued.

John snorted and felt obliged to point out the irony. “Rodney, their way to win a war was to escape to another dimension.”

“It is weird they’re so revered when you put it like that.” It was messing with his equilibrium. So much so that he couldn’t believe he said what he did, “Let’s just find this Wraith and get out of here.”

~*~

McKay and Sheppard had cleared two rooms, and so had Teyla and Ronan. So far, they had yet to find the Pod linking the Wraith to the simulation.

“Please tell me it is still around somewhere,” McKay whispered. At first, the idea had been terrifying, but the idea that it had slipped away with crucial information that could help them gain access to Earth was a far more frightening thought.

John winced because he hoped that the Prometheus would have caught with their scanning any Wraith technology. “Prometheus. Have we caught anything Wraith on the radar?”

“Negative, Colonel, but please hurry. I don’t expect it to stay that way for too much longer.” Caldwell reminded them.

John agreed with Caldwell’s assessment. “We’re just tracking the Wraith down. We need to know if she has shared the information with her Hive.”

“What information?”

John sighed because that wasn’t a simple question. “She was using the simulation to upgrade the ship’s hyperdrive. I need to know if she shared her new knowledge.”

“Understood.” Caldwell’s tone had turned more serious, “Good hunting. Prometheus out.”

John didn’t like the tense feeling like something big would happen at any moment. He wasn’t prescient like Hedda, and it was not one of the gifts he’d aimed to craft. Although on reflection, it might have been a helpful skill, as he couldn’t shake this feeling.

Teyla’s voice came over the radio, loud and clear, “The lower deck is clear. We’ve checked the pods here.”

The feeling was growing inside John’s mind. He acknowledged via his radio. “Okay, stay alert.”

He could hear Ronan charging his weapon, which he figured was his way of saying that he wouldn’t be caught without his gun.

Rodney had moved just ahead of him, and John hissed. “Get back here.”

“SHEPPARD!”

John had charged in, but the close quarters meant his gun was useless. He discovered as his back hit the wall from a slap. Rodney, bless him, had fired his weapon at the Wraith, causing it to slow down, but it wasn’t a headshot, so it wasn’t going to stop the Wraith permanently.

Rodney’s scream of terror wasn’t something John was willing to hear. John didn’t think about the consequences or what it might mean for him. His hand was up in the air to throw the Wraith away from Rodney before it could ever get a feeding hand anywhere near Rodney.

John had hoped that the adrenaline and scare factor would be enough to persuade him that he didn’t see what he thought. That vain hope went out of the window with one comment from the Wraith.

She hissed, “High Born.”

John stalked up to her, using his hand and telekineses to keep her pinned down. “You know who I am.”

The Wraith gasped out, “No one said Sheppard was a High Born.”

John sneered in disbelief, “You didn’t need to know, but I want to know what you’ve told the others.”

The Wraith opened its mouth in a twisted smile, “They would fall upon Atlantis like a plague to kill you if they knew about your existence.”

John didn’t say anything and kept his focus on the question. He noticed that Rodney was staying quiet, but he was shelving those feelings for the moment. “Have you communicated with your Hive?”

“You know I haven’t. My queen is too far away.” She replied in a sibilant hiss that suggested she was regressing to base instincts.

John was relieved beyond all relief to hear that. “You are telling me that you’ve shared none of the hyperdrive technology.”

“You’re young,” The Wraith goaded. “When your control slips, then I am going to feed upon your mate and savour every morsel of his energy.”

John had heard enough and executed the Wraith with a few choice bullets, remembering at the last second he couldn’t snap its neck without further questions. They didn’t have time, nor did he want to bring a live Wraith back onto the city. He couldn’t afford for his secret to reach anyone else.

John turned around with trepidation to face his best friend. Rodney was always a wildcard when it came to emotions, and John had no way of guessing how he would react to any of what was said.

Rodney was still breathing hard as he came down from his adrenaline rush. It seemed the time for avoidance on the issue was over, and he looked John in the eye as he asked, “You didn’t come all the way back, did you?”

John shook his head. “No, and I have to be careful.”

Rodney rolled his eyes sarcastically because that went without saying. He needed to know what John’s agenda was and if he could possibly help. The Wraith had called John his mate, and that wasn’t through a lack of desire. “Do you have a plan?”

John shrugged because it wasn’t so much a plan as a set of loose guidance. “Janus shared one with me, and I liked the idea of ending the Wraith war.”

“You’ve hidden to stay safe from retribution like Chaya.”

John nodded. “Yes, you’ve seen how the Wraith reacted to me, and I can’t say the Alterrans won’t be worse about me staying corporeal.”

“High Born?”

John adored how clever his friend was because he was seeking answers to questions but asking them so that he could avoid getting into trouble. “The Alterran society was run by a council of Leaders, and any of their families are considered ‘High Born’.”

Rodney’s mind was racing at breakneck speed to piece together the information. It was ironic that he wanted off this ship more than anything not too long ago, but the shielding afforded them the chance to talk uninterrupted. “So you are High Born as Janus is your what? Grandfather?”

John chuckled and nodded in confirmation. “I knew you would get a kick out of that fact.”

Rodney opened his mouth and closed it several times. He knew the Wraith could have hurt him, but now he was worried that John had sacrificed his chance at normality for him. “Are they going to act against you for you saving me?”

John shrugged and didn’t regret it for a second. “Don’t think so. I am kind of useful to their needs, but I can’t be flashy.”

“I won’t say anything,” Rodney rushed to reassure him.

John pulled him in for a hug. “I know you wouldn’t. I trust you, Rodney, but I still can’t tell anyone.” He was frustrated by his inability to act but understood the threat of the Ori. It was odd to think a race out there made the Wraith look like Kittens, all things considered.

“Then we keep you safe,” He said firmly.

John smiled softly and wanted a modification to that plan. “How about we keep each other safe?”

Rodney shook his head. He wanted to make sure that he and John were on the same page, “We don’t mention this to anyone. The bullet killed the Wraith, and the how can be light on detail.”

John snorted because he was sure that was a backward dig at his taciturn nature. “Are you saying something bad about my report style?”

Teyla and Ronan ran into the room responding to the gunshots and weren’t too surprised to see the dead Wraith. Ronan looked pleased but looked at McKay and decided to tease his friend. “We heard the scream.”

John snorted. “It’s dead, and no technology was leaked to them, so win-win.”

“Small mercies.” Teyla remarked, and it indeed was the best outcome they could have hoped for in the circumstances.

They should have known better than jinxing their mission with such careless words. Caldwell informed them. “Three Wraith Hives inbound, you have twenty minutes until they are in weapons range, and I want to blow them out of the sky and be gone before they realise it.”

Sheppard replied, “Understood.”

Sheppard trusted his team and loved how Rodney kicked off the idea forming stage of creating a plan with a pointed question.

“So how exactly are we going to destroy the Wraith without exposing our ship or new knowledge?”

John racked his mind for a plan that would work with the least risk. He knew that the Prometheus could scuttle the Aurora, but that would still potentially leave them in a dogfight with the three Wraith cruisers. It would be better for all parties if the ship were in one piece.

He looked to Rodney, “Can you trigger a self-destruct with how you’ve tapped into the mainframe?”

Rodney shook his head because he wished he could, but it was beyond his talent. “There is not enough of the ship core left for me to trigger it.”

Teyla quickly caught his inference, “You said you couldn’t, so who could trigger the self-destruct?”

Rodney threw his hands up in the air. “I would guess the Captain, who is playing sleeping beauty.”

Teyla looked at him, exasperated. “We can’t just ask him.”

John thought about it, and he could ask the Captain, but it would involve another slumber stop. “Okay, so I need to get back in the Pod.” John surmised as it made sense.

“Are you crazy?” Rodney was not amused by this plan, especially with what he’d just learned.

John smirked back, “I thought I was a suicidal flyboy?”

Rodney would have dearly loved to say something about being the Ancient Luke Skywalker but resisted, unsure just how much of Earth’s pop culture Ronan and Teyla had assimilated. “I do remember the bit where you disappeared as a glowy squid.”

John frowned, “That is not quite how it works.”

Rodney snorted. “Tell that to someone who didn’t just watch you get flung around by a Wraith like a rag-doll.”

“You can’t bitch about my gun.” Ronan interrupted.

John was mortally offended. “I never bitch about your gun. I want to own one.”

Rodney sighed, knowing that John would go through the plan now as it would give them their best shot even if it were personally risky to his livelihood. “So, what’s your plan?”

John didn’t get it, “I go into the simulation and convince the captain to kill the programme.”

“And thus the ship.” Teyla finished, knowing it was an elegant solution but not unaware of the sacrifice.

John could see she was saddened. He tried his best to reassure her, “The Captain is already aware that he and his crew are too old to reanimate safely, and I know he was preparing the crew when I disappeared to go and hunt the Wraith.”

~*~

John blinked, and once more, he was in the garb of a High Council member. The ship was more pristine and restored to its original beauty. He could see the bridge crew’s mood and knew without being told that the Captain had shared the details of their situation. John hoped and prayed that he was never put in that position with Ally.

The Captain was on the bridge and still chose to follow protocol. It was amazing how people could still find peace in simple routines even with their lives turned upside down. He was as polite and cordial as any leader. “Councilman Sheppard. Let us step into my office.”

There was more to it than that, but it was the best explanation that could be acceptable to the crew. The crew were unaware that their last mission might have been in vain. The Captain had chosen to keep that knowledge to himself as it would only bring unnecessary heartache.

“Could you get the information?” The Captain asked in vain hope.

John shook his head because he wouldn’t do the leader the disservice of lying to him. “No. The core is too damaged for me to interact with it.”

The Captain flopped into his chair in sadness. After all, he didn’t have to act in a certain way infront of John. “That is a damn shame. I hoped that this would not have been for nothing.”

John shook his head and disagreed with the feeling, although undoubtedly understandable. “Service is never for nothing.”

“My people gave up the fight.” The Captain was so angry with what felt like a betrayal. He had hoped never to become a jaded old man, but this was always inevitable in some ways.

John shook his head but didn’t bother lying to him. “Some did, but some like my grandfather chose to keep fighting in whatever they could.”

That earned John a chuckle, “Janus has never played by any rules. Although you won’t be unaware of that fact.”

John smirked and knew he no doubt looked like his Grandfather in that instant. “Some might say it runs in the family. I do need to apprise you of a new situation.”

“What is wrong?” The Captain asked, unsure how he could be of any assistance considering his current sleeping status in reality.

John explained, “We have three Wraith ships converging on your position.”

“Three?” The tone spoke volumes.

John nodded, “When Poseidon issued the signal, and your ship responded. It also attracted the attention of the Wraith. We have already destroyed a scout ship, but I am guessing their friends are coming around to find out what killed them.”

“Can you handle three ships?” The Captain asked, trying to assess what options could they have at their disposal.

Could they? Maybe. However, John wasn’t in the mood to leave this to chance. “I couldn’t say the odds are favourable, probably 90:10 in the Wraith’s favour.”

The Captain stood up, looking renewed with purpose. “We can’t defeat all the Wraith, but we can help you get back to Atlantis to keep up our fight.”

John was resolute. “I am not just keeping it up. I will end the fight.”

The Captain’s smile was soft and knowing. “I think you will, and I will be proud to be one of the ones to help you on the way.”

“I will make sure your history is kept alive,” John promised. He could do a small thing compared to what the Captain was offering, but it was perhaps the best way he could return the favour.

The Captain smiled nostalgically. “Good, but whatever you do, do not call another ship by this name.”

“Are you not fond of the tradition?” John asked because he knew most people had different feelings about remembering their legacy.

The Captain shook his head. “No. I think it is a terrible omen to name a spaceship after a predecessor that has been destroyed. It is like you are trying to tempt a reoccurrence of the same fate.”

John could see his point and instead, he offered, “We will toast your name and sacrifice back on Atlantis.”

The Captain offered his hand, “Now that is a fitting send-off.”

John looked around and knew this was goodbye. It was a crying shame for their first genuine contact to have ended this way. “You have an amazing crew.”

“The best.” Came the confident reply, “Now go and complete your mission.”

John saluted as befitting the moment, “I will do my best.”

~*~

The change between the Aurora of old and new was as quick as before, making John’s current state even sadder. Rodney had no such melancholy, crowing, “Oh, thank god.”

John sighed because he was pretty sure he’d asked his team to so do something before he’d gone back into the simulation. “I thought I told you all to beam over to the ship.”

Ronan glared, “We don’t leave each other behind.”

Rodney doubled the glare. “You have a habit of ascending when we leave you.”

John rolled his eyes at the sass. “Prometheus, this is Sheppard. My team is ready to go, and the Captain will blow the Aurora to take out the Wraith.”

“Prepare for beam out,” Caldwell spoke, sounding much happier than he had not ten minutes ago.

~*~

The explosion was glorious and deadly as it lit up the black of space. The ship may have been in a state of disrepair, but there was nothing wrong with its self destruct. It rippled out in a deadly wave that took the ships out in its direct path.

“YEAH!”

The cries softened from the jubilant crew, and all took a moment to mourn the crew’s passing. As was the norm for the way their days went, they didn’t go long to reflect before some new problem could arise.

“Colonel Sheppard, It’s Atlantis.”

John checked that Caldwell was happy for him to hear the news first. Caldwell nodded with a wry smile. “This is my ship, but Atlantis is yours.”

The yeoman handed the message, and John took two attempts to read it, not quite believing it the first time.

“How many are there?” He had yet to say anything as they were still on the bridge. He knew his team would be curious, but they trusted him enough to know that he would pass the information on at an appropriate time.

Rodney wasn’t as subtle as Teyla. “What do you mean, how many are there?”

John thought about it and figured it was hardly like they would be able to hide the Ancient Ship once they’d reached orbit.

“Ancient Ships, McKay. It seems another one has appeared on Atlantis radar and is due to reach the city about three hours before our return.”

Chapter 11: No Chance

“What do you think they will be like?” Rodney asked. The AR-1 team was sitting in the Prometheus Mess Area, taking what little time they could to decompress. John had encouraged it, sensing that there would be no respite when they arrived on Atlantis.

John didn’t have the heart to break it to his best friend that the Ancients would probably be assholes. In his experience, John considered Teer, Hedda and Janus to be the few non-assholes who ascended.

“Ancient-y.”

Rodney glared at him for the sarcasm, but it only made John’s smirk grow. McKay wasn’t finding him funny right now, replying deadpan, “You’re hilarious.”

Okay, maybe that was unfair as it wasn’t like John could suggest he knew anymore. Rodney was also finding it annoying that the mixed company meant he couldn’t ask further questions. However, Rodney had resolved to keep John safe, and his curiosity wouldn’t harm John. He knew that the ascended beings didn’t take proportionate responses to perceived infractions.

“I know I am hilarious,” John replied, polishing off the almost apple fruit that was a hit with the Expedition. It was well known that John would take one with him on every trip off base, so he had a snack that wasn’t an MRA.

Teyla was looking hopeful. She shared her hopes of what would happen in the first meeting. “I’m hopeful that they will be sharing their wisdom.”

John wanted to say something about how you’re constantly disappointed when you meet your heroes. The difference between John and the team’s newest member was, he would think it, Ronan would say it.

“Can’t be too smart.” Ronan sneered, “They made the Wraith.”

John snickered at the twin glares shooting his way from both Teyla and Rodney. He patted Ronan’s shoulder in shared sympathy. “We all know that real-life requires more than thinking.”

Rodney wanted to argue but was deflated because John hadn’t criticised scientists but rather theoretical ones, who didn’t think about their actions’ implications. “Are you saying you didn’t talk to any of them?”

John shrugged and played it coy. “We all know that I don’t remember much, but I get the feeling I kept myself to a small group.”

“Some things don’t change,” Ronan remarked. It wasn’t like Sheppard interacted personally with many people even when on the base.

Sheppard shrugged as he wasn’t going to deny it. His position in the city made close friendships too awkward with too many people.

Caldwell interrupted the food and potentially difficult conversation by declaring, “AR 1. You should know that we’re ten minutes from beam down.”

“Thank you, Colonel,” John replied, happy to be back on solid ground, even if that was only in a literal sense.

~*~

The team had opted for the beam down to be directly into the gateroom. John suspected that Elizabeth would welcome the distraction as negotiations hadn’t gone well so far. At least, that is what he had gleaned from the short communique he’d gotten from Elizabeth.

Caldwell had offered to beam down their gear separately to give the best impression. John had accepted the offer, as he felt it wouldn’t be a good idea even to take the time to stow their gear. He mentally prepared himself to hide his nature from all. “Thank you, Colonel, for the ride.”

“Godspeed.”

John had to smile at the way their relationship had thawed. It was amazing what saving someone from a snake could do. “You too, Colonel Caldwell.”

The ship was staying in orbit of the planet this time, as it was due to head to Poseidon’s position in seven hours. There was also the tactical side where Steven and John didn’t want Atlantis not to have something protecting it if this Ancient ship turned out to be a hoax.

~*~

John, and the rest of AR-1, beamed down into a tense room and people who shouldn’t be there. He could tell from one look that Elizabeth wasn’t happy with the newly arrived delegation. Her body language was still cordial, but a tightness around her eyes showed her anger.

Elizabeth spoke friendly enough as she pulled him into the conversation. “John, I am glad you’re here. I was just welcoming Captain Helia of the Helix to Atlantis.”

John had a melancholy feeling, and in some ways, he was glad that at least Rodney was aware of his true identity, or this was going to be awkward as shit. He knew that Helia believed in her superiority over them just by the grace of her birth. John could feel it, thanks to his dual nature, but in fairness, she wasn’t trying to hide it. What he didn’t get was why the delay?

She had a smug smile, and John felt obliged to warn the Alterran woman, “You don’t want to do this.”

He got a few sharp looks at his vague but almost threatening comment. It was not his fault that he got feral when someone threatened Atlantis.

Helia showed her teeth and left the expedition members under no allusion about how she felt. “Oh, I think that Atlantis needs to return to its people. Don’t you agree?”

“What do you mean?” Elizabeth asked sharply. She had sensed that the ship’s captain felt they were all inferior, but she could never have imagined this was her issue. She had hoped for enlightened conversations, not rampant xenophobia.

Helia was the worst type of self-entitled person, but she had fought in the war. John could imagine that her wish was to reclaim a slice of her life. If that were the case, this was the wrong way to do it. She was in a battle that she wasn’t going to win, no matter what she believed.

Her command rang out over the shocked silence, “Atlantis activate, shut down. Command Authorisation HeliaOmegaGamma14562Beta.”

John groaned in disbelief because he had plans that relied on staying hidden. Helia’s stunt had blown that option out of the water. His Grandfather wasn’t going to stop ranting for a decade as he would have to reveal himself. Well, he was going to argue it wasn’t by choice, and he was still following the rules.

Elizabeth whirled around furiously and demanded to know, “What have you done?”

Helia sneered at Elizabeth, not holding back on her emotions as she was a soldier, not a diplomat. “You are squatting in my home. You have no right to be here. What do you think I would do? I am evicting you.”

John was petty as he would enjoy what happened next. His team were taking their cues from him. John was calm because he knew that Atlantis trusted him. He took command of the situation, “Zelenka, check the core, and confirm Captain Helia’s assertion.”

Elizabeth frowned at him but said nothing. She knew she needed to get her emotions under control fast. She reminded herself that when it came to Atlantis – John’s wishes came first, and she had to hold onto that belief. Although that belief was about to be put to the test in the most real of ways.

Zelenka looked up, startled but was the one to confirm it. “Access has frozen for me. I am locked out.”

The plinth rose from the floor next to Helia. It wasn’t as flashy as a sword, but it would make a point. She stepped forward and smugly informed the expedition members. “Our technology had a failsafe, that our blood was integral to activating it. I can sense that several of you have a weak claim,” but her smirk twisted viciously, “but nothing like mine or people in my crew, so Atlantis will recognise the better claim.”

Helia’s hand descended on it, but nothing happened. She tried it again, assuming there must have been a mistake. After a third attempt, she whirled around in a fury of disbelief because there was nothing like the anger of smugness thwarted, “What have you done?”

Weir was offended at the implication that they might have done anything untoward. “We did nothing except offer you hospitality even though you seemed determined to be as rude as possible. Surely, as we are so inferior it would be impossible for us to do anything untoward.”

“Atlantis is not your birthright,” Was Helia’s haughty reply. This was a disaster because Janus had designed the city so no one could ever take it from them and use it against them. It had been one of the fail-safes they’d built into the city ships so the Wraith could never use them against their creators.

Rodney snorted at the birthright comment, knowing just what was wrong. He couldn’t pretend he wasn’t enjoying this moment. “Tell us, why isn’t Atlantis working for you if you are so almighty?”

She couldn’t pretend to know the answer because, as an Alterran and part of the military, she should have had the right to lock these Terrans out of the system. It seemed she was successful if their scientist had spoken truthfully. “That is a mystery.”

Rodney’s smirk grew, “Not really.”

Helia huffed because the irritating Terran was right and acknowledged. “Atlantis believes there is someone here she recognises with a greater claim. That is the only explanation.”

A ripple ran through the crowd because why would Atlantis recognise someone as having a better claim than an Alterran? John stepped into the forefront of the group because he worked with too many extraordinary intellects to stay hidden any longer. He could hear the expedition members go quiet as he asked Helia, “Can you not hear her?”

She laughed ironically because that was a sore point amongst her people. “The city only talks to the Creator’s family. That is not a gift that Janus afforded to us all. Did your history books not tell you that?”

John hadn’t known that, and he laughed at the tart thought that came through from Ally. You never asked.

John knew that it wasn’t the right time, but he couldn’t help but laugh at that sass from Atlantis as it was so perfectly timed. This woman had ruined most of his plans, so he was not in a forgiving mood.

All looked at him in surprise at the inference in his statement. “What?”

Rodney was chuckling at her annoyance and explained, seeing the slight nod from John. “Captain Helia can’t hear the city like Sheppard can and has just realised that she may have screwed up in her hasty power play.”

Zelenka’s fist pumped in triumph. “I knew it. You owe me coffee, Rodney.”

Rodney wouldn’t renege on a bet even if it cost him his favourite drink. “Shut up, you Czech menace.”

Elizabeth had frozen with that revelation but knew there were many things in play here, and the open forum of the Central Tower was not the time and place to air them. “Let’s retire to the Conference room, Colonel Sheppard, Dr McKay, join me.”

~*~

Elizabeth had suspected a few things about her military commander, but the implication that he ranked higher than a living Ancient was startling. She would need time to absorb that fact, and she suspected there was more that she could only have dreamed of imagining.

Helia whirled around and let loose a stream of what Elizabeth and Rodney guessed was living Alterran. In all honesty, it was disconcerting not to have their Stargate translate what she was saying. However, given Sheppard’s pinched expression, he could understand her just fine.

John stood his ground against the tactic of Helia’s, which was to drive a wedge between him and the others in the expedition. He also pointedly made her repeat what she had said. “English, you can speak it, Captain Helia.”

“And why should I?” She countered in English.

“It is customary to be polite, and that was consistent throughout all levels of Alterran society.” John reminded her and knew he was letting Elizabeth and Rodney learn a hell of a lot more than he wanted to share.

“You highborn, never lower yourself to our ranks.” She sneered, and John loved how everyone seemed to assume he was a snob with a silver spoon in his mouth. There was an element of fact to it, but John had always strived to work hard for his living.

“I am a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force, John Patrick Sheppard.” John was drawing his line in the sand. “I am a Terran, first, and I can admit that I have the good fortune to name Janus as my Grandfather. When I had to ascend, he was kind to me, but I am now back corporeal.” He left out one part, which was that he intended to stay that way.

“You are more than Terran, your ability to keep control of Atlantis wouldn’t be possible.” Helia countered, and it was clear that she was trying to find some avenue to exploit. The only one she could see so far was that John had tried to hide his presence. If she couldn’t take the city, maybe she could convince him to come and join their ship. It would be beneficial to have someone who recently interacted with the world to educate her crew on how things had changed in the last few centuries.

John rolled his eyes because people should stop guessing about his background. It would only give them a headache no matter their species. “There are some things that go beyond your knowledge. Now, why the aggressiveness? Why didn’t you ascend with the rest of the Alterrans?”

Helia stood proud, and you could see the soldier front and centre. “We had a mission that should have seen the end to the Wraith.”

Rodney groaned because this was two-for-two, and he didn’t bother to hide his hope. “Did you learn the information, unlike the Aurora?”

“They made it?” She asked, voice full of hope. It was the first time they’d seen anything resembling a warmth or positive emotion.

John shook his head and delivered the bad news. “Sadly, no. They were in the virtual reality environment, but their bodies could not stay frozen for that long without consequence; not even stasis could support them for that long.”

Helia sat down in horror at the realisation. She couldn’t imagine a worst fate to befall herself or her crew. “They’d been trapped over a thousand years without knowing what was going on?”

John nodded in confirmation because lies would serve no purpose here, “Yes. I let the Captain know what was happening, and he informed the rest of the crew. The Aurora chose to protect us from three Wraith cruisers.”

Helia was profoundly sad, and all previous haughtiness disappeared as her reality settled in her mind. “So you’re saying my crew are all alone?”

John shook his head because that was the bleakest of her options, and for once, he offered optimism and not pessimism. “You don’t have to be.”

“Are you saying we could fold into your Expedition?” She asked, her voice wry with derision. Helia couldn’t imagine a scenario where that would ever be successful especially given their first interaction.

John shook his head because that was the last thing he thought that would be appropriate. He wouldn’t say no if they wanted to join the fight against the Wraith, but he wouldn’t try and ask them to join the Expedition. He would be more likely to suggest a Traveller style ally friendship if that was the route they wanted to consider. It was abundantly clear that she considered herself superior to them, which was not a friendship that could survive long term. “You could go to the sanctuary planet and unlock the secrets to ascending on your own merits.”

“The war is not over,” Helia hissed. She was a soldier, and this was not something she could leave without orders. Her mind and instincts were at war more than anything right now.

John could understand that mentality better than anyone. He was fighting a war on two fronts, three if you counted his need to stay hidden. John still wasn’t too sure what would be the impact of today. He was hoping that he could spin this in his favour. “No, it is not, but we’ve taken on the war against Wraith. You can rest and release the burden.”

Rodney had never really seen this side of John before. The man was confident and in charge in an almost regal and hot way. Although he knew now was not the time to say anything.

Helia shook her head; she was clearly struggling with letting go, which soldiers and scientists could relate to. “I have orders to follow.”

John shrugged and didn’t deny it. What he did point out what was the fallacy in her logic. “You do. They came from the council, and if you wish to gain more, well, then you will have to ascend.”

She sneered in contempt at the idea of ascending easily, “You make ascension sound easy. We chased the idea for centuries.”

“John did it.” Rodney blurted out, and everyone glared at him. He didn’t regret it, though, because if she wanted to put barriers in her way. He would more than happily tear them down, provided John stayed with them.

John rolled his eyes at Rodney and, uncaring of their audience, reminded him, “And you have to let it go. I came back.”

Helia was horrified by the very notion, “You turned your back on ascension?”

“What can I say? I like it here.” John replied with a smile, knowing that only O’Neill would have got a kick out of that remark.

Helia was getting more and more confused by her interactions with Sheppard. “You are highborn. Why are you not acting like it?”

John snickered because he kept getting asked that question, and he knew his answer wasn’t getting any more satisfying for the curious. “I am Janus’ grandchild. You couldn’t expect me to behave.”

“You have a point.” She collapsed in the chair out of exhaustion. She had run on purpose and orders for so long that she suddenly felt adrift, lacking these things. She had no idea why she was suddenly in this timeline, and all the information she had gleaned made her feel so alone. Even with all the setbacks that her crew had endured, she had a plan, but all her ideas unravelled with just one individual. She had never imagined that Atlantis would reject her in favour of someone else.

Elizabeth’s mind was racing with so many thoughts and ideas, but she stowed them for a moment. She would get her time for answers, but Atlantis, their home, came first.

Helia whispered, and you didn’t need to be an empath to sense her sadness, “We never had a chance.”

“On your own, no, but we’ve learned a thing or two about an impossible fight,” Elizabeth assured the downtrodden woman. She held her hand out once more for a handshake, “What do you say to friendship instead?”

Chapter 12: What about us?

Helia had chosen to retreat to her ship rather than stay on Atlantis. Ally was talking up a storm in his ear, feeling like she was being punished for Helias sulking.

John was mentally replying but trying to stay in the conversation in the room. He didn’t want to lie to either Elizabeth or Rodney, but he had to be careful at the same time. He wanted any information that could help him beat the Wraith but not if it took him away from the expedition.

“So a hell of a day.” John started with false confidence. He had to hope that they trusted him and while he’d done his utmost best to prove his loyalty. He wasn’t sure how Elizabeth would take the day’s revelations.

Elizabeth looked him straight in the eyes. “Do you have Atlantis’ best interests at heart?”

John didn’t hesitate, “Always.”

Rodney said it at the same time because a few things didn’t add up about John, but he never doubted that fact. John smiled in relief at Rodney, glad to have the backup.

“Do you know what is going on?” Elizabeth asked Rodney, trying not to hide the hurt in her voice. She would hope John would trust her with everything they have gone through as an expedition.

John must have seen something on her face, and he needed her to know this was not the case. “Rodney doesn’t know much, and I am bound by so many rules. Today has stretched the bounds pretty thin.”

“UCMJ?” Elizabeth asked, trying to gauge the nature of the secret. According to her sources, if it was DADT, that would be repealed soon.

John smiled and loved the fact that he would work with genius people. It would allow him to clue Elizabeth into a lot but hopefully skirt the rules, “Amongst others.”

“Do your goals coincide with ours?” She asked, and that was the most important thing in her mind. She could deal with everything else because she trusted John. If there was one thing she knew – He was a good man.

John smiled and assured them both with words he could sense they needed to hear. “Yes, very much so. Let’s just say I have a familial obligation to what I promised on that balcony two years ago.”

She relaxed considerably, which was a subtle way to remind her this was their John. He was referring to the night where they’d drank on the balcony, and John had promised her that he would make war on the Wraith to the best of his ability. It would appear that his ability to wage war had infinitely improved. “Okay then, we need to spin this report carefully.”

Rodney smirked because he’d learned the trick of reporting things without telling the whole truth for various reasons. The first rule was to make it so simple and not offer extra information. “The city recognised John as having a greater claim than Captain Helia.”

Elizabeth absorbed that idea, and she liked the simplicity, but it would lead to secondary questions. If they were going to protect the expedition and John, they needed to be ready for anything.

“And when they ask why? We would be expected to find out why John had a better standing in the city than an actual Ancient.”

She was starting to get her adrenaline under control. She could not believe that their first meeting with a living Ancient had been such a raging disappointment. She was also more than aware of how close they had come to losing the city. In fact, if Atlantis hadn’t been so fond of John, then they would have lost their right to live in this glorious city.

John must have been able to read her feelings as he spoke out honestly, “I’m sorry that the meeting was such a disappointment.” He looked sheepish, “I know how much you were looking forward to meeting a living Alterran.”

Rodney, of course, had a different spin on the whole thing. He didn’t go with sorrow and let Elizabeth take a second to compose herself and teased John, “I had no idea inflexibility was so genetic.”

John snickered at the sarcasm, “Not all, Rodney, but too many. Let’s just say there was more than one reason I returned.”

Elizabeth couldn’t help but note how he looked at the Chief Scientist as he said that. She sighed, wondering if Rodney realised the depth of love John was implying. She had certainly never had that with her ex-fiance. “So, do we think Helia will give us any information?”

Rodney had a wicked grin. “Oh, she will give us nothing at all.” Rodney was sure of it, “As we are not her people, but if the Colonel makes nice. I am sure that she will tell him everything.”

John groaned, not unused to this argument, but he hadn’t heard it since his ascension. “I am not Kirk, McKay.” He also wasn’t the type to cheat.

Rodney huffed. “You don’t notice, but she recognises you as an Alterran, but the rest of us could disappear down a dark wormhole, and she wouldn’t even blink or be sad.”

John didn’t deny Helia’s priorities because she practically broadcasted her emotions. Still, while Helia may hate the expedition’s guts, the city was a different matter. He didn’t know if it was reassuring but felt compelled to explain, looking up for a second, “Ally wouldn’t let her. You’re in the clear.”

Rodney bit his lip because he’d been dying to ask this since the dramatic conversation not thirty minutes ago. He’d always suspected that the city was aware but didn’t realise it was fully sentient, which is what John had implied, “How chatty are we talking?”

John knew what would be an honest but cautionary answer. He was still mindful that he was walking a tight metaphorical tightrope line with the rest of the ascended. “Fewer languages than you use but on par.”

Silence reigned supreme because Elizabeth and Rodney needed to catch up and absorb the idea of the city being truly sentient and not just sapient. Rodney looked stricken, “She must be so upset with us.”

John shook his head because he wanted to stop that train of thought. Many in the Expedition would be shocked to see how deeply Rodney felt things, but he knew better. “Atlantis knows that we’ve only ever worked in her interests. She doesn’t begrudge you the impossible choices you have faced.”

“Her?” Rodney’s mind was racing at the idea of sentience so strong that they identified with a gender. Also, he didn’t want to get it wrong, considering the city controlled everything. He wasn’t stupid, and he could remember the times people would inexplicably only ever get cold water no matter how many engineers looked at a problem.

John nodded the acknowledgement of the pronoun and added, figuring it would be in the memory banks somewhere, “Janus wanted to make a daughter as he only ever had sons.”

“There is an irony.” Rodney knew a significant amount of genetic coding took place with Alterran children.

John smirked and knew this wouldn’t be too much of a surprise, “Ally gave them hell when they chose to sink her and hide.”

Rodney quirked a lip in amusement, as he had that look when he talked about Jeannie. John didn’t perhaps realise it, but he had a sister and two brothers. “So she is like you in spirit, is what you are saying?”

John folded his arms in front of him, expressing his displeasure with a glare. “You should be pleased, or we would have been packing our bags.”

Elizabeth chuckled because the interactions between her chief scientist and the chief military officer were the most typical part of the last week. “We all knew that the city likes you best, but let us hide how much in the report. The IOA doesn’t like the way the city starts to malfunction when you’re away from the city. I can’t imagine they would react well to us declaring the city considers you family and tolerates us.”

John looked up for a second, and the pair could sense he was chatting with the city. If you paid close attention, John’s skin started to gleam just ever so slightly. He looked sheepish, “She is sorry, but she can’t help it, but she is eager to figure out a way to connect with Rodney so they can talk science.”

“Couldn’t you be the translator?”

John listened for Ally’s response and shook his head with laughter in his voice. “She doesn’t like me interfering in science. I cause enough trouble with resources.”

Rodney snorted, “She is not wrong, and at least you can’t give Ally a heart attack like you do to us on a regular basis.”

John knew he could say many things, but none that would be accepted, so he wisely shut his mouth. He wasn’t actively looking to kill himself and would rath//er not work in a place where they had renamed Hail Mary to a Hail Sheppard for the number of times he’d been lucky enough to walk away.

~*~

John walked into his quarters, knowing that Rodney was hot on heels. This conversation was long overdue. He figured they should probably discuss their feelings as awkward as it might be before one or both of them end up in trouble.

John knew they needed to talk but being terrible at it, he decided to let Rodney start the conversation. “So, where should we start?”

McKay started to pace and rant in French with his question. John found it cute; knowing that saying such things aloud would probably upset Rodney further, he chose silence. “You know if you want to yell at me, you should pick a language I know.”

“Don’t play stupid.” Rodney wasn’t willing to let John pretend with him, “Stargate routines translate everything for you more than for us.”

John pouted but knew when the game was up, “How did you guess?”

Rodney rolled his eyes but knew John was asking on a few levels, like how had he slipped up? After all, they work with crazy intelligent people, so John needed to be at the top of his game if he was going to hide. He had chosen to reveal himself to a select few but would like to keep that circle as small as possible. “You need to stop laughing at Radek’s insults.”

John made a mental note to offer an awareness of languages due to his past in Special ops, but he wasn’t done teasing Rodney completely. “I could be guessing.”

Rodney was unimpressed and told John he wasn’t as convincing as he hoped, “I am sure that is what you want others to think.”

John sighed and knew if others were around them now, they would be making comments about sounding married. “Are you going to call me on everything?”

Rodney nodded at him, looking way too pleased with himself, “The same way you do to me but never in a way that could hurt you.” He needed to know for John that he wouldn’t cross that boundary. He had never had a friend like John before, and he could admit that he cared way more for his best friend than he had for his previous three ex-girlfriends.

John stepped closer because the lines they’d established were thin and snapping with every word uttered. He let all his guards down, so Rodney could see what he was feeling, “I’ve never had a friend like you.”

“You were married!” Rodney said stupidly. He’d told himself that he could never have this, and now his brain was struggling to accept that it might be a possibility.

John shrugged, knowing that Rodney wasn’t rejecting him. “Maybe, but Nancy was never my best friend, and maybe that was the problem.”

“We could be making things very complicated,” Rodney admitted because this was something he wanted with all his heart. He didn’t want to begin it if it would ruin what they had. He had told himself that he could be John’s friend, and he would make that enough because he wouldn’t ruin John’s career.

John inched closer, knowing what Rodney meant as he had told himself the same things, especially when Rodney had started to get serious with a few of the women on the expedition. It wasn’t because he could sense emotions, but he knew Rodney, “True but in the best way.”

“I don’t think I have ever been anyone’s best way,” Rodney confessed in a whisper.

John’s heart could break at the insecurity he could hear, but he raised his hand to stroke Rodney’s cheek, “Well, you’re mine.”

“I don’t think they’ve written the story of the Scientist and the soldier,” Rodney said oh so quietly. His eyes flickered to John’s lips giving John all the clues he needed.

John knew exactly how to respond and, with a smirk, tempted his best friend into doing something rash and closing the gap to finally kiss those lips. “Let’s write it together.”

And there were no more words that evening, but their bodies did a whole lot of talking. Thankfully as Atlantis adored John, she made sure no one could hear what was going on in his room. Oh, and even better, they could connect as partners and lovers the whole night. This was going to be a connection that would keep John on this plane of existence, so Ally knew it was important to foster.

~*~

Morning rose, and Ally was chattering away in his head, and John didn’t mind even without their caffeine substitute. He did something he rarely did and lay in bed just luxuriating for a few seconds. It was nice not to be immediately alert for an impending disaster.

John could admit to himself that he wanted to take a second to revel in what he had, knowing that it could be snatched away by the sheer danger of the Pegasus galaxy. Rodney had stayed over as they had talked long into the night. Of course, Ally had to have her two cents; so glad you stopped pining; it was sad to watch and hear your pining.

John mentally rolled his eyes, and Ally was like the sister he’d always wanted. He felt the need to explain his side of the story. I couldn’t tell him before he knew the truth.

There has been no outside interference. Ally assured him because she knew that John would be keen to avoid detection from the ascended. The idea that he needed to stay hidden was a driving force in a lot of his recent decisions.

John honestly believed that he would be ignored as long as he wasn’t flashy. And so far, his theory had been proven right, but he wasn’t too eager to keep putting it to the test. Yes, he aimed to clear up the Alterran’s biggest mistake so they would afford him some latitude. Good, I know you will warn me if there is.

He could hear Ally’s giggle echo through his mind. I don’t think you will ever be bored between my brother and me and your mate and mission.

John laughed aloud at that statement because truer words had never been spoken.

~*~

The conference table was no less awkward today than yesterday. The only difference was John knew where he stood with Rodney and felt on a better footing. Helia and her second were on one side, and the Atlantis expedition sat on the other side. John hadn’t felt so under scrutiny since he turned blue, and that wasn’t an experience that he would care to repeat. Thankfully, Beckett was now off the city, so he didn’t have to worry about that shady asshole. He had no doubt the man would have cooked up a few ethical experiments to conduct before all was said and done.

“It is clear that the city wishes to stay with you,” Helia commented stiffly, and you could sense it was still a sore object. There was nothing like flat out refusal to dent your ego.

John shrugged his shoulders because he couldn’t pretend he wasn’t happy with that option. “She thinks of me as a little brother. It wasn’t personal.”

Helia sounded aggrieved as she replied with a sigh, “She always showed favouritism to Janus’ family from the beginning. There was talk of the council changing that somehow.”

John was so glad that Rodney wasn’t exploding with I told you so’s like he clearly wanted to say. He appreciated the restraint on his lover’s part because this was as awkward as a pre-teen disco. “Yeah, he is an asshole still, and you can tell him I said so.”

“Surely, he has reached enlightenment,” Helia asked, aghast at the idea of it being untrue.

John wanted to snort at the lofty way of saying Janus gave up on life. John kept quiet, as he knew the expedition needed her information as it could be the key to fighting the Wraith, “He has, and I was part of the ascended club for a while, but I prefer this plane of existence.”

“I wish you wouldn’t talk about it,” Rodney whispered. The trouble was being a silent room made it very loud. Elizabeth knew the chief scientist had been deeply affected, as they all had. However, there was a tone there that sounded closer to the grief of a loved one.

Helia was confused because she could believe that Janus was still a difficult person, but it was harder to fathom someone choosing to return the gift of ascension, “You turned your back on enlightenment?”

John smiled, small and true, “The attachment goes both ways.”

John wanted her to think his attachment was to the city, which wasn’t untrue, but also to people on Atlantis. In fact, he knew it was corny but to one in particular. He risked a quick glance at Rodney to let him know what that attachment was in particular.

“How did you achieve it when your people don’t seek it?” Helia queried because yesterday, she had been dismissive of the plan as there was no guide to support them. If this Sheppard had successfully undertaken the process, it wasn’t a fool’s errand.

John didn’t want to relive that time, but he’d matured and dealt with his emotions from Sanctuary. “I was caught inside the Sanctuary planet, and their fears of enlightenment manifested in a monster that mortally wounded me.”

Rodney shuddered, “He wasn’t going to survive, and he had helped your people reach ascension. They helped him achieve the same status as a thank you for saving their lives.”

“And you think we should follow the same path?”

Elizabeth spoke up finally, “I think you have been at war for so long and lost your people. I can’t speak to being a soldier, but I think you deserve a chance to rest.”

“The Sanctuary planet is still viable?” Helia asked as her mind started to run through how she could make the mission successful.

John nodded, “We left it as it was so that it could be used by anyone else who chooses to seek asc… enlightenment.”

Helia looked directly at John, pleading, “You will seek the end of the Wraith?”

John put a hand over his heart, and this was one of the easier promises he would make in his life. “I will end the threat of the Wraith.”

“You know they can’t be allowed to seek the path?” Helia shuddered at the idea of a Wraith figuring out ascension. She wasn’t arrogant like some of her counterparts because if they’d figured it out, it was possible.

John shook his head, “I will not let them.”

Helia seemed to stare at John. He might not be the leader, but it was clear John was the one she was willing to have discourse with, so Elizabeth let him take the lead. There were a tense few seconds as if Helia was mulling something of great import over in her mind. The tension broke when she chucked a pad over the table. “Then you will need to plan an assault on these coordinates.”

John was glad that his secret was at least partially out because he didn’t even pretend to hide his new abilities to read Alterran text as quickly as English. His heart raced as he read one paragraph. He looked up, knowing his eyes were gleaming with joy. “Are you serious?”

She nodded, “They made themselves unbeatable by having far superior numbers for their population and built themselves a fortress to maintain their safety net.”

“I can’t believe the Wraith could be so stupid,” John uttered, amazed at what he was reading. The thing was, his hope was tangible in the air, and he knew if he didn’t get a handle on his emotions, he would be influencing the mood of everyone on the base.

She smirked, “It will not be easy, but the path of victory could be in front of you.”

John looked up and for once, he didn’t hide a single thing on his face, “Thank you.” He was sincere, as Helia may have been a Class-A bitch since she’d arrived at Atlantis, but she had offered him the key to beating them potentially. It was a heady thought.

Helia stood up, knowing that the team would want to discuss this development. Also, she needed to discuss things with her own crew. She could see that nothing would change while the Expedition stayed in Sheppard’s favour. “We will take our leave within the next few days. A few of my crew have asked for some time to say goodbye to the city.”

Elizabeth’s mood had certainly improved towards Helia and the rest of the ship’s crew, especially if they had offered them the intel that would see them defeat the Wraith. “We will happily accommodate your crews’ needs.”

“I’d say it was a pleasure to meet you, but I would be disingenuous.” Helia saw no reason to start lying to them now. Although she offered a rueful grin, “I can forgive you if you defeat the Wraith.”

“I will,” John assured her. He didn’t know what his future would hold after such a victory, but he felt it in his bones. He wouldn’t be able to rest until the Wraith threat had been eradicated from this galaxy.

Chapter 13: Mordor is viable

“So, what intel did Captain Helia give you?” Weir asked. She had seen the pad, but she would need time to decode it as it was still in old Alterran. Elizabeth was guessing that John would be able to tell them far quicker. Her mind was still adapting to the idea that her commander was ancient-lite, but when she’d really weighed up everything, John always had something a little extra, and this was just another tangible example. It was one of the reasons that he’d been picked for the expedition in the first place.

John did something quickly to the tablet, and the pad changed to English and handed it to Rodney. He challenged the Scientist, “Well, what do you make of it now?”

Mckay’s eyes bugged out in shock as he scrolled through the information on the datapad, and he looked up with glee. And proving exactly why their partnership would work exclaimed, “She’s given you the location of Mordor!”

Elizabeth caught the Lord of the Rings reference but wasn’t sure how it fit with they could win against the Wraith. It said a lot about how the expedition handled their lives that she could find humour in such a situation, “I don’t think one ring will solve all our problems, Rodney.”

John had to snicker at the sarcasm and agreed, “It would be cool if that was all it took.” Still, he couldn’t deny that Rodney’s analogy was reasonably accurate. “While not a book, Elizabeth, Rodney isn’t far off.”

“What does a Wraith Mordor look like?” Weir had to ask, her eyes gleaming with the idea of a potential victory being insight rather than the steady attrition they’d been operating on in previous months. She longed for the days when the expedition could work on exploration rather than on a war footing.

Rodney interrupted, “It is the central hive. We destroy it, and their ability to make Baby Wraith goes bye-bye.”

John imagined how the tactics would significantly swing in their favour once that happened. The Wraith have already shown that they are more than willing to turn on each other when facing adversity. “It does appear that their creation runs through this facility, more so than in ships.”

Elizabeth frowned but asked to check her understanding, “You mean they are like the Cylons?”

John threw his head back and laughed at the shocked look on Rodney’s face. It was good to know that the genius could still be left surprised, and just because he was now kissing Rodney, it didn’t mean that he wouldn’t give his lover shit for the fun of it. “Girls can like sci-fi too, Rodney.”

Weir smirked, and showing she could play the game just as well, the men added, “I was a fan of both versions.”

Rodney looked like he wanted to explode with excitement, but there were more important things than Elizabeth coming out of the geek closet. “Okay, we’re returning to this conversation because you have been hiding your geekdom. But yes, they reproduce via a facility on this main homeworld, at least that is what the Intel collected by Helia suggests. We’ve never been able to establish where the main homeworld is from the databases.”

Elizabeth couldn’t keep the hope out of her voice and checked John’s opinion matched Rodney’s. “So if we destroy this planet facility, then there would be no more Wraith would be created?”

“Theoretically, as this data is out of date. However, if no one has threatened their position, I would see no reason to change it. If we were to destroy the facility, it would certainly make them more cautious in a battle.” John could only surmise, but it made sense. He would be able to plan offensive attacks, and if he could get the word out to their space-worthy allies, it would make all the difference people might just join them on the attack rather than focussing on avoiding or defending their societies from the Wraith.

Elizabeth knew John too well and asked knowingly, “You want to go and make a plan. Don’t you?”

John pouted in a way he would never do behind these leadership walls. “Maybe.”

She snorted, but as she wanted some time to digest all the events of the last day privately, so she let the men go and do what they do best – plot mayhem. “I can’t wait to see who drags who out of their office first.”

Both men blushed slightly and muttered under their breath about, “Not knowing what she was talking about.”

~*~

John yelled for his XO the second he left the meeting room. “Lorne, head to the office because we have war games to plan out.” He added with a demented grin because there was nothing more fun than planning to blow shit up – just ask Cadman.

Lorne’s eyes lit up, “Yes, Colonel Sheppard.”

As Sheppard’s XO for so long, they had a good rapport and understood what was needed. Whatever the Colonel wanted to plan wasn’t for general crowds just yet. So he wouldn’t ask too many questions around people even if he was dying with curiosity. He knew his Commander too well, and that look promised chaos and a winning battle.

Lorne waited until their office door was shut to ask the question of the moment, “What is going to cause collective heart attacks today, Sir. And how can I help?”

John grinned like a Cheshire cat as he asked calmly, “How would you like to attack the Wraith Homeworld in the near future?”

Lorne, to his credit, didn’t blink at the question; instead, he went to his usual efficient mode. He started to think of how they could achieve such an aim. The first part was the location, “Sounds like a party. Do we know where to go for the invite?”

Sheppard smirked and chucked over the datapad that was still showing the translated version of the information that Helia had handed him. “How about there?”

“You mean to say they were stupid to keep all their facilities in one place,” Lorne asked, aghast at the lack of foresight. Don’t get him wrong. He was glad it would allow them a tactical advantage, but it was so damn stupid as to be unbelievable.

“The intel is ten thousand years out of date,” Sheppard reminded Lorne, “But I’m guessing that it is around still, and I think it is time we help them redecorate.”

“This is game-changing.”

Sheppard nodded, “Indeed it is, so let’s come up with a brilliant plan so we can get permission to blow some shit up.”

Lorne was a brilliant tactician, and that meant picking the right people for the job. If you wanted to demolish anything on Atlantis, there was only one person who needed to be consulted. “We need Cadman. You know she adores blowing shit up.”

~*~

Rodney had been patient, well, as patient as he could be, but the idea of John risking everything to beat the Wraith didn’t sit right with him. Their discussions made it clear that John was walking a tightrope similar to Chaya’s with a more confusing set of rules due to his status.

“How careful are you to avoid their wrath?” Rodney asked by way of greeting.

John looked up from his couch, “Hello to you too, Darlin.” He didn’t tease too much because he could tell that Rodney was greatly troubled by the idea.

Rodney couldn’t avoid a blush altogether at John’s words, but he wasn’t going to be distracted either by the new romance. After all, he’d seen what the Ancients would do to their people who went against the rules. He adored John, but since they’d met, there wasn’t a rule that John wouldn’t try to bend. “We’re starting something, and I don’t think I can take you dying on me again.”

John had never been the sentimental type but found himself stroking Rodney’s cheek, revelling in the fact that he could. He wasn’t yet brave enough to share that with people outside his own room, but Rodney understood that it wasn’t from shame but rather DADT. He couldn’t wait for a time when it would be safe to do so, and he knew that his father had a pet project. “It’s never the plan, Rodney. I don’t want to die.”

“You say that, but your record is a little shakey.” Rodney challenged John. “I’m not trying to make a big deal, but the time you were ascended sucked. Also, when I thought you’d delivered the bomb.”

John snorted, “I always weigh the risks; if anything, the ascension saved my life.”

Rodney sighed but let his vulnerability shine through, “I know that intellectually but I couldn’t follow.”

John let his weight rest against Rodney, hoping that the body contact would remind Rodney that he was here. “I will just have to stick around to prove you wrong.”

“This is complicated,” Rodney concluded because John had to hide from two significantly powerful groups that could affect his continued existence in different ways. Their team had seen first-hand what happened to Ancients when they were against the ascended collective. Rodney had figured out enough to guess that John was considered something akin to Royalty. Still, even with exceptional cases, there was only so much rule-breaking he could get away with before they revoked his privileges. And then there was the Armed Forces and what they did when they encountered unknown power. He dreaded predicting their reaction, which was also a problem because he wouldn’t consider contingencies if he didn’t anticipate them.

John could see Rodney’s thoughts spiral and pointed out, trying to reassure him. “Buddy. We live in a galaxy far away fighting Space Vampires for a living, so I think we left complicated a while back.” He softened the conclusion with a kiss.

Rodney pulled back only when oxygen became an issue, “You can’t kiss me every time you want to distract me.”

John smirked, lazy and genuine. It was the rare smile that not even his teammates got to see too often. “You’re a genius twice over, so I think you can handle it.”

Rodney rolled his eyes at the apparent attempt to butter him up, “True, but you make me stop thinking, and I need my brain to fix whatever calamity is going to befall us next.”

“I like our odds together.”

Chapter 14: Assailing Mordor

John knew that a conversation had to happen. He didn’t regret keeping his secrets as it allowed him to return to the expedition, but he needed Elizabeth to see that it wasn’t personal or because of a lack of trust. He was hoping it worked in his favour that it was clear Rodney hadn’t known either.

The two leaders had a ritual of a Monday morning breakfast where they would discuss all kinds of matters. It helped contribute to the smooth running of Atlantis, especially after their bumpy first year.

“Do you still hate tea?” Elizabeth asked teasingly.

John shuddered, “You try suffering through six months of no caffeine!”

Elizabeth snorted, “So the ribbon monster was okay, but the lack of coffee was a deal-breaker?”

John shrugged, “Sanctuary was like a weird bubble and forced me to behave in ways I hate.”

Weir could guess what that might have been like for such an active man, “Like relaxing?”

John groaned and shuddered at the memory, “PT and flying are relaxing, and they hated me for disturbing a blade of grass, let alone sparring.”

It surprised her that John was finally talking about that time. It had been pretty traumatic for all involved in very different ways. First, the team had hated that John was stranded with no way of contacting him and learning about the time dilation. The moment of their reunion wasn’t filled with joy like they’d hoped due to John’s injuries. Even with John back, it had been one dramatic event after another, and Rodney got a pinched look that John always tried to avoid whenever his ascension was mentioned.

“I don’t know what happened when you ascended, and I am sure your memories haven’t returned,” Elizabeth replied, sipping her tea, but her look showed what she truly felt and believed. She could tell that John did remember but was saying through self-preservation. She was aware that she should be reporting her suspicions to the IOA, but they could go and suck on cacti because John Sheppard was a hero and good man who would always work for the good of their expedition.

“I don’t,” John replied with a small grateful smile, “But I think I do occasionally get pointers in dreams from old friends, and that drives me nuts as I wake up having to tell myself it is something more than a dream.”

“There is a silver lining due to how crazy our life is, well, no one thinks you’re crazy.” Elizabeth offered as a bonus point.

John snorted because Atlantis was a particular brand of crazy that none of them was willing to give up on. “If I find a way to access my memories, you know I would tell you everything.”

Elizabeth had a watery smile, knowing what John was saying without words. “It would be a gift for us all, I am sure, but your return was already our miracle for this month.”

~*~

Cadman was being called to the CO’s office, and she was pretty sure that she hadn’t done anything wrong. A Marine’s definition of sanity wasn’t always the same as the average person, but they had the fortune of finding a commander that was crazier than they were in most respects. There wasn’t a marine who could say they had ridden hail-mary Nukes on several occasions and managed to walk away.

“What can I do for you today, Colonel Sheppard, and why does Major Lorne look wary?”

John grinned, “Pull up a chair, we’re going to blow up a mountain, and I want you to offer your expert advice on how we do it and walk away.”

“Why are we blowing up the mountain? And what do you want the explosion to say?” Cadman asked without so much as blinking.

“I want to put the 4th of July celebrations to shame. According to our intel, the mountain is where the Wraith are created.”

Cadman frowned because tactically, that would be one of the stupidest things she’d ever heard, “The only place?”

Lorne and John shrugged, “According to the Ancients, this was the case, but even if they have other facilities now. We take it out. We can strike a decisive blow and make them a little more cautious.”

Cadman shook her head, “Not from what we’ve seen. It will be better. Colonel Sheppard showed how quickly they turn on each other if they think their resources are being attacked.”

John chuckled as that had been one of his better on the fly plans – literally. He’d had to get off a Wraith ship using one of their ships, so he’d struck the other Wraith ship, which had started an inter-Wraith firing match. The result had been that the Prometheus was then able to mop up the remnants of the fight. “Well, we can all hope for that outcome, but I want to plan a party they won’t forget.”

“You know me, Sir. I love a good party.”

Lorne sighed, knowing that this might not end well in hindsight, “You know we have to survive whatever you have planned?”

Cadman frowned, trying to decide if she was being insulted. “I’m too pretty to die young, and the Colonel is like a cat.”

Lorne sighed, knowing that this might not end well in hindsight, “You know we have to survive whatever you have planned?”

Cadman frowned, “I’m too pretty to die young, and the Colonel is like a cat. Plus, you know McKay will kill me if I get the Colonel trouble, and he is vindictive.”

Lorne shrugged, “Never cross a Geek is like rule two for the Marines.”

“What’s Rule one?”

“Don’t get on your bad side!” Lorne replied with a shrug. It wasn’t like Sheppard was a hard-ass commander in the traditional sense of the word. It was just he made the soldiers want to be their very best. They had to fight a little harder, shoot a little more precise, and run faster, and that was just to keep up with their zoomie commander. In the beginning, Sheppard had confused the Marines, but saving their asses on a few occasions – it was accepted as one of his quirks.

“You make me sound as bad as Rodney!”

She shook her head, “You come as a pair, Sir.”

John rolled his eyes, “Well, you can Matchmake later, Cadman. Help me blow some shit up first.”

~*~

Plans were rolling into action faster than you could blink. John would present the plan to the others in the morning, and then they would forward it to General O’Neill. “I need sleep.”

Lorne grinned and felt obliged to point out, “With all that caffeine in your system.”

John smirked, “A comedian said there are two types of people in the world. There are type-A who can have a cup of coffee and then are wired for hours after. And there are type-B assholes who can have a drink and then go straight to sleep.”

Lorne snorted, “I am saying nothing, Sir.”

John thought about it and decided what he really needed was to find Rodney. There were somethings he could do to help gain some rest, and despite what others may believe – Rodney could be restful. He had figured out how they could take out the Wraith Facilities in the least risky way possible, so he deserved a reward, and all he wanted was to sleep with Rodney. Just sleep. He hadn’t realised how touch starved he had been until Rodney started his affection campaign only a few short days ago.

Chapter 15: Fellowship of Pegasus

Elizabeth had expected the team to present something, so she had invited Caldwell, knowing that he would give them a good indication of how Earth and the IOA might feel regarding their plan. You gained a certain zaniness from living in the Pegasus Galaxy that somewhat reset your judgement of what was crazy and what wasn’t. She personally blamed the life-sucking aliens for that attitude change, so she always found it helpful to have an outside perspective as she had not escaped such an attitude change.

She knew it was going to be outrageous when Cadman stepped into the briefing alongside Lorne and Sheppard. There was something alarming about Cadman’s grin; it was something akin to how she would imagine a shark smiling.

“So what plan have you concocted that is sure to give Earth a headache?” Elizabeth asked by way of greeting.

McKay had stepped in and fist-bumped Cadman which was also causing Elizabeth to grow worried about just how unique their solution might be. “And Dr McKay is approving of the solution, I assume?”

Rodney nodded, “I gave them hell last night until I was satisfied but promised an unlimited supply of coffee for one month for the egghead who cracked the yield calculation.”

Caldwell stepped inside the room on the words yield calculation, “What are you blowing up? And I’m guessing the Prometheus is needed?”

You had to love the way as an expedition. There wasn’t a lot that phased them anymore. Sheppard handed him the pad and gave him to read and digest the plan. “What do you think?”

The team looked silent as he looked over the plan, and Elizabeth noted with a sigh Caldwell raised eyebrows, so she knew it was extreme. It didn’t mean though, that she didn’t trust the choice as the right one.

Caldwell looked at the detailed plan, and John could tell when he skipped back and reread an aspect of the proposed plan. “You’re planning on blowing up the planet?”

John smirked, “You make it sound really extreme.”

“No, thorough.” Caldwell corrected. Although he felt it was important to be a voice of reason, and saw exactly why he had been invited to this meeting. He hadn’t gone as native as the expedition who lived full time on Atlantis. “Convince me, so we can be on the same page when the IOA or O’Neill asks me.”

Sheppard didn’t see the harm and knew this was coming from a collegiate point of view rather than the antagonistic relationship they had at the start. “We know from intel that they are on the planet and the location noted,” he paused, “to be clear, this is their resurrection/birthing facilities but where they are on the plant now is more difficult to guess as we would have 10, 000 years worth of data to sift through to find it now.”

Caldwell shrugged because that was a good point, but he was willing to play devils’ advocate.

“Why wouldn’t I have moved them off the planet to keep them safe?”

John snorted because that was a fair question from a human perspective, but the Wraith were not humanoid and had a radically different profile. “I don’t rate humans for their ability to think. They are food, so why do I need to protect myself from food?”

“They are that arrogant?” It was posed as a question from Elizabeth this time. It was always helpful to understand motivations when working in politics. The Wraith didn’t operate like anything they’d ever known which made them so unpredictable. It wasn’t lost on Weir that the person who seemed to best understand them was John from their galaxy at least.

John had to confess where his understanding came from, as he didn’t want Elizabeth to think it came from his genetics. “I took a root around the Queen’s head when she tried in vain to rip the coordinates from my head. They are far worse in their hubris, and I am only too happy to exploit that to our advantage.”

After all, they had intel that suggested their creation facilities were on the planet, but they could have moved. It also stood to reason that essential other resources would be present as they would guard their home base ferociously. It would be similar to how insects protect the queen with a major colony.

And there was also the problem as it was difficult to predict how fortified the planet was and what forces an assault may be facing. And that was the genius of their solution – take out the planet and you take out anything that could attack you.

“And what about the planet? There is nothing essential?”

Rodney shook his head, “No, we’ve checked the database, and it is our lucky stars that it is the last of the planets in synchronous orbit around the star, so it will not affect gravitational pull, and the three other planets in that system don’t support sentient life.”

Elizabeth was the one to ask the question. “So is it crazy, Colonel?”

“Oh, it’s insane … But also tactically, it is genius.” Caldwell offered his input and wanted to laugh at Cadman’s little fist bump. “You plan your 4th of July celebrations, and if anyone asks my opinion from Earth then I will say I am looking forward to an invite.”

Sheppard smirked because Caldwell and Carter’s ships would be along for the wild ride, and if it wasn’t the biggest baddest celebration, he was going to give Cadman shit for ages.

~*~

“So you’ve gotten permission for the biggest tactical strike in the history of the SGC. How do you feel?”

Sheppard thought about the question and gave his honest answer. “Surprised, happy, confused and a little cautious.”

Rodney stood up from John’s bed, where he had been waiting for his partner. “I expected only two of those.” He stroked John’s cheek, “Where does the confusion and caution come from?”

John moved them both to his couch and sat down, “I haven’t always been the IOA’s favourite.”

Rodney snickered because that was an understatement if ever there was one. “Maybe, but you do have O’Neill in your corner, which counts for a lot in the program.”

John had trusted O’Neill a lot more than his previous Commanders, that was for sure, but considering the FUBAR in Afghanistan, that wasn’t a high bar. “I know, but I have never wanted to abuse it, especially as I never thought I would get the trust of a CO again.”

There was one good thing about the SGC, and that was the second chances it offered to those who deserved it.

“Caldwell said you more than repaid the trust he showed.” Rodney reminded him of the earlier conversation.

John shrugged, “I hope so, but this is risky.”

“We’re going to take the planet. Literally.”

John snorted because that was the simple part of the plan. “Yes, but if we destroy Mordor but not Sauron, what their response would be?”

“You know,” Rodney started, “A wise person said not to borrow trouble.”

John looked at him and wondered how many times Rodney would use his own words against him. “I was about to ride a nuclear bomb. There wasn’t a lot I could say at that time.”

Rodney glared at the memory, “I was so mad, and yet you were so brave that I couldn’t be an asshole.”

“I will always do my best to come home to you,” John promised. Considering his past antics, he couldn’t promise he’d stay alive, but he wasn’t suicidal, no matter what some believed.

Rodney kissed him, “And I will take it because I don’t want to change you. As I know you won’t ask me too.”

John frowned, “Why would I want you to change?”

“My exes have all tried to do it.”

John glared, “Then they shouldn’t have tried to date you. They’re the assholes, not you.”

“You can’t call Katie Brown an asshole. She is too sweet for the world.” Rodney exclaimed, half laughing but also pleased at John’s defence. He was starting to realise what a true partner might look like for him. He didn’t think it would be possible to get this without being willing to change his personality. He had certainly being told that enough in the past to believe it necessary, and yet John was saying differently.

John shook his head, not willing to be persuaded otherwise, and he guessed that this would be a conversation that they returned to because for all Rodney’s bluster, the man felt deeply but hid when hurt. “She is an asshole if she made you feel bad.”

Rodney smiled sweetly, “Okay, if you say so. I love you. I need to say it. You get me, and that is something I didn’t think I could have without changing.”

John looked at him seriously, and he usually hated using words to express his feelings.

“I would give you the galaxy if I could.”

“Are you being romantic?”

John rolled his eyes, reminding him, “You can’t tell anyone. You’d ruin my image.”

Rodney grinned, but he wouldn’t for more than one reason. This was them, and for only them. Outside those doors, they were Colonel Sheppard and Dr McKay, and no one would ever believe their badass commander was a romantic. “Don’t worry, your secrets are safe with me.”

“I know, and it is why I love you too,” John started that sexy smirk that infuriated Rodney and also made his knees weak, “Meredith.”

“You asshole,” Rodney pouted, but he pushed John onto the bed. There was only one way he would accept his apologies. Kisses.

Chapter 16: Assault On Planet Mordor

“You can get rid of the smile, Marine.” Sheppard teased Cadman. They were in the armoury of the Prometheus as John figured it was the best place for them. He was conscious of not wanting to disrupt Caldwell’s crew. They were good and efficient, and the expedition members, while fantastic at their jobs, had a habit of causing chaos which was something Caldwell hated.

“No, respectfully, I can’t,” Cadman hadn’t stopped grinning ever since she’d loaded her special made bombs onto the ship. She had permission to adapt four or the nuclear bombs to turn them into planet busters. She had led the mini team of herself, Zelenka and Rodney. After all, these bombs were planet busters, so you wanted the very best brains working on the problem instead of some eager rookie.

McKay chuckled because it wasn’t a serious request by Sheppard, and you could tell by his tone, “Come on, Colonel, you’re letting her blow up a planet. She will always be able to win any marine bragging contest.”

John sighed but couldn’t disagree, “Yeah, it’s a great day to blow shit up.”

McKay smiled right back and wanted to remind his partner, “And this is why our marines never want to leave Atlantis! You know we’re going to get complaints when no one wants to rotate out again.”

John was aware that he would probably get an earful about it soon enough, but he would deal with that problem when it arrived. He couldn’t be too effusive, “They are good Marines.”

“We all love you too, Commander,” Cadman replied as she was giving last-minute instructions to the armoury officers.

John waved off the compliment, “That is because I let you blow up planets.”

“That and you are always on the front lines with us.” Cadman acknowledged because she thought it was important to show their appreciation for a supportive Commander. Sheppard listened to them, and wasn’t permanently exasperated by their antics.

Sheppard knew that some of the others frowned at his attitude. There were some in the Upper Brass who believed his place was in an office, but that wasn’t him or how he wanted to run his command. He was fortunate that working with Elizabeth so remotely that they were both given the latitude to run things their way.

“Have you got me my fireworks, Colonel Sheppard?”

John looked at his team and got affirmative nods, so he hit the button on his own radio, “I can confirm that all fireworks are prepped and ready for the party.”

Carter’s voice also came through the comm system. “We’re ready to crash the party.”

The plan in itself was simple. The two ships would launch an attack, with the Apollo taking the lead and covering the Prometheus, who would deliver the bigger payloads.

John knew this wouldn’t be the end of the battle, but if it was successful, then it would strike a decisive blow. It would be nice not to be on the back foot for the first time since the Wraith had awoken.

“Let’s do this.” Carter bellowed the orders for the Apollo to start their attack, “Fire!”

The fight was on, and Apollo was gliding through blasts of an orbital fighter. It was a heavy-duty blaster, but Apollo’s design and pilot meant that design wasn’t an advantage but rather a flaw.

John was surprised by Caldwell’s request over the radio, “Sheppard get up here and get on weapons. Marks is down.”

“On my way,” Sheppard promised, sparing a look for Rodney. You had to rate McKay because he didn’t say anything apart from.

“Don’t get dead.”

John shouted backwards, already moving to his post, “Make me a pretty bomb.”

“Screw you,” McKay shouted at his sprinting figure. “All my bombs are awesome.”

John could hear Cadman’s cackle as he turned off that corridor, but that was the last moment of levity as his mind switched to the fighter pilot’s mentality. It wasn’t like he didn’t have millions of hours of training, although admittedly, most weren’t on ships the size of the Prometheus.

~*~

John sprinted onto the bridge, and Caldwell, who had taken over, immediately stepped aside, and John slipped into the space, seamlessly taking over firing capabilities, and took control of navigation to get an optimal hit. It took him a few seconds to get the ship to respond in the way he needed. John didn’t know if a ship this size could rock the cradle like he needed, but he did the maths in his head and went for it. YES. It worked, “I have a target lock.”

“FIRE!” Caldwell ordered.

The warhead was clearly aware, and both ships switched to defensive measures to protect the bomb to ensure it made it to its target.

The whole bridge watched with a tense breath as it reached its target. One of the torpedoes detonated, and there was a cry of despair.

John shook his head, “It was the decoy.”

Caldwell was willing the blue-tipped one to be true to its target. It plummeted into the atmosphere, and a second later, a massive explosion rippled around the planet. They’d succeeded, and a cheer ran through the ship, all except Sheppard, who was frozen rigid, a strange glow on the surface of his skin reminiscent of Ancients.

What was happening?

Chapter 17: You have got to be kidding me!

John blinked, disorientated, wondering what was happening right now. The planet had been hit. Not them. There was no reason for him to be, and he whipped his head around to see an all too familiar but unwanted place. He was on the Astral Plane, a place he could remember from his ascended vacation, but it made no sense. He hadn’t used any of his gifts, so failed to see why he had been pulled here at this pivotal time. He would assume this would break the ascended’s own precious rules. “What is going on!” John demanded to know, praying that his team was okay.

“You are about to make a significant change in the galaxy.” A voice said, floating in the ether. “This is not without consequence.”

John wasn’t having any of it and growled back, “I’m trying to fix one of your mistakes! Let me, the people deserve to be free of the Wraith.”

He was hoping that they couldn’t reset time which is something as a collective group they would indeed have the power to do. “You are one of us and cannot interfere.”

“I have not used my powers, and it is the Terrans who have the weaponry being used in the assault. You cannot say I have broken your rules.” John argued back, trying to control his anger, knowing that he had to approach this with utmost care. He was all too aware that right now, in this place, he didn’t hold the power. He had been careful to ensure the scientists had created the planet busting bomb and only taken over at the conn at Caldwell’s request.

“They would have not arrived at this solution without you,” A feminine voice joined in this weird conversation, almost an interrogation that seemed to be starting.

“We got the information from a ship you sent on a mission. They handed over the information to me, and my team came up with the solution independent of me.”John argued back, “ I just provided them with a location as Helia would only pass the information to me. You cannot say that was enough to break the rules!”

“That is up to us to determine.”

John rolled his eyes and challenged the others. He was more than happy to held his hands up and accept the blame for when he broke the rules, and truth be told, there were more than enough occasions he could cite. However this time; he’d been careful and even checked with people like Atlantis and his grandfather to see if he was on thin ice. “Did I use my gifts in any way that breaks the Covenant?”

“You have an unnatural bond with the city.” A third voice added.

John huffed because people being jealous of his relationship with Ally was getting real old, real quick. He was getting the impression that many of the Ancients were of the same opinion as Helia in regards to who the city spoke to and that unfair bias. However, he could hardly be blamed for the grace of his genetics. He tried to reason with this group as they had the potential to stop his return, but he was never a fan of running in circles unless it was PT. “That is because I am Janus’ Grandchild, and that would be true of any ancestor of Janus.”

“You could make things worse.” The first one retorted, and John mentally named him Hank after his least favourite General.

John wondered when this had morphed from Lord of the Rings to Star Trek, which is something he tried not to think too hard about, considering his life as pretty Sci-Fi every day. “How?! How would I make things worse by dealing with a threat to the galaxy.”

John had no intention of making things worse as that was the exact opposite of his aims, but unless he heard a compelling argument or this weird ascended council thing stopped him. He was going to do just that. He lived with the guilt of knowing he’d woken them up through ignorance since their first mission. He was aware that it wasn’t a problem solely of his own making, but he couldn’t help but wonder how long they would have slept if he wasn’t around to take out the caretaker queen.

“You could let something worse through the door.” The Karen voice replied, sounding way too sure of her rightness to exist.

John could take two guesses about what they were referring too, but there was only one that would make sense. He remembered the conversation with his grandfather when he’d challenged their inaction. He wasn’t too sure if this was a safe space to utter their actual name, “The Ori?”

“You know their name?” Karen sounded surprised that John might be aware which kind of put their omipotence to the test. “Yes, Janus and I discussed it when I was debating the law of observation with him.”

“You didn’t agree?”

John shook his head, and in truth, he still didn’t much agree with it. “I don’t, no, but I understand your viewpoint.” It was as conciliatory as he could manage right now, and if they didn’t like it, they could go suck on a cactus.

“How are the Ori known by our children?”

He wondered if he should feel like this was now an exam he was supposed to know about but had no chance to revise, which was even more frustrating. “It has already happened. Daniel Jackson woke them up, and that war is raging on in the Milky Way, but the Pegasus Galaxy has its own troubles. They can’t keep fighting against the Wraith as sheer numbers eventually will kill the worlds. This offensive is our chance to fight back, and you know it.”

“Their Oricae has been created then.” Hank spoke with a great heaviness to his voice. It was as if this was the worst possible news to befall them. John wondered what it said about them that they seemed more bothered by that than the war with the Wraith. He knew more than anyone that the Ancients were not omnipotent no matter how good their PR, but this was sad. He prayed that he never lost touch with the

“I believe they call her Adria,” John offered with confusion because he assumed they would already know, “But that is not my problem right now; the chance to fight back against the Wraith should be my focus.” He wanted to keep the frustration out of his voice. He wished he could see how things were progressing, but he would have to use logic, not emotion, if he was to win any argument.

“It will be your problem Johnathon Shepard because if they have their Oricae then you will be our balance.” Karen declared imperiously as if it was a done deal.

John perked up because he could rage over the fact he was pretty much being told he was about to take the lead on a second war before he could even make a dent in his first one. However, here was an opening that, if he could persuade the SGC would make things a lot more interesting. He needed to check because this wasn’t the type of thing where he could risk it all, and try and plead forgiveness. “Are you saying I can use my gifts openly without fear of repercussion?”

“What do you fear?” Hank asked.

John rolled his eyes because they couldn’t be that dense, could they? Although, John may not be as closely in touch with his emotions, this group took it to the extreme. He barely restrained the sigh in his voice, “I don’t want to leave my people or partner. This whole operation was to make this galaxy safe for them.”

“The ‘partnership’ you refer to is new.” Karen reminded him as if he was unaware. A lot of people would have taken offence at the slight to their relationship. However, John was a Lt Colonel in the Air Force, so he wasn’t going to fall for that trap.

He snorted in response and didn’t hide his disdain, “No, it’s not. My feelings have been there ever since he asked me to sit on a damn chair. You don’t get to dismiss my feelings to suit your whims.”

Hank came forward, “And he is the reason for your change in attitude?”

“He is a reason for cautiousness, plus, you know I have other reasons,” John remarked, thinking back to his far friendlier relationship with his father.

“You still prefer the mortal realm?” Karen exclaimed as if she couldn’t fathom the possibility.

John chuckled, but he wasn’t going to let them have all their own way. If they expected him to solve their big issues, he wouldn’t let them have it all their own way. He was going to set a few of his own boundaries as he wasn’t going to let them dictate his life. “Isn’t that a good thing? You want me to play your Luke Skywalker. You betta hope I stay connected to the mortal realm, and Rodney is a big reason.”

“A distraction could harm you,” Karen replied as if she had a clue about human emotions.

“How? Do I not ascend when mortally injured?” John replied, half-checking because he hadn’t lost the knowledge of how, just the desire to act upon that knowledge.

“You can’t spring back whenever you please. The next time you ascend we will not allow you go back to the moral realm.” Hank replied, sounding way too much like the General.

That did give John pause, as quite frankly it was ridiculous. “So you want me to fight your dangerous foe and want to punish me if it goes south?”

“That is not our intention, but you cannot be reckless with your abilities or lose sight of the objective.”

John wasn’t amused, and he didn’t care to hide it even though it would have been the wiser choice. “I am a soldier and have been for most of my damn life. You can’t lecture me about goals in life. I am trying to fix your screw up with the Wraith.”

“You have dealt them a heavy blow.”

“So am I allowed to go back?” John asked boldly.

“Yes, but you must be careful.” Hank reminded him.

John rolled his eyes at the helpful advice. “Sure thing.”

~*~

John awoke to find himself lying on the floor of the bridge. His reaction reflex was to deflect the sparks about to hit his face. “Ow!”

“He is awake.” A medic John remembered announced as if it wouldn’t be obvious to all who were standing around him. However, he sounded freaked out, undoubtedly by his little party trick.

“Yeah, the Ancients wanted a chat.” John explained as he took Ronan’s offered hand up, “They have terrible timing.”

“You missed the light show.” Rodney felt obliged to point out. “Also, you seem freer?” It was a subtle of way saying what was with his liberal use of gifts.

John appreciated it but shrugged, “They owed me.” He wanted to distract people, still wanting to absorb everything that happened. “Was it good? I hate missing the fireworks.”

“It was satisfying.” Ronan declared as if that was all there could be. “The planet is gone.”

“They say go big or go home, right?” John muttered, feeling like the weight of two galaxies was settling on him. This was not the type of situation where success had brought reward. He fought back against the Wraith, and now he had to fight another powerful race so they didn’t enslave multiple galaxies.

McKay was biting his lip with worry. He knew what John’s little light show that had immobilised him was about and coupled with John using his powers. He couldn’t help but ask. “Are you being recalled?”

Sheppard shook his head, wanting to reassure Rodney. He wasn’t sure how he was supposed to do that, considering they were about to get involved with another big bad. “Not exactly.”

Caldwell quirked an eyebrow. “What does that mean?”

John took a second to figure out how he should break it and went with straight-up honesty. “The Ancients told me that the Wraith aren’t their biggest screw-up.”

“Well, that is terrifying.”

John snorted and Caldwell’s delivery. To be fair, the guy wasn’t wrong. Still, John wanted to offer a bit of optimism, “True, but at least they’ve given me an upgrade to help the fight.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” Rodney asked wearily. He was pretty sure he knew what John was hinting at, but that was unprecedented and alarming. After all, how bad was the threat for them to bend the rules?

With his best smirk, John couldn’t pretend he wasn’t an asshole, “I’m a wizard, McKay.”

Rodney groaned at that pun. “You’ve had your gifts unlocked?”

John nodded, “I am to act as the balance to Adria, the Oricae.” It should have sounded ridiculous and egotistical, yet it strangely made sense.

John knew this was only the first hurdle as he knew he’d have to handle another round of scrutiny from Earth for this little reveal. It did at least give him an option of saying his gifts were only available from now rather than his initial descension.

Rodney didn’t like this, but the idea of John having access to his gifts without worrying about reprisal was a comfort. “Well shit, things just got interesting.”

He was the most intelligent man in two galaxies, so no one was willing to argue with him. It seemed their next year’s diary was full – pick off the rest of the Wraith and put to bed the Ori.

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