New Home (Stargate Atlantis fanfiction)

7 The way

They spent almost everything that was left of the day in Woolsey's office going through some regulations. John was visibly tired, but they just left for a short time to grab some food and came back to staring at commander's screen and talking silently. Teyla was watching them nearly the whole time. Rodney tried several times to figure what was discussed, but since Teyla did not agree to read their lips – a skill she developed recently – he was clueless.

At some point Teyla's new cell phone rang.

"Hallo?"

"Hi, Teyla, just checkin' what's up..."

"General!" she smiled genuinely and Rodney and Lorne looked at her surprised.

"It's Jack, remember? Anyway, Torren and Kanaan are doing great, no problems at all, so ..." He hesitated for a moment. "The thing is I wanted to know if you have any ideas."

"Doctor Keller was able to find Elizabeth and Mr Woolsey and colonel Sheppard are now reviewing some documents to see what can be done." She said simply. There was no hope in her voice, nor was there emotion. Just facts.

"Thanks. Keep me informed?"

"Of course, ge... Jack. Take care of my men, please. I shall be back shortly."

When she finished her talk she saw Lorne staring at her. "Jack?" He asked. "Nice friends you found yourself out there."

"General was kind enough to offer me and my family a place to stay" she replied. "I, for my part, take care of his house."

Lorne was grinning like an idiot. It was refreshing after such a stressful day. And it was not finished yet. They were trying to get any idea what was passing between the two men in glass walled office. Once Elizabeth's office, the first place she claimed her own after coming to the lost city, then yet on the bottom of Lantia's ocean. Now the former military leader and present civilian one were trying to find a way to help her. Keller visited around 2200 hours and basically ordered them to their beds. Same rooms as before.

Teyla was woken by a chime on the door yelling at her to open. She got up sleepily and opened only to find similarly sleepy scientist there. "Rodney?"

"Lorne woke me five minutes ago" he explained between two huge yawns. "Briefing room, half an hour."

"But," she looked at watch at her wall "it's 0530, Rodney."

"Don't you think I know?!" he was visibly annoyed. "But he said it's important and kind of atlantis-top-secret, so..."

"Ok, Rodney, thanks. See you in control tower."

0600 was hardly top time for any activity in Atlantis. Night shift was already very much tired, although they had still more than an hour of duty. Some of them were sleeping in the meantime and no one was really concerned now that they were back on earth. It was only additional guard, as far as everyone was concerned, SGC was directly responsible for Earth's defence. They did not wake, when Teyla stepped into Gateroom. Only Chuck nodded to her and seeing her questioning gaze motioned with his hand towards leader's office. Woolsey was once again discussing something with John.

"Are you absolutely sure that you are ready to risk court martial, there may be some other way" said Woolsey stepping with colonel out of his office and heading towards briefing room. "We just need some more time to find it."

"Time is what Elizabeth does not have right now." John said silently, just for Woolsey to hear.

Teyla made her way quickly to the briefing room, finding Ronon, Rodney and Lorne already there. They all looked like she felt. It must have been Sheppard to woke them in the middle of the night to announce something that was connected to court martial that was mentioned.

"Hi guys" said John entering the room and mentally closing all doors after Woolsey. "I'm sorry for the early hour, but I did not want to announce this to the whole city."

"Sir?" asked Lorne. "With all due respect, why am I here?"

"Because you have to know what is goin on and keep the rest of kids out of trouble." Answered honestly John. "Ok" he continued. "You all know that we found doctor Weir. What you do not know is that Mr Woolsey was able to find a way to get her out."

"It is a really long shot, colonel, and you know it very well." Interrupted Woolsey. "And it may well lead you to court martial even if not successful."

"Sir, let me help." Lorne surprised everyone. "Let me go with you, we may have a better chance together."

"Permission denied, Lorne" said John. "I need to do this, at least to try. Noone else is required to risk. I just want to make sure that if I succeed and I have to pay for this that you will be there for her, keep an eye on her."

"You have to ask?" said Rodney angrily. Everyone looked at him surprised. "You thought we would let her loose after everything she's been through?!"

"It's good to hear that, Rodney." Said John looking at his friend with gratitude. "I know you will take good care of her."

"What are you planning to do, John?" asked Teyla.

"It's much better if it stays a secret, Teyla." Said Woolsey. "The less people involved, the less to be given hard time when it happens. I will inform you if and when it happens."

With this the meeting was clearly over. John was unusually calm. He approached every one of them and shook their hands. He lowered his forehead in familiar gesture when he stepped to Teyla. She did not. Instead, she searched his eyes. When she found them she finally understood.

"You do not think you will be coming back... But..."

"Some things I'm gonna do are considered as very serious offences, Teyla." John clarified. "And I am ready to pay for them. I just hope it works and that Carter will not pay for helping me."

"Colonel Carter knows what you're up to?" asked Ronon.

"Not entirely, but most of it, yes. I spoke with her this night." He looked at everyone of them again. "Look, guys, if I fail someone will need to find another way."

"You will succeed, I'm sure of that." Teyla met his forehead with his and whispered "and you will be there to joy with us."