New Home (Stargate Atlantis fanfiction)

32 The steward of Atlantis

The O'Neills decided to marry before the first births were scheduled in Atlantis. The wedding was a grand affair and there was no way to lessen the importance of it. It was the first marriage on Lantia, or at least the first for ten thousand years. It was held on the mainland, with only a skeleton crew left in Atlantis itself. Elizabeh was asked to be Sam's maid of honor and Daniel served as Jack's best man but it was Vala, who came to join Daniel a few weeks after the arrival of the city on the planet, who hosted the party for Sam the evening before the wedding, since Elizabeth was having a lot of difficulty to stay awake in the evenings. Daniel used John's knowledge of all the Pegasus to plan the stag party for Jack. The many SGC personnel arrived just to for that party.

The wedding itself was a swift one, with no more action than absolutely required. This was probably a reason why everyone liked it. The reception following the ceremony took place in one of four recreational centers built by the families of the expedition members just after the first batch arrived through the stargate. The newly married couple was heavily congratulated but so were also Elizabeth and John. The rest of Atlantis thought it was great opportunity to celebrate the secret wedding of their leaders as well.

A week later Jennifer was talking with Rodney just after waking up.

"It's not how it should be." She stated.

"What?"

"The situation about the kids."

"I still don't know what you're talking about, Jen." Mumbled Rodney sleepily.

"I'm due this week, Rodney."

"I am aware of that."

"It should be Elizabeth to give birth first in here. It would somehow be more appropriate." She mused. "She will have her child almost two weeks after me." Then Jennifer looked at him much more seriously. "You need to get ready, your team leaves in two hours."

"I should stay in case..."

"No, you should go." Said Jennifer firmly. "Carson is confident the child will not be born for at least two more days and you're all coming back in the evening. I will be okay."

It was about an hour after SGA-1 left for their scheduled trading visit on another planet when Chuck announced something was wrong in the space around Lantia. Ten minutes later, when two out of eight off-world teams were already recalled home he turned white.

"What is it?" Asked Weir, Woolsey trailing after her like an assistant.

"It's a Wraith fleet, ma'am."

"What?" Woolsey was shocked.

"Ten hives. They'll be here in half an hour."

It was theoretically Woolsey these days who lead the place but every time there was something happening Elizabeth resumed her power automatically. It just happened. A second after the threat was realized. Weir switched into a order giving mode.

"Start the alarm, alert all the civilians to get to their designated areas ASAP and get the military up." She commandeered without a trace of hesitation and confirmed to be the right person for the job. "and get me Lorne here yesterday."

"Yes, ma'am." Offered Chuck already punching the right buttons and the same time speaking to his headset.

There was a movement in the control room and on the steps to the jumper bay. All people were doing their duties.

"Chuck, how many teams made it back to the city?" She asked seeing he made happen all the previous orders.

"Two."

"It has to be enough." She whispered. "Suspend all the gate activity, reroute all the teams to the Alpha site and disable the dialing console. And get the crystal enabling dialing Earth to a safe location determined by Sheppard." She noticed the young man's hesitation. "Do it now, Chuck."