As Lorne headed towards the section of the city reserved for re-certification, he radioed Stackhouse to inform him to expect an extra team. Stackhouse had been rather negative in his response.

'You want to send someone with a child's mentality into a combat zone?'

'It's a simulation, not a case of life or death,' sighed Lorne, 'and yes, Sheppard may not be functioning at full capacity, but he's shown the potential to function in the field.'

'Exactly. Potential. As in, we-do-not-know-what-is-going-to-happen,' countered Stackhouse.

'And how do you think we're going to discover his potential out in the field if we don't test him?' Lorne shot back as he entered the transporter.

'I don't know, how about not throwing him the deep end with little to no idea if he even understands the concept of swimming?!'

'Given that it isn't unknown for civilians to cry during these tests, not to mention some of the phenomenally stupid things that some of them have done, how is this any more dangerous?'

'At least they have the mental capacity to understand exactly what it is that's going on!'

Lorne huffed out a breath, 'I'm not proposing that we use today as an avenue to put him back out in the field, but as a way to asses his mental capacity during a scenario that in all honesty is somewhat of a monthly occurrence.'

'When did you get a degree in psychology?'

'Given that we currently have no psychologist thanks to our revolving door policy on filling the position, it's the best we have to work with,' snapped Lorne exiting the transporter.

'How about this,' proposed Stackhouse, 'If he can't display adequate understanding on firearm safety before he finishes gearing up, he gets pulled. Additionally if at anytime it appears that he has become a danger, intentionally or not, he gets pulled.'

'Agreed, but you don't get to weasel out of the blame in the event something goes wrong, and you didn't try to pull him.'

'Am I still going to get blamed if I make the call, but something goes wrong anyway?'

'No, then it's my fault,' sighed Lorne entering the re-certification command centre.

Clicking off his radio, Lorne filled in the observers and "hostiles" waiting around for the start of the tests. Part of the reason this part of the city had been chosen to hold the re-cert tests, was because of the visibility from the balconies. Many of the corridors that they used could be observed directly from above, and the doors could be remotely open, closed, or locked from their make-shift command. Camera's ensured that nothing could happen without it being recorded. Rooms and corridors not visible from the balconies were observed live in the command centre. Additionally everyone involved in the test, whether they were actively participating or watching passively, were connected on a private channel used only for the re-cert test in case of emergencies. When the tests were first set up, there were issues with communication, particularly when command tried to warn the participants of a leaking pipe. Command weren't able to contact everyone at once and as a result several injuries occurred when a group tried to run down one of the affected corridors and failed to notice the water in time. The tests had nearly been scrapped and returned to the traditional method of firing a clip in the firing range. Several teams had worked hard over the next two months to reconfigure the test's equipment with the end result of every group had radios permanently fixed to its own frequency, that could be also be heard up in command, with command also having the ability to speak back to groups individually. The radios could also receive audio from the emergency channel, which broadcast to every group and override any conversations taking place. Lorne still didn't understand how it all worked exactly, but all he really needed to know was that it did work, and that they hadn't had any problems since. Lorne watched as the hostiles moved out into the arena in pairs. Shortly after, the civilian groups began moving in from different entrances, and began moving out in random directions. Lorne monitored the groups from his position in command, waiting for Stackhouse to inform him if Sheppard would be joining in or not. Lorne snorted as one of the scientists tripped over their own feet, accidentally discharging their weapon when they landed on it. Lorne hadn't even known that was possible. The marine in charge of the group made a note.

Lorne grinned to himself when he heard the muttered cursing float up the stairs.

'He's going in,' said Stackhouse, although he looked anything but happy.

'He passed his test?'

'In a manner of speaking.'

Lorne raised an eyebrow, 'what does that mean?'

'It means,' replied Stackhouse, practically throwing himself into the nearest chair, 'that Teyla was very insistent that Sheppard was capable of completing this test. Sheppard pointed at one of the paintball guns and said "point to die" at which point Teyla gave me the fiercest I Told You So look I have ever seen. With Ronon backing her up, I decided that I was wasting my breath and it was better that I left before I said something I'd regret latter.'

'Well, you can't win them all,' answered Lorne, 'I'll make sure that if you decide to pull him, that he'll be pulled.'

Stackhouse turned his attention the the floor below them, where Sheppard would be entering while Lorne returned down the stairs. He wasn't there long before the four of them exited out.

'Good luck in there,' he said to Teyla.

'We will be fine, I'm sure that we can handle anything that comes up.'

'Yeah, but if Stackhouse makes the call to pull him, pull him. Otherwise it'll be all our jobs on the line.'

'Understood.'

'You're test awaits,' said Lorne as he gestured to their path.

Lorne headed back upstairs as the others moved on through the door.

'Moment of truth,' he announced as joined Stackhouse up by the balcony.

Both Stackhouse and Lorne followed the four figures below as they made their way forward, Stackhouse carrying a tablet for when they couldn't physically view them. The two of them kept pace with their group as they ventured further in. Lorne found himself holding his breath as they came across a group pinned down. He almost didn't release it after Sheppard decided to take out the hostiles. He only really started breathing normally again when Sheppard ignored the team of civilians and moved on.

'So far so good,' he commented.

'Yeah, but he completely ignored the guys that were shot,' responded Stackhouse, 'makes me nervous.'

'Yeah, but there could be a dozen good explanations as to why.'

'And a hundred more that are bad.'

'You gonna pull him?' asked Lorne.

Stackhouse shook his head, 'not yet, like you said, there could be good reason why and not enough evidence to go either way.'

Sheppard and the others moved into a sheltered part of the arena, so Lorne and Stackhouse followed them on the tablet. Lorne would radio back to command to lock or unlock certain doors, trying to subtly lead Sheppard back to an area visible from the balcony. Lorne and Stackhouse followed the team as best they could, until they finally arrived at the edge of the balcony overlooking a firefight between a group of civilians and two pairs of hostiles. It wasn't uncommon for groups to run into each other, or for friendly, in this case hostile, forces to team up during a firefight. Lorne watched as Sheppard and Teyla went one way as Ronon and McKay went the other. Stackhouse actually let out a semi-impressed whistle at the ease in which the hostiles were taken out. Of course that had to be the moment that everything went wrong. One of the scientists realised who had joined in on their test and had taken offence. Lorne could hear the raised voice, even if he couldn't make out the words being said, but the tone was enough. From the angle and distance, Lorne couldn't tell who the guy was, but began moving towards the stairs nearby. Lorne was nearly at the bottom of them when he heard a paintball gun fire. There was a commotion as he and Stackhouse exited into the main area, with the objector on the ground. From the position they were lying in, Lorne could take a guess at what had happened. Teyla was at Sheppard's side in a flash, relieving him of his weapon. Lorne was glad to see Sheppard give it up without a fight. The hostiles previously on the floor had gotten up to help. Sheppard seemed somewhat taken aback by their sudden resurrection, but refrained from hostilities, simply accepting it. Stackhouse tilted his head in the direction of the exit across from them. Lorne nodded and carefully tugged on Sheppard's arm, leading him out. As soon as the five of them were out Lorne had the four of them take their gear off.

'I suggest maybe not taking him back to the infirmary just yet, maybe take long walk instead,' said Lorne as soon as they were done.

'Yeah, we can, we can go see what the botanists are up to,' said McKay.

Lorne watched them leave only for his radio to chirp.

'Major Lorne meet me in my office,' came Woolsey's voice.

Lorne winced to himself. Awesome, he was so going to get fired for this. Stackhouse exited the arena just as Lorne exited the set-up room.

'Infirmary has a team on it's way, I hope you didn't send Sheppard back there,' said Stackhouse.

'No, but Woolsey's already called me into his office.'

'I'll come with, camera caught everything, plus I have a feeling that you might need back-up on this one.'

The two men made the walk in silence, both going over what happened in their heads, and how to explain it without getting fired.

Woolsey stood as they entered his office, 'shut the door.'

Lorne complied and took a seat next to Stackhouse across from Woolsey.

'I have been informed that there was an incident involving Colonel Sheppard. I wasn't given any details, so fill me in.'

Lorne quickly recapped what had happened, with Stackhouse adding in details here and there.

'The incident itself was in direct sight of the camera,' said Stackhouse, bringing it up on the tablet, 'as you can see, Colonel Sheppard had his weapon pointed at the ground. It wasn't until it was grabbed that it became a danger.'

'Wasn't the safety on?' inquired Woolsey.

'Irrelevant,' replied Stackhouse.

Lorne felt a small amount of surprise at the statement, he hadn't been too sure of what Stackhouse's take on the whole incident was.

'Irrelevant?' questioned Woolsey.

'The whole point of these tests is to ensure that the civilians know proper firearm safety. While most of them will probably never have cause to use it, there are enough civilisations out there with similar technology to our own, not to mention the many times we've been attacked in the city, that it's better gun safe than gun stupid. Did I think that putting Sheppard through this was a bad idea? Yes, still do. I could have pulled him, but I chose not to as there was no reason to believe that he was a danger greater than if he were his old self. This incident may have proved my point, but Sheppard was not at fault. The first thing we tell them is to treat every weapon as though it's loaded and could go off. Grabbing it by the barrel, and attempting to yank it out of Sheppard's grip was the most stupid and idiotic thing I've ever seen someone do with a firearm. There would have been no way to know if the safety was on under the circumstances, and it's just lucky that we use paintballs.'

Lorne quickly jumped in before Woolsey could come up with a counter, 'if it had been McKay instead of Sheppard, given everything we've told and shown you, would you still be asking if it was a good idea?'

Woolsey opened and closed his mouth several times before replying, 'I guess not.'

'In that case, I ask that we be able to go deal with the fallout, and I promise, no more pulling another stunt like this again,' requested Lorne, standing to leave.

'I will be logging this as an accident for the time being,' said Woolsey, 'but be warned gentlemen, there will be little I can do should a formal complaint be made to Stargate Command. I will back you in this, as I am just as culpable for not stopping you, despite knowing what you were planning. Just remember to cover your bases just in case. Dismissed.'

Lorne and Stackhouse nodded before leaving.

'I'm going to go to the infirmary to get an update, then get statements from Sheppard's team. You should get statements from everyone else who witnessed what happened,' said Lorne, running a hand through his hair, feeling a headache coming on.

'Yes sir.'

Lorne watched Stackhouse walk away, trying to convince himself to get moving.

'Rumour already has it that Sheppard shot one of the civilians in the family jewels during a re-cert test, any truth to it?' asked Chuck coming up to stand next to him.

'There was an incident, but I can't comment on the particulars until I've spoken either Beckett or Keller,' replied Lorne.

'Who was the unlucky bugger anyways? I've heard it was five different people so far.'

Lorne gave Chuck a stern look, 'No feeding the gossip mill. Word already travels too fast around here without me adding to it.'

'So no hint then?'

'Just put it this way, I'm not that sorry for them,' said Lorne walking away.

Lorne walked into the infirmary and found Beckett and Keller checking out a scan as he arrived.

'Is he going to live?' Joked Lorne.

'Aye,' replied Beckett, 'he's gonna be sore down there fer a while though.'

'No lasting damage from what we can tell,' added Keller, 'well, not unless you count his ego that is.'

A/N: Hey look, another chapter after forever of absolutely nothing! Sorry, I wasn't expecting this to take so long, but life got in the way. This chapter was supposed to be just a quick recap of the previous chapter from Loren's POV, then plot to get the end going. It did not go according to plan. Since I felt that this chapter was getting to long, with no end in sight, I just ended it best I could in a rush, and plan on using the missing plot in another chapter. Sorry if the end of this chapter seems a bit weird. Hope you're all doing well out there and that this gives you some entertainment in these grim times. Stay safe, and don't forget to wash your hands!