a/n: Thank you everyone who was so eager to read this story and for all the support when it came to an abrupt 'tbc'. It has taken me so long to get back to writing, I can't tell you how happy I am to finally put the finishing touches on this. I hope it is a satisfactory ending given the time it took to get here. I hope to get to work on the next one in this saga soon. Now that my muse seems to be back...I hope very soon.

...Previously on Stargate Atlantis "Promises"...

Rodney hooked up with Sharon (Maddog), Jon and Elizabeth spent some time in the SGC shower, John and Angie came to meeting of the bodies and minds, and she finally spilled her guts about what's been bothering her.

twenty-two

As Elizabeth steps into the Gateroom at the SGC, she's bombarded with memories of that first fateful trip through the Stargate. Excitement, energy and fear of an unknown destination swirled inside her for weeks before she came into this room. Then a strange sense of calm enveloped her as she made the first of many speeches to the masses.

Even though the people milling around the cement bunker are not waiting for the gate to dial, there is a sense of anticipation as there had been… not so long ago, she realizes. Not even two years has passed since they first went through on what many believed to be a one-way mission. Little over six months since they lost so many in the battle with the Wraith.

If she looks over at that corner, will she see the ghost of Peter: young, energetic, eager… smiling and nodding encouragement as she stepped up to the ramp? Or down in front, where Jonathan is standing, chatting animatedly with Cameron Mitchell, would she catch a glimpse of Lt. Ford and Col. Sumner, solid and wary of a woman in command of such a tremendous expedition?

Elizabeth shakes her head, tossing the maudlin thoughts aside. Today is nothing like that last time. It is like any other day.

Any other day in a world that has the super secret capability to travel between two galaxies in the blink of an eye… if they had a second ZPM, that is. In their case, twenty days on board a super secret space ship now orbiting the planet. Old hat for most of them by now, especially those like the SG teams that go to and from alien planets on a daily basis. A trip on the Daedalus would probably be anticlimactic for them.

Elizabeth attributes the excited energy in the room to the newbies joining the Daedalus for their first voyage to the Pegasus Galaxy. She recognizes a few faces from previous tours, but Stephen has a tendency to rotate troops on a regular basis so they can 'cut their teeth' in space travel. He has a select few that remain on the bridge with him for most of the journeys, but she's never surprised to catch new faces every time the ship arrives at Atlantis.

This time the butterflies in her stomach have little to do with traveling through space. She's simply excited to be going home.

Strange that Earth really doesn't feel like home anymore. In the sated bliss after she and Jonathan make love, they often talk about the changes in them and the rest of their 'family' back on Atlantis. Jonathan swears the city does something to each and every person that comes in contact with it. He says Atlantis 'talks' to everyone, even those without the ATA gene. Elizabeth wonders at his fanciful notions of the city being even remotely sentient… then thinks how wonderful it would be to know if that was true. Though a practical, logical person, a part of her is enchanted by the possibility. They have so much exploring left to do, so much more to learn about the place they now call home.

Earth was never this exciting a place to live, which is probably why she has no problem leaving it. Her only regret is leaving her beloved mother and baby Sedge. One day, when the Ori and the Wraith are gone, perhaps the Powers That Be would make the Stargate Program public knowledge. The petty differences around the world would be all but gone. People would be able to travel to Atlantis; work, live, raise families there and it would be a bustling city like New York or Los Angeles, without the crime or pollution, of course.

Then again, maybe she wouldn't want that to happen. At least not anytime soon. With change comes politics and with politics comes politicians and problems. Always problems… corruption, interference; never solutions with those people.

Again with the maudlin! Elizabeth gives her body a shake and sidles up to her husband. "Ready to go?"

"Anywhere with you," he kisses her temple.

Cam makes a face. "You two are so cute I'm getting a toothache."

"You're just upset that you haven't found that alien cat in the other timeline yet," Jonathan grins and Cam shakes his head chuckling.

"Cat?" Elizabeth's brows crease.

Jonathan waves it off. "It's something Daniel said."

"No," Cam lifts a finger. "I believe that part was Teal'c."

"Right." Jonathan wraps an arm around Elizabeth's waist and hugs her close. "Heck of a sense of humor on that guy."

"Dry," Cam adds.

"Arid."

"Teal'c?" Elizabeth asks.

"You'd be surprised," General Landry says, approaching from behind her. "He's a stealth bomber with that humor of his. Col. Mitchell."

"Yes, sir."

"I believe SG-1 is in need of your assistance on the surface. Something about a new recruit joining the expedition." There's a twinkle in the General's eyes that unnerves Elizabeth. And Cameron's big grin and second crisp: "Yes, sir," before bounding out of the Gateroom leaves her a little off-balance.

"New recruit, General?"

"Oh you know those scientists, Elizabeth. Always cooking up more stew than this galaxy can handle." He grins widely. "Now that we have Atlantis, it's a whole new kitchen to play in. Or playground to cook in… I'm mixing my metaphors."

"Dr. McKay usually approves the scientist assignments…"

"And I'm sure that will cost me many seconds of sleep… oh wait…" His grin grows. "No it won't."

"Thank you again for all your help," Elizabeth says.

"My pleasure, Dr. Sheppard," he turns to Jonathan, "Or are you going with Mr. Weir?"

"As progressive as I am in many things," Jonathan clears his throat, "I think we are sticking with the classics on this one." He hugs Elizabeth close again. "Mr. and Dr. Sheppard should anyone see fit to offer wedding presents… towels?" He looks around with a hopeful grin. "Housewares?" A few chuckles gurgle around them. Jonathan shrugs. "Can't say I didn't try."

"Just stack 'em over there." A familiar voice at the blast door pulls Elizabeth's attention and she feels Jonathan turn with her. "Now don't be all government employee about it… gently set 'em down."

"General," Elizabeth smiles at Jack. Four young marines bring in sturdy, bright red, plastic totes and stack them in the 'personal belongings' area of the beam-up site. Each tote has a lock and is wrapped with silver Duct tape, the initials AP written in black ink stands out.

"Dr. Weir…I mean, Dr. Sheppard," he glances at Jonathan. "And guest," his lips twitch as if fighting a grin.

"General," Jonathan nods. He told Elizabeth that he has a hard time calling Jack by his first name. As much as he'd like to deny it, the ingrained military protocol isn't going to be easy for Jonathan to break free from. No matter what the SGC or IOA has to say on the topic, Jonathan's still a soldier inside. And as they've discussed repeatedly over their honeymoon, he's going to be using that knowledge and skill whether he wears the uniform or not.

Personally, she likes him in all black. Brings out his eyes.

Officially, he's going to be Elizabeth's bodyguard whenever she's off-world, which isn't much of the time, so while on Atlantis, she hopes to put him to good use as a sort of ambassador between the military and scientists in the city. It'll take some of the workload off of Col. Sheppard and help her out by cutting her meetings by half, at least. She may have to ease Rodney's ruffled feathers and reassure him that Jonathan does not out-rank him or Col. Sheppard when it comes to running the city, but they will have to understand that she will be taking his advice into consideration for all contingencies.

He'll also be a jumper pilot whenever needed and continue to scout the city and activate devices requiring the gene. Having him as a backup for the chair isn't a shortcoming either.

Col. Sheppard mentioned Jonathan having a team of his own, since civilians are on teams all the time, but Elizabeth wasn't thrilled with the idea of him going off and putting himself in harms way… at least not yet. If he gets restless, maybe a trade run or something…or maybe she'll just have to admit to being selfish and wanting him around, safe and sound, all the time. The thought of him getting stuck in a time-dilation field or captured and taken to a Hive ship like Col. Sheppard scares the crap out of her.

The other night – after their shower debacle – Jonathan made love to her so tenderly, so excruciatingly slowly, she was begging for him, promising to make him King if he'd just take her. Thankfully, in the afterglow, he told her he'd rather not have a throne. Too much responsibility… that made her laugh.

He seems more interested in searching the city. "I wanna prove my theory."

"That Atlantis is alive?"

"Or close enough." His fingers danced over her skin leaving a delicious tickle. "Like most women, I think she has secrets yet to be revealed."

"I'm secret free."

"Not completely…but I'm patient and pretty good with my hands for an interrogator."

"You're wonderful with your hands. And mouth. And tongue…"

It hadn't taken long for him to start demonstrating her point all over again to her utter delight.

A clatter echoes off the walls snapping Elizabeth out of her reverie and her attention to the stack of red totes; idly she wonders if the heat the memory put in her cheeks is flaming the same color. Jack scowls at the Sergeant who made the noise with the fifth and final one. "We really need to work on your definition of gentle, Siler."

The older man quirks brow. "Sorry, sir. Slipped."

Jack waves him off. He turns to Elizabeth. "Please tell Angie that Sue from Best Beauty is going on vacation because of that order."

"What is all that?"

"The first two are full of acetone and nail polish…in every color imaginable. Even green. Did you know they had green?"

"Goes great with the camo's, sir," Jonathan says, smiling. Jack grunts.

"Hard as Nails?" Elizabeth asks.

His brows shoot up. "How'd you know?"

"Aside from Hershey bars," Elizabeth adds, "it's all she knows how to trade with. Speaking of…"

"Yeah, yeah, usual cases of those too. Threw in some Cookie's-n-Cream ones too. Variety is the spice of life and all."

"What's in the others?"

"A rock polisher, strange as it may seem. Plus a year's supply of all that goes with it and a load of rechargeable batteries for that as well. And batteries…not exactly lightweight, you know? And pricey!"

Landry looks pointedly at Jack. "The SGC isn't…"

"Her personal funds, General. Trust me. I know how to invest."

"Good. The IOA would have my ass if they thought I was playing favorites out there."

"Oh puuushaaa, General," Jack says. "The IOA will find something to bitch about so tell 'em I said a howdyado wontcha-just-go-bite-me."

"You know, Jack, I might have to do that one of these days," Landry chuckles as he heads up to the control room.

Jack pulls out a dark blue velvet box and hands it to Elizabeth. He waves a finger at Jonathan. "You there…close your eyes."

"Why?"

"Why? Because I said so."

Elizabeth grins at Jack's parental attitude especially when Jonathan does as he's told. Jack then motions for Elizabeth to open the case. "Wow," she gasps, "these are gorgeous!" Gently running a finger over the lustrous, silver, diamond cut wedding bands, she tilts the box, letting the lights hit them so they sparkle. The center of each ring is etched with a Celtic design she's seen before and what look like… wings wrapping around the ring.

"What?" Jonathan hasn't opened his eyes.

"Cover your ears," Jack commands.

"Oh, c'mon."

"Can you guarantee Sheppard won't find out something?"

"No."

"Cover your ears."

Jonathan complies. Elizabeth's beside herself with amusement one moment and awe for the rings the next. She pulls the man's ring out of its nesting feeling its weight. "They're heavy. Not silver?"

"Titanium."

Elizabeth blows a breathy whistle. Turning the man's ring she reads the inscription: Promise. Inside the woman's band is: Always. "What's this?" She points to the etching on the inside middle of the bands. She looks at Jack. "327?"

"Pretty sure it was her father's badge number."

"These were her parent's rings?"

"No. Those were confiscated even before the first trial. Lost in a myriad of red-tape and bad evidence management. She had their crosses." Off of Elizabeth's look, he adds: "The firefighter's Maltese. Angie's mother had them made special for their third anniversary with the number in the center. Must have cost a small fortune, but as I understand it, Angie's mom was no slouch with the ebony and ivory."

Now Elizabeth recognizes the design. The Fireman's Cross. Only that usually has flames behind it not wings. And then it dawns on her exactly what Jack has done. He's meshed the two symbols that are important to the two individuals: fireman's cross and pilot's wings. Angie and John.

Oh, how perfect. Swallowing her tears, Elizabeth distracts herself by feeling the heft again. "Titanium, huh?"

"Most heat resistant of the precious metals."

She puts the rings back into their slots. "Perfect for day to day life of a firefighter."

"Or someone living in the Pegasus Galaxy. Unfortunately, not as resilient against point blank gunshots." Elizabeth raises her brows and Jack adds sadly: "Both crosses were damaged during the bank robbery."

"Angie didn't mention it."

"It's possible she didn't know. Her handler set up about ten safety deposit boxes around the country for quick access. LA's was the only one with more than money and a new ID." Jack smirks, "He broke the rules… no personal items allowed."

"A man in love," she smiles. "He must have told her about it before he was killed."

"Yeah." He shrugs. "She cleaned out most of the other boxes after she saved Charlie and left protection. Feds probably won't even notice for years, if ever," he grins.

"Jack!"

"What? She earned it and then some. It was less than seven grand. And it took them forever to release her trust fund to me, so…"

"Anyway," Jack shoves his hands into his pockets and changes the subject. "Ronon may have mentioned the need for some jewelry in a missive I received a while back. Along with ring sizes and the like. Now, how did he find out about that do you think?"

"Ronon's very astute. And I wouldn't put it past Lt. Cadman to put a notion into Teyla's ear about Earth customs every now and again. Teyla would eagerly pass it on. Did he give you the inscriptions?"

"No, Sheppard, actually."

"John?"

"What?" Jonathan yells. Elizabeth waves him off with a grin. He closes his eyes again, hands still covering his ears.

"When he told me about getting Angie back from…" Jack grits his teeth, "Kolya." He shakes off the rage. "Something about the way he said he'd always be there for her. Kind of stuck."

"Another man in love."

"Like I said, he damn well better be. Smelting titanium does not come cheap." Rocking on his heels, he says: "I added the number. Kind of like her father's looking out for her."

Elizabeth beams at Jack. "He sure is."

A blush rises in Jack's cheeks but he shrugs it off. For a moment, he looks like a little boy. "Think she'll like them?"

"You know she'll love them."

Jack nods. "True."

"Love what?!" Jonathan hollers, his eyes still closed, ears covered.

Elizabeth closes the case and stuffs it into her carry-all slung over her shoulder. She wraps her arm around Jonathan's waist and gives him a squeeze. "You can look now."

"General?"

"Yeah, go ahead."

"What's the big mystery?"

Elizabeth smiles at him. "You'll see… when John does, I imagine."

"That's just too weird," Jacks says with a head shake.

"It really is," Elizabeth and Jonathan agree at the same time.

"General," Walter Herriman says over the speaker. "The Daedalus is ready to beam up the crew."

"One sec." Jack motions for Elizabeth and Jonathan to step out of the target zone. "Go ahead. Let them know that the Sheppard's are not ready to go yet."

"We aren't?" Elizabeth asks as a white light engulfs the room, taking away all those extra bodies filled with wonder and a bit of apprehension.

"Not just yet," Jack says. He has a mysterious gleam in his eyes just like Landry did earlier. He glances at his watch. "Any minute now."

Jack smiles at Elizabeth and Jonathan. He rocks on his heels then glances up at the control room where Walter raises his hands in a shrug of "I don't know anything".

Jack blows out a breath. "Some great weather we've been having here on Earth, huh?"

Jonathan chuckles.

"Make a hole!" Cam hollers in the corridor, his voice easily carrying into the Gateroom. There's a clanging of metal as he muscles his way through the blast doors, banging them as he awkwardly tries to get a large metal cage through.

"As I stated before, ColonelMitchell," Teal'c says coming up behind Cam, "would it not have been more beneficial for me to carry it and you to bring in the bags."

Cam makes it through the doors, clanging again. "Yeah you did. But, you see here, big guy… you've got yourself two rather large bags, one over each shoulder, whereas I would only have managed one at a time."

Teal'c nods. "Indeed."

Cam releases the cage in the 'personal items' area and stands with his hands on his hips. His bright grin lands on Elizabeth.

"What's this?"

"Oh," he nudges the cage with his boot tip. "Nothin'. Just the lodgings for your newest expedition member." Teal'c sets the bags of food next to the cage.

"Excuse me?" Elizabeth says.

"Carter. Jackson!"

From out in the corridor, Samantha and Daniel stride in, Sam gently tugging on a leash.

"Meet Airman Basic Sedge Weir," Daniel says.

Elizabeth chokes back a sob of joy as she reaches for her dog. "Baby girl!" Sedge recognizes her immediately and is pulling on the leash to get away from Sam and to Elizabeth. Ever the good girl, Sedge doesn't jump up, but bellies down to the floor, her tail thumping the same frantic beat of Elizabeth's heart, her tongue striking out and licking any part of Elizabeth she can reach. She whines happily.

Elizabeth's doing her best not to burst into tears as she hugs and pets her beloved dog. She glances at Jonathan with raised brows and a slight whimper.

"I believe my wife is wondering how this is possible," Jonathan asks, his grin slightly amused at her state.

Elizabeth nods, still hugging Sedge.

"Well…" Sam hands the leash over to Elizabeth. "Seems General O'Neill knows this guy who lives in this big white house in DC who just happens to owe him a favor–"

"Or two," Jack adds."

"And," Sam continues in her cheery way. "Animals equal science…so…"

"Write some reports about how morale goes up because of the dog and Woolsey and the IOA can kiss my ass," Jack grins wickedly.

"Not bite you?" Jonathan quips. At Jacks narrowed gaze, he adds: "Sir?"

"Ohhh." Daniel drops the bag from his shoulder. "Thought you might need some extra stuff, what with living in a city and all. We've got bowls, squeak toys, bones… pads and scooper baggies."

"You guys are too much," Elizabeth gushes. "Thank you!"

"Now don't go getting all emotional on us, Dr. Sheppard," Jack wags a finger. "This is a scientific expedition. I expect this to be taken… aw hell…glad we could help."

Elizabeth's up and hugging everyone. Jack and Teal'c are not huggers by nature, but to hell with it, they're getting one too. Sam, Daniel and Cameron all accept her thanks with big hugs of their own.

Elizabeth wipes tears from the corners of her eyes. Jonathan's on his knees smooching up the pup and she has to stifle a giggle. "I don't think we'll have a problem with morale, sir."

"Well… unless Caldwell doesn't like dogs," Jonathan says. "Does he know?"

Jack scruches his face. "Apparently the man's allergic. Why do you think he didn't want to be down here for the farewell scene. But he didn't have an issue with you two keeping her in your quarters as long as you clean up after her."

Jonathan lets out a sigh. "Gonna be a tight fit."

Elizabeth smacks him on the arm lightly. "You go before the puppy, hubby."

"I knew it," Jonathan says wryly. "Even something that comes with a pooper scooper gets more respect than me."

Sam gives him a quick hug. "Just be glad it's not diapers…yet."

A terrified expression crosses Jonathan's face before he schools it and Elizabeth laughs. "Stop trying to get me pregnant. I'm a newlywed."

"Ohohoh, did I hear the "p" word?" Jack says looking around.

"'P' for practice, sir," Sam says with a grin and a wink.

"Take care, man," Cam says grabbing Jonathan's hand and pulling him in for a bear hug. After only a few days of knowing each other, it's like they're brothers already. Elizabeth's curious to see this bond when such a tenuous one is between Jonathan and Col. Sheppard.

Jonathan hugs Daniel too. "You have to get out to Atlantis soon," He looks at both Cam and Daniel. "Both of you."

"That's the plan," Daniel says, looking pointedly at Jack who makes a point of looking at anything other than Daniel. Cam and Samantha laugh as Daniel rolls his eyes.

"Teal'c, buddy!" Jonathan grasps the big man's hand and shakes it once. "Good to know you. And thanks for the Kelno… um…"

"Kelnorim."

"What's this?" Elizabeth asks as she leads Sedge to the dog cage.

"A form of meditation. I have instructed JonathanSheppard in the ways of Kelnorim in the hope that it will sever the mental connection between him and ColonelSheppard."

Elizabeth shrugs, though she's far from casual on the topic, "Whatever works."

Jonathan gives her a double take, not buying her breezy attitude for a moment.

After more goodbyes, Jack gives the order and a white light engulfs them, whisking Elizabeth and her little family to the Daedulas and from there… home.

XOXOXO

John stretches and groans as the edges of sleep finally pull away and he opens his eyes to so much light it sears his brain and he shuts them again. With another groan, he rolls over to drape his arm across a delightful expanse of soft skin, only to find himself alone in bed. Rising up on his elbows, he looks around the room. "Angie?"

No answer.

Grabbing his watch from the nightstand, he's surprised by the time: 10:22. He hasn't slept in so late since he was in high school. Damn, what happened to the alarm? Looking up, he sees a note taped to the clock face.

Sleepyhead, don't stress. Rest is good for you. McKay and I still need to find the newlyweds a beautiful place, so the search continues.

John flops back onto the bed holding the note. He flips the paper over.

ps: Do not be blue… anywhere, I'll see you at noon.

A.

He grins as he scrubs a hand over his scruffy face, remembering their night of lovemaking. They've always been passionate, a sense of urgency coming from both of them that borders on insanity, really. But Angie's emotional revelation last night coupled with that overwhelming passion pushed them into a realm of intensity he'd never experienced before. They were so close, so complete as they moved together, as if merging their bodies also merged their souls. When Angie cried out, John was right there with her, feeling her ecstasy fueling his.

She reached for him again in the middle of the night, and as always, John was more than up for the job. She excites him like no woman has before. She made love to him like he had her earlier. Touching and kissing, molding herself against him in the most erotic way, making him feel like Heaven itself would pale in comparison to their room. Their bed. When she urged him onto his back then straddled his hips to slowly guide them together, John thought he just might lose his mind from the pleasure.

He shakes off the memory but it's too late. With a grunt, he's out of bed and heading for the bathroom. As much as he'd like to radio his fiancé and demand she race home for a morning wake up call—that he's pretty sure she'd answer—he knows better than to give in to temptation. He may be naturally lazy as he told Ronon a while back… but a hedonistic lifestyle just isn't in the cards out here.

Even as the fantasy plays out in his mind, John's reaching for the shower and turning on the cold water. After all, he still has work to do. A city to run.

Promises of his own to keep.

* * *

John steps into Elizabeth's office but before he can sit down, Rodney's in his ear. "Sheppard!"

"McKay?" He sits down and leans back in the chair, sipping his coffee.

"You need to get to S15 level 3 immediately."

"Good morning to you too, Rodney."

"Yes yes. Late as it is. You do realize I've been up since four this morning, so really, this is about lunch time for me and well… anyone else who doesn't lounge around in bed all day long."

"It's not even eleven yet. I thought you were with Angie. Scouting apartments."

"Correct. That's why you have to get over here."

"I don't need to see it."

"Not the living quarters, Colonel. You're fiancé. She's… well, how do I put this politely… oh screw politely, she's acting stranger than usual, which is saying a lot."

John's on his feet. "Is she okay? Call Carson."

"No. I mean, yes, I think she's okay. I mean, she's… I don't think Carson's the answer here. Maybe Kate but… I'd rather not make a big deal out of it, if it turns out to be, her just being, well… normal… for her, I mean."

"So she's not injured."

"No… just get over here. McKay out."

XOXOXO

Angie folds her arms under her breasts and leans her butt against the console, crossing her feet at the ankles. How he's supposed to concentrate with her getting in his way, striking poses all the time and peppering him with questions is beyond Rodney's understanding.

It was her idea for these little jaunts into the city searching for the ever-undefined perfect little pad for Elizabeth and Jonathan. Perfect is relative, dammit. And they've come across many beautiful apartments. But Angie got a bug up her backside this morning. Something about having a weird dream and even weirder feeling that today was the day they'd find the 'right' place.

It was only pure luck that they found this previously undiscovered lab just waiting for Rodney's attention.

Unfortunately, unlike half the population on Atlantis, Angie has little to no enthusiasm for scientific discoveries—which is not his fault in the least—and seems to have a one track mind…bent on distracting him right now.

"So you like her."

Rodney punches a few buttons and the display screen flashes, coming on-line. "I didn't say that."

Angie doesn't give the screen even a glance. She leans into him and nudges his arm with her elbow. "You didn't have to, McKay. It's written all over your face at the mere mention of her name."

Rodney sighs. "If anything is written on my face, it is most likely 'Do not disturb'." He motions for her to move. "Now…"

Angie rolls her eyes as she turns and steps away from the console. "You sure do get grouchy around new toys."

"Once again, Atlantis is not filled with toys! We've had this discussion. You and Sheppard may find the smooth floors of the corridors acceptable skateboarding lanes-"

"That's purely for exercise."

"Fine. That's your kind of exercise. This is mine."

"We're supposed to be looking at living quarters, Rodney. Not finding new ways to destroy the universe."

God, she makes his head ache. "I'm not… this is… we won't know what this room was used for until I get a chance to read the logs."

Angie glances at her watch. "I'm meeting John in 90 minutes exactly."

"You don't need me to go on this tour with you."

Angie shakes her head. "But I'm not good at the note taking stuff like you."

"So what, now I'm your secretary?"

"No," she huffs with a slight giggle. "Of course not. It's just… your so good at all the descriptive-"

Rodney waves his hand in her face. "No no no. You're brain is basically a camera on auto-snap."

"Fine." She groans. "I… well… I like your company, okay?"

Rodney's taken aback. He stares at her. "Really?"

"Well…" she shrugs. "Yeah."

"Ahh…okay… not that I don't appreciate the sentiment, though I'm not a sentimental person by any means, but I have to wonder… why?"

Angie takes a deep breath and lets out an exaggerated sigh. She rests her hands on the edge of the console. "I don't know."

"Hmm." A new crystal starts blinking the moment Angie touches the board. "Interesting."

"Not really. Confusing is more like it. I guess it's because I know you're not affected by the pheromone thing and you don't care that I'm-"

"What? Oh, not you. This," he points at the crystal. Angie jerks her hands back and the light goes out.

"Oh no you don't. Touch it."

"Like hell. We are going apartment shopping." She stomps toward the door. "You can play in here later."

"This could be important."

She's already out of the room and down the corridor by the time he catches up. "It's always important to you, McKay. What do you think, you're just gonna stumble onto a clone-making lab or a time-travel lab out of the blue. Or maybe a ZPM-making lab. Now that would be quite cool, but still, not gonna happen just by chance, you know. The Ancients must have had some rhyme or reason to where they put their labs in conjunction with the rest of the city. Anything important like that would most likely be in the main tower. Which you've already gone through with painstaking process."

"Janus' lab was off-world."

"Because he was doing secret stuff that the others didn't like. Of course he hid it. So, no time-travel lab, too bad… or… not, there's the whole 'grandfather' debate on that one." She takes a breath and slows down. She looks around a moment then takes a turn down a different corridor. Her brows furrow as though she's trying to concentrate on something. "So… Sharon..."

"Oh not that again. You're like a dog with a bone."

She slides him a look. "Dish, McKay. She's hot."

"Yes."

"Wicked funny."

"Quite."

"And, for some strange reason, totally into you." Angie stops walking and looks up and down the corridor. With a shake of her head, she grins at Rodney. "So. What's the what?"

"We have an understanding. No strings."

"But you like her. Otherwise I wouldn't have seen the two of you with your heads together in the mess the other day." She smiles. "You were talking with her."

"So?"

"You don't talk with people, McKay. You talk to or at them. Big difference. You were listening to Sharon."

"You, once again, are letting that imagination of yours run rampant on the rest of society. Keep your musings to yourself." He turns to go down the corridor.

"Rodney."

"What?"

Her head twitches to the side and her right brow arches. "Wrong way." Then she turns away from him.

Rodney catches up to her. "Where are you going?"

"Don't know."

He checks his hand-held. "Well, there's a transporter further up."

"Sure."

After another turn they head down the corridor that holds the transporter, but Angie stops in front of a door. She licks her lips and stares at the door. After a moment she shakes herself and lets out a breath.

"How did you know this room was here?"

"Didn't."

"All right. May I say that you are behaving stranger than usual?"

Her brows shoot up, "Ya think?"

"Just a bit."

Angie chews on her bottom lip. "Hmm." She motions to the door.

Rodney exhales and waves a hand over the control crystal… to no effect. He does it again. There's not even the usual beep-beep. Grabbing Angie's hand as he once did back on PXT-705, he brushes it over the crystals. Still nothing.

"Hmm." Pulling up his handheld computer, McKay runs a scan on the panel. "Strange. There's power. No short." He runs his hand over the door. "Not sealed." He knocks on the door.

"I doubt anyone's home, McKay."

"You're the one who brought us here." He narrows his eyes at her then shakes his head. "It's probably just a storage closet. It's surprising how many of those we've come across. What did the Ancients need with so many closets? It's not like they had a lot of furniture-"

"Maybe they just liked closets. Some people do… for various reasons," she smirks, adding a wink.

"Will you stop. I'm not having this conversation with you."

With all innocence she adds, "I have no idea where your mind just went, doctor, but I was simply making a statement. If you have an affinity for closets that might make for good storytelling-"

"You are relentless."

She smiles full on. "Thank you. I am the one who got you two together so…you owe me."

"How do you figure?"

"I got you laid… several times it seems."

"I did all the heavy lifting. You weren't even there."

"Thank God for that ginormous favor!" She shivers and makes a repulsed face.

"Oh, ha ha."

"C'mon, Rodney. Sharon's been so quiet it's killing me. She's usually so mouthy… Ah ha!"

"What!"

Angie looks around. "We need a mirror."

"What. Why?"

"Because you are beet red, Dr. McKay, and it's a sight to behold," she giggles.

With a grunt Rodney struts from the ridiculously immobile door and heads for the transporter. "I'm hungry, that's all. Time for lunch."

Angie looks at her watch. "It's 10:40 in the morning."

"So?"

"So. John probably isn't even up yet."

"Sheppard's always up early." Angie's devious grin makes him groan. "What did you do?"

Her smile blossoms. "Nothing he didn't like, I can guarantee that." She smacks Rodney on the shoulder. "Besides, he needed a good nights sleep after all the crap that went on. So I turned off the alarm clock."

"He does have a job to do, you do realize."

"Oh, please. You're the first to say you already have Elizabeth caught up two months in advance and with only Lorne's team scouting off-world today, he'll probably just sit in Beth's chair and play solitaire on the computer. Let the man sleep a little."

"Fine. Let's try the next level down."

She wrinkles her nose. "Oh, I don't know. This floor really has the best view of the city."

"And yet?"

"I know… I know. It's just so hard finding the right look. You know? Beth has been so good to me; I want her home to be special."

"You've got a list of five options. All of which are exceedingly large and bright and airy, have quick access to a transporter and no neighbors."

Angie snaps her fingers. "That's the kicker. Newlyweds need to be able to make noise."

"Ahh, I didn't need to hear that," Rodney groans, again heading for the transporter.

Angie laughs. "You are so full of it, McKay. I know you and Sharon have been racking up the points on the audio lever."

"You know nothing of the kind." He taps the transporter panel and the doors open. Rodney motions for Angie to go in before him.

Angie steps inside then turns suddenly, looking down the corridor. "Did you hear that?"

"Hear what?"

Her eyes narrow and she steps off the transporter. She glances right then left then down straight ahead. "Someone's up here."

Rodney motions to his computer. "No. It's just us." He shows her the motion detector. "See."

Angie shakes her head then jerks toward the hallway they just left. "There." She points. "Someone's talking down there." And then she's off. With a sigh, Rodney follows her. She stops in front of the door Rodney tried to open. She looks at Rodney and whispers, "Someone is in there."

"What?" Rodney steps up with the life signs detector and aims it at the door. He slouches after a second. "There's nobody in there." With another sigh, he motions to the transporter again. "Can we go? I'm not good if I don't eat-"

Angie presses a hand to the door then pulls it back. "What?"

Rodney looks at her. "What?"

She glances at him. "You didn't hear that?"

"Hear what?"

"Um…McKay. We have to get in there."

"No. It's a supply closet… and you're… you're messing with me aren't you! This is another one of your weird games to try and get me to divulge information. I already told you, I'm not having that conversation with you or anyone else. Whatever is going on with Sharon and me, well that's between us."

"Ah ha!"

"What ah ha?"

"So there is an 'us'. I mean, not an us-us, but a you and her 'us', as in… you're together."

"You already knew that."

"No. I knew you'd had sex. Not that you were an item."

"Not an item. There's no itemizing here."

"Uh huh." She nods, grinning. The grin fades a moment later and she faces the door again. "Sorry? I didn't get that?"

"I didn't say anything." Angie nudges Rodney aside, reaching for the control panel. "Mistress of rudeness, I already tried-" Angie waves her hand over the crystals and the door opens with the usual whoosh followed by a rather unusual burst of air right into Angie's and his faces. It's cool but musty smelling, "that," Rodney's eyes widen at the sight before him.

The front room is cavernous, at least 20 foot high ceilings. Enormous stained glass windows line the far wall, overlooking the city and the ocean below. Rainbow colors wash the furnishings and floor as the late morning sun still moves higher in the sky.

"So…not a closet," Rodney says.

Angie gulps in a breath and lets it out in a rush. "Beyond gorgeous! Thank you."

"Well… I didn't…"

She turns to him. "What?"

"Oh…" he sneers. "You're doing it again, huh. I told you it wasn't going to work."

"What are you babbling about?" Angie shakes her head at him then turns back and steps into the living room. "This is perfect."

Rodney follows her in, taking a quick look around. "A little sparse for my tastes." There are the standards: a sofa and two chairs a small table, a couple of end tables probably for knickknacks since the lights are hidden in the walls and ceiling just like all the other rooms in Atlantis. "I'm sure Elizabeth-"

"Shhh," Angie hisses. "Sorry, say again?" Her eyes have a wild faraway glaze to them and her skin is overly pink and shiny, like she's just spent the last hour dancing.

"Uh…Angela…"

"No…sorry…can't make…?"

"Oh crap." He taps his headset. "Sheppard!"

XOXOXO

John tore a hot trail through the city to the nearest transporter and now skids to a stop at McKay's side out in the corridor. Eyes wide, McKay motions to the open door. "She's… I thought she was fooling with me…"

In the enormous front room, Angie's running her hands over the walls while seemingly having a conversation with herself.

"Why?" She looks around the room. "For what?" Then her hands are on the walls again. "Crappy reception."

"Umm… honey?" John takes a step into the room and his muscles tense and spasm as the feeling of pins and needles shoots through his arms and legs leaving his hands and feet tingling in the aftermath. "Oh crap."

"Exactly what I said," McKay's right behind him.

"Did you feel that too?"

"Feel what?"

"I'll take that as a 'no'."

Angie spins and stares at John. A second passes then her bright, beguiling smile emerges. "Johnny! Isn't it amazing?" In an instant she crosses the room and leaps into his arms, her legs wrap around his waist, her arms around his neck and her lips on attack.

John loses himself in the kiss for a moment. Oh hell, several moments. It's only when McKay clears his throat repeatedly that they finally separate at the same time and turn to look at the disgruntled scientist.

Angie slowly releases her hold on John and slides down his body, her smile more embarrassed than beguiling now. "Sorry, Rodney." She shrugs. "Can't help it if I get carried away when he's around," she nudges John's stomach and he gives her a little goose on the rear end. She jumps slightly, leaning into him. She takes his hand and leads him further into the room. "How do you like our new digs?"

"What about Elizabeth and Jonathan?"

"There are more apartments… one facing the East Pier that Beth will like." She grins. "This is definitely for us."

"Okaaaay." John slowly turns in place, taking in the beautiful front room and knows instinctively that the bedroom is to the left with its own bath and the kitchen is through the door to the right. He also knows the balcony overlooks the… "Hydroponics lab?"

"What?" McKay's suddenly next to him.

John looks at Angie. She's smiling again. "S11 L5," he says to McKay. "There's a hydroponics lab."

"Oh," McKay sighs. "Is that all?"

Angie grins at McKay. "And the lab we left earlier is one of Janus's."

"Really? We have to get back there right now."

"Sorry, McKay," Angie presses her body into John's, wrapping her arms around his waist. "We've got some… uh… christening to do here."

"Spare me," McKay groans. "Put your libido's on ice for just a while, please. And tell me what the hell is going on? How did you get that door to open? Who were you talking to? Are you insane again? Is your head going to spin around and are you planning on spewing any split-pea soup, because I'd really rather not be in the vicinity of any of that happening."

"Those are some very interesting and good questions there, McKay," Angie nods. "And I will get right on giving you some answers… as soon as I know any." After a moment, "This is truly freaky." She doesn't look or sound scared, though. John's absolutely sure she's giddy with excitement.

"Did you get pins and needles too?" he asks.

"Pins and… no… why…?" her palm goes to his cheek. "Did they hurt you? Tell me. I'll kick their celestial asses." Angie faces the room again. "Don't be messin' with my man. I've had plenty of that around this galaxy already."

"They have asses?" McKay asks, looking around with some trepidation.

"Who are 'they', honey?"

Angie turns back to John. Her smile wavers and she bites her bottom lip, raising her brows. "I'm not…exactly sure. It's kind of a bad connection."

McKay waves a hand around. "You were uh…on… Ancient…radio?"

Angie shrugs. "Suppose."

"This is just…Why you?"

"I asked the same question." She makes a face to John, "Not exactly forthcoming with the answers, though."

"Then it's gotta be the Ancients," John says and McKay nods in agreement.

"What'd they want?" McKay asks. "They have to want something. They have that whole non-interference crap, unless it's to get something… or someone-" he looks pointed at John. "-for themselves."

Angie starts to say something then looks around again, brows furrowing. "I'm not really sure… but… Okay, this is going to sound really weird-"

"I doubt that," McKay quips.

She looks at John. "I think it has something to do with you and clonema…Jonathan."

He sighs. "Man… I cannot get away from that guy."

"No no. It's a good thing," Angie says. "A way to block him from you and vice versa."

McKay snaps his fingers several times. "Magnetic field… or… interference field…" John slides him a look. "When you came in the door. Those pins and needles… it was some kind of electric charge, specific to your body." He wags a finger between him and Angie. "That's why we didn't feel it."

"Electric charge… like, what static…"

"Exactly!" McKay's had one of his ah-ah moments and now his eyes are shining. "The Ancients are pure energy… so their thoughts are…well…energy too and probably pass through the air like…radio waves. Just because he's back on our plane of existence doesn't mean he wasn't changed in some fundamental way, or already that way before ascending."

"Are you saying he's psychic?" John's very uncomfortable with that idea.

"No…no. But like a radio, the more energy pumped into a signal, the farther the signal goes. So…"

"He's got left over energy pumping up his thoughts that just happen to match my receiver?"

"Yes!"

Angie raises a brow. "And that field at the door he felt?"

"Scrambles the wave." Another snap of the fingers. "That explains the interference to the Ancient radio."

"It does?" Angie doesn't look convinced.

"Well…not entirely, I'm still weirded out by all your…one-sided conversations…but it might make more sense if we all remember what happened on PXT-705."

John feels Angie tense in his arms. "Really rather not, McKay," she growls.

"No..n..not that. I mean the lab. Janus's lab that only you could operate."

Angie's gaze narrows on him. "Is this about your wacky idea that I'm some kind of descendant of Janus?"

"I know, I know, unreasonable to think all that genius would be wasted on you, but…well…" he motions to her again. "There is the I.Q. as limited as it is. Plus the whole gene thing."

"But the ATA gene isn't person specific, McKay," John says. "Everyone who has it, whether naturally or not, gets the same responses from Atlantis."

"Not all of Atlantis. Don't forget, I still can't use the chair. And Janus's lab on Huskin was totally out of my league…" he waves a hand at John. "Even your league. Only her touch turned it on."

Angie grins wickedly at John. "Sounds like you and that lab have something in common."

"Hmm," John grunts, trying to ignore the heat that her body against his is generating… everywhere.

"Wait!" Angie suddenly pulls away from John and looks around the room again. She goes out into the hallway and turns back to look at them. "Maybe it wasn't the Ancients… maybe it was a radio… or… I mean… a message."

"The lab!" McKay says. "The crystal."

Angie nods. "When I touched that console, I kinda went on autopilot… straight here." She comes back into the room. "But why?"

McKay shrugs. "Subconscious."

"Oh not that again," she groans.

"No. It makes sense… if any of this actually does. You're linked to anything Janus put his own special DNA-ATA gene-stamp on so that no one else could activate his devices… or possibly steal his research."

"Steal, Rodney? Really?" John makes a face. "They were Ancients."

"Yeah. So? Not all of them ascended and they were still human…we know what kind of baggage we all carry, who's to say they didn't have jealousy, greed, or supposedly the worst of the sins, which I thoroughly don't subscribe to. I mean it. Why is it wrong to want to accomplish something and then get the credit for it? Really, it makes no sense to me that anyone would find that to be a sin."

Off Angie's confused look, John says: "Pride."

"Oh right."

"Anyway. So Janus's DNA was basically his version of a password protect…with a firewall and padlock and a big bank vault door rolled into one. Anyway. You were concentrating on finding a place for Elizabeth and the Major and in your subconscious you must have had a thought about Sheppard's and his link and a way to break it."

"So, Janus led me here."

"Y…No."

"No?"

"Atlantis."

"Atlantis led her here?"

"Well, probably a sub-program of a sub-program. According to old Elizabeth, Janus was sure that Atlantis would be inhabited again. So he must have assumed that his 'off-spring' would be some of the inhabitants and basically wanted to leave…something…behind…" McKay doesn't look so sure about that last part.

"Ah huh," Angie and John mutter together.

"That would explain why you didn't get any answers to your questions," John offers.

"True."

McKay swirls a finger in the air. "Are you still hearing… anything?"

Angie raises her brows, and lets her eyes roam over the room. "No?" She cocks her head. "Not since John came into the room."

"And got the needles and pins," John adds.

"There you go!" McKay says triumphantly.

"Ohhh," Angie sighs happily as she returns to John's side and gives him a squeeze. "That was so nice of him, to give you this refuge from the newlywed porn channel."

"Well…technically," McKay says. "You did. By…thinking…about it? And somewhere in that ridiculously brilliant brain of yours… you also came up with the solution. And Atlantis did the rest."

Angie scrunches her face in disbelief. "I'm not a scientist."

"Photographic memory," McKay heaves.

"Oh yeah that," she grins at John. "Thank me properly, lover."

John dips his head and kisses her eagerly. Her soft lips part and their tongues meet in an erotic mating dance. John hears McKay groaning in annoyance, but this time he doesn't care. He wraps his arms around Angie and meshes her chest against his. Her hands splay over his shoulders, then up his neck and into his hair. God, how he loves it when she does that.

"Do you two ever come up for air?"

John parts with Angie's lips but his eyes don't leave her gorgeous face. "McKay… go eat lunch."

Angie's sly grin is full of promise. "And lock the door on your way out." Then she kisses him again. As the blood rushes from his brain to other parts of his anatomy, John is pretty sure he hears McKay mutter something about bunny rabbits and then the door closes with a whoosh.

"So…how did you unlock the door?"

"Oh…" she runs a finger over his bottom lip and he catches it gently with his teeth. "That's the really freaky part."

"That is? Not the voice only you could hear, or the electric field zapping me…or the fact that I know what is four stories down in the next tower over…?"

She nods. "Yep. The lock was password protected."

"Like when you locked me in the gym."

"Uh huh."

"So…what was the password?"

"327."

"327," John echoes absently… as if remembering something important. He shakes it off. "Okay. Random."

Angie takes a deep breath and licks her lips before biting the bottom one again. "Not so much."

"How do you mean?"

"It's my birthday."

With his hands on her shoulders, John gently pushes back from her. "Birthday?"

She nods side-to-side. "Uh huh. March 27th."

He playfully narrows his eyes at her. "What year?"

Angie laughs. "Nice try. That wasn't part of the password." Her smile fades and confusion furrows her brows. "John. That's my real birthday… not Jax's, not the one on file here. But the one no one celebrates, hasn't celebrated in nearly nine years. How could that be a password on a locked door in Atlantis in the Pegusas Galaxy?"

"Better question," John raises a brow. "How did you know to use it?"

She makes a cute face, wrinkling her nose a bit. "Let's be like Scarlett O'Hara."

John grins. "And think about it tomorrow?"

"Or the next day," she grins. "After all… we've got a lot of work ahead of us."

"Work, huh."

She trails kisses from his cheek down his neck. "Well… you know… the sofa, the floor, the balcony…"

"Balcony?"

"Fresh air is always good for the complexion."

"I've got a better idea."

"Really? Do tell."

John swings her up, hooking an arm under her knees. "Let's go to Heaven first."

She drapes her arms over his shoulders. "And just where is that, pray tell."

John steps over to the closed left door. "Master bedroom."

She glances at the door then at him. "How do you know that's not the kitchen?"

"Trust me."

Her gaze turns serious and locks with his. "I do." Then she teases a kiss over his lips. "Promise."

John deepens the kiss as the door slides open and he takes them inside. Laying her gently on the bed, John brushes a finger from her temple to her cheek. "Welcome home, Angel."

"Welcome home, Johnny."

The End