A/N: Thanks for all the positive feedback on this story. It's gotten McKeller intensive lately, so I'm doing a different character POV in this chapter. Thanks, Koinekid, for the brief beta. All mistakes are mine.

"Good morning," Jennifer's voice cut through Laura Cadman's head like a sword-it was too loud and strong to be considered a knife.

"Ugh. N-not so loud," she breathed from her position with her head cradled in her arms resting on the table.

"She can't help being loud, sir." Sergeant Dusty Mehra was in a similar position and her voice was just as weak.

"You two should have laid off the Ruus wine last night," Jennifer reprimanded. "And what do you mean about me being loud? I'm a fairly soft spoken individual."

"I didn't say anything about words," Dusty grumbled.

"What!" The ex-CMO of Atlantis turned scarlet.

Laura chuckled as Dusty continued. "Either you want an Oscar or McKay can use his mouth for more than snarking."

"Enough!" Laura's head shot up and a groan issued forth. Jennifer's mouth hung open and Laura knew Dusty was on to something. "No talk of McKay having sex. Ever!"

The Sergeant laughed and offered a weak apology. "Sorry, Captain. Didn't mean to embarrass anyone. You did live in McKay's head so you were privy…"

"Stop!" Jennifer shouted and then her voice changed. "Good morning, Rodney."

Cadman opened her eyes and saw Rodney sitting down next to his wife with a look of pain on his face. "Ruus wine or Zelenka's brew?" the Marine asked.

"Zelenka's. Why I drank that crap is beyond me," Rodney said as he chugged down one of the three coffee cups on his tray.

"Serves you all right," Jennifer said haughtily.

"Well some of us wanted to celebrate with Teyla and her family," Dusty offered.

"I did celebrate, but getting wasted is hardly enjoyable in my book." The doctor dug into a hearty breakfast by Cadman's standards: eggs, sausage, a bagel, large glass of milk and apple. "I'm glad I'm not on in the infirmary."

Laura wanted to throw up as she watched Jennifer eat. "I need to get my team ready. See you later, Rodney. Have a nice day, Jennifer."

The return of Teyla to her people was a great joy for the crew and gave them a break from all the training. The last week had been taxing as they prepared to let Todd dial the planet with his powerful weapon on it. On top of the heavy training, Sheppard made some team changes for the mission. Teyla was staying with her people for a while, so he pulled Warrington onto his team and placed Zelenka with Cadman so he and Lorne could have more soldiers.

This was fine with Laura as this gave her more time to work with Radek. She chuckled as she remembered how happy he'd been when he finally hit the target with a P90. That's why I had to try his brew to celebrate.

Laura Cadman was never one to have trouble handling her liquor, but the stuff that the Czech created was so potent she was out in no time after drinking a couple shots. Apparently-according to Dusty at least-she'd tried to out drink Ronon. What was I thinking?

"Captain Cadman," Sergeant Tommy Stackhouse called as he ran up behind her. "I wanted to…"

"I don't want to hear any more about how Doctor Porter annoys you when you're flying," Laura said as she turned to face the younger soldier. "You're both professionals and smart enough to figure it out. I don't have time to listen to every little complaint you have about the other. Do you understand, Sergeant?"

"Ah… I… Understood, ma'am." He snapped to attention and awaited Cadman's dismissal.

"Get the jumper ready. We're leaving within the hour. Dismissed."

"Yes, ma'am," he replied and turned quickly.

If they reach an impasse, then you should step in. Give them tough love, Radek told her recently. Laura had to agree that it felt good to tell them to grow up. The Czech told her by allowing them both to whine to her, they had an outlet and weren't forced to deal with the situation. They will always let you sort it out. It's much easier that way.

She shook her head as she marveled at how smart that man was. Too bad he's in McKay's shadow. Maybe I can help with that somehow. Laura picked up her pace to get to the armory so she could give Porter the same speech.

Laura sat behind a quiet and subdued pilot and scientist in the front of the jumper. Radek sat behind Porter and she was in back of Stackhouse. Since she laid down the law to both of them there was no squabbling since they loaded in the jumper and flew to the planet ahead of Sheppard and Lorne.

Their mission was to remain cloaked and observe what Todd was doing as he dialed the planet where this weapon was. During the briefing, which they listened to via the comm, Todd was particularly smug and refused to give out the address. He said he must be the one to dial as a sign of trust. No one in her shuttle thought very much of that so they stood on heightened alert as they waited for the other teams to beam down.

"Do you really think Todd's leading us to some anti-Wraith weapon? I mean what would he gain from that?" Laura asked Radek, leaning toward him.

"Freedom?" Radek offered. His eyes were busy darting between his monitoring station and Laura's face.

"I guess he would do anything to get us to set him free so he can feed again," the Captain offered. "Although Jennifer thinks her treatment is giving him enough nourishment."

"Yes. Everyone suspects he is up to something by acting weak," the Czech responded conspiratorially.

"Here they come," Allison Porter and Radek said at the same time as their monitoring devices showed the energy signature of the Asgard beam before it placed the others in front of the DHD.

Ronon and Richards assumed positions around Todd and the device, backed up by Dusty and Warrington. Lorne, Sheppard and McKay stood before Todd.

"Now he'll spout some bullshit and then dial the gate," Laura offered as she stood to look more closely at what was going on. "Will we be able to see the address?"

"Yes," Radek said as he stood next to her, leaning between Porter and Stackhouse's seats. "We also wiped the memory crystals on this DHD, so this will be the only address in the unit's memory."

"Great idea," Laura said with a smile at the scientist. "I guess this should be our dial out planet all the time then."

"I am an advocate for a temporary Pegasus site for our base of operations, but I think we want a site with more defense than this."

"He's dialing, ma'am," Stackhouse interrupted.

The inside of the jumper was quiet as they watched the order of symbols the Wraith dialed. He positioned himself so Sheppard and McKay couldn't watch him dial, but Radek could see clearly. A groan and a stream of Czech swears that Laura was quickly learning after their time together came from his mouth.

"What is it?" Laura asked as Radek shook his head. "You know that address?"

"Yes," Radek breathed.

"Is it dangerous?" Porter questioned.

"Only to some," Radek replied as he slumped into his seat.

Laura looked more closely at the glowing gate symbols and realization dawned as she remembered the address only because no one wanted to go there. "Oh. Todd's dead."

"Twenty dollars says Sheppard does it," Zelenka added.

"I'm actually putting my money on McKay," Cadman replied as she put her hand out to fist bump with Zelenka.

"How long do we…" Stackhouse started to ask when a radio signal came through.

They were supposed to wait for a radio signal to proceed through the gate after the team or, in the worst case, redial the gate. "This is Colonel Lorne, please proceed and collect Todd before McKay tears him apart."

Laura put a hand out for her twenty dollars and offered a smile to her friend.

Radek shook his head. "He is a new man since he got married. No end to the ways he surprises me."

Sheppard's voice came over the radio with McKay swearing in the background. "And bring lots of chocolate with you."

Laura and Radek didn't stop laughing until they were back on the Daedalus that night sharing another glass of Radek's brew to relax after their day.

TBC

A/N: I think you can guess the address Todd dialed. If not, send me a message and I'll let you know.