Hi everyone! It's been a while since I updated, so here is a short one to tide you over while I get back into the swing of tackling the Season 2 finale! It was a three parter on the show so it's likely to be a long one! Thank you as always for your support! I hope you continue to enjoy the story.

Happy Reading!

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The Inferno

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"Wait, what did they find?" Kai asked in shock as she turned back to face Zelenka. She was convinced she must have misheard.

"According to Elizabeth they found an Aurora class warship,"

Kai lifted her eyebrows in surprise. The last she had heard John's team had headed to the friendly planet to take a look at their shield generator. The Taranians had sent a message and it was discovered they had been inhabiting an Ancient outpost and using some of the technology despite not fully understanding its function. Both she and Zelenka had been put on standby in case McKay needed more help repairing the Ancient shield generator.

"Why didn't the sensors pick up on it when we first found the Aurora?" Kai asked curiously as she studied the technical readouts McKay had sent through in the last data burst.

"I believe it is damaged," Zelenka replied. "The Taranians seem to be having trouble with their shield generator. I believe Doctor Weir has returned with The Colonel to attempt to negotiate it's repair for the ship."

Kai nodded, thinking about how useful it would be to have the warship the next time they went up against a hive. The Daedalus held its own against the Hives, but an Ancient Warship far outgunned a Hive any day.

It was only hours later when reports came in that it would be more than just fixing a shield generator. AR-1 would be evacuating the Taranians to Atlantis to escape a Supervolcano their misuse of Ancient technology had unleashed. Zelenka and Kai moved into the control room to help facilitate the evacuation from their end the best they could. With Elizabeth, Sheppard, Teyla, McKay and Beckett off world, Zelenka was in charge of Atlantis.

The first round of Taranians came through the gate led by Elizabeth. About fifty of them made it through before the comms activated.

"Atlantis this is McKay raise the shield! I repeat raise the shield!" McKay's voice screamed through the comm.

With lightning fast reflexes Kai's hand slammed down on the control before Chuck could even process the order.

Elizabeth swung her head around as something incredibly strong hit the shield. Everyone facing it flinched as it flared too bright to look at for a moment before they lost the wormhole.

"Why did you raise the shield?" Elizabeth demanded.

"McKay gave the order right before we lost contact," Zelenka explained.

"What is happening?" the Taranian leader demanded.

"I don't know," Elizabeth replied honestly. She ran up the stairs to the control room with him training behind. "Run a gate diagnostic," she ordered, but Kai and Zelanka were already working.

"Power levels were intermittent the last few seconds before it shut off," Kai reported without looking up from her computer.

"They must have terminated the connection from their end," Zelenka said.

"Dial it back," Elizabeth ordered turning to face Chuck.

The technician quickly tapped in the address. "It won't establish a connection," he reported.

Kai's fingers flew across her keyboard as she frowned down at the power readings she was receiving back from the other gate. She wasn't an expert on gate technology by any means, but she certainly knew when things weren't looking good. "Radek," she called.

"Something must have happened to their gate," Zelenka agreed with a nod, reading over her shoulder.

"There's nothing wrong with our gate," the other leader snapped indignantly.

Kai went very still and lifted her head as she became aware of the man as a threat. Her eyes flickered back and forth between the leader and Elizabeth. There was an underlying tension there that she didn't like.

Chuck dialed the gate again but nothing happened.

"You orchestrated this!" the man accused taking an aggressive step towards Elizabeth.

Kai took her hands off her laptop and narrowed her eyes at the man. There were Marines in the room, but everyone was distracted by all the new people being evacuated into the city. Kai was the closest in case things went wrong.

"What?" Elizabeth asked in confusion.

"You lured me here to hold me hostage in exchange for our warship!" He sputtered. In the gate room below some of his people had turned and looked, trying to see what was upsetting their leader.

Kai slowly stood. Zelenka was the only one to notice and wisely took a step back to give her room if necessary.

"I assure you Chancellor Lycus that is not what is happening here," Elizabeth replied sharply. She turned back to them. Her eyes flickered over Kai, where her hand was resting against the handle of her Blade. Elizabeth gave her a subtle shake of her head. Things weren't that serious yet, but she appreciated the Mortii's willingness to come to her aid. "Zelenka, the Daedalus is on it's way back from earth, I want you to contact Colonel Caldwell and divert them to Taranis."

"Right away," Zelenka said with a nod.

Elizabeth turned to Kai. "I want you to find the closest gate and see how long it would take to get there by jumper."

Kai nodded and immediately sat back down to access the database.

Elizabeth turned to Chuck. "I need a Geologist up here."

Chuck nodded.

"We're going to find out what's going on," Elizabeth assured the Chancellor.

"I will not be cut off from my people," the older man growled authoritatively.

"My people are stuck on your planet too Chancellor," Elizabeth reminded him, her tone a little sharper than before. The Chancellor nodded as though he had just remembered the fact, and stepped back so they could get to work.

Doctor Simpson was a geologist who looked over the data they had from the planet about the volcano. He reported that there was no way of telling how long before the Supervolcano erupted, if it hadn't already. He estimated anywhere between an hour and a couple days. He guessed sooner rather than later and strongly advised recalling any teams on the planet. When he began negotiating for the opportunity to watch the eruption from orbit, Elizabeth dismissed him.

The closest stargate Kai located was over two days from the planet which meant there was nothing she could do to help Sheppard and the trapped people. It was unsettling not knowing if the volcano had already erupted. People rotated in and out on their shifts while they waited for The Daedalus to arrive at the planet, but Kai didn't leave the control room.

The longer they went without any contact the more her imagination began to spin out of control. In the moment it hadn't occurred to her that the bright flash against the shield of the stargate could have been the volcano erupting. It might have been the moment John died and she hadn't even realized it. She didn't like this feeling of vulnerability that was so locked into the life of someone else. Her people called it being Bonded but she had never fully understood until she was convinced John was gone. Her mouth was dry as they waited in tense silence for the Daedalus. 

"Atlantis this is The Daedalus. Come in."

Elizabeth exhaled a relieved sigh and gestured for Chuck to open a comm. "This is Atlantis. It's good to hear from you Colonel Caldwell."

"I have made contact with Colonel Sheppard. We have the first wave of regufees on board and are headed to Atlantis."

Kai exhaled a sigh of relief. They were safe.

"How long?" Elizabeth asked.

"Hermès estimates it will take twelve hours round trip. We are looking at four trips for a complete evacuation."

"And Colonel Sheppard and his team?" Elizabeth pushed.

Kai didn't need to hear Caldwell's reply. She already knew Sheppard wouldn't leave until the last Taranian was safe. It wasn't in his nature. The problem was it would at minimum take forty-eight hours until the last group was evacuated. The volcano wasn't likely to last that long.

Kai hadn't realized she had closed her hands into fists. John was the consummate survivor, as were Teyla and Ronon. If anyone was going to get themselves out of the situation it would be the AR-1 team. It was much harder being stuck on Atlantis and powerless to help.

A low, nagging beeping caught Kai's attention. She strode across the room and typed her access code into the long range sensors. The screen lit up and she stared down at it in shock.

She looked over her shoulder. Elizabeth was having a serious negotiation with the Chancellor but this couldn't wait. She waved Zelenka over. He looked at the screen for less than a second before he spun back to Elizabeth.

"Doctor Weir, Doctor Weir, I'm sorry to interrupt but it's important," he called graciously.

Elizabeth came over to the terminal. She process for a few moments before she spoke. "A hive ship," she said in a low tone so no one else in the control room could hear.

"Yes," Zelenka replied. "Headed towards Atlantis."

"How far out?" She asked Kai.

Kai pressed her lips together as she calculated the distance. "Three weeks maybe."

"Just the one?" Elizabeth clarified.

"So far yes."

"So far..." Elizabeth nodded sharply, but lines of stress showed around her mouth. "Please continue to monitor this," Elizabeth said in a low tone. "I want this kept quiet until this is situation with the Taranians is resolved."

Kai nodded once in agreement and began running the calculations to determine the exact amount of time it would take for the Hive ship to arrive.

Another shift came and went and the Daedalus dropped off their load of passengers before heading back to the planet. Kai considered asking Weir to accompany them, but every body on the ship was one less that could be evacuated. The six hours dragged on before the Daedalus contacted them again.

Weir was catching a nap in her office when the transmission came in. Kai walked to the glass door and knocked gently. Elizabeth startled and looked up to meet Kai's tired gaze.

"It's Caldwell," Kai told her.

Elizabeth ran a hand over her gritty eyes. She frowned as she stared at Kai for a moment. "Have you gotten any rest?" She asked pushing herself to her feet.

"I don't need as much sleep as a human," Kai told her and she stepped aside so Weir could lead the way back into the control room. Kai moved back to the terminal on the far side of the room. Elizabeth stepped up next to Chuck.

"Go ahead," she said. Chuck activated the communications and nodded to Weir.

"Colonel this is Weir," she said. "Any word from Colonel Sheppard?"

"Nothing yet, and I don't think we are going to," Caldwell responded his tone brisk.

Elizabeth froze. "What are you saying? They're all dead?" she asked in shock. Beside her Chuck shifted in his seat.

"We don't know," Caldwell responded and his impatience was clear in his voice. "One way or another we can't hail them on the radio because of extreme electrical activity in the ash cloud," he paused for a moment. "We can't even detect their life signs."

Elizabeth blew out a breath as her thoughts raced. "So if you make contact what are your options?"

"Well, Colonel Sheppard could have saved some of the remaining population, but instead he tried to save every single one of them by taking refuge aboard the damaged ancient warship which has pretty much taken any options I might have had out of the equation."

"Stay as long as you can," Elizabeth responded in a low tone. She glanced at Kai who continued to work as though she wasn't overhearing the entire conversation. They both knew however that Sheppard would have done everything he could to save every last person. It was just who he was.

"Hermes says the volcano is about to erupt. We should know for sure by then," Caldwell responded his tone grave.

Elizabeth cleared her throat. "Be advised we have detected a Hive ship headed towards Atlantis."

"Just the one?" Caldwell asked after a moment.

"I'm afraid that's all the good news we have," Elizabeth said and she turned off the comm before Caldwell heard the emotion in her voice. She didn't want to face the Wraith without Colonel Sheppard there. Colonel Caldwell was competent but she didn't trust him in the same way. She let out a shaky breath and when she looked up Kai was watching her from across the control room.

Kai didn't bother to hide the fact that she had overheard the conversation. She turned away from the emotion on Elizabeth's face. Swallowing hard Kai tapped her keyboard. Elizabeth stepped up next to her.

"I'm guessing you heard all of that," Elizabeth said in a low tone.

Kai glanced up at her sheepishly. "It's difficult for me to not hear anything within about two hundred feet of me."

Weir nodded. She was watching Kai carefully for any reactions. She hadn't seen anything to further confirm her suspicions that there was something going on between Kai and the Colonel, and Kai's hard expression wasn't giving anything away. "It must also be difficult to be stuck here while-"

Kai cleared her throat effectively ending the conversation. "I will continue to monitor the Wraith," Kai assured Doctor Weir she and Elizabeth weren't close enough that she felt comfortable discussing her concerns with her.

Elizabeth nodded. "I'm sure the team will be all right."

Kai fought back the scowl that she was tempted to throw at Elizabeth. "If anyone can get out of a tight spot it's McKay and the Colonel."

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Even Kai was exhausted by the time they received another transmission. Her eyes were burning from lack of sleep, but she wouldn't return to her quarters until she heard what had happened to the team one way or another.

"Atlantis this is Sheppard."

Elizabeth bolted out of her office and rushed to the controls. "It's good to hear your voice Colonel. "

"Well it's good to be heard," Sheppard laughed.

"Is everyone okay?" Elizabeth asked. "What happened with the Taranian's?" she pushed, glancing up as the Chancellor approached the controls.

"Everyone is one board and accounted for," Sheppard said, sounding a little smug.

"On board?" Elizabeth asked in confusion.

"On your brand new Aurora class warship," John said, and Kai could hear the smile in his voice. "Well...maybe not new, she's a bit of a fixer upper..."

"I look forward to see it," Elizabeth said and her relief was palpable.

"We'll be home soon, don't wait up. Sheppard out."

The comms went dead and Elizabeth smiled at the Chancellor. "The rest of your people are on their way Chancellor," she promised.

He nodded sternly, but it was clear how relieved he was.

"Now, if you would let one of our people show you to a room, you can get some rest before they arrive."

"Thank you, I would appreciate that."

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It was another couple hours before the senior staff had gathered in the meeting room to debrief. The ship was in orbit along with the Daedalus. It was the middle of the night, and the city was asleep, but Elizabeth had pushed for the meeting.

John leaned a hip against the table tiredly as he looked over the group. Every one of them looked exhausted. It surprised him when Elizabeth had asked Kai to join them. She stood apart from the group, a little to the back. There were dark bags under her eyes and it was clear she hadn't slept the entire time they had been gone. It was rare for John to see the evidence of her exhaustion on her face.

"So," Elizabeth said looking over the group. "What happened with the volcano?"

McKay cleared his throat. "The explosion was every bit as destructive as I feared. The ash cloud has encircled the entire planet."

"Will the Taranian people ever be able to return home?" Teyla asked

"Not for many years I'm afraid," Beckett told her.

"We found a planet Chancellor Lycus feels is suitable for them," Elizabeth notified the group. "We've already started to relocate them there," she turned to Sheppard. "I would like you and your team to assist them. Just make sure the relocation goes smoothly. In the morning of course," she added quickly.

Sheppard nodded and managed to bite back a yawn. He glanced down at his watch. It was almost four in the morning now.

McKay glanced at Sheppard, already deciding the relocation process was beneath him. "I'll take a repair team back to the Orion, make sure to get the engines fixed."

"Well fix them as quickly as you can Rodney. The Chancellor has graciously allowed us to use the ship in exchange for our help."

"I'm assuming there's still a hive ship on the way?" Caldwell asked glancing towards Zelenka and Kai.

"Yes," Kai agreed. She had her tablet under her arm and had the long range sensors providing constant updates so she could monitor their progress.

"Why only one ship?" Ronon asked suspiciously.

"We don't know, maybe they're just coming to prove we are still here, but if they manage to do that-" Elizabeth dragged off meaningfully.

"Well at least we got the Orion now and the cities supply of drones has been replenished." Caldwell said gruffly. He crossed his arms over his chest.

"It's enough to put up a hell of a fight," Sheppard agreed.

"Let's not fool ourselves, if they come in full force and there is no reason to believe that they won't this time, then...I'm sorry..."McKay said with a shake of his head.

"It's not going to be enough," Elizabeth agreed and the whole room feel silent. "It's all we've got," she said gravely. She exhaled tiredly. "I am keeping this information on a need to know basis for now. I don't want to incite a panic. Why don't you all get some sleep. We have a lot of work to do."

The group disbursed. John walked slowly to the door, glancing over his shoulder. Kai was speaking in a low tone with Zelenka, her expression grave. He hesitated outside the door and when Kai came out he fell into step beside her. As usual she didn't react when his sudden appearance might have startled someone else. They walked down the halls together in silence until the others were far enough behind them they wouldn't be overheard.

John slowed a step and glanced over his shoulder, but there was no one close by. Kai turned to look up at him with a frown when he moved into her. His hand dropped to her hip as his other hand gripped the back of her neck. He kissed her hard and fast. Kai gasped in surprise but didn't pull away. Instead she locked her hands around the back of his neck as he pushed her back against the wall out of sight of the cameras.

When they were both gasping for breath John pulled back and leaned his forehead against hers. "Hi," he said wryly.

She smiled against his lips. "Hi," she whispered. A small frown formed between her eyes and she pulled back and punched him lightning fast on the shoulder.

John grabbed his shoulder. "Ow, what was that for?"

Kai scowled at him. "The volcano."

John scoffed. "I can't be held responsible for that."

Kai's facial expression was challenging and made it clear she was holding him responsible for allowing her to think he was dead for almost a full day. While on the surface she was joking, there was a small part of Kai that was still coming to terms with what it meant to care for a man like John Sheppard.

"I-" John started to say.

Kai stiffened and turned when she heard footsteps behind them. She took a measured step back, putting even more distance between them as Elizabeth and another woman came around the corner.

"Colonel, Kai," Elizabeth greeted. If she was suspicious it didn't show on her face. "Norina this is Kai Zian, she is our head mechanic here and a member of our science team on Atlantis. Kai, Norina was the chief scientist in Tarania."

Norina held her hand out to Kai in greeting. Kai shook the woman's hand at once feeling self conscious. Norina was one of the most beautiful woman Kai had ever seen. Despite all her people had been through she wore a long sheath dress that hugged her body. Her blonde hair was perfectly coiffed and shone in the low lights of the hall.

"Norina was looking for you Colonel," Weir said pointedly.

Norina flashed a flirty smile at Sheppard and he swallowed. She reached out and laid a hand on his arm. "I didn't get a chance to thank you personally for all you did for my people," she said and she moved another step closer, batting her eyes up at him.

Kai looked back and forth between the gorgeous blonde and Sheppard who was at a complete loss for words and felt a pang in her chest. He was used to having beautiful women like her throwing themselves at him. Her mind flickered back to the beautiful princess in The Tower who had also been blonde. She nodded to Weir and slipped away quickly.

John slowly slid back out of Norina's  reach. McKay had been pursuing the scientist the whole time they had been off world, but John had saved her during a cave in and she had stuck to him like glue since. He had tried to give her the polite brush off but it obviously hadn't worked if she had sought him out. He shot Weir a helpless look but she shrugged as though to say he was on his own.

"Well we're just doing our jobs," he said awkwardly. "If you'll excuse me I need to hit the rack."

He turned just in time to see Kai disappear down the hall. He blew out a frustrated sigh. He couldn't help feeling like he might be in trouble.

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I hope you enjoyed the update!