Hello all! I can't believe the amazing number of reads the last part got. Over 100 reads in less than 48 hours on a fanfic from a show that was cancelled over a decade ago. To celebrate this I have hustled to get the next update out. Thank you all for your amazing support. Kai and John's story is near and dear to my heart but you guys keep me writing.

Happy Reading!

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Progeny
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John was pissed. Things on Asuras had gone from bad to worse. What was supposed to have been an abandoned Ancient's Research outpost had turned out to be an actual city of Ancients. The excitement had caught them all, even Elizabeth had come with AR-1 to meet them and start negotiations. What they had found had been so much more than just a research lab. It was an entire city, multiple times the size of Atlantis filled with millions of Ancient. They had hoped to negotiate for at least one ZPM or maybe a little help with the Wraith, but their leader Oberoth had refused even the most basic aid.

John paced an angry line back and forth across the apartment he and the others had been given to share. It was considered a sign of hospitality and good manners, but John knew when he was being taken for a ride. Not only had they been refused help with the Wraith, but they had also been refused even the knowledge of how to build ZPM's that McKay had requested. The Ancients claimed to have a plan to get rid of the Wraith, but they had also refused to share not only the plan but also when they intended to put that plan into action.

Only one of the Ancients had seemed interested in even talking to them, but it had been only after Elizabeth had asked about their interest in Ascension. Niam had bottled up fast however when Elizabeth implied that he didn't agree with the asshole Oberoth. Now they were relegated to their quarters.

John knew Elizabeth was hoping to speak with Oberoth but he had met plenty of leaders like him over the years. She wasn't going to get anywhere with him. Oberoth was so focused on his own superiority he wouldn't budge on whatever he felt he needed to do. They had finally found the damn Ancients and they had turned out to be a bunch of assholes. They were wasting their time here, and John just wanted to get back to Atlantis.

"It must have been a serious falling out for the Ancients to eliminate any reference to Aurans in the database," Elizabeth said thoughtfully.

"Unless they are lying," Teyla suggested.

"There's been other splits in the past," John reminded them. "Zian's people were descendants from the Ancients who didn't want to flee to the Milkyway, remember? They stayed to fight...well, sort of," he added.

From what Kai had told them The Mortii, as they had come to be called, were direct descendents from Ancients who had valued prowess in battle and perfectionism in all things related to the Art of War, but they had adopted an Isolationist view once the other Ancients had been killed. They had worked to preserve their Ancient heritage the best they could through careful breeding, but there was only so much of that that had been able to be saved over 10,000 years. At this point they were probably more Ancienty than these jerks.

"Might it be possible that these people merely discovered this city as you discovered Atlantis?" Teyla asked.

John stopped his pacing near the group and crossed his arms over his chest. "Wouldn't be surprised. Don't seem very Ancienty to me."

"'Ancienty'?" McKay asked with a scowl.

"Yes," John said. "That is the word I was looking for."

Elizabeth ignored their bickering and turned to Teyla. "You think they could be deceiving us?" she asked with a frown. She had been so excited about the prospect of meeting real Ancients she hadn't considered the fact that they had not been truthful.

"Teyla's right," John said, his anger making his tone sharper than he wanted. "Could have found the city the way it was and moved in years ago."

Teyla nodded in agreement. "I feel they are hiding...something," she said gesturing vaguely. Sometimes she felt her psychic gifts were more of a burden than anything. Today was one of those days. She had only vague feelings and nothing concrete to bring to the group, and The Colonel and Doctor Weir were the type who needed something concrete.

"Other than their plan to defeat the Wraith you mean?" Elizabeth asked with a wry smile.

"There's no plan," Ronon called in a bored tone from the couch.

Elizabeth turned back to face him. "No, I don't think there is either," she agreed and then she turned back to gaze out at the splendor of the city through the floor to ceiling windows.

"Why would they say they have a plan if they don't have a plan?" McKay asked. He was good with computers and machines and math, but people, especially Ancienty people, were beyond him.

Sheppard leaned back against the wall, crossing his arms over his chest. "They figured out a way to hide from the rest of the galaxy, including the wraith and they're happy to go on with their lives, just minding their own business."

Ronon scowled at that. "Then whoever they are..." he started.

"I think that is what we need to find out," Weir interrupted. "I will meet with him in the morning."

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Kai sat across from Doctor Zelenka in the mess hall. She was sipping her tea as she watched him and waited for him to complete his move. Things had been quiet on Atlantis since AR-1 left, and they had taken the opportunity for Zelenka to teach her the game of Chess. Most of the scientists seemed to really enjoy it and Zelenka was undefeated so Kai assumed he was the best person to teach her.

They had started that morning and Zelenka had beat her soundly in the first game. Every game after that his margin of victory had decreased sharply. Now they were on their fifth game and many of the other scientists had gathered around to watch. Zelenka had been the reigning chess champion of Atlantis since their arrival. This was the longest game Zelenka had ever played, he and Kai had been staring at the board for almost an hour, each move carefully thought out.

Major Lorne walked into the mess. He paused at the door frowning. He had been told he could find Zelenka here, but he didn't see him. There was however a large group of scientists gathered in the back corner. He strode over to the group. Several people moved out of his way so he could see what they were all staring at.

Kai was sitting across from Zelenka calmly sipping her tea as the Chek pulled at his hair and debated his next move.

"Do you give up?" Kai asked.

"No," Zelenka said sharply, his eyes scanning the board.

"I have you in three moves," she said. The gathered group of scientists made noises of agreement.

Zelenka made a growling noise in the back of his throat. "You just learned this game this morning," he said pointing at her chest. "You have not beaten me," he declared, his accent thicker than usual.

"Ah, am I interrupting something?" Lorne asked with a nervous chuckle.

Kai turned to Major. "Just Zelenka losing," Kai said with a teasing grin.

"I have not lost!" he snarled and he went back to staring at the board.

Kai stifled her snort behind a cough. She had never considered Zelenka to be particularly competitive in the past. It seemed she had found his weakness.

"Well Doc," Lorne said turning to Zelenka. "I was just coming to let you know that I received word from AR-1 and they will be staying the night on Asura."

Zelenka nodded distractedly, but didn't take his eyes off the board.

"So ah, I assured Doctor Weir you and I could hold down the fort," Lorne said. With Sheppard off world he was the ranking military officer and with both Weir and McKay gone Zelenka was the top civilian scientist.

Lorne cut his eyes to Zian. She was casually watching Zelenka, but also seemed to be listening to him. While she didn't officially have a rank or position in the expedition, Lorne knew if anything happened she would be standing right over Zelenka's shoulder. It made him feel better to have someone so familiar with the Pegasus.

"Right, right," Zelenka said with a dismissive wave.

Lorne nodded distractedly.

Kai turned to him. "Did they say why they were staying?" she asked casually.

"I guess they are hoping to settle some negotiations with the Ancients."

Kai looked up sharply. "So they are Ancients?"

Major Lorne nodded. "Seems like," he said and his eyes cut to where Zelenka had leaned forward over the board, staring at the pieces from inches away as though he could will them into a new position. "Well, I'll let you get back to it and stop distracting you."

Kai grinned at him. "It's not distracting. I already won."

Zelenka let out a defeated sigh and tipped over his king.

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The second meeting didn't go any better than the first. In fact Elizabeth returned to them looking like she barely had control of her temper, which was saying something. John was glad he hadn't been there. He just didn't have the control Elizabeth did and he probably would have told the arrogant asshole where he could shove their negotiations.

"I'm sorry you feel you have to leave," Niam said as he led their group back towards the gate.

"Yes, so I am," Elizabeth agreed grimly.

"Oberoth can be intractable," Niam said.

"Not exactly the word I was looking for," John said his tone snarky. They were all disappointed. They had been searching for some evidence of Ancients for so long and now they found an entire world of them and they turned out to be royal assholes.

"Un-Ancienty?" McKay offered.

"Not that word either," Sheppard griped.

"We will send you a message through the stargate soon," Elizabeth told Niam encouragingly. While Oberoth didn't seem interested in established a relationship, Niam seemed very interested and friendly.

"Now, hopefully this is just a stumbled beginning..." Elizabeth drew off as Sheppard, Ronon and Teyla all ran up their guns drawn as they took defensive positions. While she had been speaking she hadn't noticed the Asuran guards closing in on them from all sides. Niam stepped aside, his eyes locked on the ground in shame. Oberoth however strode into the center of his men a smug look on his face.

"Lower your weapons," he ordered.

John dropped his gun so it was pointing towards below Oberoth's waist instead of his chest. "How much lower would you like them?" he growled.

"Do you really wish to challenge us?" Oberoth asked in disbelief.

One of the guards shoved his weapon against John's spine and Elizabeth motioned for him to put down his gun.

"Maybe the floor," John said and he lowered his P-90. Beside him Ronon made an impatient growl in his throat but followed suit.

"Now I thought you didn't want us here Oberoth," Elizabeth said cooly.

"I don't," Oberoth said. "But you possess information I simply must have."

The guards took them all down to the lower level and threw them in cell. The only bright spot was that they had put them all together. Their chances of escape went up considerably having John, Ronon and McKay all in the same cell.

John paced around the small space looking like a caged tiger. "These trade negotiations can be real murder," John muttered. He hated when he was taken prisoner. It really made him crabby.

The forcefield hissed as Ronon slammed his fist into it. He jerked his hand back, shaking off the numbing sensation. "We need to find a way out of here," he growled.

"Rodney?" Weir asked.

McKay was leaning with his back up against the wall and his eyes closed as though he were napping. He grunted in response and peaked one eye open.

"Well this cell is similar to ours, is there something in the design that could offer a possible escape?" Weir asked.

McKay scowled at her. "Are you serious?" he asked. "It's a jail cell."

"Yes I know," Elizabeth agreed turning around to face him.

"The only way out of here would be to first disable the force field around the bars, which is only accessible from the-" the forcefield shimmered and dropped. "-outside," he dragged off with a frown.

The door slid open and Niam and two guards came in. Niam was pushing a wheeled cart. "I brought you food."

"Oh thank god, I'm starving," McKay rushed forward to eat, but Ronon steped in, resting his hand on the scientists shoulder. To anyone else watching it looked like Ronon was being a bully, but Sheppard caught the move out of the corner of his eye and stepped up next to the cart so he would also look like he was being a bully over the food, keeping the women and obviously weaker man away from it.

"No, no, no I can't think on an empty stomach," McKay whined, but years of being tormented by bullies made him naturally step back away from the much larger alpha male. Ronon motioned for him to get to the back of the line. McKay exhaled but listened, and took his place behind Weir and Teyla.

Elizabeth stayed at the back of the cell, but lifted her chin. "Why are we being held here?"

Niam exhaled. "Oberoth wishes to speak with you further, but he feels he can no longer trust that you will remain in your quarters."

"Well he's right," Sheppard said with a grim smirk as he crossed his hands across his chest.

"Yeah, if he wants to talk to us, why doesn't he?" Ronon asked, taking a bite of food. 

"He will. Very soon," Niam assured them.

Ronon nodded along with him as though satisfied with the answer.

"That's nice," Sheppard said with a grin, he turned to look at Elizabeth. "Isn't that nice?" The others nodded, but neither Elizabeth nor Mckay seemed to understand what was going on with Ronon and Sheppard or why they were behaving so oddly. Teyla however stepped up so she was in between Elizabeth and McKay.

"Here's a question. Who the hell are you people?" Sheppard demanded, his good nature swallowed up as his eyes turned shrewd and hard.

Elizabeth rarely saw this side of The Colonel, but it was a good reminder why he was in charge of military operations. He was so good at seeming laid back and easy going, people often missed his keen intelligence.

"And don't tell us you're Ancients," Weir added. "We know enough about them to know they would never treat people this way."

Ronon bent down, staring hard at something on the cart, he lifted his eyes once, just a fast flicker, and met Sheppard's gaze. Sheppard looked once to the left and once to the right.

"I am sorry about this," Niam said in his gentle voice. "But I am certain once Oberoth has finished his discussions with you, you'll all be released unharmed," he said, his eyes were wide with his clear naivety.

McKay crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm sorry but all of your credibility was removed when you locked us up," McKay said, leveling an angry glare at Niam.

"You left us no choice, you-"

Ronon spit his food out into Niam's face. Niam rocked back in disgust as Ronon went for the first guard. He flipped him over the top of the tray, slamming him against the ground with bone crushing power.

John grabbed the guard on his side and slammed his head against the side of the bars. The guard fell unconscious in his hands. Teyla jumped forward and flipped Niam over her shoulder, landing him flat on his back at her feet, but she left him conscious. He looked up with wide eyed shock at Ronon and John had each disarmed the guards and were holding their guns.

"Neither did you," John said grimly. He looked up and both Elizabeth and McKay had scrambled back out of his way. They were pressed against the back of the bars, trying to give them all the room they needed.

Ronon handed the gun off to Teyla, knowing he was more likely to be able to fight with his hands. Teyla pressed it against Niam's back and forced him out of the cell in front of her as a hostage.

John jerked his chin, signaling the others to follow him, and he led the way out through the city towards the jumper bay. He frowned as they moved. He was good at avoiding people, but it was strange to him that there weren't more guards. Just another example of the arrogance
of these Ancients.

He stopped as they reached the jumper bay doors. "Look, you're the one we like, so don't take this personally," he said and without missing a beat Ronon stepped up and punched Niam, knocking him out. He hit him so hard the man spun around, John caught him and eased him to the ground.

The doors slid closed behind them and McKay swung around and pulled out the crystals, tossing them on the floor beside the door. John ran into the first jumper and the others followed. He dropped into the pilots seat, closing the ramp as he fired up the engines. McKay reached up and pulled down the rear control panel.

"What are you doing?" Weir asked.

"Preventing the jumper from communicating with the control room," McKay said. "Element of surprise."

"Nice," John called, lifting off.

"Go ahead and dial the gate!" McKay called.

The jumper was lowered automatically down into the gate room. John watched as guards rushed forward and began firing their blasters at the jumper. The shields held however and he dialed the gate, punching in his IDC.

"Atlantis this is Sheppard, we may be coming in hot. Plan on raising the shield as soon as we are through."

"Roger that Colonel," Chuck responded.

As soon as the wormhole was established John punched the engines. Once they were through the shield raised behind them and the auto docking system took over, bringing them up to the jumper bay.

John parked the jumper and they all jumped out. Kai, Lorne and Zelenka were waiting for them in the control room.

"I take it, it didn't go according to plan?" Kai asked raising a brow.

John snorted. "Doesn't begin to cover it," he told her wryly. He turned to Zelenka who was looking at the sensors. "Anything?" He asked.

Zelenka shook his head and smiled triumphantly. "It looks like you made a clean getaway."

"Let's hope so," Weir agreed. "Everyone get some sleep," she told them and she turned to Chuck. "Keep us informed if anything suspicious comes through.

Chuck nodded. "Yes ma'am," he agreed.

John and Kai walked through the city together towards their quarters. John wasn't sure where everyone else went but it was late and Elizabeth was right, he was exhausted and felt off. He needed a good night sleep so they could figure out what to do about the Asurans in the morning. 

Kai led the way to his room and stopped as they reached the door. She smiled up at him and he raised his hand to cup the side of her face. Her storm grey eyes were shining in the dim light and he leaned down to kiss her goodnight.

He wanted to invite her in, but they hadn't taken that last step yet. Things had just been so crazy and he didn't want to push her. Kai leaned into him however, her hands moving from his neck to his low back. John made a sound in the back of his throat and pulled her more firmly against his body.

Aware they were still in the hall he reached out and swiped a hand over the door controls. He backed her into his room. Making out in the hallway wasn't exactly being subtle with their relationship.

Kai smiled against his lips and she wrapped her arms around his neck. She felt so amazing in his arms, but there was something off, something he couldn't quite place. He wanted this, wanted Kai, but...he pulled back and looked down at her. She frowned up at him, but he had no idea what she was thinking or feeling.

"I ah, should head to bed," Kai said after a moment.

John pressed his lips into a line as he tried to pick out what was bothering him.

"Good night John," Kai whispered against his lips, then she walked out of his room with a sassy sway of her hips and he let her. John ran a hand over his eyes. What the hell was wrong with him?

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The next morning John jogged up to the control room. He had gotten a good night sleep but when he woke there was still that odd sensation he couldn't quite place. Something was off.

"Any sign of our new friends?" he asked, his eyes moving over to where Zelenka was watching the sensors.

Zelenka shook his head. "No unscheduled gate activity and nothing on the long range sensors."

"I think it's safe to say we got away clean," Elizabeth said exhaling in relief.

John wasn't convinced. There was a nagging feeling that the escape had been too easy. "Either that, or they're biding their time, waiting for the right moment to attack."

Elizabeth nodded. "Well, we'll keep the security teams on alert just in case, but if they were able to come after us, I think they would have done so already," Elizabeth said.

John just shrugged. He could think of a thousand reasons they wouldn't have come yet, but he didn't voice his concerns.

"How are Rodney and Kai coming along with the Database?" Elizabeth asked.

"I'll go check on them," John said.

"I wonder how many other rogue Ancients there are out there," Elizabeth mused.

John hesitated. "If they are anything like the Asurans and the Mortii, we're better off leaving them well enough alone."

Elizabeth frowned but said nothing else as John headed down to the lab. He found Rodney and Kai both working on opposite terminals. "How's it going?" John called.

"I've searched a good portion of the database for any indication of the Asurans but..." McKay drew off.

"Still nothing?" John asked.

"Still nothing," McKay confirmed.

John turned to look at Kai but she had only glanced up at him briefly. He frowned, wondering if he had done something wrong. It wasn't in Kai's nature to keep it a secret if she was mad at him.

"Maybe the Ancients didn't want to be reminded of them," Sheppard said. "I mean we couldn't find any information about the Mortii either," he said glancing towards Kai once more.

She glanced up. "The Mortii wouldn't have taken their name until after the Ancients of Atlantis left," she told him. "Assuming the legends are true."

McKay made an impatient noise in the back of his throat. "Yeah, but even if the Ancients deleted every reference to the Asuras you'd think there'd be some hint of..."

"Colonel?" Weir called through the comms.

"Go ahead," John responded.

"I need you, McKay and Zian in the control room immediately."

There was an edge to Elizabeth's voice that had the three of them hurrying for the doors. They jogged up to the control room and stared up in shock at the sensor display.

"Hive ships?" McKay asked in shock.

"How'd they get so close?" Sheppard demanded.

"More importantly why are we just picking them up now?" McKay asked sharply.

Zelenka was flustered. "I don't know, everything seems to be working."

Kai stepped up to a different terminal to begin running diagnostics.

"Engage the cloak," Weir ordered.

"I'm already on it. Cloak is engaged now," McKay said.

"They are right over the city," Zelenka told them grimly.

"How far away is the Deadalus?" John asked urgently, his thoughts spinning as he tried to think of a way to get them out of this.

"It's not due for weeks," Elizabeth said.

"It doesn't matter. I'm counting seven Hive ships. There's nothing they could do about it," McKay said.

"They're scanning for us," Zelenka said.

They all froze, waiting. "Hopefully the cloak is-"

"They're firing!" Zelenka exclaimed a second before the whole city shook.

"Switch to shields!" Weir exclaimed.

"I can't, the shield generators were hit in the initial blast."

"They knew right where to hit us," John muttered under his breath.

"The cloak has failed," Zelenka said.

John went to the balcony. He stepped outside to see missiles hitting parts of the city, destroying it. John strode back into the control room. "We need more fire power, I'm headed to the chair room," he called over his shoulder.

"There are more ships arriving in the system!" Zelenka called.

John hesitated. "How many more?"

"Fifteen," Zelenka said in slow horror.

Another hit landed and the tower shook as sparks flew from failing systems.

"We can't fight off that many, not without shields," John said grimly, stepping back into the control room. The chair was useless at this point. He would never reach it in time. They were out of options and out of time.

Elizabeth actived the city wide comm. "Attention this is Weir. All personnel to the gate room for immediate evacuation," she turned to Zelenka. "Dial Earth." She turned to Sheppard. "John, we need to set the self destruct."

John nodded grimly.

"We just lost automated systems!" McKay called. "We'll lose the gate any second."

"Go," John ordered. "I'll detonate it manually."

"Maybe the Wraith will take care of destroying the city for us!" Weir said as the tower shook dangerously under their onslaught.

"If they wanted to vaporize the city they would have done it already," McKay argued. "Look, if there is any part of this city left intact-"

Elizabeth finished for him. "-They'll know how to find earth. I know!" but she couldn't bare the thought of leaving Sheppard behind.

Zelenka pulled up the self destruct on a laptop. "Okay enter your number. When you are ready hit this button."He explained. "At that point you'll only have a few seconds left."

Sheppard nodded and turned to the others. "Go," he instructed them. Below in the gate room all of the personnel were runing through the event horizon. Evacuating Atlantis and leaving it behind for the last time.

"No, no, no," McKay cried. "I can't let you do this, not without tossing a coin or something. It doesn't seem right!"

"I appreciate the offer Rodney, now get out of here!" John bellowed. "Go, all of you!"

They all ran down the stairs. All except Kai. A number of alarms went off. Kai ran to the railing and looked down where Weir and McKay were hesitating. We're losing power get through the gate!"

John turned and met her gaze across the control room. "You too!" he snarled, but he was already terrified it was too late. She had waited too long.

Kai shook her head. "I'm not leaving you," she said.

John knew Kai, knew she wouldn't leave. Part of him wanted to shake her for it, but the other part knew it was what made her, her. He wouldn't have left her either.

He turned back to the laptop. He put in his activation code, arming the self-destruct. He took a deep breath and pressed enter. The countdown started. He turned and Kai was standing beside him. That feeling that there was something off with her still persisted. But when a she laced her fingers with his and pulled him down for one last kiss he knew it didn't matter. Their world exploded around them in a flash of light as it all ended.

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Hope you enjoyed the update ;)