Trust Once Broken | SGA John Sheppard

0.14.0

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It was late, nearly midnight, but Weir was waiting for them in the jumper bay when they arrived back on Atlantis. John hadn't expected any less. It was a serious operation with a lot of man power. Weir wasn't the type of leader to go to bed when her people might be in danger.

"What happened?" she demanded her arms crossed over her chest.

John sighed. "I'll fill you in," he promised. "Let's meet in your office," he said. Which was code between him and Elizabeth that meant they needed to discuss what happened alone. He glanced back at his team. Every one of them looked exhausted. Kai still hadn't moved from the bench. Weir's eyes cut to her, noting Kai hadn't been in the co-pilots chair. John was sure she was curious about that, but he was hoping to buy himself some time before he had to discuss Kai. The Genii threat would be enough for Elizabeth tonight.

"In the mean time," he turned to Kai.

Kai stiffened, as though she expected him to out her right there in front of everyone. She would certainly deserve it. He had spent the better part of a month feeling like he was insane for doubting her. Turns out there had been a good damn reason his instincts were warning him about her.

Instead, he reached into his flak vest and brought out the data device. "Get to work," he ordered slapping it into her hand with a meaningful look. Kai nodded and slowly stood. She scooped up her laptop and slipped past the others to disappear out the back hatch.

Weir nodded. "I'll meet you up there," she agreed briskly and she left the Major alone with his team.

John sighed and turned back to his team. Teyla knew what had happened, Rodney had seen Kai fight the guards, though he wasn't sure how much McKay would have recognized her abilities for what they were. Ford knew something was happening was Kai, but not the specifics. John was going to have to tell them something, he just wasn't sure what yet.

He had mixed feelings about what he had learned. He needed time to think, and he needed to speak with Kai without an audience. He had some difficult questions that he needed answers to. He looked at the others and scrubbed a hand over his face.

"Get some rest guys," he advised. "We'll debrief in the morning."

"Major," Teyla said stepping towards him.

John held up his hand. "In the morning. It's late. Get some shut eye."

Teyla sucked in a breath, "But what about-"

"In the morning," John said with more authority.

It wasn't often John had to assert his authority over his team, but when he did they all knew it was time to sit up and listen. Teyla pressed her lips together but she nodded in understanding. John's gaze moved over to McKay who also agreed. Then there was Ford. He wouldn't outright ask any of them to keep anything from Weir, but he hoped they would give him enough time to speak with her first.

"Understood Major," Ford agreed and he led the way towards the locker room. They filed after him. Once John was alone he exhaled and scrubbed at his face. He was exhausted. He didn't want to have to do this, but he knew he wouldn't be able to sleep until it was resolved. He needed answers.

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The conversation with Elizabeth took the better part of an hour. Most of it would end up in his mission report any way, but it was good to talk it out with her. He ended up apologizing. He had been the one to push for this alliance and it had backfired. In the mean time Bates' team had gone off world and secured a modest but reliable trading partner. He was glad they had even a small amount of food coming in, but it chafed that it hadn't been his team to do it.