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�And you�ve got the suggested personnel lists for sub-sectors that you�re not actively involved in?� Elizabeth asked.
�Still waiting for xenobiology to give me their list, but it�s a pretty small pool to pick from so if need be I can just go over the files that the SGC has on hand,� Rodney said. �Anyone in that field that they could request is probably stationed either at Area 51 or the SGC itself.�
�Good,� Elizabeth said. �Now, and I mean this in the kindest way possible, please go take a shower before someone tosses you off the balcony into the ocean.�
Rodney frowned. �Excuse me?�
�She�s saying you stink, McKay, and I have to agree with her,� John said bluntly. Rodney looked over at Elizabeth who made a face that told him that she really hadn�t wanted to say anything but that she agreed with Sheppard, and, with an offended cry, Rodney threw his arms up in the air and turned around, stalking away, heading for the nearest shower Elizabeth hoped.
After making sure Rodney�s artefacts were in the crate, John looked over at Elizabeth. �So� day after tomorrow we head for home.� He frowned, not liking the way that sounded, though he couldn�t put his finger on why.
�Day after tomorrow sounds good,� Elizabeth agreed. �But we�re not going home,� she corrected.
Immediately understanding what she meant, John nodded, smiling softly. �You�re right. This is home now,� he said softly. He stood up and dusted off his pants quickly. �Lunch?� he said, motioning toward the door.
�I promise not to force anything pink and orange on you,� Elizabeth smiled.
�Ugg, don�t remind me,� Sheppard said, shuddering dramatically as he placed a gentle hand on the small of Elizabeth�s back, unconsciously leading her out of her office and toward the corridor that would lead them to the Mess. �I don�t care that this is another galaxy. Nothing that looks like that stuff should be allowed to be called food.�
The rest of that day was spent finishing up mission reports and gathering letters and messages for people back home�they had all sent their videos a few weeks earlier, but the general tone of those messages had been fatalistic at best and the majority of the staff wanted to give their loved ones a more upbeat message now that they were out of the immediate woods regarding the Wraith.
John and Elizabeth had little else to do once they had packed up the files and gathered the messages, so they spent their last day on Atlantis before returning to Earth wandering around the city and bothering people who had more than enough work to do.
Carson spent the day going over patient care instructions with Doctor Biro and those with medical qualifications, the wounded from the Wraith attack on Atlantis still convalescing in the Infirmary, some in need of constant monitoring; he had tried valiantly to use that as a reason to stay on Atlantis, if only so that he wouldn�t have to go through the Stargate more than absolutely necessary, but Elizabeth had been firm in her decision that all of the Senior Staff return to Earth.
And Rodney spent the day working, unwilling to admit that a great many of the scientists on his staff could, would, and had done most if not all of the tasks that he undertook, determined that he was the only one who could make sure that Atlantis remained safe until his return which, if things went according to schedule, wouldn�t be for at least a month, probably longer.
Late that night the four Senior Staffers all found themselves raiding the kitchen, unable to sleep in anticipation of what they were going to do the next morning.