Author's Note: Oh, man, have I completely forgotten all about this story until last week. Then, I realized that I have all this stuff on my computer, a whole new season has started, and I'm still not even through half of Season 3. So, apologies to all those who have been waiting for me to post something, and thank you for the support. I have a feeling I might skip some episodes, but I haven't really figured out a long term plan with this story. Anyway, here's the "latest" part, and hopefully I'll have more posted very soon. So, until then, enjoy, and please review!!

“Hey Doc, what’s going on?” Major Lorne asked as he walked into the Control Room. Doctor Zelenka was walking around the consoles, checking on what the Technicians were working on.

“Ah, Major. Good to see you walking around on your own.” After Major Lorne’s appendicitis, Dr. Beckett had kept him on crutches for two weeks, much to his chagrin. Major Lorne smiled.

“Yea, Beckett’s letting me walk around on my own now, but I can’t be on my feet all day long. He’s also finally cleared me for light duty, which I’m grateful for. Doctor Weir called me down a few minutes ago, where is she?” He asked, looking around.

“Ah, well, she called you here because we have been left in charge. She decided to go with Colonel Sheppard and his team to a, um, research outpost that was inhabited. They just left a few moments ago.” Lorne slowly followed Zelenka into Dr. Weir’s office and sank down into the chair in front of it. Zelenka paused for a moment, but then sat down in Dr. Weir’s chair.

“So, where is Lannie today?” Zelenka asked Lorne. Lorne shrugged.

“I think she said she was either doing something for Beckett or McKay. She bounces around on projects for the both of them, so it’s hard to keep track.”

Zelenka smiled knowingly. Rodney was constantly pulling Lannie into his experiments, and Dr. Beckett had been teaching her Biology, which she had developed an interest in. Lorne was used to her taking off almost every day to parts unknown, as long as she came back at a decent time, he didn’t mind. He knew that Lannie liked to keep busy, and if she didn’t want to help she wouldn’t.

“Well, I don’t know if you have any work to do, Major, but I have a few projects that I am working on. I will keep in radio contact, then come switch with you?” Zelenka asked. Lorne nodded.

“Sounds good, Doc. See you in a while.” Lorne replied. Radek quickly left the room as Lorne turned his radio on.

“Lannie? Where are you?” he called.

“Um, I’m in Rodney’s lab. Why?” Lannie replied a few seconds later.

“Well, Zelenka and I are in charge since Doctor Weir went off-world, so I was wondering if you could go to our room and grab me a book or something.”

“Sure, I’ll be over there in a few minutes.” Lannie replied, clicking the radio off.

Lannie turned to the computer she had been working on. Quickly saving all her work, she hopped down from the stool she was sitting on and left the lab. Entering the closest transporter, a few minutes later Lannie entered her quarters. Swiftly grabbing some things, she left the room and within minutes bounded into Dr. Weir’s office.

“Okay, I’m here with entertainment.” Lannie proclaimed. Lorne was lounging on the couch, staring into the Gate Room.

“Hey sweetie, thank you so much.” He replied.

“I brought the book you’ve been reading, and I also brought a Sudoku book and your sketch book and your pencils, I didn’t know if you might want them, you’ve been trying to draw the Gate Room for weeks now and haven’t really had a chance.” Lorne flushed slightly, but smiled at Lannie.

“Thanks, Lannie, I appreciate it. Hopefully it won’t be long before everyone comes back and I can be relieved.” Lannie dropped down into the chair in front of Lorne.

“Where did Doctor Weir go, anyway?” Lannie asked. Lorne shrugged.

“Dunno. She went with Sheppard and his team, so it must have been important.” Lorne replied. Lannie sat back, deep in thought.

“Rodney said he was sending a MALP through to a planet in the database that he couldn’t find any information about. I wonder if they found people there.” She mused. She quickly jumped up out of her chair.

“I’ll be right back.” She called over her shoulder as she bounded out of the room to the Control Center. Lorne smiled and shook his head at Lannie’s antics. Sighing slightly, he grabbed his book and opened to the marked page. He glanced up occasionally to see Lannie speaking with the Gate Tech intently, looking over his shoulder at the information he was explaining to her on the computer. A few minutes later Lannie returned and flopped down onto the couch next to Lorne.

“Well, that was a bust.” She said.

“Oh?” Lorne asked, still reading.

“I have no information about the planet, and we couldn’t find anything other than what Rodney had found initially. I guess we’ll have to wait for them to get back for the story.” Lannie replied.

“How sad for you, having to wait to be nosy.” Lorne quipped. Lannie punched him in the arm in retaliation.

“Ok, enough. I need to sit here and look like I’m in charge, and don’t you have work to do today as well?” Lorne asked, looking over at Lannie. Lannie frowned.

“Yes. Rodney has this completely ridiculous experiment that he’s working on, and he’s made it clear to everyone that I’m the only one allowed to help him on it. I guess I might as well go back to that.” With a sigh, Lannie stood up from the couch.

“Maybe I’ll see you for lunch or something?” she asked hopefully. Lorne looked up and smiled.

“Absolutely. I’ll see you later, Lannie.” Lorne replied. Lannie smiled brightly and left the room. Lorne settled back into the couch, opening his book again.

Lannie quickly walked back down the hallway towards the lab. Even though she could be working with Carson today, Rodney had begged her to run a few simulations for him. He had been giving her more and more jobs to do lately, claiming that he didn’t trust the actual people who worked for him. Lannie thought that he was doing it to change her mind about learning the ‘soft’ sciences, which she had taken an interest in. Rodney, for some strange reason, was becoming more and more involved in her life. He would randomly stop by her and Lorne’s quarters at night, claiming to have an issue with something, and then spending the next hour or so just talking with her.

Lannie sat back down at the bench and logged back onto her computer. She began running her experiment again, but something was nagging at the back of her mind. Reaching up to her radio, she quickly called to Dr. Zelenka.

“Radek? Do you have a moment?” she called.

“Of course, Lannie, how can I help you?” Zelenka replied.

“I was wondering if I could come down and look up something in the Ancient Database on your computers.” Lannie said.

“Of course, Lannie, I’ll make sure no one else is using them. See you in a few minutes.” Zelenka responded. Lannie smiled gratefully to herself, and checking that the computer would run the simulation safely for a while, hopped off her stool and headed down the hallway towards Zelenka’s lab.

Within moments, Lannie arrived in Dr. Zelenka’s lab. Zelenka looked up from his computer immediately.

“Ah, Lannie. Good.” He greeted her, adjusting his glasses. “I set the computer up for you over here, so you can have some quiet.”

“You didn’t have to do that, Radek.” Lannie replied, following Zelenka across the room. “You know I can block out noise.”

Radek chuckled. “Yes, I know you are talented at ignoring noise, especially McKay. But we are running some experiments that can get lout, so I did not want them to bother you.” He watched Lannie as she sat down at the computer.

“I am curious. What do you need to look into the Ancient Database for? Can you not just look inside your mind for what you are looking for?” he asked her.

“Actually, searching within my mind takes longer and gives me a headache. It’s easier just looking at the database itself. And to answer your first question, I am looking for more information about the planet where Colonel Sheppard and everyone else went. There’s something about it that bothers me.”

“Hmm.” Zelenka thought out loud. “Well, if you need help, I am here.”

“Thanks, Radek, but you have to go relieve Evan in a little while, remember.” Lannie replied.

“Yes yes, of course. Well, I’ll let you search.” With that, Zelenka gave a quick smile and headed back to his experiment.

Lannie turned back to the computer. At some point recently, someone had created a user-friendly search program that allowed for people to access the database and hopefully find what they were looking for. However, only a few people in Atlantis had complete access to the entire database, and Zelenka was one of them. Lannie, no matter how much she begged and argued the reasons why she should have full access, did not.

(“I’m sorry, Lannie, but this order isn’t from me, it’s from the IOA. They’re still afraid of what you’re capable of doing, and even though you’re an Ancient and have it in your memory already, they still have qualms.” Weir had explained)

Lannie entered the address of the planet into the search program. The planet was quickly brought up, giving the bare minimum of information. Lannie went through the information, then brought up a new search window, and began looking for similar references. An hour later, Lannie had no new information. It seemed that the Ancients had erased any mention of the people there or what went on there. Sighing frustratedly, Lannie rested her head on the table.

“What, sleeping on the job?” Lorne joked, standing a few feet behind her. Lannie raised her head and mock-glared at him.

“Oh yea, I’m just so exhausted from sitting around staring at a computer screen. You’re going to have to carry me out of here.”

“That won’t be a problem, however, I think Beckett would yell at me for doing heavy lifting right after being cleared for moderate duty after having my appendix out.” Lorne replied, walking over and standing behind her, rubbing her shoulders gently. Lannie sighed happily and relaxed under his touch.

“So, do you think you have the energy to go to the Mess Hall with me for some food?” Lorne asked her.

“I’ll try.” Lannie quipped. Lorne squeezed her shoulders as Lannie stood up from her seat, stretching slightly.

“Okay, let’s go.” She said, stretching up onto her toes to kiss Lorne quickly. Swinging an arm around Lannie’s shoulders, Lorne led them out of the lab.

Colonel Sheppard, Doctor Weir, and the rest of the team returned two days later, but not through the Stargate. Lorne and Zelenka had taken turns running the City, while Lannie busied herself with helping Carson in the Infirmary or spending time in the Labs with Zelenka or by herself in McKay’s lab. She had still been unable to find out more about the planet, but she knew she would find all about it whenever the team got home.

“Major Lorne? We just received a radio hail from Colonel Sheppard. He and the team are returning in a Jumper as we speak.” Chuck the technician radioed. Lorne quickly got up from the couch where he had been sitting.

“I’ll meet them in the Jumper Bay. Radio Zelenka and have him meet us there as well. Lorne out.” Lorne quickly changed radio frequencies.

“Lannie? They’re back.” He said.

“I know, I’ll meet you in the Jumper Bay.” Lannie replied. She got up from her workbench and left the Lab, almost colliding with Zelenka on the way out.

“Oh, Lannie. I am sorry, are you heading to the Jumper Bay as well?” he asked her as they continued along the hallway.

“Yes, Evan told me that everyone was back. I might as well be part of the welcoming committee.” Lannie replied. Radek chuckled.

“Yes, you have done your part in helping with the City. Ah, here we are.” Radek said as they stepped into the Jumper Bay. The Jumper’s hatch was just lowering, and Lannie could make out the heads of some of the people inside. She heard Lorne quickly approach from behind.

“Oh good, right on time.” He commented as the Jumper hatch touched the ground. He stepped forward as Colonel Sheppard came out.

“Sir.” Lorne greeted. “I see you brought home a new toy.”

“Yes, we did. We also have quite the story, don’t we, guys?” Sheppard replied, looking behind him at the rest of his team.

“Yes, well, I’m sure in due time…” Rodney began, but stopped when he spotted Lannie.

“Uh-uh. Don’t come near me. Or any of us. You need to get checked out by Beckett first before.” He said, flailing his arms in her direction.

“What are you talking about?” Lannie asked, looking confused.

“You could be one of them. That we just met. You need to get tested.” He replied, taking a step back towards the Jumper.

“Okay, I’m confused. What’s the matter with Lannie?” Lorne interrupted.

“The planet we just went to was full of lovely, Ancient-like people, who turned out to be Replicators. Ancient Replicators. And for all we know, Lannie could be one of them.” McKay explained. Lorne looked slightly shocked, as Lannie stared at McKay in bewilderment.

“Rodney, I’m flesh and blood. You know that.” She stammered.

“Ah, but maybe not. You could be a better version of one of them. Like, like, a human form Cylon, or something.” He protested.

“Okay, now that’s just ridiculous. Rodney, Lannie is a normal, Ancient, human. She’s not a Replicator, OR a Cylon. You’re just being paranoid. Now stop it, and let’s all go get checked out by Beckett and go rest for the next few days.” Sheppard spoke up, glaring slightly at McKay. Rodney began protesting, but Dr. Weir also spoke.

“I agree. Rodney, your paranoia is uncalled for. Lannie, I apologize. Major Lorne, Doctor Zelenka, thank you for taking care of the City while we were gone. You three can take the rest of the day off.”

“Thank you, ma’am.” Lorne replied, swiftly grabbing Lannie’s arm and leading her out of the Jumper Bay. Lannie followed numbly; still in shock over what McKay had said about her. Meanwhile, back in the Jumper, Sheppard turned to McKay.

“Rodney, I don’t know what in the hell that just was, but I cannot believe you said that to her. That girl is like your sister, and now you go accusing her of not being real? How dare you?”

“Colonel, we are all tired. Perhaps Rodney was not thinking when he spoke.” Teyla tried to reason gently.

“Oh no, he knew exactly what he was saying. I’ll be surprised if she ever forgives you this time. Now, I’m off to go see Carson, and then going to apologize to Lannie again. You’d better think about doing the same.” With that, Colonel Sheppard turned and also left the Bay. Slowly, Teyla, Ronon, and Dr. Weir also left. Dr. Zelenka looked over at McKay, who was still standing there looking flummoxed.

“You’d better be thinking of a very good apology right now, Rodney. Whatever happened on your mission gave no reason for what you said to her.”

“You weren’t there, you have no idea.” McKay snapped.

“Oh? Then why did Doctor Weir not say what you said? Or why did Colonel Sheppard not put Lannie into custody? Because it is not warranted. You made a big mistake this time, and only you can clean it up.” With that, Radek turned and left Rodney all alone next to the Jumper. He stood there for a few moments longer, then with a huff took off after the rest of the group.

Rodney didn’t get a chance to apologize to Lannie later that day. The incident with Doctor Weir had him working in his lab until the next day, analyzing the nanites and what they were capable of. Finally, after being woken up at his desk by one of the other scientists, he decided he needed food, and headed down to the Mess Hall. There, sitting at a table by the window, he saw Lannie, and remembered what he had said to her. Slumping his shoulders, he shuffled over to where she was sitting, coughing slightly to get her attention.

Lannie looked up expectantly, but then her face changed from that of happiness to that of hurt.

“Hello, Rodney.” She said flatly, taking a sip of her drink.

“Um, can I sit here with you?” he asked tentatively. After getting a shrug from her, he sat down across from her, and began eating. Lannie rolled her eyes slightly, but said nothing to him.

Finally, after half of his meal was gone, Rodney spoke up. “So, um, about yesterday,” he began, “I just wanted to say, well, you have to realize that I had just been tortured by having a hand inserted into my brain and my mind probed, and then had to deal with one of them attacking Elizabeth, so I was really…”

“Rodney,” Lannie interrupted him. “Stop for a moment. You accused me of being a Replicator. I didn’t know they even existed in this galaxy, and you were the person who found me in the chamber, and I know that you’ve seen my brain scans. You were completely out of line saying that about me. However, I know that you are sorry, or at least I hope you are.”

“I am, I really am. Like I said, I was just so overwhelmed by the fact that I had gone through all that, and I just blurted it out, and…”

“Rodney! Stop talking.” Lannie laughed. Rodney shook his head, blinking in confusion. Then, he smiled slightly at her. “Ok. I’m just going to finish eating. I’m starving.”

“You do that. I actually have to get going, I’m meeting Teyla in the gym for a sparring session.” Lannie replied.

“Oh, okay. Are you coming by the lab tomorrow to help me with that project?” Rodney asked as Lannie stood from the table.

“Yes, Rodney, I will be there.” Lannie said, slightly exasperated. Smiling at him once more, she turned and left him sitting at the table, a small smile on his face.

----------TBC-----------------------