That squeeze on her shoulder helped a little, but she still cursed the universe when the Puddlejumper arrived and Sheppard came out. She hadn't wanted him to see her like this. She'd wanted to surprise him with her new control, celebrate together once everyone had settled in... Instead she watched his concern and cautious distance, appreciating the former and not faulting him for the latter.

"Sick, I think," she admitted, finally acknowledging it herself. "But I haven't been around other humans since we left, just the wraith on this hive. I couldn't have caught anything contagious. Whatever it is, I think it's just me. And I can wait until after the proper introductions are made."

It was important to her that they know she probably wasn't carrying some sort of viral plague, but at the same time she hoped they took precautions. Just in case. And the last was a subtle if pointed reminder about the new queen was there, and she was the really important one.