A/N- I am fed up with TPTB and the spoilers and rumours for season 4. If they are going to do the things proposed then they should do it right and this is my attempt to do it right. So, MAJOR SPOILERS for Season 4 of Stargate Atlantis, although this is how I want things to go, not how they will probably go... but that's alright with me.

Through all the changes, some things are everlasting...

Everlasting

1. Coil Unwound

He was standing on their balcony. The control room was behind him and although the doors were closed he knew that everyone there was in quiet contemplation. To say that the last few months had been a rollercoaster would be a gross understatement. It started with something that was border-line immoral, and ended with something that could only be described as horribly unfair and wicked. And now, as he stood in the dying light of their new home, John Sheppard couldn't help but wonder if Elizabeth hadn't been right all along.

I'm sorry sir, but I can't help but think that we're somehow responsible for this.

'If I had only listened to her…' John thought despairingly to himself. '…if I had only tried to convince Commander Ellis that going ahead with the first strike wasn't a good idea! If only…'

"You shouldn't blame yourself John…"

Her voice was soft as it whispered in his ear and John looked to his left and saw her standing there. Elizabeth was standing before him in a plain white gown, her hair flowing around her shoulders and her hazel eyes wide and full of life. All around her a white aura glowed and John knew that he was looking at her ascended form.

"-Lizabeth-!" He breathed out taking a halted step towards her.

"I'm here John." She answered quietly, her voice calm and sure. "I had to let you know that I was alright."

"So are you back?" He asked curiously, the shock of seeing her wearing off as he thought back to a half-forgotten conversation. "Or are you-"

"I am an ascended being now John." She explained apologetically. "I know what I said but- I can do more like this."

"Dr. Jackson thought so too." John pointed out, his brow furrowed. "And look where that got him."

"Yes." Elizabeth agreed with a small laugh as she clasped her hands in front of her and cast her gaze down to them. "I have been hearing stories about how us mortals from Earth have a very strange way of looking at things---- how we rock the boat to much."

"But you won't-" John stated knowingly, causing Elizabeth to catch his eye. "-never a rash decision when it comes to you right?"

Now see- that is exactly the type of RASH decision that I was talking about

"My decision to get where I am now was somewhat rash…" Elizabeth admitted with a sigh as she took a step towards John. "…but at the time, it was the only way that I could think of to save you---all of you---"

"And yourself," John added softly, taking another step towards her so now they were standing toe to toe. "-you had to save yourself."

"John," Elizabeth began with a sigh, shaking her head. "-Teyla once told me that you would do anything for any member of your team. Did you think that you were alone in that conviction?"

"Well I--er--"

"You have defended and protected me too many times to count John," Elizabeth paused and laughed at a memory before continuing. "-you even defended my honour once." Elizabeth sighed and looked out to their new sea-green ocean, placing her hands upon the railing of the balcony. "But you have to know that while you may be willing to lay down your life for any of us, we are willing to lay down our life for you."

"I just wish that it hadn't been you." John stated suddenly catching Elizabeth's gaze and her hand as it rested on the railing. "I have so many things to say to you…"

"I have so many things to say to you too John," Elizabeth agreed, looking into his mournful eyes, knowing that she was projecting the same loss. "-but my time is up-"

"You could always come back you know…" He pointed out hopefully, taking her hand and squeezing it- inwardly shocked that she was solid. "You could always retake human form..."

"I made a commitment." Elizabeth stated firmly, echoing her words of so long ago. "And besides," She continued, pulling her hand away and taking a step back. "-it doesn't seem right to just ascend to fix a problem and then de-ascend for my own gain…"

"But it wouldn't be for just your own gain!" John exclaimed, his frustration mounting slightly. "You'd be returning to the place that you belong! You'd be returning to the position that you committed yourself to three years ago!" John sighed and let his tense shoulders slump. "You'd be returning to the people whom you befriended, who care about you, who l--- love you."

"Oh John," Elizabeth sighed, her heart breaking at his last words. "If I only could-"

"Just promise me one thing," John interrupted, taking both her hands into his own; an intimate gesture that not only shocked Elizabeth but John as well.

"Anything…." Elizabeth agreed, squeezing John's hands as tight as she could.

"Promise me that I'll see you again one day."

"One day." Elizabeth promised with a nod and a smile as she kept a tight hold of John's hands even as she began to turn into white light. "One day we will meet again."

And with that Elizabeth was gone, leaving John standing alone on the balcony wondering if what he had just experienced was real or not. A part of him confirmed to himself that he had indeed seen Elizabeth and that she had promised him that one day they would meet again.

"I'll hold you to that Elizabeth." John whispered softly turning from the balcony and heading into the control room. "I'll hold you to that…"

And as he left, he could hear the waves of the sea crashing against the piers of Atlantis and interspersed with them he could have sworn that he had heard her sweet laughter and a promise in response.

"We will meet again John, I swear that we will..."

A/N- Hey all! I'm starting at the end, and the next chapter will be the beginning. Hope you liked it cause the rest of my story will be Season 4- Sparky style. :D Please Review! And look forward to the next chapter soon.