Nothing Matters, You Are Here

A/N: This is a fic I've had hanging around in one of my writing books for a while now. It's inspired by a post I made on a RP forum a while back, though this is toned down quite a bit. The ending is open to interpretation.

Disclaimer: The characters, locations and aired plots belong to the creators of Stargate Atlantis. This plot is my own, but no profit is made from it. Thanks to the Stargate Atlantis production team for allowing us to play in their world.

The backpack she had quickly donned weighed down on her shoulders, a load she was unaccustomed to. She resolved to go off-world more often, not just on occasions like this. The gun clipped to her jacket lay uncomfortably in her hands. The training he'd forced on her during one of the few quieter moments rested at the front of her mind. Despite her best efforts, all her words, the training would now be needed.

The area around the 'gate was clear. The road from the 'gate was empty. The entrance to the building was guarded. Two men. Each was felled with sharp shooting with an Ancient stunner. The inner corridor was a moving gunfight, cleared in a shower of bullets and stunner bolts.

They reached an inner room. Air Force guards were left outside, but any remaining occupants were smart enough not to go up against determined forces wielding the technology of the Ancestors. Particularly not one led by a woman with the cool determination she had.

The room itself contained only one person.

She crossed the room in an instant, collapsing to her knees beside him. In the low light, she could barely see him, but the features she could make out were disturbing. She had reached out to touch his face, to convince both of them that the other was really there, but she hesitated, unsure.

He looked at her, conveying without words that 'it's okay.'

Ever so gently, she continued the motion, letting her fingers touch his cheek. He shifted slightly, moving his head to bring her palm into contact, letting her cool touch soothe his skin. She drew an involuntary breath as the new contours on his face registered under her hand. All across lay little cuts and slices. Many of them were already swelling and bruising, further distorting his profile.

Her other hand drifted up to entwine in his, and she winced as she felt the new way his fingers lay between hers. She caught a slight flicker in his face, then he pushed aside the pain and presented a brave façade.

Carefully she stood up and moved to bring her lips near his ear. They were close enough so that the water on her cheek mixed with the gritty dampness on his, but neither cared. Nearly silently, she said. "We took so long. I'm so sorry..."

In a voice scarcely more than a breath, he replied, "You are here. Everything is better now." Slowly his eyelids drooped, and he gave a little sigh. She pulled him into her arms, holding him as hard and close as she dared.