Fate
John, Ronon and Rodney have just walked through the gate. John remains silent as they continue down the path towards the nearest village.
"The village is a good hike from here, but if we continue in a good pace it shouldn't take too long," announces Ronon.
"Why did Teyla leave any way?" asks Rodney.
Rodney looks at Ronon, who was glancing at John, and John tries to avoid any eye contact with either one of them.
"Oh, you didn't!" Rodney snips at John. "Tell me you didn't say something stupid enough to make her this mad!"
John's silence and guilty look was evidence enough for Rodney and he could tell that whatever John had said to her was tearing him up inside.
It's been three days since she left and her absence was driving him mad. He tried to hold back his tongue after she announced that she was married and was having a child by some unknown member of her people. Well, unknown to him.
Ronon and Rodney had met him once while they were helping with supplies. Teyla introduced them, but never led on that they were seeing each other. Ronon didn't even pick up on it. The only thing that they remember was that he was a person that kept to himself. Even though he was grateful for all of Atlantis's help, he thought that Teyla and the rest of their people were too dependant on what Atlantis could do for them.
Flashes of her anger flood John's mind. It was a face he saw before but he couldn't understand why she would be so angry at him. The first time he saw that furious look on her face was when the Seer grabbed his hand. He was almost frightened by what he saw. He knew that it had to do with something he said, but while he was seeing the vision it wasn't that clear in what it was. At that time, all he could concentrate on was how upset and mad she was and that she was leaving.
"Chose your words wisely and tell her how you really feel about her or you may lose her forever," spoke the Seer. "It is your choice. Not all you have seen is set in stone."
The Seer gave John a weak smile and walked away. John was too speechless to ask him any questions and by the time he had some it was too late, Sam had called a meeting for Teyla to announce her news.
"Do you smell that?" asks Ronon.
"No. What do you smell?" John finally speaks.
"It's smoke and lots of it," replies Ronon.
Both Rodney and John smell the air again. This time they can smell it too. The village was extremely close. They quickly run to investigate. When the arrived their hearts sunk. The village was vacant. Ronon points out an area where there looked like a struggle. Only one of the homes was burnt down.
Ronon points to the once burning cooking fire, "It looks like during the struggle the fire got too close to this house and burnt it down."
"What happened here? Where they attacked or…" John starts asking.
Rodney interrupts him, "Culled. The village has been culled." Rodney was behind the charred home looking down solemnly.
John rushes over and Rodney tries to hold his hand out to prevent John to come any closer.
"Sheppard don't!" Rodney yells.
It is too late. John sees the lifeless, drained body on the ground. Ronon is right behind John and sees it as well. Ronon quickly walks away and releases a painful cry, as John collapses to his knees next to withered body. His body begins to shake from holding in his emotions and his eyes begin to water up.