AN: Hello everyone here is the next chapter for you. Sorry that it's a day late. I would like to thank Kissa Lady for being my first reviewer on Day One. Happy reading and please review and let me know what you think.

Break

Day Six: Present (Rodney)

It has officially been six days since our Colonel was thrown into the past. Zelenka still says every day that they are getting close but still he's stuck two hundred years into the past. It is weird but sometimes while I'm walking around I can almost hear his walking beside me, or laughing at one of Carson's bad jokes. I hope that we are able to get him back soon. I think I'm starting to go slightly crazy without him here.

Day Six: Present (Evan)

As day six comes around I find myself inundated with arguments between the science and military personnel. Not anything major mostly just little fights about who would be replacing Colonel Sheppard.

At this point I am just hoping that Dr. Z gets Sheppard back soon as it will put to rest all of the conjecture and rumors. Plus I really hate doing paperwork which is all I have been doing for the last three days.

Day Seven: Past (John)

I woke up stiffly having had trouble sleeping once again. I ate a few of the fruits I had gotten from Merrick on Athos and headed for the lab. I brought up the main console screen and opened the file I had been typing in for the past seven days.

I pulled up a file inside and labeled it "For Dr. Rodney McKay's eyes only" I opened it and started typing. I made a promise three days ago and I am going to keep it.

Day Seven: Present (Rodney)

I cant believe it's been seven days. As I look at myself in the mirror I realize just how much the last week has taken out of me. I've lost several pounds due to my nerves and have black rings around my eyes from the dreams that wont allow me much sleep. When we get the Colonel back he will probably get mad at me for not eating and sleeping for the better part of a week but I don't really care.

For the seventh time I opened up the file and was glad to find that John is still alive. What surprised me even more was the file inside that was addressed for my eyes only. I read his main entry carefully he talked about Merrick and Athos again and then talked about some of the fruit that they had given him. I opened the other file and began to read it.

Dear Rodney,

If you are reading this it means that I have been gone a week and I am not back yet. I know that you are doing the best you can but could you hurry up a little.

Four days ago I promised that if I wasn't back in our rightful time I would divulge the secret I have kept from everyone but especially from you. It has been difficult to keep this secret for so many years especially in my profession.

Since the moment I met you Rodney I knew that we would be friends. I never figured we would be best friends but I'm glad we are. I have always known that I was different than most people but I didn't mind as long as I stayed true to myself and after today I will. You are the same way as you are so different then most scientists that I have ever met.

I don't know if you believe in fate Rodney but I do. I know that it was my destiny to sit in that chair in Antartica; I know it was to come to Atlantis, and I know this was my destiny, to find you and keep you safe. I have done so as well as I can and I will continue to do so if I get back.

I know that you will never believe this but the last two years that we have spent in the lost city of Atlantis have been the best two years of my life. Before coming to the city I was a loner. I had very few friends and even fewer family members. In the city I have friends who are practically my family. I get to protect and serve some of one a few things I have wanted to do all my life.

I am sorry that I have not made it home because I always wanted to see the look on your face when I told you this whether it be shock, acceptance, or complete disgust.

I know there is a chance that I could lose your friendship over this but as I may not ever make it back I'll say it here and now.

Dr. Meredith Rodney McKay I am in love with you, I always will be.

Sincerely,

Lt. Colonel John Patrick Sheppard

United States Air Force

When I read the last line I fell out of my chair backwards…he's in love with me. He's never shown any indication of liking me that way or at least I don't think he has. Unless everything about him is an indication of him being gay that would make more sense.

The easy smile that he gets when we snark at each other. How he teases me about everything and anything. Oh my god he's been flirting with me since we came to Atlantis. I flopped down on the bed and surprisingly fell into a deep sleep.

Later:

I've been sitting in front of my computer for over three hours. I've read John's words over and over again and I understand now.

The one thing I never realized is that I feel the same way for him and I have for a long time. I can feel the tears running down my cheeks but I cant bring myself to wipe them away. I cant believe that it took me losing him or nearly losing him to figure out what has been happening between us the last two and a half years.

"I love you too John," I said to the computer somewhat hoping he could hear me two hundred years in the past.

"Rodney, we've got it, Rodney," Radek's voice came over the com in my ear making me jump and almost fall out of my chair once more. His happy burst of speech making my ears hurt slightly.

I got up out of the chair and rushed into the bathroom to clean up a little. Knowing that if we got John back he would want to see me looking at least as well as possible. As soon as I seemed presentable I headed for my lab.

Upon entering I found Radek, Elizabeth, Teyla, Ronon, Aiden, and Carson with a full medical team. They were spread out behind the device, which Radek and the other had mounted onto a tri-pod like device.

I nodded to everyone and Radek powered up the device. The room was filled with a loud buzzing sound and then purple light flashed through the room and when it dissipated I nearly cried out in relief.

There lying on the floor in the middle of the lab was the unconscious form of John Sheppard. Carson swooped down on him and his team got the Colonel onto a gurney and headed out the door to the infirmary. I looked to my other teammates and then to Elizabeth before leaving the room quickly without a word. I headed for the infirmary and when I arrived I found Carson standing next to a bed where they had placed John.

He had an iv in his hand and was hooked up to several monitors. I stood at the foot of the bed until Carson turned around. He sighed and moved to walk past me…he stopped and rested a hand on my shoulder.

"How is he?" I aked quietly

"He's dehydrated and a little sleep deprived but he should be better by tomorrow. You should get some sleep Rodney," Carson said

"Not until he wakes up. He's spent the last week worrying that the device took me as well. I will rest better once I know that he is no longer worrying about me," I told him.

He moved off to his office and I moved around the side of the bed taking a seat next to the bed. I will stay until he wakes up…I know I wont be able to sleep well until I have heard him speak or at the very least open his eyes.