The next day, Cooper and Sheppard were standing on the balcony overlooking the city. He was feeling a little less stressed, now that she was willingly sharing his company. But there was still tension in the air due to the fact that neither person had much of a clue as to what had happened.

"I feel really weird about this, sir," she said, shaking her head at the horizon.

"Yeah, you and me both," he agreed. "But, hey, at least you don't have a panic attack every time I walk into the room."

She grimaced. "I feel... at ease now. And that makes me uncomfortable."

He looked at her, trying not to feel sorry for her because he knew she wouldn't want his pity. She wanted answers, not apologies. "Soon enough, we'll head back to the chamber. Then you can investigate to your little heart's content."

She nodded, continuing to look out over the water. She leaned further against the railing, looking down at the lower parts of the city. He frowned. Ever since she'd gotten out of the infirmary, she'd been taking everything in like a tourist, even though she'd been living there for months. "Are you okay?"

"It's like I'm looking at everything with new eyes. I remember every inch of this place, but..." She shook her head. "At the same time, it's like I've never seen it before."

"You took a pretty hard knock on the head. Miracle healing or not, that's bound to make you go a little looney."

"I'm not looney."

"Acceptance is the first step to getting help."

"I'm not-" She shook her head. "I just want to feel normal."

He patted her back. "You're normal, Cooper. It's everyone else that's crazy."

. . .

Back on the desert planet, and there was a distinct uneasiness about the team. Rodney stayed back on Atlantis, probably still fearing for the structural integrity of the chamber, but Lorne's squad had accompanied them in the event of any more accidents. Cooper had to admit, having the major there made her heart beat a little more steadily than it might have.

But she was still scared, if only a bit. She wore her calm demeanor like armor on the outside, but inside she was burning with questions and doubts. Something about that chamber wasn't right at all.

They stopped around the rectangular hole. Several scientists were already at the site, examining the stone a few feet away that had triggered it all. None of the scientists were down in the hole, whether because they hadn't gotten to it yet or because they were afraid, she didn't know.

I should be dead, she thought. Or at least close to it. She could see where the wall had collapsed from here as she crouched at the ledge. There was a lot of heavy rock.

"You don't have to go down there," Lorne reminded her gently.

"I would gladly go first if you so wish," Teyla said.

Cooper took a deep breath, thinking of what she'd been through and how much she still didn't know. "No, that's okay." Shoving her fears aside, she seized hold of the cables and dropped down into the hole.

Her boots hit the dirt and she moved a few paces forward. Seconds later there was the sound of polyester rubbing on nylon and Teyla, Sheppard, and Lorne joined her in the small space.

"Notice anything?" Sheppard asked, looking around even as he kept an eye on her.

She did notice something. She just wasn't ready to voice it. As she examined the chamber, the writing on the walls shifted. Sometimes, she thought she could understand what was there as plain as English, and then she would look harder and it would go back to being gibberish. It started making her dizzy, and a headache rapidly began making her lose concentration.

"Cooper," Sheppard said carefully. "You okay?"

"Fine, sir," she said, but her voice was quiet. Her head was pounding, and she had to stay still or the shifting writing would make her fall over.

"Cooper." He took her shoulder and turned her to face him, frowning at what he saw. "Cooper, nosebleed."

"What?" She recovered from the turn and touched a finger to her face. Blood.

"I think that's enough," Lorne said. "We should go."

"I haven't done anything-"

"We're going," Sheppard agreed firmly.

"You are unwell, MJ," Teyla said. "Perhaps it was not wise to bring you here."

"I'm fine," Cooper insisted, but they weren't listening.

"I'd rather not risk it," Lorne said as he pushed her gently towards the cables. They sent her up first, as though unsure if she'd be able to make it all the way by herself. She was capable, of course, but the pounding and dizziness in her head was slow to wear off. When the others hauled themselves out, they found her lying on the ground.

"You okay?" Sheppard asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

"I have to wait for the ground to stop spinning."

He nodded. "Right. Well, when you get your feet back, we're out of here."

"Don't make any plans just yet," Ronan said, and they all heard him audibly preparing his weapon.

"Sir!" cried one of the soldiers stationed near the Stargate. "Sir! Offworld activation!"

As though they couldn't clearly see it. The wormhole plunged into the world, then the soldiers gave the shimmering ring a wide berth. As everyone watched, the nose of a Wraith Dart began to emerge.

"You up for a fight, Cooper?" Sheppard said tensely.

"Always, sir," she grunted, heaving herself to her feet.