I finally have the answer to the question 'How many fools does it take to ruin a fool proof plan?'
One.
One, big, stupid, moronic fool.
Namely-
And if you ever tell ANYONE I admitted to this, I'll deny it and then later hunt you down for spreading vicious, completely unfounded rumors-
Me.
For once, it was me who screwed up royally during the execution of my own brilliant plan and almost cost a member of my team her life.
Cadman got shot, again, because of me.
Guilt doesn't much matter now though, we managed to free Sheppard and Teyla from the clutches of the Voldrani, and now, once again, I'm running for the open stargate.
This time, with Laura Cadman slumped in my arms.
Can't really even feel the pain in my back, or anywhere else, for that matter.
I've got to get her to Carson, he'll succeed where I've failed.
Get him to make her well.
More shots ringing out. More shouts. More fighting and then-
Gate travel. Atlantis.
And a very worried looking Carson Beckett literally sprinting towards his fallen-
"Rodney, put her down!"
He's calling out for a stretcher.
He can't have her.
He won't get her out of my arms until I know she's going to be ok. Until I know that I haven't cost her-
Never mind. Just. Never mind. It doesn't matter. What does matter, is that he can't have her until I know she'll-
Live?
John's trying to insist that I let go of her. Trying to pry her limp body away from my soaked chest and towards the stretcher. He can't have her.
She's mine.
No. No. Not mine.
Never mine. Carson's.
Damn it McKay. Let her go...your selfishness might kill her.
Carson's. Not mine.
Lay her gently on the stretcher, wince as her hand grasps blindly for-
It doesn't matter. Because she's not mine.
And she never will be.
