Left Behind : Stargate Atlantis

Dragonlots aka Dana Bell

Chapter 9 : All Tarnished

McKay sat down on Carson's bed and recoiled back on his feet as the nightmarish images flashed through his head. After months of the bad dreams haunting him, and talking to Dr. Heightmeyer, he thought he was finally better. Evidently not.

He held the message from his sister in his hand, terrified to read it. Rodney set it down on the nightstand and glanced around the room. Why had he come here? It wasn't like Carson was there to talk to.

"Rodney?" John poked his head in the door.

"Remember the last time we were here?" McKay asked him.

"Yeah. We were getting ready for Beckett's funeral." John came inside and leaned against a wall. "Only he wasn't really dead."

"That's the problem," Rodney lamented. "He was dead."

"That's not what Dr. Cole said."

"You didn't see the body." McKay shuddered. "Zelinka and I were there after the blast first. I covered Carson's body and made sure it was removed before anyone else got arrived."

"Dr. Cole said Carson sat up and asked where he was and what happened."

"But you didn't see the body!" Rodney shouted.

"Take it easy, Rodney." John soothed.

"It was burnt to a crisp like if you leave a piece of meat on the grill too long." He sank down on the bed burying his face in his hands. "There is no way Carson should have been able to get up without a mark on him."

"What are you saying?" John pulled up a chair and sat.

"Beckett was dead." He raised his head. "I will never understand how he came back to us."

A deep silence filled the room. Rodney felt like a huge void had grown inside him and he had no idea on how to make it go away.

"You know, Rodney. There are examples in the Bible about people coming back from the dead."

"Myths," he breathed.

"I talked to Dr. Cole and asked if Beckett had any visitors. She said that Corporal Henry came in and asked to pray for Carson."

"The cook?"

"He was also a preacher, according to Elizabeth."

"Are you saying," Rodney got to his feet. "That a lowly cook prayed and Beckett got up from the dead?"

"Well, Larry's not here to ask, but I'm assuming that's probably what happened."

McKay waved his arms around. "Madness. This is madness!"

"Any more so than some of the technology we've had to deal with?"

"But that I understand."

"The universe is not all about understanding everything, Rodney. Sometimes, it's just about faith."

"Faith," McKay snorted. "Do you know that after he…died, Carson started attending those Bible studies?"

"No. I didn't."

"He changed during those months after and I didn't understand why. Dr. Heightmeyer, she changed, too."

"She did?" John sounded surprised.

"Yeah." He nodded and sat back down. "I guess Carson was talking to her as well. I saw her expression once just after he left." His eyes met John's. "I've never seen anyone so afraid."

"So I take it Carson never talked to you about what happened."

"No." He sniffed. "I wish he had." Rodney glanced out the window. "Just after Carson came back, Zelinka started bringing his Bible to the lab. He hadn't done that before. It was," McKay took a deep breath. "Unnerving."

"What does the note from your sister say?"

Sheppard changing the subject threw McKay for an instant. "I don't know. I haven't read it yet."

"Don't you think you should?"

"I guess." Rodney picked up the printout. His eyes rapidly scanned the contents and he crumpled it, allowing it to fall to the floor. "My niece is gone, and Jeanie's husband." He felt the tears start and he didn't try to stop them. "She's all alone."

"No, she isn't, Rodney." John reached out and touched the scientist's arm. "God's right there with her and will comfort her. All she has to do is ask."

Sheppard's hand tightened slightly. "All you have to do is ask."

"I don't know how."

John smiled. "I'll be your guide, Rodney."

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Rodney rushed into the plant lab, okay, maybe that wasn't the right term, but he didn't feel like trying to recall it right then. Katie glanced up from some sort of spiny cactus thing and gave him a welcoming smile.

"Hi," he breathed and embraced her.

"Hi, yourself," she replied, a little stiff in his arms.

"Sorry," he apologized releasing her. "It's just that something wonderful has happened and you're the first person I wanted to share it with."

"What's happened?" She caught a wisp of her dark red hair and absently pushed it behind her ear. Her unconscious habit endeared her even more to Rodney.

"I, uh," he hesitated, uncertain on how to tell her. "I, well,"

"Rodney, what is it?" Her face changed to a worried expression. "Something's not horribly wrong, I hope."

"No, well, yes, my sister,"

"Is she gone?"

"No." He quickly told her about his niece and Jeanie's husband.

"I'm sorry." She put a hand on his arm.

"I am too. I just hope Jeanie learns the truth like I did so she'll see them again." He smiled. "But I had good news remember?"

"Yes."

"I'm a Christian." He held his breath waiting for her response.

"You?" Katie sat down on a chair.

"Yes, me." He responded, almost insulted she couldn't fathom he'd ever believe.

"That's," she got up and threw her arms around him. "Wonderful!"

He took a step back from the force of her embrace. "So you're glad?"

"Oh, Rodney, I've been praying for you!"

"You have?" He looked down at her face. "When did you become a Christian?"

She gave him a breathless laugh. "Laura had been talking to me about salvation just before the Rapture. I was almost ready when it happened."

"And?"

"I started attending the Bible study groups and accepted Christ several weeks ago."

Rodney felt deliriously happy. He pulled her tightly to him. "I just had a delightful thought."

"Tell me."

He led her to two chairs and they sat down. "Remember when I was telling you about Jeanie and her marriage and how happy she was."

Katie nodded.

"And how I was stumbling all over myself when I said I wanted to get married."

She grinned. "I remember."

"Well, I, uh," he swallowed. "I want to get married. To you."

"Rodney McKay, is that a marriage proposal?" Her face told him she wasn't sure whether or not she should believe him.

"Yes."

Tears leaked down her cheeks and he wondered if he had just made the biggest fool out of himself ever.

"Yes," she whispered. "Yes!" she shouted.

Somehow they were in each other arms and kissing. Rodney couldn't fathom ever being happier.

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Nicolae glanced over the information he had received by special courier that morning. There had been Asgard on Earth, but the alien had vanished a few weeks ago. Not in the Rapture Carpathia noted happily. That meant he still had a chance to convert the few remaining survivors. If of course, he could find them and he had not doubt he would.

With a delighted smile he put the report aside and picked up the large file on the business dealings of Stonagal and Cothran. His now dead mentors and backers had been very busy and had put in place many pieces he could now use.

"How very resourceful of you," he chuckled, tossing the file aside.

He rose and walked to the window looking out over the city. His city - like every city on Earth and other planets as well. "I will have a vast empire." He closed his eyes, spreading his arms, feeling powerful and god like.

The only thorn in his side was those rebellious children in the Pegasus galaxy. Somehow, he had to find a way to bring them into his fold. Though how he would manage that, he had no idea. General Landry had told him the SGC didn't have enough power to dial Atlantis.

"That is why I had hoped, my little Asgard, you could have helped me." He returned to his desk and tapped his fingers on the oak top. "Now, just where, did you get off to?"

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"Katie and I are getting married!" Rodney announced as he and his bride-to-be joined Weir, Sheppard, Teyla, Ronon, Caldwell, and a few others for dinner.

A shocked silence greeted his announcement before everyone was flocking around him and Katie giving their congratulations.

The pair sat down laughing.

"When did this happen?" John asked.

"This afternoon," Rodney answered.

"I couldn't be happier," Katie said as she beamed at McKay.

"I'm very happy for both of you," Elizabeth told them.

"Decided when?" John wanted to know.

"Sooner the better," McKay replied, with a nervous glance at Katie.

"Oh, I agree," she assured him. "We only have so much time left."

Ronon grunted.

"I know you do not yet believe," Teyla commented. "But if what we have been reading in the Bible is about to come to pass,"

"I've told you, I don't want to hear it," Ronon reminded her.

Caldwell gazed at them curiously. "What's about to come to pass?"

"Grogan believes a world wide earthquake."

"Do the geologists agree?" Caldwell's tone was skeptical.

"There's science and then there's God." John shrugged. "We're all pretty new at this, Colonel."

"If there's an Earthquake," Rodney noted. "We're going to have to use the shield to protect the city."

"We'll have another Tsunami," Elizabeth surmised.

"Yes."

Caldwell pursed his lips. "How much power will that drain?"

"Enough. Look," Rodney took Katie's hand. "Let's not mar this wonderful day with talk about a horrible future event."

"You're right," John agreed. He took his cup and raised it in the air. "A toast to the happy couple."

"Here, here," everyone echoed, raising whatever beverage they had and taking a drink.

Caldwell replaced his coffee on the table with a thoughtful expression. McKay speculated on why, but pushed the thought aside. He was happy and he was getting married. He just wished his sister Jeanie could be there to share this moment.

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"Colonel Sheppard,"

John stopped in the hallway and faced Caldwell. "Yes, Colonel?"

Caldwell shifted uneasily. "I'm not sure I believe all this doomsday stuff, but if the reports we're getting on the Wraith are accurate, I think you and I need to come up with a battle plan on how to protect this city from attack."

"I've got some ideas on that."

"Figured you might." He paused before continuing. "I also think it would be a good idea if we trained each other on our duties here in the city and on the Deadalus."

Not sure if he'd heard Caldwell right, John questioned, "Are you sure, sir?"

"Very."

"I've always envisioned myself more as a fighter pilot."

"And you're a very good one." Caldwell smiled. "You've done an excellent job here, Sheppard."

"Thank you, Colonel."

"I want us covered – just in case."

"Thought you didn't believe all this doomsday stuff."

"I don't. But I've fought the Wraith often enough to know what to expect."

"Colonel," John didn't know how to reach the older man, but he had to try. "If the Wraith do come, don't you want to know where you'll spend eternity?"

The flicker of doubt on Caldwell's face told John that the Holy Spirit had to be working on the Colonel's heart.

"I'm more concerned with the safety of everyone here."

"As I am." John knew when not to push things.

"Good. Now, give me a tour of the city and tell me your thoughts on where you think the Wraith might strike first."

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Ronon and Teyla circled each watching for an opening to strike. John sat on the sidelines observing the two. He'd been a bit late after Caldwell had insisted on giving him a more in depth tour of the Deadalus. Ronon had arrived earlier, so Teyla was sparing with him.

The two whirled and batted at each other with the short sticks, reminding Sheppard of talented dancers who knew their steps. Only difference was, neither of them were holding back. Teyla ended up down on the mat with Ronon holding a stick at her throat.

"Good move," she complimented.

"Thanks." He backed up and allowed her to rise.

"You are late," Teyla told John.

"Sorry. Caldwell wanted me to get acquainted with parts of the ship I hadn't before."

"You two seem to spending a lot of time together," Ronon said.

"Just getting prepared."

"Caldwell still does not believe." Teyla sat beside John.

"No. God's working though. I can see it."

"Wish you two would stop talking about God." Ronon picked up his pile of weapons and left.

"Still no progress, huh?" John commented.

"He does not wish to believe."

"With all that's going to be happening, he might not have as much time as he thinks."

"Is it also not true, that not all will believe?"

"Unfortunately. I just hope it's not anyone I care about."

"Only God truly knows who will believe and who will not."

"I know, Teyla. Took Rodney long enough."

"He and Katie will be very happy together."

"Caldwell agreed to marry them on the Deadalus. The whole Captain of the ship thing."

"I do not understand."

"When there's no preacher, than the captain of the ship can marry people."

"Oh." She digested that. "Do you wish to spare?"

"In a minute." His face turned serious. "What about you Teyla? Anyone special you might want to get to know better?"

"Perhaps." She gracefully rose. "What about you?"

"Maybe." He grinned at her.

"Anyone I know?"

"You could say that." He got up and picked up a stick. "Okay. You ready to whip my butt again?"

She laughed. A pleasant sound he enjoyed hearing.

"If you insist." She put her weapons to the ready, daring him to attack.

"I don't know why I put myself through this," he moaned dodging in.

She easily countered and smacked him on his thigh. "You are not concentrating."

"Little hard to do with you in that outfit." Her tight leather top and slinky short skirt were distracting him.

"I am not dressed any differently than when we have practiced before."

"I know." He slowly circled, ducked in and got struck on his arm. "Ouch."

"You should practice more."

"Been busy."

"What is it you tell me, there are no excuses."

"I got my reasons."

They spared for a few more minutes, John ending up with a few more bruises. "You're too good at this."

"I have practiced most of my life." She put the sticks away in her bag, wiping sweat from her neck and face with a towel.

"I'm just a beginner." He was breathing heavily. Teyla had given him a good work out. "So, who would you like to get to know better?"

The Ethosian woman blushed. "I am waiting for him to make the first move."

"Let me tell you about men. We're stupid when it comes to women. If you're interested in a man, just tell him."

"Just tell him?"

"Yeah."

"I see." She put the towel in her bag. With a sly look at him, she slung her gear over her shoulder. "I will see you tomorrow morning, but on time."

"Can't make any promises."

"Women like it when a man is on time."

"Really?" He grinned at her.

"Yes." She offered him a shy smile. "Until then." She walked out, glancing back at him before leaving.

"I hate it when a woman does that, God. Now I have no idea where I stand."

Author's note : The first scene of this chapter is based both on Biblical accounts about people being raised from the dead and from two books - 90 Minutes in Heaven and 23 Minutes in Hell. Both are good solid reading and give a brief description of both Heaven and Hell.