The scent of another world greeted her on the other side. She stepped backward carefully, and ducked low. The action was almost unnecessary as the gate deactivated promptly. That wasn't long enough for them to see the address; they were safe.
She turned around, and almost expectedly, the entire congregation of men had their weapons aimed at her.
"Stop," the leader said. "Lower your weapons." Each of them looked to their leader unsurely, but followed his order regardless.
He approached her slowly, Asa still staying close to him. He glanced to the gate. "That was your home?"
"It was."
"We thought we had failed in finding anyone left to save in that place, the entire town razed and lifeless. It was our intention to help those displaced by the attack find shelter. Perhaps we may still succeed."
His implication was subtle, and she hesitated to believe it, for fear that it may prove untrue.
"We call this world New Athos, it is our home, and you are welcome to call it home as well."
"You trust me?"
"Fear and hate blinded me to it before. Teyla tried to me explain it to me, but I wouldn't listen. Then I saw the way this boy trusted you, the way you tried to protect him, and then I knew that you weren't a murderer."
This was the way her life had always progressed. Everything changed rapidly from one thing to the next. When one chapter ended, a new story began to take it's place. Her story wasn't yet over, a purpose was still left for her. She had never before been welcomed by the leader of any community and now she understood that the effect of every decision could not be seen. Her decision to help that strange and weak cry for help had led to all of this. It was amazing and terrifying all at once.
She thought of all those culled while she had been aboard the ship. She wanted to save them all, but couldn't. She thought of the massacare she had seen on her home world. Was it her fault? Could she have stopped it? No, she answered internally. She looked to Asa, scared, terrified, and scarred as he was, he was alive, and healthy. He would not be without a home.
She remembered Teyla, and remembered the brief moment she had seen her together with her friends. All of them had an inseparable bond to each other, hardened and purified by the fires of trial and hardship.
By no means had she not effected a change for good.
"Thank you," she said as she descended the steps away from the stargate.
_-iIi-_
The bright midday sun felt blissful as she lay out under the Lantean sky. She hadn't felt sunshine for so long, she forgot how wonderful it was.
It was strange to see her home after so long. So much was the same, and yet so many little things were different. Equipment had been re-located and new things brought in. There were new faces, as well as most of the old ones still. There was one thing which hadn't changed and she'd only forgotten; the smell. The city always carried the faint odor of the deep ocean, even through the supposed filters and ventilation. Her first memory of this place was that smell, it was that most of all which confirmed to her that she was safe.
Supposing it was better to limit the amount of sun she received at one time, she removed herself from the reclining chair and walked back inside the tower. The gate room was close by, and she felt drawn to go there. She had nothing in particular to do that day until that evening. Dr. Beckett was already satisfied that she was well enough to resume missions.
The gate room was always the hub of activity in the city, and she watched as all those in the control room and gate room passed through about their business. The room itself and the stargate at the far end seemed to have an aura of wonder and mystery. It was this in part that drew her to these people, these explorers from another galaxy. Her desire to fight against the wraith had always weighed in, but it wasn't the only reason.
Dr. Weir appeared alongside her as she leaned against the railing, looking out through the windows behind the stargate.
"Hello Teyla," Weir said.
"Dr. Weir," she answered.
"I'm sure you're eager to resume your place on Colonel Sheppard's team."
"Yes."
"We've already sent a malp to the next planet on the dialing list. It looks like a hot and humid forest around the stargate, but we're seeing signs of civilization."
"I'm looking forward to it," she said, allowing a smirk.
"I'm just waiting for Rodney to get back. He's scheduled to return in order to give enough rest before the next mission."
The gate activated, sending a few people in the gate room running out of the way.
"We're recieving McKay's IDC," the gate operator said.
"Lower the shield," Weir ordered.
The gate remained still, and she watched, knowing it only took a few seconds for someone to transit through the gate.
The gate made a faint snapping noise, and then the barrier disappeared in a blink as if it had never been there in the first place.
"What happened?" Weir demanded, walking closer to the gate operator.
"I don't know, it just shut off."
"Perhaps Rodney delayed too long in stepping through the gate," Teyla suggested.
"We should wait a few seconds to see if they try to dial again," Weir suggested.
Teyla watched the face of the dial clock on the wall tick away almost a full minute.
"That's long enough," Weir said. "Dial them and see what happened."
The operator pressed the symbols with impressive speed and skill, activating the gate.
"Lieutenant Stevens," Weir said over her radio.
"Stevens here," a voice replied.
"What's Dr. McKay's status?"
There was an tense pause. "What do you mean? he stepped through the gate."
THE END
