This series returns! I found this episode very hard to tag - this is something like the 10th version, all with different things in them! Which may explain the delay somewhat. Anyway, I hope you like what it finally turned into! (A note - I've seen many different spellings of Gaul's name, so I went with 's one.)
Everyone that has reviewed so far, you make my day! :D
Also, here's a shameless plug for my current multi-chapter story 'The Long Star Mile' ;-)
THE DEFIANT ONE - FIRE
The sun is like the truth; it'll burn a mortal man
If he tries to look upon it; if he tries to understand
He might learn that we are only for a while.
~ The Low Anthem, 'Yellowed by the Sun'
Rodney's voice shook, as did his hands, raised slightly, gripped around a phantom pistol. "You told me to give him a gun."
"I know."
"He… he just…fired…"
"I know." Overwhelmingly, he wanted to lie down and sleep and forget about everything. But he couldn't, yet; this had to be discussed before the Jumper arrived with the nearly-too-late backup who weren't part of this ugly mess. "McKay, I'd be dead otherwise."
"Gaul's dead now."
Scientists shouldn't die for soldiers, he thought. "You know he wouldn't have survived. He… it was his choice."
"That doesn't make it better."
"No. No, it doesn't."
