Epilogue
Elizabeth opened her eyes, not fully recognizing her surroundings.
"Hey," John smiled, stepping into view. "How are you feeling?"
"A little disoriented," she admitted shakily. "Where am I?"
"The infirmary, at the SGC."
"I'm alive?," she gasped, touching her own face.
"And as beautiful as ever," he replied earnestly.
"Nobody said..."
"I know. Rodney thought the transfer would go better if you were completely at ease."
"And did it?," she asked, sitting up.
"You tell me."
"I feel like me."
"That's a good sign."
"John?"
"Yes?"
"What are you wearing?"
John looked down, taking in his tuxedo. "Wedding clothes," he grinned.
"It's a little soon, don't you think?," she retorted.
The Colonel chuckled. "For us, maybe. But there's a dress for you, too, if you want to come."
"Are you asking me on a date?," she smiled.
"I guess I am."
Elizabeth beamed. "Then the answer is 'yes.' I'd love to go."
"Don't you want to know who's getting married?," he teased.
"I suppose it would be polite," she agreed, climbing off the bed to stand toe to toe with the Colonel.
John grinned, gently caressing her cheek with his hand. "I guess you could call them 'mom' and 'dad'," he answered lightly, his eyes so full of admiration she nearly lost the words.
"My what?," she asked a moment later, and John laughed.
"Come on," he chuckled, guiding her past smiling infirmary staff. "Mckay'll kill me if we're late. I've got the rings!"
Three years after her death, Elizabeth had never felt so alive. Surrounded by all the friends she knew and loved best, and with John Sheppard firmly by her side, she was positive it'd all been worth it to come to this point.
"I love you," John murmured softly, taking her hand, and Elizabeth smiled.
"I love you, too," she said, eyes swimming happily as she laid her head on his shoulder, watching with all the others as Rodney and Jennifer shared their first dance as husband and wife.