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This was written for the spoiler of John going back to Earth and for the appearance of his exwife.

Remembrance

John stood slightly hunched, as a cool breeze swept across him, giving him a chill on the back of his neck. His eyes were fixed on the large flag before him that was colored red, white, blue and had a sprinkling of stars decorating it. The flag lay strewn neatly across a large, dark, wooden coffin and its corners flapped sadly in the cool breeze.

The minister had been the last of the group to leave John standing there, transfixed as he stared warily at his fathers coffin, lost in thoughts of grief and memory. He had suffered through all the hugs and handshakes from old friends and relatives he hardly knew, all the while giving his best attempt at seeming normal, although he had felt anything but.

He could hear leaves crunching on the cold ground behind him as someone approached slowly. He didn't turn in the hopes that they would just leave him alone and notice his desire for solitude. Then it was silent and he was sure they had left when he heard an all-familiar voice.

"I always thought you looked good in your uniform."

John turned slowly, his heavy eyes resting on the face of his ex wife, Denise. She looked as he remembered but something about her face made her seem older, more tired. He said nothing as she approached him and took his hands in hers. Her face was somber and her eyes watery as she spoke gently. "I'm sorry, John."

John turned his face away and stared back towards the flag, covering the place where his father lay resting. She released his hands and stood beside him, and they stared together silently.

Minutes passed and finally John spoke, his voice cracking slightly from lack of use. "Thanks for coming, Denise. He would have liked that."

Denise gave slight smile and said, "Well he did always have a soft spot for me, didn't he?" John attempted what should have been a smile in return but looked more like a confused frown instead.

Denise faced him and said gently as she put a comforting hand on his arm. "John, I remember what happened between you two and I just thought you should know, after you left we spoke, your father and I. And he understood, he understood everything. He told me he was just being a selfish old man and hoped when you returned from the service you would forgive him for what happened."

John's face contorted and he struggled to keep his edging tears hidden behind his eyes. "But the things I said..…..I never got to tell him……" his whispering voice trailed, his eyes still glued to the coffin.

"He knew, John," she said smoothly. "He always knew."

John shrugged her hand away and turned his face, eyes closed, swathing in the warm golden light of the afternoon's setting sun.

Denise's voice came from behind him. "Speaking as someone with experience, I know how it is to be desperately waiting for you to reveal your feelings, John. But your father knew, without you having to say a word." She paused and again placed her hand on him from behind, this time on his stiff shoulder. "But you should remember that life is short John, and if there is anyone out there in this world that you do care for, you should tell them, before you're standing over another grave, wishing you had opened up and shown them your heart."

She released him with a final comforting pat of her hand and he stayed bathing in the light, taking in what she had said. She had always been wiser beyond her years and now, more than ever he was grateful for a kind word. He turned to thank her again but she was gone. And the graveyard was empty again, the crunching leaves trailing the hard ground from the cold breeze.

Staring at his fathers grave for what he knew would be the final moments, he said "I love you, Dad," and placed his frigid hand on the casket, eyes closed.

When he stood and headed out of the graveyard, Denise's words echoed in his head, and he knew where he had to be, who he had to speak to this very moment. He would be damned if he was going to let another person pass by, while he kept his feelings hidden. And with a determined brow, he set off to find Teyla.