John heard Rodney shouting at him, but his brain couldn't process the words through his fury. The locket had taken control, and he was powerless against it.

Finally, Ronon recovered. He stood quickly and grabbed John from behind, wrapping an arm around his neck in a firm chokehold. With his other hand, he wrestled the locket out of John's grasp. It fell to the ground; its glow vanishing instantly.

Ronon released John, shoving him to the ground. John turned angrily to face him, but as he did, Ronon could see his rage beginning to dissipate. It was followed by a look of confusion and then recognition as John realized what was happening. He looked over at the small group of people huddled around Weir.

"Elizabeth," he said in a pained voice as he rushed to her side.

"Took you long enough," Rodney snapped. "She's been asking for you."

Rodney moved to the side allowing John to get close to her. Teyla was applying pressure to the wound on Elizabeth's neck in an attempt to curb the bleeding. John felt a heaviness descend on his heart as he looked at her. It wasn't good. She'd already lost too much blood. Her face was pale, her eyes were closed, and she was barely conscious. He quickly grabbed her small hand and positioned his face close to hers so she could hear his voice.

"Elizabeth, I'm here."

"John?" she asked as her eyes opened.

She could feel the warmth of his breath on her face as she stared into the hazel eyes she knew so well.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

John gently brushed a stray piece of hair from her face and rested his hand lightly on her cheek, "It's not your fault, Elizabeth. Look, Beckett will be here any second. He's going to patch you up and you'll be fine," he said with a forced bravado.

"No, I'm-"

"Coming through, people," Beckett yelled as he pushed his way through the crowd and descended at Elizabeth's side.

"Aye, ye have a nasty cut on your neck, my dear," he said as he bent down next to her and began to investigate the wound. He looked up at Sheppard, confirming his worst fears.

"It's quite serious. We need to get her in the jumper now."

John carefully placed Elizabeth in the back of the jumper. Teyla continued to apply pressure as Carson monitored Elizabeth's vitals. She needed surgery to fully stop the bleeding, but there was little he could do until they reached Atlantis. He didn't have the proper medical tools to deal with this type of situation in the jumper.

"Stay with us, Elizabeth," John coached her. From the moment he'd regained control, he refused to leave her side. With eyes full of worry, he grasped her hand and held it tight while he watched Beckett try to stabilize her. There was blood everywhere – too much blood.

Carson attached a heart monitor, and John glanced up to watch the erratic beating of her heart. It troubled him.

"What about Kaylee?" he asked Beckett. "Can she heal her?"

"I don't know, son. It's possible."

John felt Elizabeth squeeze his hand, and he looked down at her again. Her lips were moving, but she spoke so softly that he couldn't hear her. He bent down to listen.

"John," she whispered in a small, barely audible voice. "Atlantis…our people…please…take care of them. You're…you're in charge now."

"No, Elizabeth, you're going to be fine"

"No, I'm not, John…and you know it," she said as a small tear fell down her face.

His stomach lurched at the thought of losing her. He had felt the pain of losing people before. In fact, they'd lost almost too many to count since coming to Atlantis, but this time, the pain he felt was very different. It was suffocating. He couldn't…wouldn't accept it.

John reached up and carefully wiped the tear away. Elizabeth gave him a weak smile before closing her eyes.

"Elizabeth," he said softly, his voice betraying his emotions.

When she didn't respond, he anxiously called her name again. A few seconds later, she slowly cracked her eyes open.

"Listen to me, Elizabeth…don't you dare give up," he commanded, his voice breaking slightly. "You need to fight this. We're doing our best, but you have to help us."

"John…I-" her words trailed off as her eyes closed again. That was when John heard the dreaded warning alarm of the heart monitor.

"We're losing her!" Carson yelled as he began attempts to resuscitate her.

John's calm demeanor was suddenly gone. His panicked eyes darted around the jumper searching for something. When he couldn't find it, he stood up and shouted, "The locket. What did you do with it? Where is it?"

McKay pointed at Ronon. He crossed his arms protectively in front of his chest as John advanced towards him.

"Look, I know what you're thinking-"

"You were out of control, Sheppard. I don't think it's a good idea-"

"That's not going to happen again. Listen to me…her life depends on it. Now, hand it over."

Ronon stood firm.

"Dammit, we don't have time for this," he said in desperation, glaring at Ronon.

John stepped forward until he was only inches away from Ronon's face. He stood tall and this time when he spoke, he used the most commanding voice he could muster, "Give me the locket now!" He tilted his head slightly, narrowed his eyes and added, "And just so we are clear, that's an order."

Ronon stared him momentarily, and then glanced down to the floor of the jumper where Carson was anxiously trying to revive Elizabeth. He licked his lips as he considered whether it was worth the risk. Finally, he uncrossed his arms and pulled the locket out of his pocket.

Sheppard quickly snatched it from Ronon's hand. Running back to Elizabeth's side, he wasn't exactly sure about what he was going to do next. He didn't know if this would work, but there were no other options. He couldn't just stand by and watch her life slip away. She was one of the most amazing women he'd ever met, and she deserved more.

As he looked at her lifeless form, he wished that he could take her place. He would do anything for her – even give up his life – if it meant that she would survive. He'd never taken the time to analyze his feelings about Elizabeth, but in that moment, he knew that she had stirred something deep inside of him. He wasn't willing to give it up without a fight, and he was good at fighting – it was what he did best.

Before stretching out his hand over Elizabeth's limp body, John exchanged a worried glance with Carson.

"Here goes nothing," he mumbled before closing his eyes to concentrate on operating the device.

Almost instantly, he felt it; an icy cold spread through his body once again. As he focused his thoughts on Elizabeth's injury, the locket glowed brightly. The light eventually expanded to the point where it completely enveloped Elizabeth's body. Strangely enough, he sensed her weakness and pain just before feeling his own strength drain away. There was only one other time he had experienced a similar sensation -- when the Wraith had fed on him. John knew the device was sapping life from him, but it didn't matter. At that moment, the only thing he cared about was saving Elizabeth's life. The more tired he grew, the more difficult it became to hold the locket over her body. He struggled to stay focused as he became lightheaded and dizzy. He wasn't sure when it happened, but at some point, the cold had been replaced by feverish heat and his body began to tremble.

"John," he could hear Carson calling his name in the distance.

"Sheppard…Sheppard, are you okay?" McKay cried out.

John suddenly opened his eyes and looked at both Rodney and Carson.

"It's over," he said before collapsing to the floor unconscious.

"Oh, bloody hell," Carson exclaimed.

A/N -- thanks for all the great reviews! You guys are amazing...please keep 'em coming...it inspires me to keep working on this story when I know people are enjoying it. :)