Like always, thanks for the reviews.
Chap 25 : Departure.
-City of Atlantis-Pegasus galaxy-
Richard Woolsey arrived at the Jen's bedroom door. He held a small blue box surrounded by a white ribbon. Dr. Beckett said she, Rodney and their daughter had left the infirmary a few hours earlier and settled more comfortably in their quarters.
The leader of Atlantis knocked and the scientist came to open the door.
"Ah! Mr. Woolsey! Come in!" Rodney exclaimed joyfully.
Jennifer was lying in bed with Sarah.
"Hello you three. I went to see how you are."
"We're fine, thank you." Jennifer replied a little pale but radiant with happiness.
The baby girl was asleep in the hollow of her mother's arms, wrapped in a blanket.
"Can I?" Woolsey asked a bit hesitantly.
"Of course" encouraged Rodney. "Isn't she beautiful? She is the image of her mother, but I think she has my nose ..."
Richard went to look at the child more closely. Indeed, she was tiny but very cute.
"I brought you this little present ... I'm sorry, I could not find a decent gift for the baby, so here are some chocolates ..."
"Thanks Richard." Jennifer replied with appreciation.
"Yes thank you!" Rodney said, seizing the package aggressively.
"Rodney ..." Jennifer growled.
"What ... I can help you taste!" said the physicist, who had already snatched the box ripping the paper and ribbon.
"We all learned about what happened in the stasis room. What James Walter did to you, and his intention to administer his new serum to Todd and how the Wraith helped you to give birth." Woolsey said.
"Without Todd, Sarah and I would be dead ... It seems weird to say that ..."
"Indeed, Wraith are not usually concerned about humans, but Todd defies all the rules: first, Amelia, then you two ..."
"Has he really been killed?" Jennifer asked with a certain sadness in her voice.
"I'm afraid yes ... He was in the hive ship that attacked us when our ships destroyed it."
The doctor looked down at her daughter who was breathing softly. That's when somebody knocked on the door. Rodney returned to open the door and came face to face with Larrin.
"Oh, it's you!" He exclaimed, a little stunned.
"Yes ... uh sorry, I didn't know you had some visitors, I can come back later."
"No, please, come in!"
Jennifer and Richard Woolsey were a bit surprised. Usually, when those two were in the same room, they couldn't help but quarrel.
"Hello, I want to get news before leaving. And I wanted to give you this."
Larrin approached the bed and handed Jennifer a little rag doll. The young mum could not restrain a smile, taking the present from the Traveller.
"I made it with what I found aboard my ship so it is not quite ..."
"She is perfect." Jennifer cut her, raising her eyes filled with gratitude toward the young woman.
"Thank you ...". Everyone turned to look at Rodney. "Thanks, Larrin, for saving my life and my daughter's life."
The Traveller, more than the others, was surprised by the sincerity of Rodney's words. She was not used to so much appreciation from the scientist. Touched more than she would admit, she preferred to play the humor card to mask her confusion.
"I hope this child has not inherited your bad temper!" she laughed.
"Yours is not bad either ..." Rodney retorted with a smile.
OoooooO
Carson went to the transporter. He finally tasted the candy bar he had gone to the mess for and dreamed about for three long hours.
At the bend of the corridor, he nearly hit a young woman who was carrying two huge red suitcases.
"Oh! Sorry, it is you Amelia! Forgive me, I walked a little faster."
"I had not seen you either" replied the young woman. "Excuse me, I'm in a little in a hurry too, they are waiting for me in the jumper bay." She threw, continuing on her way.
Carson watched her walking to the end of the corridor, and before she reached the crossing, he said.
"Will you come and see Ronon today?"
Too late. The young woman had disappeared.
OoooooO
"Colonel Sheppard, I am glad you are doing well."
"Thank you." replied the soldier with Torren on his knees.
The boy still had traces of chocolate on the cheek and was playing with a paper cup from the mess that was converted into an aircraft by John.
"Don't you remember what happened?" Richard Woolsey asked.
"Nope. I watched the video of the gateroom. Teyla would never do that if she had not been brainwashed. As for my "superpowers", I can't explain it. I guess this medallion is no stranger to all that." He said, dropping the object on the leader's desk. "Besides, it must return to its owner ..."
"I'll see what I can do." Woolsey said. "You spoke of a woman whispering your name ..."
Sheppard ran his hand through his hair, ruffling it a little more.
"It's pretty confusing ..."
"Dr Jackson has suggested that an "ascended" being, maybe Dylonian, had taken possession of your body to help us fight against the Wraith."
"I had visions of someone... a woman ... She looked a bit like Teyla and she called me by my first name. Apart from that, I'm like you, amazed when I see what happened in the room."
"Well, look, the bottom line is that you have saved Atlantis and everything is back to normal."
"We've had losses."
"I know," Woolsey said on a serious tone. "But without your intervention, it could have been worse..."
"If you allow this, I would like to see Teyla."
"Sure, go ahead, I will release you."
OoooooO
Painfully Ronon opened his eyes. His mouth was dry and his mind was struggling to break through the cottony grip of the sedative they had administered to him. He tried to lift his arm to pick up the jug at his bedside. But a nurse forestalled and offered him a glass of water and a smile.
"You're awake, that's fine, I'll call Dr. Beckett."
Moments later, Carson drew aside the separation curtain and talked to him.
"No dizziness, nausea ..."
"No."
"Headaches, tingling, ringing in the ears? "
"No. "
"Follow my finger" ordered the doctor moving his forefinger in front of Ronon's eyes. The Satedan complied.
"You have four broken ribs, multiple bruises all over your body and a micro fracture of the skull. You'll stay here another week."
Ronon sighed, frowning. "What happened after Sheppard's intervention?"
Carson gave him a detailed account of events and told him the news. The victory over the Wraiths, the birth of Sarah McKay and the death of Todd and clones. The health status of Sheppard and Teyla...
Ronon's face was closed. He stood a moment staring, fists clenched on his blanket. He seemed to digest more or less the flow of information. Then, snapping out of his lethargy, he looked at Carson.
"Did you see Amelia?" he asked.
Dr. Beckett replied, smiling.
"This young woman does really like you ... since you have been here, she has spent all her free moments sitting in this chair by your bed ..."
Ronon took a deep breath.
"I also heard that her ex-husband, Justin Wilson had some trouble and that his departure from Atlantis has been advanced. Moreover, Ms. Banks has also received congratulations from the President's emissary for her actions during the attack and I think she has had a promotion ..."
"A promotion?" Ronon said, sitting up on his bed.
"Yes ... Chuck told me yesterday."
The Satedan's face twitched. A promotion. What did that mean? Then suddenly, he thought back to the red folder in Amelia's bedroom. A job. In Washington D.C. Far away. Very far from him.
"Wilson will be returned to Earth and he embarked on the Hammond today." Carson said while he was checking the ex-runner's blood pressure. "Besides, I met Amelia ten minutes ago. She told me she was going to the jumper bay. She was carrying two huge suitcases and ..."
Against all odds, Ronon pulled his blankets off and snatched the needle from his arm.
"But Ronon! What are you doing?" Carson exclaimed.
The Satedan didn't listen. As soon as he had set a foot on the ground, he felt the room spinning. He leant against the bed, waiting for a few seconds until the discomfort faded. Dr. Beckett, taking his courage into hand, tried to overpower him.
"Ronon! You can't get up! "
Useless. Ronon, dressed in pajamas and bare feet, pushed him gently but firmly and rushed toward the exit.
OooooooO
Kanaan stopped at the threshold of the room that had been specially arranged near the infirmary in lieu of waiting room. Sofas had been installed and he silently observed the scene: John Sheppard, asleep on the couch with Torren in his arms, his head resting against his chest.
Kanaan was immediately assailed by a wave of conflicting emotions. The vision of his son with the soldier embarrassed him at first. Then, the certainty that the love of his son was real and the recognition he felt toward the man facing him, erased his dark thoughts. Teyla needed them at this time. She needed every person likely to sustain her through this event. The man she loved, her son, his friends, and him, who was still part of her life.
He was roused from his thoughts when John opened his eyes and turned his head towards him.
"Kanaan ! Torren ... was tired ..." the soldier muttered still half-asleep.
"You should wake him. Dr Lam said she had finished with Teyla. We can see her."
OooooO
An unusual excitement prevailed in the jumper bay. About fifty men and women were like busy ants getting the facilities back in order. An area had been specially set aside for the teleportation of personnel and goods. The Hammond was leaving the same day, taking with it the members of the commission and the disgraced Justin Wilson. Gregory Jensen had promised an exemplary punishment upon their return to Earth.
Amelia, breathless, placed her two large suitcases to the teleportation area before adjusting her ponytail.
Suddenly Ronon Dex burst into the hangar with a determined step and walked right over the young woman. The appearance of the Satedan clad in white pajamas from the infirmary had a great effect. Everyone stopped what they were doing to turn and look at him. Amelia was stunned when he stopped before her.
"Ronon! But what are you doing here!" She exclaimed.
"I gotta talk."
"But ..."
"I am aware of the promotion and ..." The Satedan paused. He seemed to finally realize that all eyes were on him. Then, after a brief hesitation, he took the hands of the young woman in his. "I do not want you to go." He added.
"Ronon ..." stammered the young woman, a little taken aback.
"I ask you to forgive me for my attitude with Melena. She reminded me of some things from my past. And ... "
"Ronon ..." tried again the young woman.
"Please, stay. You know it's not easy for me to express certain things and I understand that I made you suffer, but ..." the Satedan looked around the hangar.
Instantly everyone around the couple resumed what they were doing as if nothing had happened.
Ronon sighed and peered his green eyes into those of Amelia. Erasing the distance separating them, Ronon laid his hand on Amelia's cheek.
"You're the best thing that ever happened to me here ..."
"Ronon ..."
The Satedan leaned toward her. The audience froze. Ronon stopped a few inches from her face. Amelia felt the hot breath of the ex-runner on her mouth.
"I was stupid not to tell you this before... You, you did not hesitate for a second ... You've said it so often ... I was afraid... But now, I know you are my soulmate..." he murmured.
Amelia held her breath. Ronon dropped a soft kiss on her lips and went on:
"I lo..."
"Finally, I found you!" Carson Beckett exclaimed, taking advantage of the element of surprise to inject a dose of tranquilizer in the Satedan's neck.
Ronon startled before starting to falter. The doctor, quite happy not to have missed his shot, made a sign to the four nurses he had brought with him to support the ex-runner. Amelia, taken by surprise, looked at Ronon slowly lose consciousness and be picked up by the four men who settled him onto a stretcher.
Carson Beckett, the injection gun in hand, wiped his brow with his sleeve, visibly annoyed by having to search through a good portion of the city to find his recalcitrant patient.
"This man is incredible! He has a head injury!"
Amelia remained speechless staring at Carson.
"Either the brain is more affected than I thought or he is damn in love with you! Oh, sorry, have I interrupted something important?"
"No..." Amelia sighed with a desperate smile "only three words that I've been waiting for a long time... "
"Oh... I'm really sorry."
"It's Ok, Doc... " Amelia answered.
The doctor followed the stretcher, leaving the young woman's heart pounding in the middle of the hall. Her cheeks had turned red and she startled when Larrin said:
"Oh Amy, here you are! Is that Ronon I saw lying on the stretcher just there?"
"Uh ... Yes ..." stammered Amelia, resuming her spirits.
"Isn't he supposed to be in the infirmary? "
"He is ... Oh, Larrin, I put a few things for your people in these suitcases. I also added two or three items of food from the Atlantis mess. There are also clothes, chocolate, candy and medicines for children. It's not much, I know ..."
Larrin, a little surprised, warmly thanked the young woman. Then, seeing the doors of the transporter at the back of the jumper bay close slowly on Carson and the stretcher, she added, smiling at the technician: "He loves you. And you're lucky to have him."
"I know" Amelia answered. "That's why I don't intend on going anywhere ..."
OooooO
John entered the room, followed by Kanaan who was carrying Torren in his arms. Teyla was lying on the bed, arms and legs restrained by leather straps. At the sight of the young woman tied like this with no reaction and the blank stare, John finally felt the blade of the dagger piercing his heart.
He advanced towards the bed and put his hand on the Athosian's forehead. No reaction.
When he saw his mother, Torren has started wriggling in his father's arms and moving his hands to her, moaning.
Kanaan turned to Dr. Lam.
"Can I?" he asked.
The doctor nodded. Kanaan then placed the child on the bed. The boy, kneeling, grabbed his mother's blouse and began to shake it.
"Mom ..." he chirped with a big smile.
John looked up Kanaan. Both men were standing on each side of the bed and the soldier had slipped his fingers into the hand of the young woman.
"Mommy?" The little voice of Torren became increasingly worried. His mother did not answer.
"We should ..." began Sheppard, casting a desperate glance to Kanaan.
Maybe it was better to take Torren away. The child climbed a little closer to his mother's face and placed his round face in front of the dull eyes of the Athosian. His little fingers rested on the woman's chalky cheeks.
"Mom ..." he called again.
Then his face changed. He lost his smile and his eyes filled with tears. He did not understand. Didn't his mother love him anymore? Why didn't she look at him? Why didn't she kiss him? She had left him for so long. Had he done something wrong?
This time it was too much for John who was about to reclaim the child when Kanaan suddenly blocked his arm. The Athosian's face was riveted Teyla's one.
"Look." he whispered.
Torren, still bent over his mother, stroked her cheek with his plump hand. The child began to cry now and drops of salty water fell on the marble face of his mother. But with each impact of her son's tears on her skin, Teyla blinked.
John grabbed her hand and squeezed it harder. He leaned toward her while Kanaan did the same.
"Teyla. Do you hear me?"
"Teyla?" the Athosian imitated him.
Torren kissed his mother's cheek while John stroked her forehead. He felt a wave of electricity go through her fingers.
"Teyla, you must come back ... We need you back ... Teyla ..." he murmured.
Another blink of an eye. A glow. Tiny. Suddenly, John felt fingers tighten around his hand.
"I'm here, it's me, John." he whispered again in her ear.
The veil lifted. The light returned. The young woman took a deep breath as if she had just come back from the depths of her mind. Her eyes moved. They turned first on Torren, then John and finally Kanaan.
The two men looked at her with astonishment.
"Doctor Lam!" John called.
The young woman approached while John took Torren in his arms and moved away to let the doctor examine Teyla.
"I ... Where am I? "
The Athosians's voice carried away the pain rooted in John's chest. Kanaan ran his hands over his face and sighed with relief. Torren chirped again.
Carolyn Lam asked everyone to go out and called Carson Beckett. Only after an hour had gone by was, John, Kanaan and Torren allowed to enter the room, finding Teyla sitting up in her bed and free of her restraints. Apparently, the influence exerted on the Athosian had mysteriously disappeared.
Torren rushed into her arms. The young woman covered her son with kisses. Kanaan, reassured, preferred to slip away but John saw him trying to move to the door.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"I will give you a moment alone. I have many things to prepare for my departure. I will come back later."
With a glance, the two men understood each other and John thanked the Athosian with a nod. Then, turning to Teyla, he took the young woman's face in his hands, sitting down beside her.
"You're back ..." the soldier said, giving a long kiss on the mouth to his lover.
As their lips parted, Teyla sighed."I was lost somewhere in the darkness and I heard your voice ..."
"I love you Teyla Emmagan."
"I love you John Sheppard."
OooooooO
-Planet M116-225- Pegasus
He was not mistaken. This planet had a stargate. It had been two hours walk through the forest and he had finally reached the ring represented by a blue dot on his hand-held scanner.
He went to the DHD and dialed the address. Immediately, the vortex roared before giving way to the the usual shimmering surface. He climbed the stone stairs and turned to look around. Having put his scanner in his cloak, Todd walked through the stargate.
TBC…