Day 6- What Comes Next

Ultimately, Sheppard breaks the warring silence that follows, "It's my fault."

Momentarily disjointed, Mitchell blinks, "What is?"

The Pegasus officer's eyes flash steel and his jaw locks, "I knew the Merucians were planning something, and I underestimated them. I never should have split up the team."

Mitchell is genuinely surprised by the outwardly confident man's reaction, "If you hadn't, everyone would have been captured. Atlantis wouldn't have been able to send a rescue party before the Wraith arrived, and the security of this city would have been permanently compromised."

"Maybe. Maybe not. But Simmons didn't deserve what happened to him-- forced into betraying his home. He shouldn't have to carry that guilt. It should have been me."

"Don't give me that crap. It shouldn't have been anyone. Whether you want to face it or not, leadership means that your men will get hurt. It doesn't mean that you can take every bullet for them."

Suddenly angry, Sheppard shouts, "Maybe not, but I can try!"

In frustration, Mitchell grinds out, "Fine, try! As long as you know you're going to fail. Just remember that you'll hurt people that care about you along the way. I heard what you said to Simmons in the infirmary about not having anything to lose. If you believe that's true, you're even more deranged than I thought. You've got a lot of people here depending on you, and as more than just the Military Commander."

Hesitating, the SG-1 leader continues with a pained grimace, "… Look, I understand guilt. It's something we all live with, and I've got more than my fair share of baggage. Just don't let yourself be pulled under by your own suitcases, okay? Because from what I've heard in the last few days, they're already too heavy."

Never one for emotional reflection, Sheppard fumbles, "You realize I can't help it right? I mean even if I agree logically with everything you're saying, nothing can stop me from feeling the way I do. It's my job to protect the people on this base- military and civilian. If I don't, Atlantis will fall and Earth right behind it…"

Suddenly, Mitchell snickers. But when he tries to cover it by turning away, he begins to laugh. Within seconds he's roaring hysterically and wiping tears from his eyes while croaking, "Yeah, it's up to us to save mankind—galaxy defenders."

Sheppard stares at him in utter shock, smiling nervously, before the tension of the past few days becomes too much and he finds himself joining in. The sudden outburst from the two men draws disapproving frowns from the nursing staff.

When they've finally quieted, Mitchell wheezes, "I'm sorry, it's really not funny. But, man Shep, how did we get ourselves into this?? I mean, when we were in training, I got the feeling they didn't even want to give you the sharp pencils. And now…"

Faking indignation, Sheppard fires back, "Hey. Look who's talking Hee Haw. I could have been in MENSA you know."

Still a bit miffed about that realization, Mitchell glares, "So I've heard."

Grateful for any opportunity to avoid a serious conversation, Sheppard latches onto the chance comment, "Yeah, well McKay's got a big mouth."

"Right, blame McKay… because I wouldn't have suspected anything when you were spewing out equations at scientists like some kind of walking calculator."

Awkwardly, Sheppard blushes and looks away, "Yeah well, I guess we all have our secrets."

Still baffled by the revelations he'd been hit with on this trip, Mitchell muses, "Hmm, some more than others apparently…" Trailing off, he wickedly grins, "Anyway, speaking of private affairs, I'd better go get ready for my dinner with Teyla. It's a real shame you're stuck here in the infirmary…"

The priceless expression on Sheppard's face quickly disappears behind a neutral mask, "Oh, are you sure that's a good idea? Don't you have an early start tomorrow?"

Exploiting the rare chance to catch the Atlantis Commander off guard, he drawls, "You know me Shep, never could turn down a request from a pretty girl."

As he whistles out of the infirmary, Mitchell almost feels bad for the guy. Almost.