Dreams Come True, Epilogue
Awake, Elizabeth opens her eyes as the artificial lights come on at the pre-programmed time. She knows this morning is no different from any other and fights back tears. She turns and faces the center of the empty bed, clutching a pillow against her chest. The twisted sheets are a testament to yet another sleepless night.
They returned to Atlantis two days ago, stepping through the Stargate four days after leaving Teyne. All of them remember the conversation with the Ancient. But Ford, McKay, and Teyla remember nothing of their false reality. Elizabeth wishes she were that lucky. While she doesn't remember much, the memories of Michael and Marcus are crystal clear and immensely painful. She hasn't told anyone of these remaining memories, not even Major Sheppard. Elizabeth has avoided him since the end of the briefing. His features remind her too much of the boys she lost.
The door to her quarters opens suddenly and Elizabeth sits up to find John standing in her doorway. He's freshly showered and shaved, but the dark circles under his eyes speak of his own sleepless nights.
"I don't know about you," he says. "but I need to get out of here for a while. If you want to come, I'll be waiting in the jumper bay."
With that, John turns and walks away. The door closes behind him and she makes her decision in an instant. It takes Elizabeth ten minutes to jump in the shower and meet him in the jumper bay. Twenty minutes after that, they're sitting underneath an oak-like tree, facing a beautiful white sand beach.
"You still remember them, don't you?" John asks.
"Yes," Elizabeth responds sadly.
"Do you wish you didn't?"
"Sometimes. But anytime I manage to fall asleep, I wake up afraid that I won't remember anymore."
"Yeah..."
Silence looms over them for a while as both are lost in their own thoughts.
"So...you've been avoiding me," says John. It's a statement not a question.
"Yes." Elizabeth can't really deny it. They have a tendency to spend a lot of time together on Atlantis and not being in the same room for two days is a little obvious.
"It's because they looked like me, huh?"
She turns to look at John for the first time in two days. He reaches over to touch her cheek with his fingertips.
"They had your eyes and your smile," John says.
"They had your hair and your nose," Elizabeth touches the tip of his nose with her finger, "and your uncanny ability to get into trouble."
She leans over and places her head on his shoulder. His arm wraps around her.
"It doesn't hurt so much to think about them now," she says with a little amazement.
"Maybe it's because we're thinking about them together."
Another long silence as they are once again lost in their own memories of the boys.
"It sure is one hell of a reason to keep fighting though," John says, looking out over the water at Atlantis.
"What do you mean?" Elizabeth asks.
"Remember what Marc said? Some lives are fated to intertwine. Maybe we'll meet the twins again some day."
"Getting a little ahead of yourself, aren't you Major?" Elizabeth asks with a smile. She pulls back a little to look at him. John turns toward her and she's surprised at the intensity in his eyes.
"I've been thinking a lot these past two days. I wanted to make sure that what I felt was real here and not just remnants of that reality. But I don't remember much of anything except the boys. So I know this is how I feel, here, today. Actually, for quite some time. And I don't want to freak-"
He is interrupted mid-sentence by Elizabeth leaning forward to kiss him.
"You really talk way too much in these situations," she says with a grin.
John reaches up and brushes his knuckles against her cheek.
"I love you, Dr. Elizabeth Weir."
Elizabeth lays a hand lightly on his chest.
"And I love you, Major John Sheppard."
They kiss, savoring a love that is still new in this reality. John leans back against the tree and gathers Elizabeth close. She lays her cheek against his heart.
"Definitely something worth fighting for," he says with a slight yawn.
Soon, they are both asleep, lulled by the warm sea breeze and each other's arms. They do not stir when two glowing forms appear on the beach in front of them. The Ancients' faces are ones they know.
"They still have many obstacles to overcome, brother," says one Ancient.
"I know, but their bond is strong. You have seen the lives that trail behind them."
"Yes. Many small and large events have conspired to keep them apart."
"And yet here they are."
"Their destiny is a more solid road now."
"Yes."
"I did not agree that you should interfere."
"And now?"
"Their bond is strong."
"Their bond is strong."
The two forms fade and disappear, leaving John and Elizabeth sleeping peacefully under a tree.
The End.
Thanks for everyone who has taken the time to read and review this story. Sorry if it took a while to wrap up.