A Bad Decision –"Relocation"

Chapter 8

Author: Lorrie Ellis

Email: lorrieannhotmail

Summary : The team gates to a previously unexplored world and may regret what they find.

Disclaimer: The following story is based on the characters of the TV Series "Stargate: Atlantis". The characters belong to MGM, The Sci-Fi channel, etc. but the story is mine. ALL DISCLAIMERS APPLY. (No copyright infringement is intended.)

John felt his way around his quarters, stopping at the small closet and pulling his jacket, shirts and pants off of the hangers and throwing them into a duffle bag. "Damn." He muttered as he heard something bounce onto the floor. "What was that?"

McKay, walking by the door at that moment stopped at the sound of the Major's voice. "What are you doing?" He asked as he stepped inside, uninvited.

"Packing, I think." John replied. "Did you see something drop?"

Remembering John's frustrated comment, McKay checked around the floor. Spotting one of John's medals, he reached to pick it up. "Here, I think you dropped this."

John fingered the front of the medal, recognizing its shape as one of his three Marksmanship medals. "Won't be getting anymore of these, I suppose." He scoffed.

McKay ignored the comment. "Why are packing? Going somewhere?"

"The mainland. Teyla checked in with Halling and he's open for me to stay with he and Jinto for awhile." John went back to his packing.

"Why?" Rodney asked.

"I just can't stay here, not now."

"Does Dr. Weir know that you're leaving?" Rodney continued to question.

"No and I don't want her to know." He replied.

"She's going to find out sooner or later."

"Later would be best." He moved towards the duffle bag on the bed. "Now, if you don't mind, I need to finish up in here."

"Major, if you leave, who will head up the team?"

"It's not my job anymore McKay. I turned in my resignation to Weir this morning."

"Funny, I saw her just a little while ago and she didn't mention it."

"She probably hasn't seen it yet. I slipped it under her door." John lifted the duffle bag to his shoulder and felt his way past Rodney and out the door.

"How long will you be gone?" Rodney asked.

"As long as it takes." John replied.

Dr. Weir had been tied up most of the morning with things first in the briefing room and then her presence was required in Dr. Beckett's office for a review of the medical files. She sighed as she finally opened the door to her office and saw the mound of files still sitting on her desk where she had left them the previous night.

A smile came to her face as she thought about the reason she hadn't got to the files last night. After their talk, she and John had lingered on the deck for hours, just talking and once she had convinced him that he still had worth even though he didn't have his sight, they had kissed. It was the second kiss they had shared since they met and maybe it was because he was trying to hold on to his past or maybe it was just the heat of the moment but this kiss was much more intense than their first.

As she sat down, she caught sight of an envelope lying in the floor near the door. "What the . . .?" She questioned, getting up and retrieving the sealed paper. The front simple said, Elizabeth.

She quickly opened it and read it carefully twice:

Dear Elizabeth,

Thank you for last night. I appreciate everything that everyone has tried to do for me since our encounter with the people of Hashlana, but at this time, I don't feel that I can adequately fill my position as military leader of Atlantis, therefore, I offer this letter as my official resignation.

I know that you would never ask for my recommendation, but instead, try to talk me out of this, which is why I'm not doing this in person. But, for what it's worth, Lt. Ford has a much better tactical mind and is more diplomatic than Sgt. Bates will ever be and I would highly recommend him as team leader in my absence.

I feel certain that by the time you read this, I will be on my way to the mainland. Halling and Jinto have offered me a place to stay until I sort all of mess out and find a way to adjust to my . . . blindness. (Do you realize that's the first time I've said it?)

Take care,

John

Elizabeth raced down the corridors towards John's quarters. When she arrived, her fears were confirmed, his clothes and duffle bag were missing leaving her to believe that he was already gone.

She sat on the edge of his bed and re-read the letter again as a wave of incredible sadness and loss swept over her.

"I miss him as well." Teyla's voice echoed in the room.

Elizabeth wiped away a stray tear from her eye and clear her throat, quickly shoving the letter into her pocket. "I'm sorry Teyla, I didn't hear you come in."

"Halling believes that he can help Major Shepherd." Teyla replied.

Dr. Weir looked at her, astonishment written on her face. "Help him? Help him what, see again? Dr. Beckett has already said that nothing short of a miracle is going to do that. Help him forget that there are people here, on Atlantis, who care about him? Because there are, you know. His team, his friends, those under his command and . . ."

"And you." Teyla replied calmly.

Elizabeth stood and faced the Athosian leader. "Yes, and me. I thought that I had made him understand that last night; that he does have purpose here and that we all care about him."

"I am quite sure that Major Shepherd knows how much he is cared for and I believe that is why he has chosen to go and live among my people for a while. He knows that you, as a leader, cannot care about him to the point that you are unable to lead."

"What?" Dr. Weir questioned loudly. "John left because of me?"

"It is just what I believe." Teyla replied and left the room.

"Why would he leave because of me?" Elizabeth asked herself.

"Are you sure about this?" Lt. Ford asked as he sat the Jumper down on the mainland.

John nodded. "I'm sure. I'll be in touch and tell Elizabeth that I'm sorry I couldn't say goodbye face to face."

Jinto and Wex ran to meet John as he exited the Jumper. "Major Shepherd, Major Shepherd!" They both exclaimed.

"Hi boys!" John replied enthusiastically.

Each boy took John by the hand and led him toward Halling. "Major Shepherd, we are honored to have you here."

John extended his hand, waiting for Halling to shake it. When the Athosian reached for it, both men gripped firmly. "You can just call me John, OK?"

"If that is as you would like." Halling said and led John towards the hut that he and his son, Jinto shared. "The hut is humble, but I believe that you will be comfortable."

"You may put your things there. This is where you will sleep if you find it acceptable."

"Thank you, Halling. I'm sure everything is fine."

Halling nodded. "Good. Now, if you will excuse me, I have a few things to take care of before dinner. Perhaps Jinto and Wex could keep you company."

John smiled. "I'd like that."

That's all the two eager boys needed to hear. They both bounded through the entrance of the hut and sat on either side of John. "Tell us another story of Earth!"

"Well, I . . ."

"Ple-e-e-se." The boys begged.

"Aw, OK, let's see. You guys have found the beach here by now, right?"

"Yes, we've even eaten some of the sea life."

John nodded. "Well, on Earth, I grew up in a place in North America called California, where the waves of the Pacific Ocean are perfect for surfing."

"What is surfing?" Wex asked.

A smile came to John's face as he began to explain the specifics of surfing to the two curious Athosian boys. An hour later, Halling stepped inside the hut. "Dinner is ready."

Lt. Ford finally caught up with Dr. Weir at dinner. "Dr. Weir." He called out.

"Lt. Ford." She acknowledged.

"The Major got off OK. He wanted me to tell you that he was sorry that he couldn't say goodbye in person."

She turned and faced the young Lieutenant. "Thank you."

Sensing that she still wasn't comfortable with the way John left, Aiden continued. "Ma'am, he's still hurting. We talked for a while in the Jumper and well, he felt that by being here it would make him long for his sight even more."

"I understand that and maybe he's right. Maybe he does need a little time away from here to sort things out and find a way to accept his disability."

"Yes ma'am." Ford replied and turned to continue through the chow line. "Although I don't think he'll ever fully accept it." He added.

Two weeks. It had been two weeks since he had left Atlantis and came to the mainland. Two more weeks that he had been in total darkness. He laid on his pallet with his eyes closed and allowed his thought to run wild. Soon he drifted off into a dream plagued sleep.

"John Shepherd." The voice echoed through his head. "John Shepherd." It repeated.

"Who's there?" He asked softly.

"It is I, the one you called a dream."

He didn't dismiss the voice as quickly as he had the last time. "You're one of the Ancients, right?"

"Yes."

"Why are you here? Why with me?"

"You are special John Shepherd. Your ties with my kind are great and have not gone unnoticed."

"Is that a good thing?" John asked.

"I may be able to help you, but first you must return to Atlantis."

John shook his head. "No. I can't go back. I can't face . . ."

"Dr. Weir?"

John was shocked that this voice in his head actually knew of Elizabeth. "How do you know Dr. Weir?" He asked.

"I know all." The voice of the Ancient replied. "You must return to Atlantis. I will help you once you are there."

John mumbled in his sleep. "Need to go back to Atlantis."

Jinto propped himself up on his elbow and looked at his father who was also awake. "He will be leaving soon?"

Halling nodded. "Yes Jinto, it would appear that way."

To be continued . . . .