A Bad Decision –"Return to Atlantis"
Chapter 9
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.)
"Dr. Weir, we just received a transmission from Major Shepherd, he wants to know if we can send a Jumper to pick him up?" Grodin announced.
Elizabeth's eyes lit up and she nodded. "I'll notify Lt. Ford."
It didn't take long for Elizabeth to locate the young Lieutenant. He was in the workout room, sparing with Teyla. "Lt. Ford. It seems that Major Shepherd is ready to come home. Would you mind going to get him?"
Ford grinned from ear to ear. "No ma'am!" He quickly headed off towards the showers, leaving Teyla and Weir alone.
"The Major is coming back?" Teyla asked.
Elizabeth nodded. "Yes. We just received a transmission from the mainland."
"And he will be staying?"
"I certainly hope so." Weir replied and left the room.
As she started down the corridor, she was quickly flanked by both Rodney and Carson. "Is it true?" Carson asked.
"Is what true?" Dr. Weir replied.
"Is John returning to the city?" Carson asked, almost bursting with anticipation
Elizabeth nodded. "Yes, it's true. Lt. Ford is gearing up now to go get him."
"And he'll be staying?" Rodney asked.
"I don't know yet, but I would really like to speak with him first, so if you could sort of keep this under wraps . . ."
"But don't you know lass, it's already spread over most of the city." Carson stated.
Elizabeth opened her mouth slightly and then sighed. "Well, then I guess I'll just have to make it a direct order that he's to report to my office the minute that the Jumper sets down." She turned to Rodney. "Relay that message to Lt. Ford."
"OK." Rodney glared at her for a moment. "Aren't you glad that he's coming back?" He said slowly.
Dr. Weir returned the glare. "Of course I'm glad he's coming back, it's just . . ." She paused again. "Just relay the message."
After Carson and Rodney continued down the corridor, Elizabeth slowed her pace as her thoughts got the better of her. She was glad that John was coming back, but with returning, a whole new can of worms would be opened, provided that he planned to recant his resignation.
She knew that she was putting the proverbial horse before the cart, but she couldn't help but think about it. If John were to retain his position as military leader of Atlantis, how would he lead if he couldn't see and how would he feel if she had to be the one to place someone else in his position?
Of course, at the moment, Sgts. Bates and Stackhouse were reluctantly sharing that authority. She knew that she would soon have to make a decision between the two of them, but now with John's impending return . . . Her thoughts were interrupted by the speaker system. "Dr. Weir, Jumper One is approaching Jumper Bay."
She hurried towards the Jumper bay, but slowed her pace before entering, not wanting to seem too eager to see John after his three week absence. She was somewhat surprised to see that a good portion of the base had gathered in the Jumper bay and a loud cheer went up as the Major exited Jumper One.
It was impossible to suppress the smile that came to her face when she watched him lift his hand to the crowd and saw that the twinkle was back in his eyes and a crooked smirk of a smile on his face.
Quickly, she regained her composure, putting on her 'leader' face and started out to meet him. "John." She said softly, stopping him in his tracks.
"Elizabeth." He replied, wanting desperately to call her 'Beth', but knew better with this many people around.
"How are you?" She asked.
"Better." He replied. "And you?"
She couldn't help but smile. "I'm fine." She paused, taking a moment to allow her eyes to look him over. He certainly seemed fit. At least the Athosians had been feeding him well. "I would like to speak with you in my office."
"OK, just give me a few minutes to drop my gear and . . ."
She interrupted him. "Now would be better."
He looked at bit dejected and started to speak, but instead started to follow her out of the Jumper Bay and down the corridor.
"It is good that you are back." Teyla's voice sounded behind him, causing him to turn.
"Teyla?"
"It is I." She replied and took his hand. "You are well?"
"I'm fine."
Dr. Weir suddenly realized that John was no longer behind her, she turned and saw him speaking with Teyla. "John, I really need to speak with you now." Her voice was firm and authoritative.
John wasn't quite sure how to take her tone. He had realized when he decided to return that she was going to be upset with him, especially since he hadn't told her, in person, that he was leaving, but he didn't expect this tone, not from her, not his Beth.
"Teyla, I'll talk to you later. Right now, I have an appointment with Dr. Weir."
"I understand." Teyla replied.
Elizabeth had reached her office and held the door until John felt his way through. "You seem to be finding your way around pretty well, considering." She stated.
John turned and faced her, regretting that he couldn't stare her down, or at least try to. "What do you want from me, Beth? No, I still can't see. Yes, I have come to terms with it, for the most part. And no, I don't expect you to hand me my position back. I'm sure that you feel that I can't lead in this condition and if that's what's bothering you . . ."
"Are you quite finished?" She asked.
"Yes I am." John replied, taking a seat across from her desk.
"Good. You're right, I am upset with you and as far as you resuming your leadership role, that's still up for discussion. I expected more from you, John. I never thought that you would just run away from everything."
"Run away?" He asked, his voice rising.
"Yes. Run away!" She leaned across her desk as if to emphasize the point. "You left me a letter of resignation, a letter John, after everything we've been through, you left me a letter telling me that you were leaving."
John stood and laid his hands on her desk and leaned forward, putting them almost nose to nose. "I also explained my actions in the letter. I couldn't face you, Beth, anyone but you." He said softly.
She could feel his breath on her face and closed her eyes, longing to be in his embrace. "Why?" She asked.
"Because you would have talked me out of it." He replied, matter-of-factly and stood up straight.
"Not if your mind was really made up." She countered.
"Well, maybe that's the whole point. I needed to be away from here for a while. I knew that, but that doesn't mean that I wanted to leave."
She dropped her head, almost thankful that he couldn't see the tear that ran down her cheek. She cleared her throat. "So, what are your future plans?"
"Oh, I don't know, a log cabin in the woods with a fireplace, two dogs, a wife and a couple of kids. You know, the usual." He smiled.
"I mean for the more immediate future." She smiled.
He sighed. "I was hoping that you might let me be an advisor of sorts. And of course, there's always the lab."
Elizabeth raised one eyebrow. "You hate the lab."
"Yeah, but McKay's right. I seem to be the one most at ease with this Ancient technology and it does seem to work when I'm around." He paused. "Maybe that's my purpose for being here."
"What sort of advisor are you talking about?" She asked.
"I do have more military expertise than anyone else here. Just because I can't see the situation doesn't mean that I can't visualize it in my mind and be of some tactical support."
"That's very true, however, I don't know if that's going to work."
He looked at her with disdain. "You put Bates in charge?"
"Temporarily, he and Stackhouse are sharing that role."
"Temporarily?"
"I'm going to have to chose between them John. There can only be one military leader, right?"
He nodded, half-heartedly and then his eyes lit up. "Put me in charge."
"What?"
"You can put me back in charge. I won't have to go on any of the missions, but I can be part of the decision making process. Stackhouse and Bates can lead separate teams and both answer to me. That way . . ."
"Ok, ok, slow down. You don't have to hard sale me on this. I had much rather have you in charge."
"You had?" He asked, smiling.
"You're much easier to work with." She paused. "Most of the time."
John was sitting with Elizabeth at the dinner table when an outraged Sgt. Bates approached them.
"Bates." John greeted without looking up, as the Sergeant stopped at the table.
"Sir." Bates addressed John through gritted teeth and just stood there.
"You know, I may be blind, but don't think for one minute that I can't see that scowl on your face."
Bates continued to speak to John through gritted teeth. "Yes sir!"
"What's on your mind Bates?" John asked.
"Permission to speak freely, sir?"
"By all means." John replied.
"You've lost your sight. How is that you could possibly think that you are now capable of passing yourself off as a military leader and . . ."
"That's quite enough Sergeant." Dr. Weir stated firmly, watching John's jaw twitch.
John held out his hand towards Elizabeth. "It OK, Dr. Weir. The Sergeant has something on his mind and I'd like to hear it." He then turned to Sgt. Bates. "By all means, please continue."
"I don't like you, Major. I've never made that a secret. I don't like the fact that you allowed Col. Sumner to be taken by the Wraith, which you unleashed and I don't like the fact that you were the next highest ranking officer, which put you in charge of military operations here in Atlantis." Bates held his ground as he watched John remove the napkin from his lap and lay it on the table.
John let Bates' words sink in and then stood and faced the Sgt. "Let's make one thing very clear." He spoke in a low, but very authoritative voice. "I am your superior officer, whether you like it or not and to set the record straight, I wasn't around when Col. Sumner was taken by the Wraith and I did everything in my power to rescue him and until you find yourself face to face with a life sucking alien who can painfully kill you in an instant, and for your sake, I pray that you never do, I don't want to hear anymore about the incident with Col. Sumner. I'm the one who has to live with that, not you."
The mess hall had grown eerily quiet and all ears were tuned in to Major Shepherd.
"Did I unleash the Wraith? Maybe, but who's to say that we all didn't when we entered the city? This is why I don't consider you to be good leader material, Sgt. Bates. You let your raw emotion take over and you don't consider all of the facts before jumping to conclusions."
The Sergeant looked away from John for a brief moment. "Don't you dare look away from me, you spineless . . ." John took in a deep breath and regained his composure. "I may be blind, but that doesn't mean that I don't know what's going on and I've had to present my case to Dr. Weir just like anyone else would and fortunately for me, she has agreed that even without my sight, I just might have something to contribute to our missions."
Bates' jaw clenched tightly as he stood at attention, John only inches from his face, demanding his respect.
"And as for you not liking me, Sergeant; I don't like you either, so I guess we're even in that department. Now, if you have anything further to say to me, we will discuss it later. Right now, I plan to sit down and enjoy the rest of my meal." Before taking his seat, John kept his focus on the Sergeant. "You're dismissed!"
"Yes sir!" Bates replied, turning on his heel and leaving the mess hall.
"I would applaud you, but everyone is looking." Elizabeth replied.
"I can't stand that arrogant son of a . . ." He rested his chin in one hand, the other laying near his plate.
"John, you're letting him get the better of you." She reached across the table and placed her hand over his. "You've handled it, now let it go."
He nodded and a small grin spread across his face. "You're right. Let's finish up here and then I'd like to take a walk."
After a peaceful walk on deck, John allowed Elizabeth to walk with him to his quarters. "Well, I guess this is where we say goodnight." She said softly.
John smiled. "Goodnight Beth." He pulled her to him and gently kissed her cheek.
"Goodnight John." She whispered. "Sleep well."
He closed the door and stripped down to his boxers and t-shirt and climbed into bed. "I wonder what time it is?" He thought aloud.
"Time is of little importance." A voice said clearly, causing John to sit straight up in bed.
"Who's there?" He asked, his voice echoing slightly.
"Relax John Shepherd, it just I." The voice replied.
"Awwww," he moaned, pulling the pillow around his ears. "I thought you were gone. I did what you wanted, I'm back in Atlantis, now leave me alone."
"I can help you, if you let me." The voice said.
John sighed. "Help me what?"
"I know of a way that you may be able to regain your sight, but you must trust me."
"How can I trust you? I can't even see you."
"You could not see me even if you had your sight. I am not a visible entity."
John's brow furrowed. "So-o-o, you're what, a ghost? A figment of my imagination . . . what?"
"I am but a voice."
John shook his head and huffed out a sigh. "Here we go with that again. Do you realize if anyone found out that I have a 'voice' inside of my head, I would be labeled insane?"
"You are not insane. You are very intelligent and you carry our marker, meaning that you are of us. The marker which you carry is very unique, it is from a very special line of our people, that is why you are so compatible with our technologies."
"Thank you, I think."
"You must wait until the city is darkened tonight and then I will direct you to a chamber which remains undiscovered by your people."
"What then?" John asked.
"If everything is still intact, you may be able to access your own healing abilities and your sight may be restored."
"Why can't we go now?"
"It is too dangerous. You are, most likely, the only one on Atlantis that can make the technology work. There is the possibility of the one you call Beckett, but it should work more easily for you." The voice paused. "Lay back and rest. I will wake you when the time is right."
To be continued . . . .