PARADISE
By NotTasha

A/N: Thank you everyone for all your lovely feedback. We're onto the final push... Hope you enjoy the rest of it.

PART 17: WHOOSH

For a moment, all was still. The three drew close to the fourth, huddling together near the fire, drawing strength from one another. Then…a familiar whirr, so close it was almost on top of them. Sheppard, holding McKay against him, turned toward the StarGate, aware for the first time that it was blank – and then the chevrons started to illuminate… first the three that had been locked in place, then the rest.

"It's working!" Ford shouted joyfully, smiling like a kid. Teyla's somber expression turned to something hopeful as the familiar address of Atlantis appeared before them.

Then… there was a whoosh as the wormhole formed.

"How?" Sheppard started, and then recalled that when he'd braced against the DHD, his arm had landed on something – insignificant when a creature from hell was running at him – but he recalled now that something had depressed beneath his elbow. The reset button?

Suddenly his radio was buzzing and Dr. Weir's voice sounded in his ear. "Major Sheppard?" A world of worry was carried in her tone. "Major Sheppard, respond. Respond immediately."

"Weir," John greeted, smiling like a madman, adjusting his radio with his free hand. "It's good to hear your voice."

"Yours as well. We've been cut off. What's happening over there? We've been worried."

Rodney's breathing seemed to be fading as John spoke, "Get Beckett here. We have a medical emergency. And he'd better bring Bates and his team, too. We've got some trouble."

"What kind of trouble? Major, what's going on?"

But Rodney's breathing was failing, slowing. He laboriously dragged in another breath.

"Send Beckett, now!" Sheppard demanded, and then, in a softer voice, he pleaded, "We're almost home, Rodney. Don't do this… don't do this. Damn it, Rodney, you stupid ape, you fixed the damn thing. We're going home!"

There was a long exhale and Rodney stopped breathing again. Sheppard shouted in frustration, as he laid McKay back, ready to begin artificial respiration. They're coming… don't do this now…

And Sheppard's head shot up as someone moved through the gate.

TBC -
A/N: They're coming! Help is on the way!