Sorry this has taken a while, what with exams and everything. But here it is! It;s the one where I explain, roughly, why all this is happening. And introduce Doctor Katie! Anyway, feel free to insult it. Oh, and we get to see if Elizabeth survives, of course.

Chapter 28:Exception to every rule

Aiden watched the scene in stunned silence. He could see it all in front if him, but couldn't quite make sense of it. Major Sheppard had been trying to protect her, and he had failed. Now, Doctor Weir was lying dying before his very eyes. If only he hadn't been distracted in that corridor, maybe he would have spotted Meecha. Maybe everything would have been stopped. Maybe it was his fault.

A hand on his shoulder pulled Aiden out of his dark thoughts. He looked up into the eyes of Doctor Beckett.

Carson had been as shocked by the scene as Aiden was. There was blood everywhere. It seemed to cover the three people and the floor around them. Meecha's body lay at one side, blood covering him and the wall. At first, Carson had thought he'd stepped into some horror movie where they used blood in every scene. But it was no film.

Quickly another doctor took Aiden's place next to the first shot wound. Carson moved around to Sheppard.

"You need to let us look at her now lad. It'll be ok."

John's face looked terrible. Blood stained one side of his face. Tears had cleared paths through his red cheek. This was not the solider they knew. It was a fragile human being who was watching a friend die in his arms.

Moving back, he allowed them to lift Elizabeth's limp body onto a trolley.

"She's lost a lot of blood, we need to get moving. Quickly now."

The group of doctor's disappeared into one of the doorways, leaving John and Aiden alone.

Then, a young woman stepped through the doorway.

The pair looked up at her blankly.

"Erm, my name is Katie. I'm a doctor. I just need to check you over."

Aiden forced a weak smile onto his face.

"We're fine."

"Major? The blood on your face, were you hit?"

"It's not my blood."

"Oh."

Katie looked at the pair. Both were clearly in shock and in need of cleaning up.

"Look," she sighed. "We need to get the pair of you sorted out. Why don't the pair of you go to the shower room and get yourselves cleaned up? I'll go and get something for you to drink. I'll have my headset on; I can tell you if anything happens."

"Yeah."

Both mumbled and pulled themselves up.

"You should find Rodney to get some spare clothes."

"Of course."

Katie smiled and watched them leave the room. This was hard on them, but they had to be strong.

Within an hour, Katie found herself sat in the shower room of Atlantis with Sheppard, Ford, McKay and Teyla. Teyla had been in the mess hall when Katie had entered. She'd been sat with Rodney, so had heard the message from John. When Katie had left, Teyla had accompanied her.

The five sat in silence, sipping on sweet tea. None really knew what to say, or even to think. Katie had heard nothing from the infirmary. The only sound was one of showers dripping.

"So much for Ancient plumbing." Said John at last, desperate to break the silence.

"That all you've got to say?"

The five looked at each other, but it was none of them who had spoken.

"Is there someone there?"

"Of course there is! There's been someone here all the time."

From round a corner, a young woman appeared. She was dressed all in white, with a slight glow around her. Her hair was dark and messy, her eyes were dark and there was a cheeky mile on her face. There was something oddly familiar about the girl, but no one could place it.

"Who the hell are you?"

John had stood up and was staring down the woman hard.

"I am Serai. I am, well was, and Ancient. And I am the Guardian of Atlantis. For a little longer at least."

"Was an Ancient?"

"Yes Rodney, was. I have ascended."

Everyone's jaws dropped, especially Katie's.

"John, don't go getting ideas again!"

"I wouldn't advise it anyway, after all, he is my ascendant."

Everyone's eyes turned on Sheppard.

"What?" Was all he could manage.

"When the Ancients were leaving Atlantis, the rest of my family left with them, including my husband and two sons. You are a direct descendant of me. You are also the next Guardian of Atlantis. That's why your gene is so strong. And why you've been having those dreams. They were sent to test you."

"Hold on, I thought Ascended beings couldn't interfere with others?"

"There's an exception to every rule."

Rodney sat back, considering what she had just said.

"I hope you do not mind me interrupting, but you said it was the rest of your family who had left. What of you?"

Serai looked sadly at Teyla.

"I was given a vial. I was told it would be my final living act as Guardian. It would be an honourable death. Then I had to wait until the next Guardian arrived."

"How did you know I would come?"

"I saw it. I saw it when I saw Doctor Weir in the stasis chamber. When I saw her, I had a vision of the future. Of her returning through the Gate, with you."

"Doctor Weir? Wait, Elizabeth! Is she going to be ok?"

"Yes, so calm down. She will be fine. She has a higher purpose in all this, which means she must live. But now, you must listen to me John. There is another task you must perform before you become the Guardian. There will be a radio signal sent asking for help. You and your team must respond to it. That is all I can tell you. There will be no dream this time. Listen to me, you must do this."

"What if I refuse? You've caused enough damage to everyone around here, especially me! I don't want to listen to you anymore. I won't do it. I won't go."

Serai sighed sadly and looked down.

"Then I'm sorry to have to do this to you. And to her."

She disappeared. John stood still, trying to interpret the message. Suddenly it came to him.

"Her. Elizabeth."

John ran from the room. He had to get to the infirmary. He was in luck, it wasn't that far.

Running in, he could hear voices yelling at the back. Moving quickly, he found Carson working to save someone's life.

"We need to shock her! Come on Elizabeth, stay with us!"

John stood staring in horror as they placed the paddles on her chest.

"Clear!"

Her whole body arched up. John felt sick.

Turning, he ran form the infirmary and stood retching in an empty corridor.

"I'm sorry John."

Turning he found Katie looking at him. But it wasn't Katie. Whoever had spoken had a very different accent to Katie's English one.

"Who are you?"

The figure changed slowly, until Serai was stood in front of him again.

"I can change my shape, if I so wish."

John glared at her. He lunged angrily at her, trying desperately to strangle her. But his hands wouldn't close around her throat.

"I warned you. Please. I did the same as you. I nearly lost my husband because of it. Don't make the same mistake."

John looked at her again, before falling back.

"When will it happen?"

"Soon. I'm sorry. I have to go. Elizabeth will be fine though. You should be there for her when she wakes up. Goodbye John."

For the second time that day, John watched someone say goodbye to him. Serai faded from sight, and John was left alone to contemplate what he had just discovered.