Well, I'm back. I only have 6 exams left, so updates should be coming a lot faster. Besides there's only a few chapters left. Thanks for the reviews. Please, feel free to insult this, it ain't great.

Chapter 29:Night watchers

Carson snapped off his light and sat back with a sigh. Leaning back, he caught sight of John sat by Elizabeth's bed. Heading over, he found John sat wide-awake staring blankly at her face.

"Get some rest lad, she's not waking up for a little bit. She lost a lot of blood."

"I know," said John calmly. "And it was my fault."

Carson wanted to say more, but decided to leave it. There'd be plenty of time for lectures later.

John didn't even notice when another familiar figure entered his view of few minutes later.

"Hello?"

Looking up, John didn't know what to say.

"Is it Katie, or is Serai on another visit?"

"What?"

"Oh good, it's you Katie."

Katie stared at him, confused by his statement. Shaking her head, she put it down to shock. Gazing at Elizabeth's still figure she sighed.

The bullet wounds would scar, one on her leg, one on her stomach. It could have been much worse; they'd nearly lost her. She watched John too. He sat there, still as stone, his hand laid on hers. His face was pale, not quite as pale as Elizabeth's though. They both looked a state. If John were to close his eyes, anyone would think he had been injured too.

"She is going to pull through, you know?"

John didn't move or say anything.

"Of course you know, Serai told you."

John sighed. Serai. The mention of her name made him think. Everything had happened so fast. There'd been too much information all at once. His head seemed to spin.

"It's a lot to take in."

John looked up with a smile.

"Really, what is it with British people doing that to me?"

Katie stared blankly at him.

"First Grodin, then Beckett, now you. Are British people psychic or something?"

"No, not quite. Though, I think Beckett prefers to be known as Scottish, rather than British."

"Right, sure. So your English, and so's Grodin. But, you two sound really different."

"That's because we're from different parts of England. Grodin's from the South of England, and I'm from the North. In fact, I think I'm closer to Scotland than I am to where Grodin lives."

She smiled softly.

"I should probably get going. It's late, and I've got a full day shift tomorrow. Goodnight Major."

"Goodnight Doc."

For a while, John just sat thinking. He ran over the events of the day in his head. Not matter what he thought, he knew deep down that he could have done nothing to stop it happening. Everything had been decided for him. He didn't like it.

"Serai. Serai I know you can hear me. I need to talk to you."

A glowing light appeared, and was then replaced by a familiar figure.

"I'm sorry. Everything came out sort of rushed earlier. It's sort of hard, I've had 10,000 years to rehearse this."

John looked at her. She was just like an embarrassed young woman. An embarrassed young woman who'd been dead for 10,000 years and was the Guardian of Atlantis. It seemed almost odd. John smiled.

"What?"

"It's just...odd. You'd think that you'd act like most other Ancients, powerful, elegant."

"I'm not your typical Ancient."

"I can see that."

Serai smiled sadly. John was a good person, he didn't deserve this. But it had to happen. Everything had to happen. His whole future was planned out for him. His life. His love. His children. Only his death was a mystery.

"So, I'm the next Guardian. What exactly does that mean?"

"Well, the Guardian of Atlantis is the one with the strongest gene. It is up to them to open the doors and to find and control all the weapons this city had to offer. It is their duty to protect everyone on this city, from refugees to their own family."

Serai reached out and brushed some loose strands of hair from Elizabeth's face.

"Why didn't you go to Earth, with your family?"

"I couldn't. I had to wait for the next Guardian, I told you. Anyway, until the new Guardian has completed the tests, the Guardian protects all in life and death. I died in the line of my duty."

"What is it with these tests?"

"They are to show courage, bravery, care, friendship, love, and the last shows self sacrifice."

"Self sacrifice?"

"Yes. You must show that you are willing to sacrifice yourself for others."

"Then why didn't you let me take that bullet?"

"It had to happen. Everything that has happened and will happen had to happen."

John watched her face. She looked sad, almost jealous in a way.

"You're missing someone?"

"My husband. My children. After I became the Guardian, I was married and within 10 years we had two wonderful sons. Then the Wraith attacked. They stepped through the Gate and I never saw them again. They gave me the poison, and I drank it like a good girl. And then I was left alone to wander the corridors of Atlantis. I found Doctor Weir eventually. She looked so calm and peaceful. When I touched the chamber, I saw it all. Your arrival on Atlantis with her. Her being held by the Genii. Her being shot by Meecha. There were other scenes that have yet to pass also. She is important, you just don't know how yet."

Serai took a step back from the bed and turned her eyes to John.

"She'll wake soon. The message will also come soon. You will go."

It wasn't a question.

"Yes."

"Good. Soon, you will be the Guardian. Soon, all the answers you seek will be clear."

Serai closed her eyes and faded away again.

John felt Elizabeth's hand squeeze his. Looking up at her face, he watched as her eyes slowly opened. Elizabeth smiled at the sight of his face.

"Go to sleep John. You look terrible."

"Well, you don't look much better yourself."

John smirked at her. Everything was going to be better now.