Dr. Elizabeth Weir looked at the people gathered in the 'gate room. Her smile was ghostly, devoid of true feeling, the smile pushed on her face as a front of strength for her people. The last hour on Atlantis had finally struck. Carson had just returned from an emergency trip to the mainland that Elizabeth had granted so he could give the Athosians medicines to use in the expedition's absence. Everything was ready and set. She'd expected John to argue with her about how they should stay on Atlantis…but it had never come. In fact, she didn't think John had uttered a word in the past forty-eight hours. She had seen him wandering the hallways, a lost look on his face, as if the world had betrayed him. And now he didn't even raise a finger to try and stop her from shipping all of Atlantis to Earth? Elizabeth licked her dry lips and looked back at Peter Grodin. He looked uneasy, his eyes searching to her for guidance. She looked away from him and addressed the people of Atlantis over the communication system.
"Over these four years spent on Atlantis, each of you has risked your life for this expedition," her eyes fell on John Sheppard standing close to the stairs, his expression reluctant but subdued. "You have all felt the loss of others who have given their life for this command." Rodney McKay shifted uncomfortably beneath her gaze. "And we have all faced personal challenges." Elizabeth thought of Teyla on the mainland with her people. "To those who have suffered under the hands of the Wraith: thank you," her eyes fell on Aiden Ford this time, who glanced to the 'gate. He wondered, in the powerful silence, whether his grandparents would recognize him or not. Torturously clear were the memories of when he had been abducted by the Wraith and agonized: years of his life being sucked away while he couldn't do anything to stop the pain coursing through him. Four years of his life had been taken from him…but he would give another four to stay on Atlantis. "We all came here for one purpose. Perhaps the people of Earth won't think that this expedition has been entirely victorious, but as individuals, we've all achieved a greater goal. I know I've learned many things—things beyond the new technologies—that I would have never known if I'd stayed on Earth. If we could stay here for a longer period of time, I know we could accomplish even more," Elizabeth looked down at her hands and swallowed. "But that is not up to us."
"John! John!" Major Sheppard turned at the hushed yell, and his eyes widened at the person standing just outside of the gate room.
"Teyla!" he exclaimed, his voice soft as not to alert anyone else to her presence. He walked briskly over to her. Why had she come back? How had she come back? Noticing John's departure, Rodney and Aiden turned and followed his path. What's going on?" John asked in a hushed whisper to Teyla, his eyebrows creased. His eyes darted briefly to Carson Beckett, who was standing behind Teyla, a smile on his face.
"As we make our journey back to Earth, I encourage you to be proud of what you've done here," Elizabeth continued, as oblivious to Teyla's entrance as everyone else. She looked over to Peter Grodin, waiting for him to dial Earth's address. He didn't move until she addressed them. "Dial the 'gate," she commanded. Peter paused before sighing and slowly dialing the address home. Never in his wildest dreams had he expected to mournful to be dialing this address. If only it were a dream… "Each of you has inspired generations to come with your bravery. Let us take this moment to remember those who cannot be with us today." Elizabeth bowed her head. The rest of the expedition followed suit. The only sound was that of the chevrons locking into place.
Teyla grinned widely, ignoring the opening of the wormhole. "John…" she said slowly, pausing for a moment before meeting his eyes. "When I answered your question earlier, I wasn't entirely truthful." John frowned for a moment, his expression unreadable. "I did not wish my answer to hinder you. I said no but what I meant…what I…" she pursed her lips. Never before had she been so unable to address this. "Yes, John. I meant yes."
Rodney looked from John to Teyla, catching the happiness glittering in their eyes and feeling quite left out. "What?" he asked, but received no answer. "What's going on?" he turned to Aiden, who shook his head before Rodney could address him further.
Elizabeth's voice came over the speaker once more. "As you step through the 'gate today… Don't think of it as an adventure you were cheated out of; think of it as a beautiful journey coming to its end."
John stared at Teyla, elation pumping through his veins. It was then that Elizabeth's words sunk in. 'No…I can't leave! Not now!' John thought hurriedly, his heart beating in his chest. He glanced at Aiden and Rodney. He knew they didn't want to go home either. John frowned. He had only been one of the many hollow souls walking around the edges of Atlantis for the past day. John stepped forward, taking Teyla's face in his hands and kissing her on the lips gently before breaking away and dashing up the stairs to the control room, leaving Rodney and Aiden to stare speechlessly at the sudden display of affection.
"Where does he think he's going?" Carson asked, his eyes following John's movement until he was out of sight. Rodney blinked out of his surprise and realization bloomed in his eyes.
"He's stopping this," Rodney said aloud, and turned, running back toward the center of the 'gate room. "Stop! Don't go through!" he bellowed, his voice booming through the room. The few people near the wormhole stopped, looking back at Rodney with confusion on their faces.
John Sheppard burst into the control room, his eyes snapping to Peter. "Shut down the 'gate!" he ordered. Elizabeth did not protest as Peter shut the 'gate down with eager fingers.
"What's going on, John?" she asked him. John took a few breaths and looked down at all of the people standing before the 'gate. A low murmur arose as they tried to figure out what was going on. John caught Rodney staring up at them and turned back to Elizabeth.
"We need to talk."
Author's Note: Hope ya liked! Thanks to Teyla Sheppard, Margaret, and Dark Angel31 for the reviews! Chapter 5 will be posted on Friday or so. Please review!