Day 57

Elizabeth follows Peter down the stairs to the Control Room. It's early morning and the sun is shining through the stain glass windows, leaving beautiful mosaics on the floor. If it wasn't for the perpetual silence of the city, Elizabeth would be able to relax and enjoy the wondrous colors. Instead, she's a bundle of nerves.

She didn't sleep well, her mind kept wandering to the first day she and Sheppard argued on the balcony. It's been nearly two months since he was left on Luminance. What must he be thinking? Does he believe they've abandoned him for dead? How many times has he tried to dial home only to get a busy signal?

Then the darker thoughts hit her. She pushes those aside. Like Carson says. Hope is not a bad thing. Until she sees for herself, Elizabeth refuses to give up on her friend.

Friend? Is that all he is, Liz?

Peter, thankfully, interrupts her thoughts. "He refused to rest. Said he'd be up until he fixes-" Peter stops suddenly and Elizabeth looks up at the reason: McKay's snoring away in a chair with his feet up on the console.

"I can see that," Elizabeth says. "Dr. McKay." He mumbles something in his sleep. "Rodney."

He opens his eyes sort of, peeking through have closed lids. "What…I'll get right on that." Then he seems to see them and make a conscious connection to reality. "Oh, it's you. Look, I've been working really hard-"

Elizabeth tilts her head. "Did I say anything?"

McKay scratches at his beard. She's hoping that's the first thing gone when they get back to normal. There's that word again. Hope. Well, John told me I'm extremely optimistic, can't let him down now.

Making a pained face, McKay gets up and stretches. "It's written all over you face." He crackes his back, wincing. "I figured out the problem…only that created another problem."

"Okay…start with the first one."

"The virus reeked havoc with the DHD and the Naquadah generators, once we killed the power, and—I'm surmising—the virus as well, we should have been rolling in kittens…"

Elizabeth opens her hands, palms up. "No kittens, Rodney."

"Exactly. And not because we turned the power off. But because we waited too long to do it."

"What?" Peter asks.

"Basically, we left our headlights on all night." Elizabeth shares a confused glance with Peter before McKay adds, with his usual flair of 'I'm-talking-to-idiots'. "Don't you people have cars? Our batteries died."

Elizabeth's eyes open wide. "The generators are dead?"

McKay raises a finger. "Dead in that they have no juice available." He presses his lips together in a tight smile. "We need a jumpstart."

"That's all?"

Elizabeth reflects Peter's shock. "After all these weeks? It's that simple?"

"Simple? I don't think you're grasping the gravity-"

Peter takes a deep breath, obviously seeing something that Elizabeth doesn't. "Where do we get a jumpstart?"

"And there we have problem number two."

Elizabeth remembers the generators Carson's using. "One of the puddle-"

"Been there, failed at that. They're fine as portable power supply for something small like what Carson's using them for…but to restart a Naquadah generator?" McKay's brows shoot up. "We need a lot more juice."

Elizabeth glances from McKay to Peter then back to McKay. "So, what can we do?"

McKay turns to grab a chart. "I've been making some calculation…maybe if we find a way of tying all the power in the Jumpers together, while they're running—which means we need someone capable of turning them on and keeping them on—then finding an umbilical long enough-"

Sudden whirring interrupts as the gate locks on with an incoming wormhole. Elizabeth rushes to the railing, heart wrenching at the thought of another attack by the Genii…or worse. And all the guards are on the mainland! Why didn't she think about that! Sheppard never would have done that. McKay joins her, looking down at the gate as the whoosh shoots forth then settles into the shimmering event horizon. "Shield!" Elizabeth yells.

"No power," McKay says.

"Isn't that enough of a boost?"

"Hardly, we'll need at least another-"

Peter pushes a button and the Control Room comes to life. "Then again." McKay glares at the other scientist who gives him a wry smirk, engaging the shield. "Show off," McKay grumbles.

Peter checks the monitor. "I…I don't be…" He catches Elizabeth's gaze and laughs out loud. "It's Major Sheppard's IDC."

McKay's jaw drops. "No shit?"

Elizabeth's heart pounds in her chest as her body trembles with excitement. "Let him in." Peter releases the shield and sends the okay back through the gate to Major Sheppard. A moment later, Elizabeth's rushing down the steps into the Gate Room just as John emerges from the wormhole… uninjured, alive. Though, not alone.

John steps onto Atlantis and takes a deep breath. His heart races at the thrill of finally making it home. It took days, weeks even, for the storms to let up enough that he could attempt getting to the DHD. After that, he found it increasingly frustrating that he couldn't get a lock on the address. He remembered when Ford dialed home they'd had a problem, but the second time it connected. This time it lasted almost too long. John was starting to feel comfortable with the idea of just him and Ashri. No responsibilities, no Wraith…

And then the gate locked.

Ashri was kind enough to offer a present upon her arrival so John carries it under one arm. The other arm's wrapped around her trembling shoulders and both of hers around his waist, holding on for dear life. She's overwhelmed, so he gives her a comforting squeeze and sends her all his love. That seems to ease her a bit, but she doesn't release him.

John looks up, seeing McKay and Grodin at the balcony railing, both wide-eyed as if seeing a ghost. But it's Elizabeth, stopped at the bottom of the stairs that pulls his attention. She smiles professionally, though her eyes gleam with unshed tears. "Dr. Weir," John nods, resisting the urge to hug her in public. Ashri would understand…he's not so sure about McKay and Grodin.

Elizabeth has her hands clasped in front of her as she takes a few steps forward, meeting them half way. "Major," her smiles widens. "It's good to have you back."

"It's good to be back."

"I'm…almost speechless," Elizabeth says with a laugh. "How did you manage all this time?"

"Mostly indoors." He grins at Ashri as they share a brief memory then chuckles a bit. He looks back at Elizabeth. "Actually, I'm not sure how long it's been…exactly."

"Fifty-seven days," Elizabeth says, holding his gaze.

"Wow….now, I'm speechless." From the tone of her voice, John can tell it's been a difficult time. "I take it that's not the only thing to have gone wrong…me being away."

"Not quite," McKay says, suddenly by Elizabeth's side, leaving John wondering when the man started moving so fast without going into respiratory failure. And who told him it was a good idea to grow a beard! "Is that what I think it is?" McKay asks greedily eyeing Ashri's present. John turns to Ashri and grins. "Told you he'd like your house warming gift." She smiles shyly in return.

McKay gently pulls the present away from John's grasp and cradles it like a normal person would a baby. "A ZedPM!" He beams at Elizabeth. "They brought a ZedPM."

"I see that," Elizabeth says, still grinning. She turns her attention to Ashri, and John realizes he hasn't introduced her yet.

"Sorry," he says. "Dr. Weir, this is Ashri…the last of the Luminaté. Not to mention my personal savior. Ashri this is Dr. Elizabeth Weir." Ashri nods to Elizabeth, still trembling a bit in his grasp.

Elizabeth offers her hand. Ashri looks at John questioningly, finds what she needs then turns back and gently takes Elizabeth's hand only to send an intense jolt of static electricity into the other woman's palm. John even sees the blue sparks leap from one to the other. Elizabeth retracts her hand, grasping it as if she's been burned. "What the hell was that?" She rubs her palm, inspecting any damage.

Ashri immediately clings to John, terrified she's done something horrible. John cups her face, smoothing her hair, trying to ease the panic in her eyes. "Shh. It's okay. You didn't mean for that to happen, right?" he asks. Ashri shakes her head 'no' so fast he's afraid it's going to fly off her shoulders. John hugs her close; she buries her head against his shoulder. "Are you all right?" He asks Elizabeth.

She shakes her hand, looks at the palm. "Yes. It doesn't hurt now. Just a shock." Elizabeth tries to catch Ashri's gaze. "It's all right, really." She shows her uninjured hand to the frightened woman. "She's very timid," Elizabeth whispers to John.

"It's a long story," John says, rubbing his hand over Ashri's shoulder.

Elizabeth smiles at that. "Well, then. I look forward to reading your mission report. I have a feeling it will be very…" she pauses then her smile widens, "enlightening."

"How long have you been wanting to say that?"

Elizabeth giggles, very unprofessional of her, and John loves it. "Forever it seems." She tilts her head to the side, eyeing him. "Glad I got the chance."

This time John pulls away from Ashri enough to take Elizabeth's hand and squeeze it. "Me too." After a moment of tactile proof that he's truly home, they release each other. "So, how have you been getting along without me?"

"We had a wake," McKay says enthusiastically, finally pulling his eyes away from the ZPM.

"Good turn out I hope."

McKay nods side-to-side and scrunches his face. "Moderate. You know, free booze and all."

Elizabeth chuckles a bit, motioning to the corridor. "I'm assuming you'd like to get settled. Why don't you find Ashri a room and then come see me?"

John narrows his gaze. "You don't want us to see Dr. Beckett first?"

"It can wait a few minutes."

John's weary. It's not like Elizabeth to suspend protocol. "What's wrong?"

"We'll talk in a few minutes. After that, I'd like Dr. Beckett to have a look at both of you."

"Okaaaay." John turns to Ashri. "We're going to my room first and in a little while Dr. Beckett will want to run those tests I mentioned." Ashri nods.

Elizabeth's thrown a curveball and doesn't know how to respond. "You're room?" A flutter of something…apprehension…tingles her stomach and she's suddenly tense again.

John raises his brows, all innocent. "Is that a problem?"

"No…I…it's just," she clears her throat. "The quarters are awfully small."

John offers a lop-sided grin that hides more than it reveals and Elizabeth feels a zing of pain in her heart. "We'll manage," he says with a light chuckle before heading off towards his quarters.

Elizabeth's gaze follows them and she doesn't even realize that McKay is still there salivating over his new toy. "A ZedPM…he brought us a ZedPM," Mckay hollers again, his excitement reminding her of a kid on Christmas day.

"Yes, he did," she says, still looking after the departing couple. Couple?

"We've got a problem!" Peter calls from the balcony pulling her attention.

"Oh, that's unusual around here," McKay jibes, back to normal.

"What is it Peter?"

"The virus…it's back."

Elizabeth and McKay exchange tired looks. "Of course it is," they say together.

John gives Ashri the two second tour. After all this time in the cavern, even in the nook, he'd forgotten how small his room really is. Still, he figures it'll only be temporary. The city's huge, and with the ZPM they should be able to open it up a bit more, find larger quarters. He sits on the bed and bounces. Ashri's not impressed, she cocks a brow at him and it makes his stomach quiver.

Her facial expressions have changed as they've grown closer. The innocence is still there, but she's seen enough of his mind to lose some of it. That's the only part he regrets. But Ashri's strong and he knows she can hold onto what makes her special. Besides, some of those new looks are damn sexy. "I have to do this meeting thing and then I'll come get you. After we see Dr. Beckett, I'll show you around, okay?"

Ashri nods with a smile, she feels safe in this room. Acclimating her to the city and the people is going to be more difficult. Having been alone for so long, she's probably going to be fearful of others. But he plans on being there, every step of the way.

John starts to go, but she touches his shoulder and he turns around. Ashri grabs him by the collar and pulls him into an intense, hot lip-lock. John's mind and body meld with hers so instantly he has a difficult time pulling away. He knows if he doesn't back off, it'll be too late and they'll be having another naked party.

Suddenly, Ashri breaks the kiss, smiles slyly and pushes against his chest, sending him towards the door. He almost stumbles from the passion induced daze, but manages to stay upright. "It'll be a fast meeting," he heaves. Then with a wicked grin, adds: "Promise."

John and Elizabeth walk swiftly through the corridor towards the infirmary. "You should have told me when I first got back," he growls.

"I didn't want to alarm your guest. Besides, there's nothing you could have done for them that couldn't wait five or ten minutes," Elizabeth explains. The infirmary doors are already open, due to the return of the virus as Elizabeth explained. "They both lapsed into coma nearly a week ago."

Dr. Beckett turns when he hears Elizabeth's voice and the look on his face would make John laugh if it wasn't for the fact that Teyla and Ford are at death's door. "Major!"

John moves between the twin gurneys. "I know, it's great to see me," he mutters dryly. "What's wrong with Ford and Teyla?"

"Dr. Weir-"

John grasps Teyla's cold hand, noticing the bluish tint to her skin. "She gave me the hi-lights. What are we doing for them?"

"I'm sorry to say there's not much we can do. I've found no way to kill the virus…except possibly to take away its food source."

John snaps his gaze at Dr. Beckett. "So, what? We can only wait and watch them die?"

No. He hears her before seeing her in the doorway. Again, he's struck silent by her ethereal beauty. She almost floats as she comes inside the room and joins him at Teyla's side. I know this illness, Ashri tells him. When he raises his brows, she smiles. Whooter.

"Can you?" John asks. Ashri caresses his cheek with one hand and smoothes the worry lines from his forehead with the other then kisses him lightly.

They are your friends.

"John?" Elizabeth starts, but he holds up a hand.

John kisses Ashri's cheek before backing away to stand with Elizabeth and Beckett, leaving Ashri to do her work. She closes her eyes. Her right hand hovers an inch or two above Teyla, running the length of the Athosian woman's body before returning to her forehead. Ashri opens her eyes, looks at John and smiles softly, making his heartbeat faster as usual. Returning her full attention to Teyla, she places her healing palm on the ill woman's forehead, closes her eyes and concentrates. Her palm begins to glow.

Instantly, blue sparks of static electricity shoot from Ashri's left hand, hitting the metal I.V. pole making it rock. Ashri jumps, breaking contact with Teyla. She looks at her left hand then raises confused eyes toward John. She glances briefly at Elizabeth then her hand again. John not only sees the confusion in her face, but feels a growing concern touch his mind.

Ashri closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. John feels the coolness of her pulling away from him, instinctively making him want to shout for her return. But he holds back. She must need all her concentration or she wouldn't have done it.

With another deep breath, she returns to her position and begins healing Teyla. Ashri's palm glows brighter than he's ever seen. Her hand starts to shake and she automatically grips her wrist with her other hand to steady herself. Her forehead creases with concentration. Her eyelids tighten. Teyla's body bucks and shakes.

"Convulsions," Beckett yells, taking a step forward, but John grips the doctor's arm, keeping him back. "She's making it worse, son."

"Just wait," he says calmly.

Elizabeth turns to him. "How do you know?"

John looks into Elizabeth's eyes. "Because I didn't survive the lightning strike."

Elizabeth's mouth opens then closes and she nods curtly. "Let her finish, doctor," she says without breaking eye contact with John. Beckett wrinkles his face with concern, but makes no attempt to stop Ashri from healing Teyla. They all turn back to watch…and wait. After a few more moments, Teyla stops convulsing. Ashri pulls her hand away and moves to Ford's bedside without hesitation.

Elizabeth and Beckett nearly fall over when Teyla sits up in the bed. She cocks her head a bit and smiles. "Major, it is good to see you."

Elizabeth gushes an exhale. "It's good to see you, Teyla.

Teyla looks around, realizing she's in the infirmary. "Did something happen?"

"You don't remember?" Beckett asks.

"I was talking with Lt. Ford-" Teyla looks over to the other bed then back up at Elizabeth and Beckett. "I do not understand."

Elizabeth sighs. "You've both been very sick."

Ford's body bucks in convulsions making everyone jump in surprise, even John. Elizabeth grips Beckett's arm and they wait it out. As before, the convulsions stop after a time and a moment later, Ford sits up in bed. "That was weird," he says. He looks at his audience. "Why are all of you staring at me?"

John grins as he reaches for Ashri. "Because, Lieutenant, your half naked." The others laugh as Ford looks down at his bare chest and quickly covers himself with the sheet. John takes Ashri's hand and she turns to him, her face pale and sweaty. Her eyes roll back and she drops dead away into his arms. "Ashri!" He cradles her head, lightly taps her cheek, but she doesn't stir.

"Here, son," Beckett calls. "Bring her here."

John lifts her easily and places her onto the gurney the doctor just rolled over. John smoothes the sweat-soaked hair from her face, noticing a long streak of white has appeared at her left temple. He suspected a while back that the initial white came from her saving him. Now he knows it. Beckett pushes John aside as he checks Ashri's vitals. "Breathing's shallow. Rapid heart rate." After another moment he adds: "And she has a temperature."

Elizabeth's at John's side. "That's…the most…amazing thing I've ever seen."

"Yeah," he says, not taking his eyes from Ashri.

"She really saved your life?"

John finally looks at Elizabeth, seeing the awe in her eyes. "No. She brought me back to life."

Elizabeth nods, her face solemn at the mention of his untimely, though fortunately short, demise. Then she looks at Ashri, her eyes softening in understanding. "No wonder you're so protective of her."

"It's not just that-" he starts but Beckett cuts him off.

"Major…do you want to explain this?" He says, lifting Ashri's right hand and exposing her Wraith palm to everyone.