Chapter 3

Home

Beckett and his team waited for Rodney in the Jumper bay.

Only one.

Only one to put back together this time. The others did not need him.

He watched as the craft rose through the floor and automatically maneuvered into its berth. The hatch opened and as soon as possible Carson rushed on board. He barked his orders and rushed his friend to the infirmary. He rubbed his forehead and revisited his earlier thoughts, only one to save this time.

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Major Lorne had radioed that Stackhouse would physically bring the team through the Gate. So she waited even after the Jumper exited. They left the door open for them. Elizabeth stood still as Sgt. Stackhouse's team exited with the bodies.

Bodies. Could not be happening. No, they leave and they come back. They come back battered, bruised, laughing, running, muddied, stinky, casually and hot. They come back alive. Sheppard had come back dead once. No miracle saves today.

Stackhouse stood before her and reported the return of the team. "Ma'am Lt. Col. Sheppard's team has returned home."

She only nodded. Anything else would be a sob.

"I'll escort them to the morgue ma'am."

She nodded again.

She really looked at the young man. He was only holding it together by a slim thread. His singular purpose, getting them home, was all that stood between him and breaking down right there. He would not shed tears but looked ready to shoot or punch anything that got in his way.

He turned and left to lead the procession out the side door to the morgue. She watched the body bags sway gently between the bearers. Since coming here, she had seen too many body bags. She had sent too many letters.

She gathered herself. She had to start shifting into leader again. The Daedalus and Earth needed to be contacted. The Athosians needed to be informed of Teyla's death. She needed to organize teams if a return to the planet was needed. She had last rights and burial tasks to complete. She had the minutiae of the everyday routine to tend to.

Her leadership mask fell as she ran out of the Gate room and promptly threw up.

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He spotted her immediately as he exited the wormhole.

Elizabeth waited on the Gate room floor, hands clasped casually behind her back. She wore her red work tee that signified her role as leader. Her welcome home smile greeted him as he stepped away from the event horizon.

"Enjoy yourself?"

He drank in her scent. He walked up, grasped her by the head and kissed her. He pulled his head back and gazed into her shocked eyes. There was no heat or passion. It was an exercise in control. Gaining or losing control he was not sure.

He broke her neck.

"Yes," Rodney answered.

There was satisfaction.

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McKay woke up howling. His terror passed right through Beckett.

"Rodney! Rodney! You're safe!" Beckett yelled trying to get McKay's attention.

Rodney stared with wild eyes right at his face. "Dead…killed them…just like my dreams…" He grabbed Beckett by the shirt. "Not a warrior." It sounded like a lament.

Tears streamed down Rodney's face as he continued to rage.

"Hand me that syringe Tracy." Beckett injected the contents into Rodney's port.

McKay calmed quickly and his breath evened out.

Beckett stepped back and let himself simmer just under the surface.

A small sound behind him made him jump and he rounded on the noise maker. Weir placed a hand on Beckett's arm and stared him straight in the eyes.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you." She removed her hand and hugged herself. "I came to see him. Need I even ask? I heard."

"Do we know anything? Their check in mentioned creepy not…" Carson backed her away from the bed. "His injuries ranged from bruised ribs, a broken right arm, and a broken right femur to internal injuries, exposure to the elements and insects bites. Luckily no bee or wasp type insects. Nothing we could not fix but serious none the less."

Weir walked back over to his bed and grabbed his good hand gently. "He crawled back to them according to Sgt. Stackhouse." She was trying to maintain control. She was going to have to have a good cry soon or it would not be on her terms.

"I need to see them Carson. I need to see him." She gave a soft smile. "I just did not want to do it alone."

"Dr. Biro will be doing the autopsies later this afternoon. Let's go do it now."

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Weir could feel herself getting slower and slower.

Carson stopped. "Are you all right? We don't have to do this right now."

"No I'm not, but I have to see them." Her weariness tackled her. "You asked a good question, how did it go from a mildly humorous and creepy situation to a violent and vicious death?" They stopped in front of the door. "Now or never Carson."

They entered.

Three gurneys lined up with sheets draped over the occupants. She wanted to laugh hysterically. Ronon's feet hung over the end of the bed. Teyla only took up a portion and Sheppard filled it out the entirely.

That body is too big. That body is too small. That body is just right. She was a ghoulish Goldilocks intruding upon their sanctum.

She walked immediately over to "just right".

Carson pulled the sheet back; she practically fell over her own feet. Sheppard's eyes were open and she swore she saw them move. She reminded herself- no miracle saves today. Elizabeth regained her composure and noticed the finger shaped contusions on his neck. On his forehead, a red mark similar to a burn was evident.

"What's that?" Weir asked pointing to the mark.

"Looks like a burn, but the skin appears intact." He practically had his nose on it. "This is the first time I've seen him. Dr. Biro will be able to answer that later."

Weir felt a little sick at the thought of them being splayed out like an eleventh grade frog dissection.

She looked back into his eyes. He did not look dead. As a matter of fact he did not look anything like a dead person should- color drained or lifeless. She expected him to sit up and yell, "Gotcha!" Then turn around to Dex and Teyla and yell, "Come on everyone! Jig's up, Elizabeth's on to us!"

She was growing angry at him.

Her voice started out low but steadily rose. "How dare you leave me after I go to bat for you. Get your lazy ass up Sheppard." She could not hold the tears back anymore. "Caldwell and I won't work. You challenge me. I challenge you. Caldwell just isn't as much fun." Her shoulders shook. "You can't leave Rodney alone." She practically growled it out.

The flood gates opened and she knew that she might as well lose it down here. Dead men tell no tales. Carson grabbed her by the shoulders and walked her out. He returned, closed Sheppard's eyes, pulled the sheet over him and turned out the lights.

Vengeance usually did not combine with diplomacy, but she was going to make the bastards who did this pay.

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A/N: Stay with me now, the mystery will be answered honest. Thank you for all the feedback, it is really wonderful. Please send a little support to our ailing astrophysicist and review.