Chapter 38 – Epilogue

It had been three days since the entire incident concerning the Wraith and what had happened on the planet. It was a lot for Elizabeth Weir as she sat in the briefing room, listening intently to each ones mission report. John Sheppard, Aiden Ford, Rodney McKay and Teyla all sat before her, round the table. The only exception was of course, Carson Beckett who had requested some time out and she couldn't deny him that privilege. After all, he had become very attached to Kiki and was deeply effected by the young girl's death. They all were to some extent.

Sheppard was in the middle of his very graphic report, he told them all of how he had suggested going into the forest to warn Atlantis and how the gate had reactivated. "Teyla," Weir asked looking to her. "Have you heard of this before?"

"It's possible that they do it so their intended victims do not attempt to escape through the stargate," Teyla answered.

"Actually it makes sense," McKay piped up, tearing his gaze away from his laptop long enough to contribute something to the conversation then he picked up his mug and downed the coffee inside, life could taste so good when you weren't threatened with immediate death.

"That's what I figured," Sheppard said reclining in his seat, swinging it absently from side to side. "What I can't explain is how the ships just were completely obliterated." He stopped swinging from side to side, as he sat forward with a serious expression. "If they hadn't, I could've been on a Wraith ship right now being subjected to meal time."

"I think it was Kiki," Teyla replied straightening up in her seat, hair tied back in a different style and she was wearing a long robe. She had told Sheppard that it was out of respect for the dead and that it was a custom among her people, they were going to attend a small gathering on the mainland where Kiki was to be buried. Beckett and Teyla had both chosen a spot that looked out on the ocean. "After all, we all witnessed her heal McKay."

"Okay," Weir said slowly, trying to sound like she was following along. "But how? She had no specific powers."

"Something must have happened to her when we became separated in the temple. When she and Beckett returned, she had sight." Teyla smiled at the memory, for that was all it was now and she fought to keep the same expression on her face. "When she healed Rodney it seemed familiar somehow."

"Did you ask Beckett about it?" Weir asked with an hopeful expression.

"He said he didn't have any information," Sheppard cut in. "Not that we would've got any sense out of him, he was pretty out of it." He exchanged a look with Teyla then back to Weir. She gave a nod and looked to McKay. "How are you feeling Rodney?"

"Actually pretty good," he replied with a small smile, not complaining for once. He had found a new perspective of Kiki and that time had been short for him to actually appreciate her. McKay told himself that he would say some nice things about her to Carson, make him feel better. "Carson checked me over and said there's actually no sign of what happened to me."

"Nothing at all?" Ford asked.

"Nope," McKay said while draining the last of his coffee. Weir sat back, listening to the interaction while Sheppard stood up.

"If it was Kiki who did all this," Sheppard replied gently while placing his hands in his pockets. "She's a damn hero and that way, her death wasn't all for nothing." Both Weir and Teyla looked up at him and smiled, while Ford gave a solemn nod and McKay finally placed the mug down and swallowed.

"And on that note," Weir said looking at her watch and standing up. "I think this would be a good time to dismiss you all, I'm sure you're all anxious to get ready to go to the mainland."

--

Teyla moved swiftly along the corridors, she had agreed to go and check on Beckett and to escort him to the puddle jumpers. Since they only had a limited number of them, Weir had requested that only those who had spent time with Kiki go for the ceremony. That narrowed the group down to Sheppard, Ford, McKay, Weir, Beckett and herself. Plus, her people were there and would help carry it out. Her robes flowed around her as she walked, Teyla wasn't as comfortable in these sorts of clothes but it was for a good cause. She found herself outside Kiki's living quarters within a matter of moments and allowed herself a few seconds knowing this was not going to be easy for him.

Beckett sat on the bed, looking over a batch of medical reports and the initial report for Doctor Weir. She had requested one from all those who were present on the planet, she had told him to give it to her whenever he could but he needed something to keep his mind off his loss. Kiki had become very important to him within the last few days, he didn't even know it until he had lost her. Carson smiled whenever he thought of her, she was so excited when she discovered that she could see and that only made him question what had caused this? He was pretty sure she responsible for both healing McKay and destroying the ships. It had become too much for her and unfortunately killed her but she had saved their lives and for that, he was eternally proud.

"Doctor?" a voice called out.

"Come in Teyla," he said turning to the door but making no attempt to move. The doors opened to reveal her and she looked surprisingly different in the robes and he had a smile on his face upon seeing her. "How was the briefing?"

"It went well," Teyla answered stepping in further, mindful of the long material. She took a seat in the corner of the room, looking back up to Beckett. "May I ask how you are, Carson?'

"I'm a lot better than I was," the man answered truthfully, standing up and tugging at his shirt of his uniform, the lighter one with the blue top which Kiki had told him was how she recognised him before she discovered that there were other ones who wore it to. He gave a sad smile as he reflected on their short time together.

Teyla watched him from her seat and tilted her head to one side, she was willing to listen if he ever needed anyone to talk to. She had been told that she was a wonderful listener. "I am sure it will be a while before you can truly come to terms."

"I guess I just regret not being able to save her," Beckett answered looking at Teyla, his face telling more than words ever could. "I'm a doctor, I'm supposed to save lives."

Quickly, she got out of her seat and closed the distance between them. "You must not blame yourself for this," Teyla answered gently. "There was no way to save her, this was her destiny and I am sure she is at peace. The Ancestors will take care of her."

"You really believe that?" Carson asked with a tired expression, searching her eyes to which she nodded.

"I do, they will guide her and look after her. I know that you loved her like a daughter Carson," Teyla said placing a hand on his arm. "And that the loss was a deeply intimate one but I believe she is happy and at rest. I know you didn't save her but you did give her something."

"And what was that exactly?"

"You gave her hope and shown her great kindness," Teyla answered so passionately, that it brought back memories of her own father whom she deeply missed and recalled with great sadness. 'You protected her and was willing to side with her. Even when it seemed the whole base was against you. In some respects, you became her father. You gave her a gift greater than anything that could possibly exist or be explained."

Carson was deeply touched by the statement and found it hard not to well up some more but he found his self-control. There would be a time and place later, this was not one of those times. "Thank you, Teyla."

She inclined her head and gave him a smile. 'We must get going, we do not wish to be late." Beckett nodded and walked out after her, he stopped just inside the doors. "You go ahead, I forgot something." Teyla turned and gave him a curious expression. "I'll be right behind you." She nodded and carried on walking, the sound of her shoes echoing on the floor as her footsteps became more distant.

Carson Beckett walked over to the nightstand and pulled something off it, he held it up to the light. It must've have been Kiki's necklace. It twirled in the light, the crystal on the end was bright and blue. Reminding him of Kiki's eyes. He smiled gently before placing it over his head, and tucking it under his shirt to conceal. At least this way, she seemed to be with him in spirit. Then he picked up his reports he had brought with him, taking one last look round the young girl's room with a genuine smile. On the verge of tears, he whispered: "Goodnight Kiki."

The End

---

A/N: A little note from me as I'm not really one for them, just wanted to say thank to everyone who read this story and commented. It was nice to get such positive feedback and wonderful comments, most helping me map out the progress of the story. Let's just hope that Beckett gets some kind of wonderful appraise the rest of the time on the series! Go Carson! Thanks for reading!

Kelly