Disclaimer: We don't own SGA but we do own Grael the evil man.

A/N Nerwen Aldarion: Once again this chapter was mostly my sisters and is mostly Shweir but never fear Teyla/Dex fans next chapter is going to be for you.

A/N Tinuviel Undomiel: Are you glad I got this chapter out quick? I think all of our new fans are going to like this one especially the Shweir fans, enjoy.

Chapter 2: Consoling a Friend

John was utterly stunned as he stared at his former commander. She was standing two feet in front of him, no longer pale, and in pain, just her normal beautiful self. This is impossible, he thought.

"No," Elzabeth, the illusion said, "It's not."

John frowned, "How did you...? Oh come on, you're dead."

"No, well, not exactly."

"No," John said, "This is just my own crazy mind as I rot in here. I watched you die, I saw your body. We cremated it and scattered your ashes in the ocean. You-are-dead."

Elizabeth shook her head, "You must understand, what you saw was merely the physical shell of me, I'm here, the...spiritual side of me."

John raised an eyebrow, "What?"

"Hold out your hand," she instructed him.

"What are you gonna do, carry me to heaven?" John joked. Even though he was certain that he was going insane, at least he hadn't lost his sense of humor.

"Just do it," She ordered, putting on her best commander face.

With a sigh he held up his hand, palm up. Elizabeth sat down at his feet, her dress puddling around her knees. She held up her hand and placed it against his. He couldn't feel felsh and blood, but he did feel something. A strange tingling feeling, like he was being touched by some form of energy. Where their palms touched there seemed to be a strange glow. The sensation that was passing through him was serene, and pure.

"Whoa," John said as he pulled his hand away.

"You're not imagining me," Elizabeth said.

"You know, I think I've seen this movie," John said with a grin, "Patrick Swayze died in it."

"I'm not a ghost, I ascended."

"Ascended?" John asked.

"Yes, I've left my physical body and now exist as pure energy," Elizabeth explained

"And how is that possible?" John asked.

"The Ancients," Elizabeth said, "That's what happened to some of them."

"Well yeah, I knew that, but how did you do that?"

"Janis."

"You mean the Ancient that helped the 10,000 year old you?"

"Yes," Elizabeth said, "He helped me ascend."

"But we burned your body?" John asked, "I thought when you ascended you dissappeared."

"Janis came to me when you were away on your mission, no one was there, it would have looked strange if I had vanished into thin air. Janis left my physical body behind so you could find closure."

"Oh," John said.

"I know this is hard to beleive," Elizabeth said, "But it's true."

"I believe you," John said, putting both hands behind his head and leaning against the wall, "What are you doing here? Have you come to bust me outta here?"

"No," Elizabeth said, "Teyla and the others are already on their way. I came to comfort you."

"Comfort me?" John replied, "About what?"

She scooted a little closer to him. If she could have, she might of taken his hand. "Because out of everyone in Atlantis, you're the one who took my death the hardest."

"Hmm," John huffed and sat up, "Never saw that one coming."

"It's the truth," Elizabeth said.

"Yeah, I know," John said, "I just don't know how to explain it."

"You don't have to, if its uncomfortable."

"No, It's not," John chuckled a little, "You see...uh...well you were...are the best commander I ever had. That only happens once for someone like me."

A small smile graced her lips, "Thanks."

Wanting to draw attention away from his grief, he quickly changed the subject, "So, uh, what's it like where ever you ascended people go?"

"It's beautiful," Elizabeth siad, "Like heaven."

John nodded, "I always thought you'd make a beautiful angel."

She smiled and looked down, and once again, he thought for sure he saw her blush.

The three members of the team not stuck in a cell watched from above the camp. Rodney was looking through the binoculors.

"How many do you see?" Ronon asked him.

"It's hard to say, I think there are about four guards gaurding the entrance and more on the lookouts." He told them.

"I believe the best way to get in is through the underbrush on the south side of the camp." Teyla told them, "What we should do is sneak through there and find a way into the base, finding the place where they are keeping the Colonel should be easy from there."

"How?" Rodney asked in disbelieve.

"Because it will be the only one being guarded." She said, "We must go now."

"She just loves being in charge doesn't she?" Rodney whispered to Ronon.

"Maybe, but she's good at it." He told him before following her.

Rodney muttered to himself, "You only say that because your in love with her."

"What." Ronon asked.

"Nothing."

"What's that?" John asked as he stood up in his cell.

Elizabeth remained seated, "It's your team."

"How do you know?" John asked.

Elizabeth gave him a look.

"Oh, yeah," John said a little sheepish, "So where are they?" He walked towards the door.

"Not far, a few corridors away," Elizabeth stood up and walked next to him, "They have just killed three Caridians. Teyla is ordering for Rodney to keep up. Rodney is complaining about his lung capacity and his lack of athletic abilities. Ronon is scanning the hallways. He says that they are almost there. Rodney wants to know how he can be sure. Ronon says because why would they be meeting more resistence. Rodney is speechless, he hates it when someone talks back to him like that. They are nearing your cell now. If you listen you can hear them."

John pressed his ear against the door. He felt like an idiot, but he did want to know if she was right.

"How exactly can you be sure that Colonel Sheppard is being held in this hallway?" the annoying, and critical voice of Rodney McKay came from the door.

"Because those two men we just killed heard your prattle and came running from their post to shoot us," Ronon explained. John could detect a hint of strain in the Satedian's voice.

"Hey, just because I like to know exactly what is going on...!"

"Enough," Teyla cut him off abuptly, "We have to find Colonel Sheppard's cell."

"Hey!" John said and he banged on the door, "I'm in here!" He continued to bang and yell, hoping to get their attention.

"They hear you, John," Elizabeth said, "They are about to open the door."

John stepped back, and right at that moment the door slid opened and Teyla, Ronon and Rodney stepped into the cell.

"I was wondering when you would drop by," John said with a smirk.

"Colonel, are you alright?" Teyla asked.

"I'm fine," John said, "In fact I'm better than fine."

"Uh, how is that possible,"Rodney siad, "You were just captured by the Caridians?"

"Well, I was just talking with Elizabeth."

Teyla and Ronon exchanged a look, while Rodney voiced the question, "What?"

"Elizabeth," John said "She's right here." He pointed to the space beside him.

Rodney, Teyla and Ronon both looked at the space, but all they saw was empty air.

"Colonel are you sure you're fine," Ronon asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine," John said, "Can't you see her?"

"No," Teyla said, "there is no one there."

"Apparently the Colonel has gone insane," Rodney said.

"No, I'm not crazy," John said.

"John, Elizabeth is dead, you have to come to terms with that."

"No, she's not, she ascended."

"Oh, like Dr. Jackson did," Rodney said "Well if it makes you feel better you can think that, but I think you should talk to Dr.Heightmeyer when we return."

"No I'm not going to see a shrink," John said, he turned to the space beside him, "Can't you show them?"

Elizabeth, still only being seen by John, replied with a smile, "Actually I am enjoying their looks."

"Please, Elizabeth, I'm begging you."

She waved her hand in front of her, and the three members of John's team gasped in shock.

"Elizabeth?" Rodney asked, "You're here?"

"Yes."

"You're ascended?"

"Yes, I am."

"Dr. Weir," Teyla said, "What a great honor to meet one of the Enlighted Ones."

"I'm still the same person," Elizabeth said with a smile, "Just in a different form." She looked at all of them, "It's good to see you again, all of you. I've missed you so much."

"We've missed you too," John said.

"I have to leave now," Elizabeth said, "But I'll watch you, like I always have been."

"Watch us, huh?" John said with a devilish smile.

"Wait, Elizabeth I have tons of questions," Rodney said, "I mean, you are highly connected to the Ancients now. We need to know about the Wraith, and their technology and..." Everyone watched as Elizabeth turned into beautiful tendrils of white. The strange, lovely form floated over them for several seconds and then dissappeaed, "Hey, she left." Rodney protested.

"I wonder why," John said dryly.

"We should continue," Ronon said, "They will find us."

"Well how are we going to get out of here," Rodney said, "There's a huge ship in the way."

"Ship?" John asked, "What ship?"

"We saw several Caridian guards preparing some sort of shuttle," Teyla explained, "We were able to evade them, but it will be difficult the second time."

"Where is it?" John's face set with grim determination.

"Excuse me, Colonel, but do you have a death wish?" Rodney asked.

"Shut up, Rodney," John reprimanded, "Now which way?"

"Follow me," Ronon said and led them out of John's cell. As they passed the bodies of the two guards, John picked up the Caridian pistol. Before Elizabeth had been killed, he had seen a demonstration of one of these. They weren't as powerful as Ronon's weapon, but it would be effective enough. If I do this right, all I'll need is one shot.

Grael smiled at the world outside his window. It wasn't as lovely, or plentiful as Carida, but it was excellent for a base. How kind of the Ancestors to send him Colonel Sheppard to toy with. He had left orders with the Base Command to give the colonel the virus as well. He might as well die in the same manner as his commander, Grael thought, twisting his moustache. How wonderful for the Colonel to suffer the agonizing death as had Dr. Weir!

Kernan, his commanding General, and most beloved friend, strode over to his leader with a grim look.

"Kernan, my old friend," Grale greeted him with a smile. He swiveled his chair around to face him, "Why the melancholy?"

"You underestimate that Colonel Shepppard."

"Oh come now, Kernan, he fell so easily into our trap," Grael laughed, "And that was accidental. He will be dead soon, so why are you displeased?"

Kernan frowned, "Have you payed any attention to those tapes?"

"What about them?"

"Colonel Sheppard cares for his late commander."

"Kernan, you bore me with old news," Grael said, faking a yawn.

"No, Grael, he cares for her more than you think."

Grael perked up, "Really, what gives you that impression?"

"He seeks revenge," Kernan said, "He will not stop until he has it."

"Oh, surely, Kernan that could mean anything."

"I have seen anger before, Grael," Kernan eplained, "What is in Sheppad's eyes is much more than rage. His lust for your blood comes from a terrible wound you have given him. I fear for your life, my friend."

"That's why you are here, Kernan," Grael said, "I trust my life only on you."

"That is wise," Kernan said, "Your shuttle is ready, I will escort you there."

Grael picked up several documents, and a small metal case, while Kernan watched the door. Silently, Grael believed his friend to be paranoid. Colonel Sheppard was in his cell, waiting to die. Grael stood on the small platform in the center of his office. After sweeping one last glance at the hallway, Kernan joined his friend.

He flicked a switch at his wristcom and spoke, "The Chancellor is ready."

"Roger, General."

A white beam engulfed their bodies, and beamed up onto the landing platform. A long line of Caridian officers were lined up in full uniform, honoring their Chancellor. The shuttle was a sleek, black ship with wide wings, and lots of space. It carried no weapons simply beacuse the thought of an attack was ludicrous.

Perhaps not.

The thin blue beam came so fast that Kernan almost didn't see it coming. Almost.

He shoved Graekl to the ground, but the blast still hit his leg, shattering his knee cap. Grael cried out in pain and shock. His eyes darted, seeking out his attacker. Colonel Sheppard was standing behind a low bush twently feet away. For the first time, Grael saw the furious rage burning in the colonel's eyes. He had been a fool not to trust his friend.

"Open fire!" Kernan called out.

The Caridian officer's pulled out their pistols and fired at the team. Grale saw the colonel get hit in the arm, and though it was painful, hardly grimace. Kernan pulled his friend off the ground, and helped him limp over to the shuttle. He settled Grael in a comfortable seat.

"GO!" He barked at the pilots. With a flurry of engines, the shuttle flew into the blue sky, and towards Grael's flag ship hanging in black space.

John watched as Grael's shuttle turned into a black speck, and then vanished from sight. He couldn't fathom the fact that he had failed. Grael still lived

"I've got to catch him," John stated.

"Colonel, you just got shot, we're not commandering any ships anytime soon," Rodney said.

John looked at his arm and sure enough, blood flowed heavily down his bicep, "I didn't even notice."

"That's because you were blind to it," Ronon said, "Your need for revenge masked it."

"Whatever that means," John said, "I've got to catch up to him."

"Are you kidding!" Rodney cried, "That's suicide!"

"Colonel, you cannot be serious," Teyla said, her calm voice now stern.

"I have to do this."

"No you don't," Teyal replied, "You cannot think of revenge right now."

"He killed Elizabeth!" John shouted.

"No," Teyla replied, with just as much demand, "He didn't, you saw her, she's alive. She wouldn't want you to do this."

"She's right," Ronon said, "Live this day, We'll find him again, and then he will die."

John bowed his head a little, but he knew he was defeated. "Alright, let's head back."

"Ouch!" John protested as Carson applied the antispetic to the wound, "You don't have to burn my arm off!"

"Oh quiet, colonel, it will hurt a lot less than the infection other wise."

"Care to make a wager on that?" John asked sarcastically.

"You're the patient, I'm the doctor, let's get that straight," Carson said, applying gauze to his arm.

"Got it," John said.

Carson looked uo and saw John'sa team outside the door, "You have visitors."

"Oh," John said when he saw them, "Is it alright if we talk alone?"

"Sure," Carson said, "I have other patients to check up on. Be sure to sign out when you leave."

"Right," John said, and gestured for his freinds to come in after Carson left.

"How's the arm?" Ronon asked when he came in.

"It's killing me," John replied, "We got to talk about Elizabeth."

"I wish I could have asked her those questions," Rodney whined, "It could be vital to our knowledge of Atlantis."

"I get the picture, Rodney," John said, "None of you told anyone yet, have you?"

"No, Teyla said, "Why?"

"I think we should keep this a secret, "John said.

"Come on," Rodney protested, "There are at least a hundred people out there who would like to hear that she is still alive."

"No one is going to believe us if we tell," John explained, "Esecially Caldwell. I don't know about you, but I don't want to be put in the looney bin."

"I see your point," Teyla said.

"It's probably best this way," Ronon said, "We may never see her again anyways."

John shook his head, "No, we'll see her again. I can feel it." He looked down at his palm, the same hand that had breifly touched hers.

A/N: So did you like it? All of you Teyla/Dex fans stick around for the next chapter, its coming out soon.