A/N: This chapter hasn't been completed yet, so if you are willing to wait I should have the whole thing posted in a week, but I know that's a long time to wait. I know I said 20 reveiws, and I stick by that, but I am going away today and will be gone until Sunday night, which is incidentally the night before school restarts, so I'll have to post then. I figured (or hoped)that you might get to 20 reveiws while I'm away, so I'm posting now. I apologise, I haven't even re-read this much and can't even remember what I wrote, but I did as much as I could. And thankyou for all the reveiws so far! glomps I will be sure to mention them in the completed chapter. Unfortunately I leave for Rainbow Beach (South-east Queensland) in five minutes, so without furthar ado: here's half a chapter, ENJOY!

XXX

The last thing John saw before drifting into the dark oblivion was a slender arm reaching out to him and a cool, feminine voice telling him everything was going to be alright.

The next thing he knew he was surrounded by black, an eery light originated from somewhere, but his surroundings were still completely dark. He searched for the source of the light for a minute, before realising /he/ was the source. And he wasn't alone.

In front of him stood Chaya, in a white dress much like the one he had last seen her in. She was also a beacon of light shining out in the darkness.

"Hello John," she greeted, smiling sadly, "I was hoping this wouldn't happen so soon. I feel guilty that you are here so young, but I guess I couldn't change that."

"Where exactly is 'here'," questioned John.

"This is the gateway to a higher plane of existance, to put it simply."

"What? You mean..."

"You died John. I couldn't stand by and let it happen, so I'm here to help you ascend."

"Lead the way," John said, flashing one of his most charming smiles. Although he felt he would never get used to this irritating glowing thing, he supposed it was better than being dead.

XXX

Beckett walked over to Weir, whose eyes were red and puffy, clearly showing the fact she had been crying.

"I just completed the autopsy on Colonel Sheppard. I found a ten milimeter steel-cased bullet lodged between the heart and left lung. Upon entry the projectile nicked and cut some major blood vessels, it also managed to strike the Aorta. Even though it barely grazed the Aorta it did just enough damage to seal fate."

"The cause of death?" Dr Weir was almost afraid to ask.

"He bled to death. From my estimates he took about fourteen hours to bleed out completely, and from the breif chat I had with Ronon I'd say it's about right."

"Fourteen HOURS?" Weir asked, shocked, "wouldn't he have noticed at some point in time that /something/ was happening."

"Actually, lass, my educated guess is he knew right from the start, "Carson looked at his feet for a minute before asking the question. He didn't really know a gentle way to ask it, but he needed to.

"Elizabeth, what do you do when you know you're going to die?"

The negotiator joined Dr Beckett in his analysis of his shoes. After a few minutes Carson broke the silence.

"Lass, there is something interesting I found. I know it's not much, but it is an optimistic veiw."

"What is it?"

"Some of the damaged tissue had begun to heal, only fast-tracked healing. I think I have an explanation for that, and even though it's just a theory, it's the one I'd like to stick by," the medical doctor sighed, "you remember that planet John and the others went to with that 'beast' on it, a few months back?"

"Yes? Why?"

"The people there said it was not uncommon for someone who was one the path to ascention to develop a special traite?"

"You think...you think he could?"

"Well, I'd say it is a possibility, and it's what I'm sticking by."

"I remember reading a report from a few years back about how Daniel Jackson died from radiation, but managed to ascend to a higher plane of existance with the help of and ascended being by the name of Oma Desala. But apparently you can't ascend without help from someone. Who would help John?"

"Doctor Weir. We only really know three ascended beings, and only one of them lives in this galaxy."

"You're not talking about that ancient called Chaya are you?"

"I'm just saying, it's the possibility I'd like to stand by."

"Well, just so you know, you're not standing by that possibility alone. I'll have a talk to Rodney. Maybe if he hears this things could return to some semblance of normal around here."

XXX

In the days since the Colonel's death Atlantis' offworld expeditions had gone to the dogs, so to speak.

Majpr Lorne's team was now the flagship team for Atlantis, Lorne being the highest ranking full-time Atlantis resident. Rodney officially resigned from any and all offworld duties, prefering to stay on Atlantis to head the science team. Teyla made the descision to return to the mainland and resume her position as Athosian leader.

Ronon had opted out of joining Lorne's team. Apparently his trust wasn't won lightly, instead he opted to go on the occasional mission, but mostly stay on Atlantis and train the soldiers in fighting techniques.

Lt Col. John Sheppard really was the central peice that bound Atlantis' flagship team, as well as being a central peice to the heirarchy of Atlantis itself.

XXX

"Rodney?" Elizabeth asked softly as she walked into his lab to find him buisily working on some random instrument, she didn't want to startle him.

"Yes Doctor?" the scientist asked in reply, keeping his back turned.

"Doctor Beckett just finished Colonel Sheppard's autopsy. We thought there was something you should know about."

"Yes?" McKay said, finally turning to face the expedition. His eyes were red, whether from lack of sleep or from crying Elizabeth couldn't tell. Maybe it was both.

"What do you know about ascension, Rodney?" Weir questioned.

"I don't see the relevance, and I hate to dissapoint you, but not much. Why?"

"Do you think John was capable of ascension?"

Rodney really seemed to be considering the possibility, "you think-" he cut miself short," but wouldn't he show some signs of it? Like the people on...whatever that planet was?"

"We think he might have, Rodney. That's the whole reason we thought of this in the first place."

XXX

I'm sorry to have stopped halfway through a conversation, but I will fix that ASAP, meanwhile, I'm off to have a great time EXTREMELY sarcastic with my family.

P.S: Do you people honestly think I would leave Shep dead and gone? NO WAY! Then I would feel guilty when I go to the Brisbane convention in November and meet Joe Flanigan. I don't want to put the hottest guy on Earth out of a job!