A/N: Chapter Beta'd by Angw

Life is different now, even I can admit that. When I think about it, the biggest thing I miss is being able to laugh and talk to my friends... and Teyla. Just to hold her again would be something I would do anything for.

The others don't see things the same way. They refuse to admit that I am not like them... I haven't given up all human ties. I guess the only reason I agreed to ascend was because the alternative was to be dead. At least in this way, I could be a silent support for the woman I love.

I promised I'd never leave her side, and I never will. I haven't left it since I disappeared from her perception. It would be so easy to leave, to finally let go, but I can't bring myself to do that. It would betray everything I still am; it would betray just how much I love her.

Time is abstract. I can't understand how it's actually happening. I just try and follow Teyla, making sure she is safe. Awareness blossoms into my mind and I feel Chaya's presence. I push her back to the fringes of my thoughts.

"You can't stay with her John." Chaya says, if you could call it speaking.

"I won't leave her." I reply, determination etched into my soul. I continue my vigil, occasionally brushing the wind across her, just a reminder that I'm there.

Then I feel malice, hate. I've never felt this before. I expand my mind, taking in all the area at once. Then I see it... wraith! I desperately try to send Teyla a warning, but I feel Chaya block it. She's not alone. The others have joined her.

I can feel as she's stunned, a wraith standing triumphantly over her. Finally, I unleash everything with my mind. Half of it against the others and Chaya. The remainder of my energies take the wraith down in a hailstorm of natural fury. As the smoke clears, I know she's safe, but I know I'll pay forever.

The others descend on me.

"I'm sorry John." I hear Chaya say before everything goes black.

I'm not sorry. I would do it all again.

XXX

Teyla was shook back to consciousness by Aiden. She quickly realized she was in the infirmary. Suddenly, the memories poured back into her. How had she survived, she had seen the wraith stand over her, triumphant. Then she had passed out from the effects of the stunner.

"How?" She asked Aiden.

"I don't know." Aiden glances nervously around. "The wraith were all hit by lightning strikes at the exact moment. Out of nowhere."

"Not to mention impossible." Rodney stated from across the infirmary.

"Do you think it was Colonel Sheppard?" Aiden asked quietly.

Teyla reached out with her feelings. Normally she could feel a small tingle. She had always associated it with John's nearby presence. Now there was nothing. "I do not know."

Carson walked over, a pad in hand. He glanced at Teyla's EKG readings. "Well lass, it looks like you'll be fine. You can go anytime. Just pop the pads off.

Teyla reached under the hospital scrubs and took the monitors off. She took her normal clothes from one of the nurses and went into the back room to change. She came out feeling better, the stunner's effect having worn completely off.

She was pleasantly surprised to see Elizabeth had shown up while she was changing. "Doctor Weir." Teyla acknowledged the woman with a polite nod.

"I just got off the radio with the Athosians." Elizabeth said. "There's something you all have to see on the mainland."

Teyla turned to Rodney. "Doctor McKay, would you be so kind as to fly us?"

"Right." McKay said absently, hopping off the bed.

XXX

Teyla smiled as she saw the Athosian settlement. It was looking more and more like home. The white tents were arrayed in neat rows, with small fields for the children to play in, and large farming lands on the outskirts.

Rodney set the jumper down in a small landing area in the middle of the settlement that had just been constructed, since supplies frequently came from Atlantis. Teyla stood and walked to the back of the jumper, with Aiden and Rodney just behind her.

She wasn't prepared to ever see what she saw coming towards her, with Halling and Jinto on either side of him. Standing in between them stood John Sheppard. Her breath nearly stopped; her heart nearly stopped. Then she ran towards him.