A/N: Sorry for the long gap between posting these last chapters. My computer has been really stupid at the moment. Well, here's the last bit.
Three Weeks after Their Return
John woke to see a darkened room. A little further down, he could hear Rodney's heavy breathing. Both men had suffered practically every cold-related disease going while they recovered. More than once, Carson put them on the critical list, but now they were beginning to win the war.
"Good morning." Said Elizabeth, who had been watching them both quietly, trying to gauge their progress. "Feeling better?"
John smiled weakly. He couldn't remember much since they'd arrived, much of the time had been spent either asleep or sedated, but he did have a vague impression of someone always sitting in every time he woke.
"A little." He replied, his voice hoarse.
They both looked anxiously as Rodney coughed in his sleep, but he soon settled again. He had suffered the worse of the two, having used his body heat to free the DHD, but when John had been able to recite his story, Rodney had received high praise, when he was awake. He'd also received an equal measure of concern from Carson. Both men had lost strength and weight due to inactivity and illness, but Rodney's had dropped off at an alarming rate. At one point, when they were both awake, he had heard them mention training together and he'd hoped they would both remember.
"Carson say's you're both getting better. We should have you up about soon."
"The sooner the better," he croaked, and yawned.
Almost immediately, Carson arrived and shooed Elizabeth away to let his patient rest.
Five Weeks after Their Return
Rodney and John stood proudly in front of the entire expedition, with Elizabeth on one side and Caldwell on the other. John was in his full dress uniform and Rodney in his best suit. Both were leaning heavily on crutches, having not fully recovered their strength after their ordeal.
Everyone went quite as Elizabeth to speak. "Bravery is a trait few people can display in the face of extreme adversity. It is one the Ancients highly values, as do we. As such, I believe it is only fitting, considering our location, and what we are here to do, that we revive one of the Ancients highest accolades.
"Doctor Rodney McKay, Lieutenant Colonel John Sheppard, I have the great honour to present you with the Atlantian cross, for valour in the face of extraordinary adversity." She pinned the iridescent metal crosses to each of the men's collars. "The first awarded in many thousands of years. May you wear them with pride."
For the second time in the past two months for these men, everyone came to attention, and cheers went around the room as both Elizabeth and Caldwell shook their hands.
A/N: Well, it's finished. The next one's almost ready to go up. I hope you enjoyed this.