Disclaimer: Stargate Atlantis, its characters and all related entities are the property of MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, Gekko Productions and The SciFi Channel. Yours truly only owns an overimaginative mind. Story was created for entertainment purposes only. No copyright infringement is intended and no money is being made.
AN: This will have 4 parts (some 3400 words in total), be probably irritatably mushy and was written during a severe case of sleep-deprivation. Ergo, you have been warned... If I haven't scared you away yet: happy reading!
I will love the light for it shows me the way.
Yet I will endure the darkness for it shows me the stars...
- Og Mandino
LIGHT
1. Dusk
-
People are like stained-glass windows.
They sparkle and shine when the sun is out,
but when the darkness sets in
their true beauty is revealed
only if there is light from within.
- Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
-
"… Although he may not have been expressed many religious beliefs during his life, I myself am convinced that he's not simply gone and lost forever. I truly believe a part of him, the part that made him unique and wonderful and vibrant, is still out there, somewhere. Maybe not in the Milky Way or Pegasus galaxy. Those places now seem so dark without him. All that remains now is an empty shell. The spark that has brought it very much to life is now gone. Not extinguished. Just passed beyond our grasp. And I'm sure it's now brightly illuminating its new world, wherever that may be...
Requiem... Rest... You have deserved it. Sweet silent rest in a land of hazy memories and long lost loves. Finally at peace with the universe. Because God knows what two galaxies have thrown at you… And how you threw it back, with equal force. Reaction to many a foul action, saviour of worlds, and souls. You kept us going when we had nowhere to run, you found a way where there was none, and you gave your life so all of us could live.
You have earned your rest. Sleep now, we will keep watch, and our hearts will never forget.
We will miss you, Rodney McKay. But we will remember; and that is how we will keep your spark alive forever…
Goodbye Rodney… Keep a watchful eye on us, like you always did…
Until we next meet…"
Elizabeth choked on the last word, tears flowing freely from puffy red eyes. She had kept her dignity as good as anyone could have expected of her, and then some. But now, now that she didn't have to be strong anymore, the full realization had finally dawned upon her.
John silently gathered her in his arms, shielding her from sympatheticly but nosy onlookers.
The image of the mangled, motion-less and very clearly life-less McKay was burned into his retina, discouraging him from closing his own eyes to shut out the world. He doubted the nightmares would ever truly end.
With moist eyes he gazed unseeingly at the blurry outline of the stargate. He was only vaguely aware of the soft whimpering of dr. Kusanagi desperately crying her eyes out against Zelenka's already dripping wet shirt. He felt mute, his head ached with unshed tears and his heart was constricting painfully in his chest.
Rodney was gone. No more snarky remarks, boasting comments or whining complaints. Also, no more brilliant quipping, trading barbs or friendly banter. No more ingenious plans, last-minute rescues or foolish heroics to save their collective asses. No more stubbornness and tenacity he could cling on to defy every situation flung their way. No one left to irritate the hell out of him, but also to respect his privacy and to understand his silence in a way no one else ever had.
His best friend in two galaxies was gone, and John Sheppard was seriously contemplating following him even across the last limit.
Night was upon Atlantis...