When they returned to the planet that held the device that had altered John's soul, the sun was overhead. Rodney squinted as he stepped out of the ship. He gasped as he saw a vision in his head of John putting on sunglasses just like yesterday. Determination to save John began thrumming through his veins. As much as flying was a dream of John's, Rodney wanted him back on the ground, with a body he could wrap himself around. Nervousness grabbed a hold of him as he realized he would have to let John know about his feelings. How could he fail to express his love after having almost lost him? But what would John say? Did he feel the same?

"Rodney?" Elizabeth touched his arm. He had not moved since walking out of the ship. She saw him staring out into space.

"I miss him." Rodney looked at the bird soaring through the sky.

"You'll bring him back." She held his hand, giving him strength. "You've got Levere to help you."

"Yes, the man, excuse me, ascended being, that let me mess with the device until it killed my lo… friend." Rodney shuddered, having almost revealed too much about how he felt.

Elizabeth felt his body shake, thinking it was anger. "I get that you're mad, but you need to embrace it and move on. You have to work with him. For John." She let him go and went back into the Jumper to help Radek bring out the equipment they had gathered at Atlantis.

Levere glided out and stood next to Rodney. "I'm sorry."

"Yeah, me too. So you never mentioned how we were supposed to do this." Rodney looked him in the eye.

"It is difficult to explain the procedure. Perhaps if I showed you?" Levere seemed unsure.

"How?" Rodney was wary.

"By blending our life forces. It is not painful, but you may feel uncomfortable." Levere frowned.

"If it'll save John, I don't care. Do it." Rodney braced himself.

Levere turned a glowy white substance that moved to engulf Rodney. As they connected, Rodney was assailed by all of Levere's guilt and pain, washing away all his own contempt for the being. Levere really wished to help. Once Rodney became accustomed to the rush of emotions, he started to see the plan Levere had laid out in his mind. There were some flaws but together with Rodney's knowledge of technology they were able to work through it. After some time the light diminished, leaving Levere back in the black bird form. He left a feeling of confidence with Rodney as he flew off towards the town.

"Are you alright?" Elizabeth asked as Rodney swayed, having seen them share themselves in this unique way.

Radek walked out carrying laptops and tools to refine the device. "Are you ready?"

Rodney gathered himself together. "Yes. I can do this now." He smiled. Looking up he saw John's green wings headed towards him. He stopped in front of Rodney's face, flapping impatiently. "Soon, John, soon."

Clouds blotted out the sun and rain began to fall. They started running into town. Rodney laughed as John squawked. He saw in his mind John's hair flattened on his head, and grinned.

They entered the building drenched. Immediately Radek and Rodney set to work, Radek taking directions. Elizabeth watched their quick but sure movements with awe. She sat down and waited. Animals arrived as before, gathering at the door. Unlike John who had been disturbed, she was reminded that there were many souls that had as much at stake in this endeavor as they did. The black bird hovered at the window. Elizabeth swore he winked at her before he left.

Many hours passed while waves of rain came down thundering on the roof. After the clouds dissipated and the sun came back out, the work was finished. Rodney and Radek looked exhausted, but satisfied. Elizabeth felt her nerves tingling. Rodney looked at her. "It's time."

"Must we start with John?" Elizabeth's voice shook a bit.

"He would not want the others to be harmed in his place." Radek stated. He did share her concern though.

John made the decision by flying down into the spot the crystal was aiming for.

"I think he's ready. Here goes." Rodney held his breath as he pushed the impression on the device.

An orange light shot out, flowing over the green parakeet. A white smoke rose up and when it cleared a naked man with crazy black hair lied down on the floor.

Rodney ran to him, falling down to his knees to check John's pulse. As he placed his hand on his neck, John opened his eyes. Rodney let out a strained breath. For a second before he turned on the device he had worried John had actually been the iguana. "Welcome back." John squawked, coughed, and then raised his hand and grabbed a hold of Rodney's arm. He smiled. Rodney smiled back.

The couple hours following John's return and subsequent dressing in a robe the people had provided, all the animals that had shown up were returned to their human selves. Families arrived and cheered as they recognized their ancestors from pictures they had kept of them. Many people that returned were saddened to realize hundred of years had passed. Their descendents comforted them by reminding them of the new life they had ahead of them.

Rodney sat next to John, an arm around him and an idiotic smile on his face. John leaned into Rodney, happy to be human again. "I remember flying as a bird. It's foggy, but I remember hearing a few things."

"Chaya wanted you to know that you can visit her anytime." Rodney whispered.

"Maybe I will." He looked at Rodney. "Just as a friend though."

Rodney sighed happily. "Want to go to the bar?"

"We better hurry, all these people suddenly human again, it might get crowded." John jumped up.

"Come on. This time I think we both should drink." They walked out of the building and towards the bar. This time when the black bird followed them, neither of them minded.