AN: Okay, so this is the last completed chapter I had pre-written before posting, updates now will be as health and Muse allow. Thank you all for the all the wonderful support.


Goodbyes and Uncertainty

"Mother, I find the reaction of Colonel Sheppard disturbing," Shifu murmured as he placed a second pillow on a sleeping pallet.

"Oh, Sunbeam, I find his reaction confusing, but I do know he will not abandon Elizabeth. The warriors of the Tau'ri have very strict and strange customs. Dany'iel used to disagree very strongly with them, but all must change. It is the way of things," Sha're replied, smoothing out a coverlet.

"Not really," Daniel sing-songed. "I still disagree plenty with the military, I just find it a waste of time to keep arguing. In this case, John's problem isn't Tau'ri military customs. John and Elizabeth will need to work this out between themselves. In this case, we need serenity and wisdom," he assured once more ruffling Shifu's curly hair. "I cleaned the dishes and pots. Jack and John want to know where to start rolling out sleeping bags."

"Nobody is ever sleeping in a bag, in my dwelling," Sha're sniffed, wrinkling her nose in disgust. "If O'Neill argues, he can stay outside my shield. My room is for O'Neill and Sam, Eliz'a can share with Vala and Teyla, and the rest of the men will sleep in the main room. Come, I must make up the other pallets." Sha're commanded, sweeping out of the room.

"Mother is very efficient, and single-minded," Shifu smirked.

"Come on, this will be fun," Daniel chuckled.

Ronon, Teal'c, John, and McKay, sat glaring at each other in the main room, while Vala poked around. Laughter floated in the air into the tent from the outside with Cam's goofy stories. Even Sam and Jack got into the action, goading Cam on. "You know, Mitchell, part of the reason I let you have SG-1 is your sense of humor. Glad to see you putting it to good use," Jack praised.

"Thank you, sir," Cam laughed, as they re-entered the dwelling. "Well, folks, we've got more than enough water for all of us tonight," he announced. "Princess, we may even have enough for you to do your night routine," he called out to Vala.

As Sha're, Shifu, and Daniel entered the main room, Vala marched up to Cam with her hands on her hips. "Cam, mocking a lady for her attention to personal hygiene is both mean and immature," she scolded.

"Indeed, it is, Vala," Sha're agreed with a beaming smile. "I have pallets for you and Teyla, I'm sure Eliz'a will like to help you settle for the night in her room."

Elizabeth came out from behind Teyla and Cam, blushing. "Of course, it will be dark soon. Teyla, Vala, follow me."

"Yay! Slumber Party!" Vala squealed.

John's ears tingled as Elizabeth's laughter ran through them. 'I must be insane,' he thought as his gut clenched in pain. She turned and tried to meet his eyes just as she entered her room, and he lowered his to the intricate pattern on the carpet he sat on. 'You're a damned coward Sheppard,' his heart thundered at him. Salvation could only be found in the soldier he was and discipline. "Sha're, where should we set up our gear?"

"You will not, Colonel Shepperd," the younger woman answered with a pointed glare. "I will arrange the pallets for you, Teal'c, Cam, Ronon, and Doctor McKay, in here while you men wash at the well. "O'Neill, you will have my room with Sam. Go to the well and wash," she ordered with all the authority of the President himself. "Shifu will give you what you need. Go with them, Dani'yel, there is room in my weaving shed for us."

"Sha're—," both Jack and John began to object.

"Guys, don't try," Daniel warned with a smirk. "You'll lose."

"Father is very wise," Shifu added, loaded down a basket of small stones, soap, and cloths.

"Indeed," Teal'c replied, following the boy.

"One day, young lady," Jack groaned, tugging a stray curl from her braid on the way out.

Ronon just laughed as he followed, dragging Rodney with him. "Easy, Hulk, I can walk on my own thanks," McKay whined.

John sighed. "You know, three people told me not to piss you off, and that failed. However, nobody told me how incredibly bossy you are," he challenged.

"Am I?" Sha're shrugged. "If caring for the wellbeing of others makes me so, I am unashamed," she answered and started setting up pallets. "Have I truly offended you?"

John watched as she rolled out a thick woven mat of some kind of fiber, topping it with colorful covers and pillows. Her speed and economy of movement reminded him of stripping down and reassembling his guns. Suddenly it hit him that she took the same comfort in her rules and routine that he did in military procedure. "No," he answered. "I've been pissed off for longer than I care to remember. I've been a pain in ass to both you and your son, and you have every right to throw me out in the storm."

A wry half-smile formed on her full red lips. "Even if your words were meant to cause myself and my son pain, I would not do such a thing. Although, I would think of it for a moment."

John felt his face form the devil-may-care, cocky smile that hadn't graced his face in years. "You're a hell of a woman, Sha're. Doctor Jackson is an extremely fortunate man."

Sha're smiled and rolled her eyes. "I believe the Tau'ri saying is, 'Flattery will get you nowhere,' please go wash now, Colonel."

"Yes, Ma'am," Sheppard saluted.

At the well Shifu watched in fascination as the older men washed up. They had agreed to keep their shorts on and change after they finished. The process of washing seemed enjoyable to him, but he hesitated to request to join in. The men bantered, and their words implied that a young boy would not be able to join. So, he listened as O'Neill spoke. "Well, so far I'd say this is the best mission the SGC and Atlantis has ever been on, ever," he grinned. "We get our people back, no baddies shooting at us, great food, and a nice place to spend the night. Now, granted I don't like deserts, but that's a minor thing. We don't even have to sleep in sandy BDU's. I can't think of a nicer way to spend an OP. Wait no beer, oh well," he joked while soaping up a stone.

"It is indeed a pleasant mission, O'Neill," Teal'c answered as he finished drying off. "I just hope that Ishta's anger at this interruption of my time on Dakara has cooled."

"Sorry to get you in trouble with the Missus, buddy," Jack answered, as he scrubbed himself down with the stone.

"Aw, Teal'c just dial up the old Jaffa charm, and give her a huge gift when you get back," Cam suggested scrubbing his hair.

"I think he's big enough," Ronon smirked.

"Hey, Ronon, not in front of my son please," Daniel begged, stammering in his embarrassment.

"But—" Shifu, interrupted but stopped, seeing his father's pleading look.

"No harm in a little guy talk, but let's keep it PG, okay," John conceded. "So, Shifu, out of all the girls you've seen who's the prettiest?"

A grave and concentrated expression appeared on the young child's face. "I have not seen many women. To be truthful, I have only seen those of the SGC and now Elizabeth, Vala, Ishta, Kar'yn, and Teyla in corporeal form. It is different observing on the other planes."

"Okay creepy," McKay muttered.

"Still, every living thing has its own unique beauty that cannot be quantified. All the women I have seen conform to the standards of beauty of their unique cultures. How am I supposed to make a decision?" Shifu responded, ignoring the older man's nervous habits.

"Son, attraction to anything is largely instinctual to humans," Daniel began to explain. "For example, even something considered technically exceptional, it may not inspire the feelings we associate with 'beauty' to certain individuals."

Jack rolled his eyes. "What dear-old-dad is trying to say is, don't think. What's your gut tell you, kiddo."

"Elizabeth," Shifu answered. "There is something I cannot define that goes beyond standardized knowledge. Perhaps it is because she has several rare characteristics among the genetic pool of earth. I can only guess, but her own unique beauty is peaceful and pleasant to me. That said, I cannot say that any of the other women are less beautiful to me either. I do not think I can answer this question correctly."

"Luckily, there is no right answer for questions like these, kid," Jack grinned. "We just ask them because we can."

The ladies enjoyed their own chance to freshen up as well. "These little stones are so much better than the ridiculously expensive pumice stones on earth!" Vala purred in delight.

"They are nice," Elizabeth agreed. "But the soap Sha're makes out of oils is the real miracle. The fine lines I had at this age before are nearly gone."

"Well, Sheppard can barely restrain himself from jumping you now, I don't think you need to become more desirable," Vala smirked.

"I assure you nothing could be further from the truth," Elizabeth whispered.

"Have it your way, Elizabeth, but if a man looked at me like Sheppard looks at you, I'd have him in my bed as soon as physically possible," Vala smiled.

"He isn't looking at me Vala, he hasn't looked at me since before I left Atlantis. To him, I am a ghost nothing more," Elizabeth snapped. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll set up my room for us."

"I must go to her," Teyla softly exclaimed.

"Teyla, I think it might be the better person to go to Elizabeth," Sam responded. "I don't mean to demean your relationship with her, but I have gone through certain experiences that she has been through with the Replicators. Plus, I'm not likely to be someone they used to hurt her in her mind. Trust me when I was tortured by a very manipulative and angry Replicator it took me a long time to truly trust my reality."

"My heart breaks at the pain she has gone through," Teyla whispered.

"I'm afraid this is just the beginning, my friend," Sam answered, enveloping the younger woman in a hug.

"Don't worry," Vala piped up. "We're going to get both Sha're and Elizabeth right as rain, its just going to be a hard fight. Still, nothing we can't handle. Obviously, our collective knowledge of all things torturous gives us an edge. One thing is for certain, no head shrinkers! They are a dangerous lot," she stated chin held high and eyes flashing in determination.

"Sha're seems like a powerful survivor," Teyla remarked.

"You've never been a host to one of the most powerful Queen Goa'ulds to ever exist, my friend, and be grateful for that. Sha're has survived and even thrived, but she is far from fine. Trust me," Vala insisted.

"Where there is life there is hope," Teyla murmured.

Vala grinned. "And where there are partially naked men around there is fun to be had, let's go!"

Sam watched as Elizabeth laid out two pallets for Teyla and Vala, trying to hold back tears. She slowly came up behind the agonized woman and laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Elizabeth, I know that you are entirely overwhelmed right now. I would never ever say my experience makes our suffering the same, but I do know that being unable to be sure of what's real is the worst part of recovery."

"Sam, you're one of the few people I trust to assure me this is real," Elizabeth answered. "However, I'm not sure if that means I am the true Elizabeth Weir." Her hands began shaking and she continued her task to keep her poise. "My consciousness has been raped, ripped from my human body, out of a half-human body, and out of a Replicator body and put in again, and again. The last time I was on Atlantis I lied to them, thinking that they would forgive me after I became human again. John made it very clear that no matter who I believed I was, I was not the Elizabeth he once trusted and believed in. I don't know if I am me, or a flawed copy of the original."

Before Sam could think of any words of support and comfort Jack's 'I'm officially pissed off' voice filled the home. "Vala, not another word that's an order!"

"But, General, I was only complimenting you," Vala wailed.

"Not. Another. Word. Got that?" O'Neill snapped.

"Sir?" Sam asked, cocking her head to the side.

"Someone get that woman a of tank of mind bleach please!" Jack groaned.

"Jack, you know she's teasing," Daniel retorted.

"Shut up, Daniel," Jack growled.

Before Vala could say anything else, Sha're swept into the room. "Well, all of the sleeping pallets are ready, and it will be dark very soon. I suggest we all sleep, and tomorrow we will face what's ahead."

"Good idea," Cam agreed. "Well, SG-1, you heard the lady, let's bunk down."

"Wait," Ronon interrupted. "There's something we haven't done yet." He then strode over to Elizabeth and wrapped her up in his huge arms. "I'm so glad you're back. Doctor Weir. Nobody is going to take you out again, I won't let it happen."

Immediately, Teyla and Rodney followed suit. Rodney, crushing her in a hug while whispering apologies and his joy. Teyla remained gentle, holding her fragile friend like a hurt child. "Now, are you assured we are real, Elizabeth?" she asked.

The stunned woman blinked three times before she could answer. "Never, in any of my dreams have Ronon and Rodney hugged me, let alone like this. It must be real," she responded, blushing and smiling her first real smile that day.

"Elizabeth," Rodney stammered. "If I could go back to that day…"

"Rodney," Elizabeth stopped him gently, placing a warm palm on his cheek. "I never wanted you to wallow in guilt over this. You acted out of love for a friend, and that is something I will always cherish despite anything else. The only thing I could ever ask in return is for you to forgive yourself."

John clenched and unclenched his fists. The voice inside of him that he'd so brutally silenced after Elizabeth's injury that started this whole mess, had come back to life. 'Brutal, heartless, soulless, coward,' the voice raged. 'You don't deserve to call yourself her friend,' he sighed, and ran his hands through his hair. His mind struggled to defend itself against the voice, but the voice of his heart replied. 'You are no better than Kolya.'

"I must say farewell to you all before you sleep," Shifu declared. Sadness radiating from his small body. He first raced to Elizabeth who dropped to her knees to embrace him. Nuzzling his face into her neck, he sighed into her warmth. "Your path ahead is terribly painful, but you must endure to find peace and true happiness. Promise me you will never, ever, give up," he whispered in her ear.

"I promise," Elizabeth swore, her voice choked with tears. She kissed his cheeks and forehead and gave him her best smile. "You take care of yourself, and remember how much good you have done, and how much you are loved."

Vala scurried to embrace Shifu. "Oh, my poor, little man," she cooed. "It's just plain nasty of those ancients to make you stay with them. Sneak away when you get the chance and come and see us," she insisted, tweaking his nose gently.

"I will miss you, Vala. Stay on your path, and trust that you have earned your home," he smiled stroking her hair.

"I wish you weren't so wise," Vala whined.

"Come here, kid," Jack ordered holding out his arms. Shifu gratefully stepped into them. "I know this totally sucks, but I want you to know I am very proud of you. What you've done took tons of guts and integrity. If the collective glow club bosses give you anymore trouble, you tell them Jack O'Neill says they don't deserve you. Because even with that Goa'uld memory thing, you are better and purer then all of them."

Shifu stepped back and bowed. "You are too kind, O'Neill, may your path lead you to many more adventures."

Sam knelt to his level and hugged him tightly. "I am terrible at this!" she sniffled. "Be safe and be happy."

Shifu smiled and kissed her cheek. "I will be well, Sam. Never lose your sense of wonder in the universe. Always remember, 'the more you know, the less you know, because you know, there is so much to know.' Be at peace."

Turning to Teal'c he bowed. "I will be watching as the Jaffa come into a wonderful future, remember to honor the good of the past, and use it to mold your new path. For what my sire had done to you and your people I can only assure you that when my time comes to die, the Goa'uld will die with me. Never will the Jaffa be enslaved."

"You have a mighty heart, Shifu. However, never hold yourself responsible for the actions of the Goa'uld! Despite the curse your sire laid upon you, you are not responsible for their actions."

"Listen to him, kiddo, he's got over a century on you," Cam agreed.

Shifu smiled and stretched out his hand to the older man. "It has been a pleasure, Colonel Mitchell. If I may offer you one piece of guidance on your path; you cannot claim the future while seeking to echo the glory of the past. An echo has no strength of its own. Trust in your own strength."

Cam arched his eyebrow but nodded and winked. "I'll keep that in mind, buddy," he then gave the boy a quick hug and a pat on the back.

Shifu turned to the new Lanteans with a bit of hesitation. He quickly went to Teyla and touched his forehead to hers. "I am honored to meet you, Teyla. You and your son will be remembered for many thousands of years, the Athosians have a great future."

"I thank you, Shifu. May you be at peace with the Ancestors," Teyla replied, wrapping him in a warm hug.

Rodney brushed forward and took the boy's hand. "Well, have a good trip back, and take care of yourself. Maybe if you can, you could help us find more ancient tech to help Atlantis?"

"Rodney!" John barked.

Shifu just smiled. "I have done all I can, Doctor McKay, but take heart. You do not need anymore help from me. All you must do is release your need for praise and your mind will be freed."

"Yeah, sure," Rodney huffed, frowning.

Ronon rolled his eyes and patted Shifu's shoulder. "Thanks for everything and take care."

"You will always be a champion of Sateda but remember Sateda lives in what you give to others. May you win your battles with honor," Shifu answered, gripping the warrior's massive forearm.

Only Colonel Sheppard remained to take leave of, and Shifu took a calming breath to center himself. "Colonel, if I could have done anything differently I would have," he assured in a soft voice.

John felt kicked in the gut. "I know," he whispered. "I'm so sorry for getting angry and scaring you. I just—" John trailed off, as the boy's midnight eyes bored into his.

Shifu motioned the older man closer to whisper in his ear. "You are in grave danger of your self-hatred destroying everything you fight so hard to protect. You are not only a soldier, you are the true guardian of Atlantis, you have a greater role to play. All that which you love needs more than your skills it needs the man as well. This is a battle you must win, John Sheppard, much depends on it."

A cold numbing dread filled John's chest and spread throughout his body. Shifu wrapped his arms around John's waist to disguise the large man's buckling knees. John reacted by hugging the boy. "Thanks for the cover," he whispered.

Shifu then grabbed his parents' hands. They stood and bid goodnight to their guests and left the dwelling.

Eight yards south of the main dwelling stood the weaving shed. To trade and survive, Sha're used her weaving skills to provide the village with handcrafted rugs, tent cloths, and robes. The wealthy villagers bought her goods as prized status symbols of days gone by. Entering the shed Daniel smiled as he saw the floor-to-ceiling loom. "It's exactly like the one I built for you," he said.

"I drew what I remembered, and the local craftsman constructed it. It has served us well. No matter what happened the memories we made always helped me," she blushed and lowered her eyes. "You have always cared for me during these long years, thank you, Husband."

Daniel wrapped his arms around Sha're and Shifu with tears welling out of his eyes. "I told you I would never stop loving you," he whispered.

"I must go," Shifu's trembling voice interrupted as he burst into human childish tears.

The couple embraced their sobbing boy holding back their own sadness to give him strength. Sha're desperately kissed her son's tears away, committing each feature of his face, his scent, his heartbeat to memory. "Oh, my baby," she whispered in her mother tongue.

Daniel held Shifu as tightly as he dared as his heart broke. "Remember, you are the son of my heart," he said.

Shifu felt the combined power of the others ready to pull him away and sighed. "Be happy, I will always be watching," he assured. Then he shed his child's body, filling his parents' minds and thoughts with his love and let himself be pulled away.