Author: Jadelyn Tate
Story: Falling In the Black
Disclaimer: I own no one but Nicole Scott.
A/N: This focuses mostly on an OC dealing with life in the Pegasus galaxy from Season one through…whenever I end it. :D Also, this is for my own personal prompt challenge of 50 prompts. If I get enough interest, I may LJ community the prompts.
Thanks: To wild_force71 (aka Wild Force Ranger on ) for all her help as a sounding board. :D

Prompt: # 9 – Sacrifice

Nicole sighed, moving to put the two new pictures up. She'd started this project after the first few deaths. She'd never told anyone but it was common knowledge this room existed. Nicole had placed pictures of each deceased expedition member in a cubby hole, along with a small hand-written explaination of how they had died and an Athosian candle. Occasionally members of the expedition would come in with their own offerings from the various religions.

Some would say it was morbid, her determination to do this but Nicole wanted those who came after the expedition to know of the sacrifices made by the first group.

"I thought I'd find you here," John said, leaning against the doorway. Nicole didn't say anything, simply continued her work. Markham had been catholic so she gently placed a rosary she herself had made in his cubby.

"Someone had to remember them," she said quietly.

"You don't have to do everyone," he told her, his voice just as soft. She turned around, her expression fierce.

"Someone has to remember them or all we've done has been for nothing!" she told him. He nodded.

"I know," he agreed and she relaxed slightly. "I simply meant you don't have to remember them all on your own. Let some of us do it too."

"What do you mean?"

"Rodney, Elizabeth, and I talked about it," he told her, straightening. "While we agreed you can keep an eye on the place, let the heads do the cubbies for each department."

"Will Dr. McKay actually do any of the scientists?" she asked. They both paused and John's lips twitched. Nicole made a face. "That came out wrong."

"Yes, Rodney has agreed to remember the scientists," he told her, his expression half amused, half somber. "He was insistent about it, actually."

"So Rodney gets the scientists, you get military…" she trailed off and he nodded.

"And you and Elizabeth will get everyone else," he told her. "Teyla has also asked that she be allowed to do the same for any Athosians from the mainland."

Nicole nodded and stepped aside. The major looked down at the picture left to do; it was Stockholm.

"I'll leave you to it then," she murmured and made for the door. He nodded his thanks. She paused.

"Major?"

"Yes, Dr. Scott?" he asked, turning to look at her. She made a face.

"First, call me Nicole," she told him and he nodded.

"Then call me John," he answered back easily.

She bit her lip. "Do you think we'll ever be the ones up there?"

"With our type of work and what we're up against…" he trailed off and she swallowed. "It's possible everyone from the expedition will be eventually."

"The sacrifice will be worth it," she whispered, firm in her conviction. He bowed his head and she left, but not before she heard his last words.

"I hope so."

~~*A*~~

The next few days were somber, everyone thinking about what they were going to say to their loved ones in the video letters. Nicole, herself, had already chosen what to say and even though it was probably going to be the most obvious goodbye, she felt she had to say it.

"You ready, doc?" Aiden asked, staring at her. She nodded, hand clasping the silver crescent moon necklace.

"Hey guys, it's me," she said, smiling in the camera. "I hope this finds you happy and healthy. I don't have a lot of time to speak, everyone needs their chance, but I just want to say how lucky I am to have you four as my family. In the time I've been here, I've had to use everything I learned growing up with you so I thank you for that.

"I hope, for the future, to be able to see you again, but as I told you when I left, the chances of me not returning are pretty high, especially now. But I promise you, if you knew what I was doing, what we all are doing, you'd be amazed and very proud."

She paused, not looking at the somber lieutenant. "Christine. You astound me, with everything you went through in high school and how successful you are now, I couldn't be prouder. You are going to make a great wife and mom. Just…no marbles okay?

"Ashley. Don't worry so much about where your life is going. Enjoy the now. You are a beautiful, smart, charismatic woman and you deserve the world. Don't let it pass you by but don't lose sight of the big picture either.

"The same goes to you Wes. You worry so much about work and feeding the family and being the big man that you're letting your own life fall to the wayside. Don't. Go out, have fun, date! There is a whole world of women our there and you are a great catch. Don't ignore your own life.

"Oliver, Ollie, my baby brother, loosen up! And don't let opportunities pass you by because you don't want to leave us. I know you're miserable where you are now--unless you know, you finally gave in and punched your boss which I would not blame you for. The point is, be happy. Do things you want to do and not things others think you should be doing. You joined the Air Force for a reason. Remember what that reason was and pursue it. You're a wonderful man and I am very proud of you.

"So that's it. Remember that I love you, that no matter what happens I will always be looking after you. Protect each other, take care of each other, and live. For me."