The entire trip back to Atlantis was covered in a shroud of awkward silence. McKay was even quiet for once. One of Lorne's men had been shot in the shoulder but because of the vest it hadn't penetrated very far. Lorne sat up front with Sheppard this time and dialed the gate. He radioed ahead to have a medical team sent to the jumper bay. After the jumper was parked in the bay I left as quickly as I could. I walked in a daze up to my quarters and shedding my uniform and gear stepped under the icy spray of the shower. Then and only then did I let my emotions out of the box I kept them in during mission. I had done it. I had saved my team mate when all odds said that he should be dead. I hadn't been able to save Felix, Adams and Amy but Rodney was alive and that was a little bit of hope in the darkness that had covered me since SG7 was killed. Relief and sadness overwhelmed me and I stayed in the shower long after the dirt and grime of P58-FSX was rinsed down the drain. After what felt like an eternity I turned off the water and dried off. I put on a pair of uniform pants and a long sleeved t-shirt. I quickly braided my hair not having the patience to let it dry. I was tying my shoes when my door buzzed. I slowly stood up and went to answer it. McKay stood on the other side his face tight and a worried look on his face. I just stood there and after several minutes of silence I spoke up.
"Good to see you McKay" I said. McKay nodded then stepped forward and gave me a hug. I wasn't expecting that and as he wrapped his arms around me it took me a second to reciprocate the hug.
"Thank you" he said quietly. "Sheppard said you were the one who demanded you come back for me so fast." He let me go and I wiped my eyes. "He also said you swore at Lorne" I laughed a little.
"I guess I did" I said "I was just going to get dinner. Did you want to come?"
"Umm yeah" Rodney said "In fact I think Beckett, Sheppard and the rest are down there already" We headed down to the commissary. Everyone else was sitting at a table. Rodney and I loaded our plates up with food. I hadn't realized how hungry I was until the smell of whatever the kitchen staff had made hit my nose. I sat at the table with Sheppard, Teyla, Ronan and Beckett. Sheppard clapped me on the back.
"Good job today Darrow" he said. I nodded in thanks since my mouth was full of potatoes and Salisbury steak. Beckett pulled something out of his pocket.
"I'd thought it'd be nice to get a picture of all of us to remember us by." He said turning on his camera. He grabbed the arm of Chuck the gate technician as he walked past. "Here Lad take the picture." We all huddled together. "Make sure ye smile pretty Rodney" Carson said teasing and we all laughed before the flash went off. Chuck handed Beckett his camera back. "Thank ye lad" The rest of the meal was silent as we all dug into the food.
It had been four months since I'd come to Atlantis and I was frantically cleaning my quarters since we'd gotten news the day before that O'Neill was coming for a visit. I had just tossed the last of my clothes in the drawers when my door buzzed. I opened it to find Jack. He gave me a big hug.
"Caity" he said squeezing the breath out of me.
"Jack" I said then pushed him off. "I need air" he laughed and walked around my room. He stopped by the bedside table and picked up a picture like everyone seemed to do when they visited my room.
"You look happy Caity" he said smiling at the picture. It was the one from the night we'd saved Rodney.
"I am happy Jack" I replied "Now c'mon let me show you around" I grabbed his arm and led him out the door.