She stares down, rage blinding her to the wind that bites at her exposed skin. Behind her is the man she has come to respect as her military leader, the man she has come to love as a friend. Who, only three days ago asked her to marry him. In front of her is the man she had once counted as a friend, but now despises.
And she knows that her son will be hunted by Michael again.
He will try everything in his power to take her beloved child, will endanger the lives of her friends.
He won't stop until she is dead, Torren in his grasp. Teyla moves her foot only slightly, knocking Michael's hand off the ledge he clung to so desperately.
"Teyla!" He roars frantically, his other hand tightening instinctively to save himself from falling.
She feels John's eyes on her back, knows what he is thinking. If Michael is caught, alive, they will have to bring him in. John won't be allowed to bring Michael to justice. Michael will be free to harm them again, should he ever get away. They can't release him to the Wraith, he knows the location of Atlantis. The location of her family. Biting her lip to hold herself in check, Teyla watches Michael squirm for several more seconds before kicking his other hand free of the ledge. Then, it is all over and she turns to John.
A long moment passes between them, then Sheppard looks away. Without a word, he guides her through the small door and into the safer corridor of the tower before he speaks.
"The official report…" He begins, but his voice is old, battered. Clearing his throat, he tried again. "The official report will state that Michael let go of his own volition. Rather than be caught and held in a human run Ancient facility until the day he died, he let go. Committed suicide."
Teyla realizes then that John is protecting her, that he will protect her until the day he dies.
"Do you understand? Michael let go of his own accord. You were never up here. You left Torren with someone and went looking for Ronon, when I found you with the news that Michael committed suicide." He takes her by the shoulders and shakes her gently, forcing her to focus on him. She meets his eyes, sees the love, the trust. Knows she can't endanger him. Dipping her head once, she pulls in a deep breath. "I understand, John." she whispers.
"Let's go." the smile doesn't reach his eyes as he extends a hand to the door, letting her go first.
Someday, she will make this up to him.
Someday.