I wasn't going to write anymore after the last chapter but I decided that the story needed some closure. Be warned that this part contains spoilers for Common Ground and Phantoms.

Epilogue: Justice Comes in Many Forms

Elizabeth looked towards the balcony where she'd seen Sheppard disappear to about fifteen minutes ago. She would give him the solitude that he obviously needed for a few more minutes. However, she desperately wanted to talk to him about a communiqué that Caldwell had just given her.

Today had been hard on everyone but she knew that John was carrying a heavy burden of guilt over his actions and as Carson had told her not so long ago, he was also suffering from delayed shock. Maybe her news would help but then again, maybe not.

Taking a calming breath, she stepped into the cool night air and looked at him as he stared out across the vast ocean. John didn't turn to acknowledge her presence, choosing to remaining silent and deep in thought.

"It wasn't your fault," Elizabeth quietly reassured.

"Yeah, that's what everyone keeps telling me but it doesn't change the fact that I nearly killed him."

She moved over and lightly touched his arm. "But you didn't."

"No, thank god. I don't think I could ever have forgiven myself if I had. That would have been it, end of career, end of life."

"John, look at me!" Elizabeth commanded. He reluctantly turned his pain-ridden eyes towards her. "It could have just as easily have been the other way round. It could have been Rodney who shot you or Ronon. Would you have wanted them to give up if they had?"

"Heck no."

"Exactly! You were under the influence of that Wraith machine and you truly thought you were back in Afghanistan. It wasn't your fault," she repeated. "If anyone's to blame it's the Genii for interfering with the machine."

John looked at her and smiled for the first time since returning from M1B-129. "Damn Genii," he whispered.

"Yes, damn Genii." Elizabeth agreed.

They remained silent for several long minutes both deep in thought. Indeed, Elizabeth had many reasons to curse the Genii or at least one in particular. Kolya, how she loathed that name. Kolya and Kavanagh, two hateful men who had tried to take John away from them - away from her. She still remembered many months ago, not long after Kavanagh's attempt on John's life, when she had told him that she hoped he would never have to go through pain like that again. How wrong had she been because Kolya had put John through a hell equal to Kavanagh's as he allowed a Wraith to feed upon him, and she had failed to protect John, refusing to give in to Kolya's demands. Nevertheless, John had managed survived yet again, even though Kolya had escaped to remain a threat. That was one thing Kavanagh would never be again.

Elizabeth broke the silence when she suddenly announced. "I've been coward, John." He looked at her, puzzled. "I received a communiqué about a week ago from SGC, but I just couldn't bring myself to tell you. Then the whole business with Major Leonard's team took priority and I didn't want to tell you anything that could distract you from the mission, so I left it."

"Yeah, we had enough distractions as it was."

Elizabeth met his eyes. "Yes, you certainly did. Anyway, the communiqué informed me that Kavanagh had been sentenced…"

"Don't tell me…he got two years, right?" John interrupted.

Elizabeth nodded. "Nearly. After he had threatened to expose the whole Stargate programme, they made a deal and he got two and a half years in a psychiatric unit."

"Just great! That's justice for ya, but I might have guessed to come off lightly he would threaten them ."

Elizabeth nodded. "Justice comes in many forms, John, and a wise man once told me that he'll pay for his crime one day."

John gave her a curious look. "Why do I get the feeling there's more to this?"

Elizabeth nodded. "Caldwell has just given me another communiqué. It would seem that Kavanagh was found dead in his room a few days ago."

John was stunned for a moment but when the feeling passed, he could have jumped for joy and skipped around the balcony but instead, he quietly asked. "He upset another inmate?"

Elizabeth smiled at John's reasoning. "Not exactly. The psychiatric unit where he was being held was located in Phoenix. Apparently, they were allowed to exercise in an outdoor area whenever they wanted. Kavanagh came in one afternoon complaining that he had been bitten by something. Nobody took him seriously because it would seem that he was still suffering from the occasional hallucination and naturally, they thought that he was making it all up. It turns out that he wasn't as he must have been bitten by a black widow spider and actually died from it, which in itself is a very rare occurrence in an adult. According to the report, he had a severe reaction to the bite, and by the time they noticed, he was already dead."

"Thank God," John murmured before closing his eyes for a minute. For some stupid reason, he suddenly felt cheated, as Kavanagh's death seemed too fitting, too simple. He didn't like to think that it may have been a definite case of neglect and he vaguely wondered what Kavanagh's family had been told. However, he pushed the feelings aside and whispered. "It does seem that justice comes in many forms but he got what he deserved."

Elizabeth wanted to hug him and give comfort but she resisted the urge. "Yes, John. He's gone forever now and can never harm you again."

He nodded slowly. "Yeah, I just wish I could say the same about Kolya."

Elizabeth looked at him earnestly. "I know, but one day he'll pay for his crimes too."

"Yeah, I hope you're right."

Elizabeth lightly touched his arm again and murmured softy. "I'm sure of it. Now are you going to be alright?"

John smiled down at her. "I'm good."

THE END

I hope you didn't find Kavanagh's death to clichéd and convenient. I guess if TPTB decide to bring back Kavanagh sometime then this story would become a AU. Hope you enjoyed it and please review. Thanks again for all the wonderful reviews. I cannot believe I received over 200. Bye for now until the plot bunny strikes again.