Epilogue: Love is not enough

.oOo.

Carson had been gentle with her about the news. Only hearing they had returned from the Alpha Site earlier than scheduled, Gwen went to him for answers. Kindly as possible he sat her down and gave her the news of Michael's escape and his possible death.

"John had no choice but to shoot. He was about to feed on Teyla and the other wraith were coming. We didn't have time to retrieve Michael's body. I'm sorry, Gwen dear."

"But he could still be alive. A wraith's ability to heal is..."

With worry and regret in his eyes Carson offered, "Perhaps. But if he heals and if they haven' killed him over what we have done to him, we could all be in some serious danger. They'll know Atlantis is still here."

She felt a little dizzy but thanked him, rose and started walking aimlessly. Till she found herself at the very balcony she had shown Michael only days ago. Gripping the railing she concentrated on the sky and endless water and was hit by wave after wave of sadness and despair. She wanted to scream but even alone kept it in and could not stop shaking. Tore between wanting him to be alive and fear over what he could become. What would he do or happen to him if he was back with the Wraith had silent tears slipping down her cheeks.

Time passed and she thought there was more than plenty of space between herself and the others. She wanted to be alone but hearing the panel doors open and the steps, she realized she hadn't run far enough away. Not caring who it was she decided to work on calming herself, wiping away the tears and ignoring whoever had found her.

"There you are," John broke the silence and without asking he joined her. Leaning upon the railing like she had been doing for the last hour, he mumbled, "I've been looking for you for a while now. We've all been worried... Carson is beside himself." When she did not ask him how he found her John explained, "I usually come here myself. The view's good for clearing the head."

The sound of Velcro ripping and before Gwen turned to see what he was doing, John handed her a tissue. She took it without a word. Patiently, he waited for her to say something after she was done drying her tears. When she didn't he turned to her and asked, "You really don't want to talk right now do you?"

Gwen gave him a blood shot glance then returned to her study of the distant ocean horizon. John gave a pained look and sighed, "Frankly I don't blame you. In fact don't say anything. That's fine by me. Since, I came here to tell you something anyways. Something I think you deserve to know." He took his time before starting, "After he woke up he asked to see you. And he claimed to Teyla that he shot Sergeant Cole in self-defense."

Carefully Gwen turned to him but still refused to ask him for more. But seeing he had her full attention John continued, "He wouldn't let the topic go-to see you again that is. No matter how many times we told him that wasn't possible. We all thought it would be for the best, not to put you through anymore." Biting his lower lip, John looked down and finished, "If it's worth anything. I'm sorry about, everything."

Even with new hot tears slipping down her cheeks, Gwen refused to cut John much slack. Staring at the color filled sunset she softly asked, "Are you sorry you had to kill him too?"

He expected that, offered her another tissue and gave a shrug, "How can I be? When I'm not even sure that he is."

Wiping at her cheeks again, she calmly replied, "Well... We're all still here, aren't we?"

"Well, maybe he just hasn't gotten around to telling them yet," John countered dryly. Softening his tone he added, "Or maybe he won't tell them."

She ignored him as Michael's words filled her, "Gwen trust me even though... I can be a nightmare of the grandest kind." Taking a deep breath she concluded aloud, "We might never know."

"We'll just have to wait and see," John agreed.

They said no more to each other. Instead they watched and waited in a comfortable silence as the sun slipped into the ocean.

.oOo.

Chapter End Notes:

A second book named Something (Book 3) will cover the remaining episodes Michael appeared in and give a look beyond the series finale of Atlantis. But planning to first work on a prequel (Book One) named The Little One. (Currently rough drafts of the first few chapters for both stories are available on Wraithbate and hopefully here too soon.)

You may have noticed I used a few Nine Inch Nails songs for some of titles. I found most of them fit the mood with the corresponding chapters. (That and I'm really-really not so good at giving names and titles to things.)

Even though this story I feel is pretty much finished, I may go back and fuss with it. Fix some missed typos or add a few more details. All depends upon feedback.

Thank you for reading, hope you enjoyed it! :)