Disclaimer: I own nothing related to Stargate: Atlantis or it's wonderful characters. Any characters, settings, or events not mentioned or shown in the show, however, are mine.

Author's Note: Exactly one year ago, I posted the first chapter in something that was way bigger than I ever imagined. "Remnant of Fire" became one of my favorite stories to write, and I know a lot of you have been waiting a long time for the sequel. Well, here it is! If you are reading this for the first time, some of these events won't make sense unless you read "Remnant of Fire." This story does contain spoilers for anything in Season One, Two, and Three, though the events may have been dramatically altered. I am issuing a spoiler alert for the first story in this series, as well. A very, very special thanks goes out to theicemenace and pisces317 for help brainstorming and the beta-work on this. As with most of my stories, it is in the works, but I am making daily progress toward finishing. There will be a Monday, Wednesday, and Friday posting. I hope you enjoy! ~lg

Six weeks later. . . .

Betrayal. The word was bitter in John Sheppard's mind as he stared at Ataliya's Stargate. The massive ring sat on a pedestal with three stone steps leading up to it. The DHD was centered without the impressive pedestal, both a fair distance from the village. The hot sun beat down on him, but he didn't notice.

Kiah was gone, Geir dead, Olina devastated, Teyla furious, and Gisli. . . . Sheppard pulled his mind away from Gisli, from her creamy skin and luxurious hair and intense eyes and airy voice. Shaking his head, he wondered how he could have been so incredibly stupid. Lorne had tried to tell him, and he mused that he needed to get the other major drunk a bit more often. He'd get the truth out of him then.

"John." Elizabeth's voice interrupted his thoughts, and he turned to watch her approach. Something akin to relief but infinitely more powerful rose up inside of him at the sight of her. Her hair had grown considerably in the time she'd been on Ataliya, just brushing her shoulders with glossy brown curls. Today, she'd chosen to cover it with a vibrant green wrap that draped over her head and down around her shoulders. It gave her a Biblical look that combined with her long, tan dress to fool one into thinking her taller than she actually was. But it was Elizabeth's eyes that had changed. They sparkled in the sunshine, not minding the glare that had sent him diving for the pair of aviators he'd managed to rescue from Atlantis when he escaped.

Now, he turned back to the gate. "Sorry. Just needed some time."

Elizabeth moved to his side and stared up at the gate. She remained silent for a long time, giving him the space he needed while not leaving him alone. When he finally let out a deep sigh, she glanced at him. "What happened out there?"

The question was so similar to what she had once asked while on Atlantis that, for a moment, he was standing back in that majestic control room, looking up at a lighted staircase that led to an impressive view through a stained glass window. Then, the memory faded, and he shook his head. "Thought you already knew."

She shrugged. "Carson and Rodney have both told me their stories, and I have Major Lorne's report. But Teyla isn't talking, and I would like to hear your side of things."

"Oh." Sheppard nodded once and continued to stare at the gate. "Well, you know that Colonel Caldwell went down with the Daedalus." When she indicated she did, he continued, "We made our way to the Alpha site. . . ."

Over the next thirty minutes, he told her of how they'd set up camp at the Alpha site and met Ronon. Their trip to Sateda. How they'd become friends with Geir and established Kiah. When he reached this part of the story, Sheppard's voice turned emotionless. He didn't want to feel the emotions that acknowledging Gisli's actions would stir. So, he rushed through much of the story, giving Elizabeth the highlights of the village that had become home and how Gisli and Kalle had destroyed it by bringing Kolya to their door. Beyond his emotions, it was a betrayal that didn't just affect him. It affected his people, and John Sheppard had become very protective of his people.

"I'm sorry, John." Elizabeth's apology angered him. If she pitied him. . . . "I'm sorry I wasn't there."

He blinked, all anger fading. "You're apologizing for being injured enough that you were unconscious for four days?" Finally facing her, Sheppard touched her shoulder. "Elizabeth, you can't hold yourself responsible. It's a complete fluke we found you when we did."

She smiled slightly and nodded. "Still, I never thought I would see any of you again, so I set up life here."

"And did quite well for yourself." Sheppard grinned, this time in genuine amusement. "How many women land a planetary leader as a husband?"

Elizabeth's face darkened at that, though she wasn't able to hide the sparkle in her eyes. "I'm glad you're alive, John."

"Me, too." He swiped a hand across his forehead. "Let's get out of this heat."

Elizabeth agreed, and they walked back to the village together. No chatter was necessary with Elizabeth and never had been, something for which he was grateful. Though they'd been on Ataliya for more than a month, his people still stung from what had happened on Kiah. They'd lost friends that day; even some of their number had been slaughtered by Kolya's strike force. Sheppard was happy that those he called family were still alive, but it could have been any one of them. The fragility of life and happiness still struck at him, though he worked hard to bury it.

But they couldn't stay on Ataliya forever. They'd already stayed too long as far as Ronon was concerned. At Marks and Novak's wedding, Ronon had urged them to move on, to settle elsewhere. But Sheppard wasn't keen on Ronon's idea. They needed more intel on the galaxy, something they hadn't had when they settled on Kiah. Though, to be fair, the original Kians were friends of Teyla's. Even she had been caught flatfooted at Gisli's betrayal. And Kalle's, his mind reminded him. But Sheppard pushed that thought away. He wanted to wallow in his self-pity for a bit longer. Once he was done. . . .well, he'd figure it out when that happened. For now, he would settle for ignoring every woman who made eyes at him until he needed something from her.

oOo

Dr. Carson Beckett stepped into the garden in Javan's home and smiled. This was a peaceful place, and he could see why Elizabeth had found happiness here. The last weeks had been exhausting, and he had begun to come into this garden during the evenings for a bit of peace and quiet. The cooling breezes from the desert often settled his mind as he prepared for the next day.

Though, truth be told, the last months had been more stressful than anything he'd ever endured. When he'd been in medical school, he had wondered if he had the strength to even become a doctor, much less a world-renowned geneticist. But he had, and that work led him directly to the Pegasus galaxy, a place where everything he'd known about himself had changed. Now, Carson knew he was a survivor, someone who would do whatever it took. And he had. When Kolya stormed Kiah, he had picked up a gun and defended his little infirmary right next to Dahlia Radim.

Thinking of the pretty Genii made Carson smile sadly. He and Dahlia had shared something special between them, but it hadn't gone beyond a few walks at sunset, laughter during the day, and wondering if there was something more. After Kolya's attack, Dahlia had returned to her people, regretfully kissing Carson's cheek and apologizing that she'd been unable to foresee what happened. He had let her go, knowing that anything between them would always be tainted by the actions of other men. But he would always look back on that short time in Kiah, when they shared a close friendship, with pleasure.

Footsteps scuffed the tile behind him, and Carson turned. Shani, Javan's younger sister, stood in the door of the home. She was a pretty woman, not as young as Dahlia but just as attractive. He'd already seen several of his people eying her, and he'd made the decision to keep himself from falling for her charms. Tonight, she wore a long white dress that ended at her ankles, her sandals barely whispering on the tile as she waited for him to acknowledge her presence. A long, thick braid lay over one shoulder and caught the fading rays of sunlight with glints of red.

Shaking himself from his thoughts, Carson motioned. "Come on out, love. I won't bite."

She smiled at him, and it crinkled the corners of her eyes. "Thank you, Doctor."

"Och, how many times do I have to ask ye to call me Carson?" His irritation was hidden beneath a smile.

"Too many," she replied.

"What's on your mind?" Carson felt it a fair question. Many evenings, Shani had joined him in the garden to simply talk about medicine. She had studied with healers from several worlds and villages and was directly responsible for Elizabeth's survival. If for no other reason, Carson willingly taught her anything she wanted to know. Now, he considered the idea of asking her to join him. It had pros and cons, like any idea. But being the only doctor for so many traumatized people was beyond exhausting. At times like this, Carson missed Kate Heightmeyer. He could have used the psychologist's insights into Teyla and Sheppard as the pair of them dealt with a betrayal deeper than any other. Having two of the most prominent members of their group on the rebound at the same time was dangerous. But Kate had died along with Atlantis when the Wraith came.

Shani pulled his mind from his morose thoughts. "Dr. McKay is here to see you."

Carson nodded. "I'll be right there." He smiled as Shani left him alone again and let out a deep breath. Rodney McKay hadn't been fazed in the least by the events on Kiah. Granted, the physicist rarely let anyone close enough to know what was going through his head, but Carson knew him well enough to see how desperately Rodney wanted to return to Earth. In McKay's mind, Earth represented safety, something that could never truly happen in Pegasus because of the Wraith.

Figuring he needed to see what his friend wanted, Carson left the garden behind and took a deep breath. He'd need all of his resolve to deal with McKay tonight. He had just finished patching up a hapless Marine who thought he could steer Teyla away from two arguing boys in the village square. She had reacted almost instinctively, dislocating the man's shoulder and growling a warning about not touching her before walking away. Carson wasn't certain he could handle another long night on top of that.

"There you are!" Rodney's perpetually exasperated voice made Carson blink. "What took you so long?"

Carson gave him a glance somewhere between irritated and indulgent. "I was takin' a few moments to myself, Rodney."

"Oh." McKay looked crestfallen. "Is it. . .I mean, I didn't know you were that busy."

"Not anymore," Carson admitted. "But even you have to admit this place isn't where we belong."

Rodney grinned. "I know!" he crowed. "And that's why I need your help. Remember Elizabeth saying something about an observatory in the desert?"

"Aye."

"Well, I think I've figured out what it is."

"You have." Carson blinked at Rodney's triumphant look.

"Well, at least, partially." He held up a book that he'd taken from Javan's study. "This is the transcription Elizabeth took from the log in that Ancient outpost. From what I can tell, the Ancients weren't just observing Javan's people. They were guiding them on the path to development."

Carson frowned. "Shouldn't you be telling this to Elizabeth?"

"I will." Rodney waved a hand. "She's visiting with Javan right now, so I didn't feel right interrupting."

"Aye," Carson said again. Watching Elizabeth with her fiance was intriguing, to say the least. He was thrilled to see her so happy, but he still struggled to come to terms with the idea that she wouldn't be joining the group when they left Ataliya. He turned back to Rodney. "And why is this information important?"

"Oh, it's not." Rodney stared at him. "I just thought you'd want to know."

Realizing he was being a wee bit peckish, Carson rubbed his eyes. "I'm sorry. I'm just. . . ."

"Hey, are you okay?" The concern in McKay's voice was sincere.

"I'm fine, Rodney. Just tired."

"Well, go get some rest."

Carson barely refrained from rolling his eyes and pointing out he'd been about to do that when McKay arrived. "Aye, I think that's best." Smiling at his friend, he made his way to the spare bedroom where three narrow bunks had been set up. A bit of rearranging had happened the longer they were on Ataliya. Rodney, Carson, Sheppard, and Parker, the Marine that had raised the alarm about Kolya's attack, had taken up residence with Shani and Javan while Teyla, Olina, Ronon, and Lorne stayed with Elizabeth. The other Kians had spread out among the people of Javan's village, helping with shearing and harvesting what crops survived Kolya's attack.

As he slipped out of his shoes and into bed, Carson admitted that he missed the quiet isolation of his tiny cabin on Kiah. The grief he kept at bay during the day pressed in on him, but he fell asleep before he was able to do much more than wish for home.

oOo

Ronon was worried. More accurately, he was impatient. Over a week had passed since he'd given Sheppard the option of a new home, and the man hadn't taken him up on the offer. Not that Ronon didn't understand. After what happened on Kiah, none of these people were ready to be on their own again. Finding Elizabeth and learning that she'd been living here was a huge relief to many of them, but the Satedan knew they needed to be out there, making their own way.

The small house Elizabeth called home appeared, and Ronon slipped through the front door. The door leading to the garden was open, and he saw movement outside. Quietly moving across the tile, he glanced out long enough to see that Olina was washing her hair. She'd bent over a tub and was using fresh water from the nearby well to rinse the soap. Deciding she needed privacy, Ronon slipped into the room he shared with Lorne, Olina and Teyla while his mind stayed on the woman under his protection.

You are Satedan now. And you have me. Ronon's words from her father's funeral played through his head. He'd meant every single one of them when he said it. By taking her as one of his people, he was extending the umbrella of his protection over her. She would not have to worry about anything she needed as long as she stayed with him. Dropping into his pallet, Ronon sighed. He'd made the same commitment to Melena years ago, but things had been different. Then, he'd been young and in love. Now? Now he was older, wiser, harder, and more bitter. Now, he knew what Olina faced and wanted to help her through it. The fact that he found her beautiful in spite of her mourning attire had nothing to do with it.

Frustrated with his inability to do much right now, Ronon stood and prepared for the night. Elizabeth would be back soon and would want something to eat. And Teyla was off, likely sparring with Lorne as a way to vent some of her aggression. The betrayal at Kiah, while devastating to all of them, had struck closer to home for Teyla. She had all but proposed to Kalle, and he had accepted while already married to another woman. Ronon hated Kalle and Gisli for that, and for their actions against Kiah. Good men and women were dead because they had wanted their childish way.

Feeling the anger build, Ronon used one of Elizabeth's sharp knives to cut bread and cheese and prepare a simple stew he'd learned while running from the Wraith. He'd never been one to spend time in the kitchen, but he'd needed to survive. Now, he put those skills to use as a way to pay for his keep. One day soon, though, he'd get back to what he did best: surviving. And, when he did, he'd have an entire people to lead.

Somehow, that wasn't a pleasant thought.

oOo

Lorne hit the ground as his breath forcefully left his body. Above him, Teyla stepped back, the stony expression on her face fading slightly "Are you okay, Major?"

"Yeah." Lorne dragged air into his lungs as he re-taught himself to breathe. "I will be." Sitting up, he accepted her offer to help him to his feet and blinked away the stars. He'd been sparring with the men and women of Kiah for months, and he'd felt the improvement in his body. Now, though, he'd been defenseless when faced with Teyla's rage.

Pushing that thought from his mind, he let her go for a drink of water while he stiffly walked over to his own canteen. The refuge on Ataliya had been wonderful, but even he felt the restlessness that settled over them. It was time to get back out there. The month of mourning for Geir was over, Gisli and Kalle were imprisoned, and Elizabeth was found. Their people were physically strong again even if still a bit devastated by the betrayal. They needed to make their own way. Unfortunately, he'd been unable to get Sheppard to see that fact.

Teyla stalked out of the sparring area without a backward glance, and Lorne shook his head. Getting her away from Ataliya would be a good thing. They'd spent the last six weeks cooped up in Elizabeth's new home, and he knew that every day spent this close to Kalle was torture for the Athosian. Not only had she lost her home planet, but she'd also lost Atlantis and the man she'd hoped to marry. Lorne couldn't begin to understand how that felt.

As he walked toward Elizabeth's small home, he glanced toward the large structure that housed Javan and his family. Only Beckett, McKay, Sheppard, and Parker stayed there in deference to Javan's family, but many of the village had opened their homes to the refugees. Evan had seen Jinto and several other Athosian children making friends and knew the parents of those children considered taking up Javan's offer of a new home with his people. But he couldn't accept that. While he'd willingly taken on the title of being "Kian," he was originally from Earth. And he hoped one day to see it again, even if he was old and gray.

Not accustomed to days on end without anything to occupy his time, Evan slipped into Elizabeth's home and quickly bathed. Ronon had already prepared the evening meal, and Olina, Teyla, and Elizabeth chatted in the living room. Teyla's face was more animated during these times than any other, and Lorne and Ronon tended to leave the women alone. Tonight, however, Evan caught Ronon's distraction and followed the Satedan's gaze to where Olina sat with her back to them. The woman's dark hair was wet, drying in waves down her back. A grin formed on his face as he realized that the big man was supremely attracted to Geir's daughter. It disappeared just as quickly when Ronon glared, though he wasn't able to completely bury the glee. At least one of their number was moving on.

Late that night, as he stared at the ceiling and listened to Ronon snore, Lorne made a decision. They would leave Ataliya within the next month. He just needed to figure out how to convince Sheppard that it was the best thing to do.

oOo

"It is not the honor that you take with you, but the heritage you leave behind."
~Branch Rickey~
US Baseball Player 1881-1965

~TBC