A/N: *crickets* Oh yeah...I'm the author of this story. I'm really sorry for the extended absence. Had to really concentrate on finishing up this semester and chasing down a hiding plot bunny. Hope ya'll are still interested.
I'm also sorry for the lack of action in this chapter. I hope to have another one up soon, finishing the story before my winter break ends.
Thanks to ladygris for betaing again. :)
Hope you all had a merry Christmas and enjoy the final days of 2011!

Through the Fire by GraceW

~Chapter 6~

Lt Colonel John Sheppard stood in the gateroom, staring at the quiet stargate. After an intense meeting with Elizabeth Weir, he was ready for something different, maybe a spar or a run. Come to think of it, he actually just wanted to shoot something. It had been three days since three members of the expedition walked through the gate. Two days since he had taken the team to Mataca, only to find the cities torn apart, the people scattered or lost. One day since John had written a letter to Charlie Hof's parents and fiancée.

Travis Goldman was recovering in the infirmary, John stopped by twice a day, checking up on his progress. The infirmary staff were quiet, subdued. One of their own was absent and it just didn't feel the same without Carson Beckett around. The young Marine's memory of the events still had not returned, without that information Carson was lost, missing in action. Dr. Krause said that the memories may never come back; Goldman had suffered quite a blow to the head and would be out of commission for quite a while.

They had searched Mataca, or as much as they could, for information on Carson's whereabouts. But that had been a dead end too. The natives were of a somewhat primitive society and did not keep records of trading partners. The people that felt comfortable talking to the Lanteans offered the gate addresses as they could recall, however there were too many to search right away.

"He's still out there, Elizabeth. We will find him."

"John, I miss him too, but I don't see what else we can do. The Daedalus is out there, but I'm afraid there isn't much chance of tracking down the specific Hive ship."

"What if—"

"I don't want to give up hope, I just don't know what else to do. Caldwell spoke to me earlier today. He's pushing to get normal operations running again."

His mind wandered back to the conversations he had just finished. They had searched Mataca for Carson's subcutaneous transmitter, yielding negative results. So Beckett had either been taken up by the Wraith or made it through the stargate to the planet with the unknown address. But if the doctor had made it through, wouldn't he have dialed Atlantis? He had ordered a Marine guard to stand at the Matacan gate, for when the survivors came back, if they did.

John stared at the gate, completely lost in thought, when suddenly he felt a presence by his side. He looked and met the spirited brown eyes of Teyla Emmagan. He gave a small smile in greeting, but did not speak. Her face was serious as she spoke up. "You are worried."

It wasn't a question. John's jaw was set, but inside he felt horrible. Caldwell was pushing for abandoning the rescue mission. They would essentially be leaving one of their own behind. Again. The whole mess with Ford still ate at him. He hated leaving people behind, not when he could do something about it, but he also had to know who he could save. He took a breath and replied. "Yeah, I'm starting to think we need to call off the search." He paused, trying to work through his thoughts and find the words to say.

"I am sorry, Colonel. I know how much it hurts to leave your people behind."

"Thanks, Teyla."

They stood in a comfortable silence for several minutes, as John prepared himself to inform Elizabeth of his decision. Suddenly, the Stargate started to light up as it accepted an incoming wormhole. A few tense seconds later and the familiar kawoosh sounded, leaving the sparkling blue puddle of the event horizon.

Chuck sat at the control board, looking at the computer for an IDC. He said. "Its Lieutenant Won's IDC and radio."

John bounded up the few stairs "Patch her through and lower the shield."

There were no incoming travelers, but a female voice called through the radio. "I'd like to speak to Colonel Sheppard."

"I'm here. Go ahead, Lieutenant." John said just as Elizabeth arrived and stood on the other side of the board, looking intently at the military commander. John met her eyes for a second before looking back toward the stargate.

"Sir, a group of people just came through the gate. They say they are from the planet where the most of the Matecans fled to. They did not know about Dr. Beckett, but we did get an address." She relayed the coordinates and Chuck wrote them down.

"Thanks, Won. Stand by." John clicked off the radio connection to Mataca.

He opened his mouth to speak, but Elizabeth read his mind and interrupted him. "Colonel, you have a go."

John's features were set in determination. "Chuck, get a medical team down here. It's time for a rescue mission." The colonel jogged out of the control room, contacting his teammates via radio on his way to the armory.

In record time Teyla, Rodney, Ronon and the offworld medical team joined John in the gateroom. The entire group was geared up and ready to go, chomping on the bit to get some answers and find out where Carson was. Chuck had already dialed the new address, calling on the the radio, even though no one had answered. John didn't see much of a need for a prep lecture, and simply said. "Alright, everyone, let's move out.

The group stepped through the wormhole facing forward, eager and impatient. John, however, looked back at Elizabeth who had taken her usual spot on the balcony to see teams off. She wore a hopeful half-smile and gave a little nod, her actions saying more than words could. Bring him home.

Thanks for reading! You know the drill. Reviews make me happy! :D

~Grace :)