The Return of Katie Brown

Part XI – Conclusion

Woolsey, Sheppard and McKay exchanged a look while Chuck continued. "He's also asking for his sister, Dr. Petra Grodin. The only Petra we have, uh, had is Dr. Wakeford."

"Chuck, Dr. Grodin isn't dead and Dr. Wakeford is his sister. It's a long story. I'll tell it to you over a beer some night." Sheppard told the technician. He glanced at Woolsey who nodded once. "Put him through to Mr. Woolsey's office, please." To Woolsey he said, "We need to tell him about his sister. I'm not looking forward to that conversation."

"Neither am I."

*****

John Sheppard banked the Jumper around and landed about a hundred meters from the lone shack. He and his passengers had been strangely silent on the trip from Atlantis. Each preferred to be alone with their thoughts for the time being.

The rear hatch cracked open with a hiss but no one moved. Finally, Sheppard stood. "Okay, let's get this party started."

Keller gathered up her equipment with McKay's help and they followed Woolsey and Sheppard out onto the grassy field. To their right they could see a small shack. A dark haired man was standing in the doorway watching them approach. When they got closer they could see him smile and wave. Sheppard waved back.

The Atlantis group came to a stop a few feet from Peter. "Major Sheppard! It's good to see you again." He stepped forward right hand extended. "Dr. McKay, you look as if you've seen a ghost. You all do."

Sheppard motioned to the man and woman who had remained silent. "This is Richard Woolsey, the expedition commander, and Dr. Jennifer Keller, Chief Medical Officer." They both nodded in greeting.

"What happened to Dr. Beckett? He's not…?"

"No, he's fine. He's still here in Pegasus. He's just taken on another…position."

Jennifer stepped forward hand extended. "Dr. Grodin, I hope you don't mind. They asked me along to give you a quick check-up, if you'll permit it."

"I thought you might. Please come in and we'll get that out of the way." He took the medical bags McKay was carrying then gestured for her to precede him into the shack and closed the door leaving the others outside.

*****

An hour later Jennifer walked toward the men from Atlantis, her face carefully kept in her professional expression that gave almost nothing away. "Physically he's fine, aside from the old injuries and a slightly elevated blood pressure. Some of the injuries can be repaired with surgery, others he'll just have to live with. The scars from the…torture and the one on his face can be made less noticeable with reconstructive surgery which he has declined for the moment.

"As for his memory, he remembers almost everything since the day he was taken. There are some gaps but that's to be expected with what he's been through. He's been pushing himself trying to remember though I've attempted to deter him from it as it will take time or it could not come at all. Then again, it might take just the right stimulus to bring it out. There's no way to know." She paused for breath.

"He's ready to see you whenever you're ready." The three men nodded and she stepped away to allow them to speak privately. Rodney would tell her everything later anyway.

*****

After some deliberation and attempted persuasion on the parts of Woolsey and Sheppard, Rodney decided not to join them. He'd been devastated when he couldn't save his friend all those years ago and shocked beyond words when they'd found that he'd been "rescued" by the Wraith and turned into a Runner. And, while he was ecstatic that Peter was once again himself, he still felt guilty for his part. It was his fault, all of it and he didn't deserve to be forgiven. And Peter would forgive because it was his nature. He'd only known the man for a few months but knew him to be highly intelligent, honorable, fiercely loyal and utterly incapable of holding a grudge…except against the Wraith.

So, while Woolsey and Sheppard spoke with Peter and after helping Jennifer carry her medical supplies back to the Jumper, Rodney wandered off into the woods and found a fallen tree to sit on. It was here that Peter found him nearly two hours later tossing pebbles into a small pond. He jumped when a voice spoke into the quiet contemplation he'd gathered around himself.

"You know, I come here a lot myself. It's peaceful and quiet. No one bothers you. You can think those long, long thoughts of youth and contemplate the universe in its infinite diversity. Or just decide what to have for supper." Rodney gave up the slightest of smiles then the corners of his mouth turned downward again. "Look at that. You almost smiled. So, tell me Dr. Mc-, um, Rodney, what would I have to do or say to make you actually smile?"

Rodney shrugged one shoulder keeping his face averted and continued to throw pebbles into the pond without responding.

"It wasn't your fault, you know, what happened to me." Peter tossed a few pebbles into the pond himself.

"You're just saying that to make me feel better. And it won't work."

"Yes, I am and yes, it will…eventually, because it wasn't your fault. I don't blame you and you need to stop blaming yourself. I insist and I warn you, I can be a stubborn old sod." Peter slapped his thighs and stood as if coming to a decision. "And if you don't cheer up I'm going to begin reciting some of the more…earthy Limericks I've learned over the years and I'll do it in front of Mr. Woolsey and Dr. Keller."

The physicist finally turned to face his former colleague. The picture in Rodney's head of the look on the straitlaced Woolsey's face upon hearing dirty Limericks was enough to startle a laugh out of him. "Woolsey might be shocked but I wouldn't be at all surprised if Jennifer knew more dirty jokes and Limericks than anyone."

Peter laughed, slapped Rodney on the back and the two men headed back toward the shack.

"So, Peter, what are your plans now that you, uh…"

"Now that I am again in possession of my faculties? Aside from coming back to Atlantis for a visit, I'm not sure. Thought I would do an Indiana Jones and make it up as I go."

"Hmm. That could work."

"So, tell me about Dr. Keller. You and she are dating, I take it."

"How did you know?"

Peter shrugged. "It's the way you look at each other. You are both utterly smitten. Plus I've never seen you help anyone with their bags before. Oh, she has you well trained, my friend."

*****

Back at Atlantis Peter was greeted warmly by those who had known him before as well as those who had not. Everyone had heard about his…adventures and to many he was almost a hero, a living legend, for what he'd done on the Wraith ship though his actions there were what he still did not yet remember. Dr. Keller had cautioned the staff against mentioning anything about the subject because they had no idea how he would react to the knowledge of what he had done. They had also been warned not startle him or touch him unless he initiated the contact.

Peter responded to everyone with a pleasant smile and sometimes a handshake but inside he was more than a little uneasy. He hadn't been around large groups of people in nearly four years and could feel his body readying itself for fight or flight. He had retained many of the instincts he'd developed while running from the Wraith. It was one of the reasons he lived far from the main Athosian settlement. The memory of an incident from when he'd first gone to live there flashed through his mind.

He had not yet become accustomed to the name Peter and as such did not respond when Halling had hailed him. Halling had then placed a hand on his shoulder causing him to take action as he'd learned to in the previous year, by instinct. He'd knocked the man to the ground and had nearly beheaded him with the scythe in his hands. Thank God he'd recognized him in time! Since that day the Athosians had been careful never to startle or alarm him and he was eternally grateful for their diligence.

The second day of his visit to Atlantis Peter and Ronon were just coming from a sparring session in the gym and were now headed for the Mess Hall to meet Teyla, McKay, Keller and Sheppard. The two men had bonded over their shared past as Runners.

As they made their way through a crowded corridor near one of the transports a civilian scientist bumped into Peter. The man started to apologize but before he could utter even one word Peter, reacting instinctively, twisted the man's arm behind his back and slammed him against the wall. He fell to the floor where Peter then flipped him onto his back and brought one knee down to pin him to the floor. One hand grabbed the front of the man's shirt, the other raised and clenched in a fist. Ronon grabbed Peter's arm preventing what was surely meant to be a killing blow.

"Grodin, stop! It was an accident."

Peter looked up at him barely registering his new friend's words. His breath came in hard pants. Finally, after a few taut moments, he relaxed his upraised arm and stood. Ronon helped the injured man to his feet.

"I-I-I'm sorry." Peter's brown eyes pleaded with the man for forgiveness and he nodded his understanding and acceptance of the apology. He'd heard about Dr. Grodin.

"Take him to the infirmary." Ronon told the man's colleagues. They nodded and led him away. "Go about your business. We're done here." The Satedan ordered the group of onlookers that had gathered and they did, muttering among themselves about the scene they'd just witnessed.

"Oh, God! I could have killed him." Peter's eyes tracked back and forth as if looking for escape. "I can't stay. I don't belong here anymore."

"You'll be fine. It just takes some time. I was the same way when I first came to Atlantis. They had me under guard for a long time."

But the man that used to be a mild-mannered yet physically active scientist was already shaking his head. "I'm not like you. I'm not…strong enough to go back to the way I was before the Wraith turned me into this monstrous…thing I've become. And next time I might do irreparable harm to someone." He turned and made his way quickly back toward his assigned quarters vowing not to leave them again until his visit was over.

*****

Though he wanted more than anything to again be a part of the family of Atlantis, Peter Grodin made the decision to return to the Athosian settlement. Ronon was probably right, eventually he might be able to reintegrate into the community but he had his doubts. The incident today had graphically illustrated that he was still too dangerous to be around others. He might never be ready and that more than anything was the major factor in his decision.

He made a recording to be delivered to his sister Petra in the facility where she was currently being cared for. He talked about the return of his memory, explained his rationale for not returning to Earth and why the rest of the family should continue to believe he was dead. He hoped she would understand and wished her well ending with, "I'm certain we'll see each other again one day, Petra. Take care. I love you."

*****

With some persuasion, Mr. Woolsey agreed to reinstate Peter's IDC and provide him with a personal transmitter in case of emergency. He took it gratefully but they all got the idea that he wouldn't be using it much.

Sheppard had just gotten comfortable in the pilot seat of the Jumper when Rodney and Jennifer entered. "John, we'd like to take Peter home, if you don't mind."

"Uh, sure. To tell the truth, I'm kinda relieved. Now I won't be late for my weekly ass-kicking from Ronon."

Rodney snickered. "I thought that was tomorrow."

"No," Sheppard corrected him, "tomorrow is when Teyla kicks my ass."

"Oh, well, in that case," Rodney slid into the pilot's chair and began the power-up sequence, "…shut the door on your way out."

Sheppard flipped him a mocking salute. "Yes, your majesty." The hatch whined shut a moment later. A few seconds after that the bay doors slid open, the Jumper rose and headed for the mainland.

Peter stared out the front window a while then remarked, "You're actually flying in a straight line, Rodney. I'm impressed."

Rodney smiled his thanks and Jennifer remarked, "He's had some practice over the years."

Peter lapsed into quiet again. He looked out the window without really seeing anything, just thinking about…everything. When he spoke again his voice was soft. "I'm…very sorry for what Petra tried to do to both of you."

"She didn't know what she was doing. At least now she'll get the help she needs instead of going to prison. And Jennifer and I are fine thanks to Katie and Kavanagh. Don't let it bother you." Jennifer confirmed and Peter nodded acceptance of McKay's account.

"Kavanagh would be Dr. Peter Kavanagh but who is Katie?"

"Dr. Katie Brown, a botanist formerly assigned to Atlantis…and my, uh, you know, uh… She and Kavanagh are, uh, well, they're…"

"What Rodney is so eloquently trying to say is that his ex-girlfriend and a former member of his staff with whom he butted heads on a daily basis are getting married."

Peter's eyes widened. "Oh, I didn't see that coming."

"Neither did I. The thing is I can be a bit…self-absorbed at times. But it's something I'm working on…" He glanced back at Jennifer with a smile, "with a little help."

*****

"I'd offer you something hot to drink but it would take a while to get the fire going in the hearth." Peter offered Rodney and Jennifer as they escorted him back to his home. "Plus I don't have any coffee. No tea either come to think of it."

"Well, I, uh," He looked over at Jennifer, "I've cut back on my coffee consumption."

"Probably a good idea." They stood there in awkward silence.

"Well, Dr. Grodin…" Jennifer began.

"Peter, please. Dr. Grodin died four years ago."

"Peter, it was a pleasure finally meeting you." They shook hands. "Be sure to give us a call if you need anything."

"I will." He turned to Rodney. "It has been good to see you again, Rodney." He pulled the physicist into a quick hug. "Take care of this guy, Jennifer. Make sure he stays out of trouble."

She nodded and took Rodney by the hand as they moved back toward the Jumper. The sun was just reaching the tree tops, lengthening the shadows. A warm breeze tousled Jennifer's long hair and Rodney thought she was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen.

Peter waved as the Jumper lifted off though he knew they couldn't see then went inside the shack and closed the door.

*****

The Jumper lifted off and banked around to head toward the sunset. Jennifer looked out the window puzzled. "Rodney, what are you doing? This isn't the way to Atlantis."

His smiled smugly. "It's a surprise." He set the autopilot and walked to the back of the Jumper. Pulling down several overhead storage compartments he removed an air mattress, sleeping bags, pillows, a tent and a mid-sized insulated cooler. "We are having a picnic under the stars just as I promised."

Jennifer's heart swelled. "I thought you'd forgotten."

"That was the plan." He moved back to the pilot seat and switched the controls back to manual. Jennifer put her arms around him from behind and nuzzled his ear.

"Mmm. I love you, Rodney McKay."

He took her hand and kissed the palm. "And I love you, Jennifer Keller."

The End

A/N: Many thanks to all who have R and R this story. You have my eternal gratitude. BTW If I've missed any loose ends, PM me and I'll tag it.

Namaste',

Sandy