A/N: I know this story is very interior or character driven. But after I get Rodney settled there will be much more adventure, I swear.
Disclaimer: DO NOT OWN SGA
Pick it apart I love it.
They were now in the last few minutes before the walk to the gate, and the infirmary was full of activity. Richard Woolsey walked into Rodney's room to find him with a rare moment alone.
"Hello, Richard."
"Hello Rodney, are you ready to go?"
"As ready as I'll ever be."
"We'll head out as soon as Carson and Jennifer come back. John and the team are waiting outside the clinic for us, Radek is with Chuck finishing up some calibrations or something."
"What calibrations? What's wrong?"
Richard ignored Rodney's panic and went on.
"I've cleared the gate room but the hallway is lined with people waiting to wish you well."
"What do you mean?"
"Rodney as hard as we tried to keep your illness and departure quiet, I'm afraid that in this city it is virtually impossible to keep a secret. It seems the whole city is waiting to say goodbye."
Rodney had no idea what to say to that. He felt his eyes sting with unshed tears.
"Why? I mean they don't even like me."
"Rodney, they do like you, and care about you. They know that without you the Wraith, the Replicators, or any number of other disasters would have taken this city and their lives many times over. They know that because of you they are safe and can live a comfortable life in an entirely different galaxy. Face it Rodney you are a hero."
John came walking in just as Woolsey finished speaking.
"Yeah Rodney you are a hero. We'd all be dead without you."
"Whatever, Sheppard." Rodney rolled his eyes.
"Sorry to interrupt Mr. Woolsey, but wanted to give you a heads up. Carson and Jennifer are trying to clear the hall of Rodney's admirers. When it's clear we can head out."
"Thank you Colonel, I'll stay here with him until you're ready."
"Great, be back in a minute."
"Rodney I wanted to say that I have enjoyed working with you and I look forward to your return."
"Thank you Richard, but I think you know as well as I do that I'm not coming back."
"No, Rodney I don't know that, and you don't either. There is always hope."
Rodney snorted at that.
"Richard you can't be serious. I would think you of all people would be aware of what the situation is."
"I'm sorry you feel that way, but I feel certain that if any person could overcome this illness it would be you. Besides, don't forget, anything can happen in the Pegasus galaxy."
Rodney muttered something just as Carson, Jennifer, and John walked back into his room.
"All ready Mc Kay?"
"As I'll ever be."
"Great, I've got Lorne's guys holding the crowd back, so let's get rolling."
Carson looked at Rodney with concern. "Rodney, are you all right?"
"Sweetie you look a little pale." Jennifer's brow wrinkled with concern.
"I'm just nervous. Can we just get this over with?"
"Yeah let's get out of here." John said impatiently.
"Mr. Woolsey, Colonel Sheppard ? Chuck and I have finished the calibrations we are ready to dial the SGC."
"Thanks Radek we're on the way." John gave them a nod.
"Okay, Rodney here we go."
Ronon pulled the gurney, Carson and Jennifer took either side of Rodney near his head, and Teyla stood near his right leg. John and Richard followed them all, keeping an eye on the friendly crowd.
"Goodbye Dr. McKay, hurry back."
"We'll miss you, Dr. McKay."
"Bye…"
"Good luck!"
"Get well Dr. Mc Kay!"
The words came and went continuously as they rolled down the hall. At first Rodney tried to look at them all as they went by, but he became overwhelmed with emotion, and found himself closing his eyes trying to keep from bawling like a baby.
I never would have believed this. All these people saying they care about me. That they will miss me? I just don't understand…
"Rodney… honey look at me." Jennifer called.
He choked back his tears, and opened his eyes.
"What's wrong sweetheart?" She whispered.
"I don't understand… Why are they all here?"
"Because they love you and care about you, because you are a part of their Atlantis family, a very important part."
He couldn't take it in, he turned his head back to watch the ceiling through half closed eyes, as it passed over his head.
Fortunately, Woolsey and Sheppard made sure only essential personnel were in the control and gate room, so their goodbyes would be a little less public.
Chuck and Amelia were standing by the gate along with Radek.
"Goodbye Rodney, hurry back. We'll miss you." Amelia said as she bent down and gave him a hug.
"See you soon Rodney. I may come to visit, while you're at the SGC." Chuck said as he shook Rodney's hand.
Rodney didn't know what to say, he didn't share their faith in his return.
Then Radek's eyes met his, their conversation was in the look they shared, it was the short hand of friends. They didn't need words.
Rodney said quietly, "Thanks guys."
The room was quiet with an occasional sniff of someone crying. John could see what it was doing to his friend and nudged Richard, who was standing next to him.
Richard got the hint and called to the tech," Dial the gate!"
Rodney looked around at his friends and the gate room; by now, the crowd had moved to the hallway outside. His eyes swept over the faces of his city, his family. He wanted to remember every detail. Rodney was sure he would never return, and time stretched into eternity as each chevron encoded, and then came to a stop, with the great whoosh of the wormhole engaging.
"Okay let's go…" John said.
"Wait! I have something I want to say." Rodney's voice was barely loud enough to be heard over the hum of the gate.
All of Atlantis paused to hear his words. The tech's in the control room amplified the sound to the whole city.
"I don't know if I'll survive this, or whether I will ever return. Nevertheless, I can truly say that I will die a happy man, because of all of you and because of Atlantis. I never lived until I came here, until I found my purpose in living, until I found my family.
There are four things I want… No, you need to remember:
Never, take one another for granted. You never know who will be the person that saves you from danger, or from yourself.
Don't forget how precious each day is here in the Pegasus galaxy because as you know, it may be your last.
Remember, never surrender, and never leave anyone behind. There is always a way if you just keep trying.
Whatever happens in the future take care of each other and take care of Atlantis, we need her as much as she needs us.
Thanks for being my family, and for being a part of my great adventure. See you around the galaxy.
His words echoed through the chamber and into the halls beyond, filled with people. For a moment, it was silent, and then someone began clapping and it swelled to appreciative applause. John let Rodney take it in for a minute and began moving the party through the gate. There wasn't a dry eye in the place, and the sound of Atlantis' people cheering her scientist on, faded away into the frozen quiet of the wormhole.
