CHAPTER 8
Rodney was hunched on the floor, trying to repair the damage the Genii had caused while Teyla and Ronon helped rebuild the huts that had been caught in the fire fight. John and Elizabeth were in the temple discussing the not so small matter of the ceremony.
"We've already been affected by the machine and it won't work a second time. You said so yourself." John stated. "Our souls are already one, our minds have been joined and all of that stuff."
"I see." Tyran contemplated. "This is most peculiar. You didn't touch the device?" When they shook their heads his frown grew bigger. "Perhaps it was your proximity to the device. It may have sensed that the two of you were close and activated. Could this be a result of the genii trying to remove the device."
"I guess so, but we've got McKay fixing it right now." John smiled. "He'll have it fixed in no time."
"I hope that you are right." He shook off his pondering gaze and resumed his usual ecstatic nature. "I am happy for the two of you. Please take this." He offered them both a pendant. "As part of the ceremony, it is traditional to offer the other one of these. They will be able to heal the other, they do not require this 'gene' you spoke of."
John put his round Elizabeth's neck, once it made contact with her skin it glowed the same blue as the device and then faded. The same happened when Elizabeth put hers around John's neck. They had no idea what it meant and probably didn't care.
"I hope that you will never have to use them." Tyran smiled to them and gestured for them to follow him out of the temple and back to the village.
Just before they stepped through the event horizon, Elizabeth turned to him; a smile on her face. "I'll never have to worry about you coming back covered in bullet holes."
"So we get all of the dangerous missions now?" He asked hopefully.
"No." She kissed him lightly before taking a final step backwards into the wall of blue.
"Shame." He smiled before stepping through after her.