Disclaimer: The characters of, "Stargate: SG-1" and "Stargate Atlantis", are owned by Robert C. Cooper, Brad Wright, Sci-Fi Channel and whoever else was involved with the creation and production of these two shows. Any new characters and story lines that come into play are of my own creation. No copyright infringement is intended. This is a fan fiction intended for entertainment purposes only and no money is being made off it.

Chapter 28: Home

Elizabeth could tell Sinell was an Ancient the second that she saw him. His walk and speech didn't give an inclination that he was an Ancient. It wasn't the slight arrogance of being a higher being. It was his presence.

Her eyes never left the Ancient as they walked through the woods. She wondered why and how he was here on Tigria. She questioned where he had come from and she wondered if he would be able to help them stop Ereshkigal. She feared that it may be a trick and Sinell was leading them back into Ereshkigal's hands.

She could hear Charage panting, so she looked over her shoulder. The Tigrian had fallen a good distance behind. "Charage," she called as she walked back to where he had stopped to lean against a tree.

Sinell stopped and turned around to look at them. He seemed to hesitate for a moment before he came over to them.

"Please, take a seat," Sinell motioned. "You two need to rest, but it can only be for a few moments. We do not have long."

She hesitated for a second before she sat down. She sighed deeply, feeling the weariness in her muscles and in her spirit.

"Where are you leading us?" She asked once she had a chance to take a few deep breaths.

"There is a cave, about 2 miles that way," the Ancient indicated with his hand. "It has a passage that will bring us right into Atlantis."

"A secret Stargate?"

"No," he replied, shaking his head. "Not exactly."

She was about to ask him another question when he held up his hand. "We don't have time for me to explain to you what it is and how it works, but just know, that Ereshkigal cannot enter that cave. There is a protective barrier around it."

He cast his eyes skyward, seeming to ponder something. It was a moment before he spoke. "Those crystals will help you to destroy Ereshkigal."

"How?" Charage asked, having stopped his heavy panting.

The Ancient's mouth opened but before he could utter a word, his body tensed up and he turned his head toward the direction of the former rendezvous point.

"Go," Sinell spoke urgently. "Head to the cave. I shall stop Ereshkigal. GO!"

She knew that he wouldn't be able to stop Ereshkigal. She knew that he meant to stop Ereshkigal from taking them. She turned and ran. She followed Charage. She turned her head to look back and saw that Sinell was holding back Ereshkigal with some white light.

Then she saw the light falter and Ereshkigal charge with her hand raised into the air.

Elizabeth gasped as she realized that it was a dagger and all she could do was watch as the dagger was plunged into Sinell's chest.

"Come, there is nothing we can do for him!" Charage whispered as he grabbed her arm and pulled her away.

She forced her legs to move along with Charage, knowing that Ereshkigal would be coming for them. She hoped that they could make it to the cave before that murderous villain caught them.

Sheppard fired the gun several times. He wasn't surprised when he was able to hit the target even though his impatience had reached a new level. Elizabeth had been in Ereshkigal's hands for too long. He didn't want to imagine what Ereshkigal was doing to his friend, but he couldn't stop the dark and torturous images from entering his mind. He turned to a fresh target and fired, not only releasing ammunition, but also his frustration and fear.

He sensed a presence behind him. He stopped firing and set down his weapon on the table next to him. He turned around and saw Teyla standing just inside the doorway.

"What's up, Teyla?" He asked, knowing that had to be important.

Teyla held his gaze, seeming to take in everything, including his emotions. "Sheppard, Dr. Beckett has something for you."

"All right. I'll be there in a few," he replied, turning back toward the target.

He sensed rather than heard Teyla approach him. When he felt her hand on his shoulder, he sighed and turned around to face his friend.

She squeezed his shoulder. "We shall save Elizabeth from Ereshkigal."

"Yes, but when?" He asked, pulling away from her as he kicked the table, knocking it over and sending the gun to the floor. He ran a hand through his hair and sighed.

"It has been difficult, but we cannot give in to fear and despair. That is what Ereshkigal wants us to do."

He didn't answer. He didn't know what to say. Teyla had always been able to put things into perspective for him, but he wasn't certain about it this time.

"Come. Let us hear what Dr. Beckett has for us."

He nodded as he followed Teyla. He had made a decision. He was going to Tigria to rescue Elizabeth and stop Ereshkigal.

Sheppard followed Teyla into Dr. Beckett's lab. He saw that the doctor was pacing and once he saw them, he stopped.

He couldn't determine if Dr. Beckett was excited or anxious. Then he decided that it was a combination.

"What do you have, Doctor?" Sheppard asked as he leaned against a table and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Good afternoon, Colonel," he nodded his head towards him and then looked at Teyla. "Teyla," he cleared his throat. "I was able to use the Red Bell to block the pheromone that Ereshkigal uses to control those with Ancient genes."

"That's great."

"There's something else," the doctor said.

"What?" Sheppard asked.

"The Red Bell is also poisonous to Ereshkigal," Dr. Beckett said. "How it works…"

"Are you certain?" Teyla questioned, preventing the doctor from going into a long explanation.

He nodded his head but then he sighed. "I believe so."

Sheppard frowned. "So, you're not sure?"

The doctor sighed. "No, it may just make her sick or at least weaken her enough for us to stop her."

"Ok," Sheppard replied, nodding his head. He decided that it was a chance and even though it was a slim chance, he was going to take it. "We are going to Tigria."

He saw Dr. Beckett's jaw drop and Teyla's mouth open but he held up his hand.

Before he could say anything, he heard a voice in his ear. "Colonel Sheppard?" He heard Chuck call his name over his earpiece.

"Sheppard here," he responded, wondering what was going on now.

"Colonel, you better come to the gate room."

"Chuck, just tell me what's going on."

"Trust me, John. You'll want to see this with your own eyes," Chuck replied.

He looked at Teyla and Dr. Beckett, shaking his head. "I need to go to the gate room."

"We need to talk about…" Teyla began but he just shook his head, turned and ran. Something in Chuck's voice had resonated within him. He couldn't determine exactly what it was but he knew that he would find out once he reached the gate room.

He slowed down as he reached the gate room and when he entered, he saw Elizabeth.

"Elizabeth?" He asked, cautiously stepping forward, wondering if his mind had finally broken or Ereshkigal were planning a trick on him.

"Yes," she answered with a tired, but happy smile.

He went up to her and grabbed her. He hugged her and he didn't care that she was his superior. He was overjoyed that she was back in Atlantis and safe. Thousands of thoughts and questions went through his mind, but he didn't care. He released her and took a step back. She looked exhausted and had dirt on her face and clothing, but she didn't look hurt.

"We don't have much time," she said as she brushed a strand of hair out of her face and tucked it behind her ear.

"Time for what?" He asked, looking over her shoulder to a familiar Tigrian. The Tigrian had taken Sky away that day.

"Time to end Ereshkigal, once and for all," she said as she lifted up a bag and held it before him.