"It was a terrible decision."
"That I didn't make, look Colonel, it was my idea but I didn't engineer it."
"Then what brought down the puddlejumper?"
"Rodney and Zalenka are trying to figure that out."
"And Max?"
"She woke up five minutes after hitting the dirt. Beckett said it was dehydration and exhaustion. She's fine."
"We got lucky Colonel."
"I don't think so." John mused.
Carter studied him for a long moment.
"Seriously did you ever really think she was a threat?" He asked.
She shook her head and sighed. "It worked out for the best."
He grinned and nodded then turned to leave.
"Colonel?"
"Yes Ma'am?"
"I…never mind. Go check on Holloway."
It took the Colonel nearly forty-five minutes to find her. She was on a rarely used upper balcony dangling her feet off the edge and staring out at the alien sea.
"Hey." John said by way of greeting.
She looked up at him and smiled but didn't try to salute or stand.
"Beckett says you're good to go."
"Immortal, it's very handy."
"So they tell me." He agreed and took a seat next to her.
"Bonding?" She asked.
"You and Rodney?" John countered.
"We'll survive. He's…complicated." She mused returning her attention to the view.
"If it helps he's actually gotten better. It's just a very slow process."
"Better?"
"Yep."
"Seriously?"
"Yep."
She returned her gaze to the sea and let out a low impressed whistle.
After a few minutes had passed John spoke again, "He says nice things about you."
"Nice for Rodney or like actual nice?"
John smirked and Max nodded.
"To quote, 'She's much less terrifying after you get used to how useful her skillset can be.'"
She laughed.
"Look, Max, I know you haven't had the easiest time here –"
"Its okay sir, I don't expect too many people are expected to make nice with convicted killers."
"You know, I read your file and the transcript from your plea. You took a harsher sentence than necessary."
She shrugged one shoulder.
"Point is, I know what it's like to carry guilt for something that was necessary." He said.
"Colonel Sumner?" she asked. He frowned. "The trip from earth was long I had time to study." She said gently.
Silence fell again. Finally she broke it. "Sir, I don't mean disrespect and I appreciate everything you've done for me, and on my behalf but…I'm guilty as charged."
"You've done your time."
"Maybe, probably, but the facts don't change."
"The NID set you up and hunted you down." He pointed out.
She shook her head slowly. "There are dozens of excuses Colonel, but at the end of the day more people died than was necessary and that's on me."
"I guess I can't argue with that."
"Thank you."
"Not the first time you've had this chat?"
"I think it's the first time anyone has listened."
"So now what?"
"Back to work sir."