Chapter: 24/24

Note: Thank you everyone who has been reading along with this, whether you comment or not - thank you. I hope you have enjoyed this part of this AU story as I have.

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The strange vibration of the Earth transporter buzzed through Teyla's body building to a crescendo that lasted a split moment of a second before it quickly faded and abruptly she was back in the ancient city. The tall circle of the portal stood before her, and behind it the even taller beautiful glass window.

She turned with the group around her, her shoulder brushing against John's from where he stood far closer than normal. She did not miss the fact that he, and Si on her other side, stood close, their concern for her pain clear, yet unvoiced. She appreciated their concern for her, but it was not necessary. The pain in her upper back still blazed with sharp intensity, but she was used to ignoring pain and discomfort. She forced her awareness onto the massive room around her as she turned carefully. Before when she and Si had been in this room the matter of the mission had been on her mind, now however she found herself far more aware of the subtle details of the massive room. For example as she had looked up towards the high ceiling above there was a clear closed entrance up there, and she had to wonder what could be found in the room above the portal room.

Movement from the main staircase that dominated the room drew her attention. Colonel Carter was approaching down the steps, her smile of greeting was wide and far more relaxed than it had been for their first meeting. Around the open space before the portal the semi circle of warriors still stood waiting, but Teyla could see that they were far more relaxed than before. It appeared that she and her fellow Elite had gained some trust with those of Atlantis.

"Welcome back to Atlantis," Colonel Carter said as she walked the few steps towards them from the base of the staircase, and her smile shifted almost immediately to Doctor Beckett and her smile deepened further. "It's good to have you back, Carson."

"Believe me, it's great to be back," the doctor replied with feeling, his own smile full of relief and pleasure to be back in his home.

From the group around Teyla, Major Lorne's team were dispersing away, exchanging smiles and nodes with their fellow warriors in the room, clearly happy as well to be home.

"Thank you for all your assistance," Colonel Carter continued. "Especially as I understand from Colonel Caldwell that you were injured?"

Teyla held herself a little straighter, keeping her mind away from the weakness of her body. She needed rest, but in no short time she would be back on Athos and could stay with her family in Tjaru.

"A small wound that will heal in no time. We are equally grateful for your assistance in tracking down Iketani with us," Teyla replied, purposefully turning the conversation away from her injury and the tempting proposition to remain in this beautiful city for a little longer. Standing in the city again almost weakened her will in that regard, especially following her very enjoyable time sat talking with John. She would have enjoyed remaining here, healing as she enjoyed her new friendship with him and the chance to see more of the fabled City of the Ancestors. To do so would not be a wise move, but perhaps there would be a chance in the future of spending more time with those from Earth and Atlantis. "All the Elite will know of your part in this day's events," she clarified for the Colonel.

The pale haired woman smiled as she nodded. "We're happy we could help, and again thank you for helping us find Doctor Beckett," she replied with another happy glance at the doctor who was nodding, his caring eyes saying how truly grateful he felt. Teyla noticed that his gaze met all of the Elite's, but seemed to rest on Madesh for longer, who was doing his best to remain upright unaided. Oneakka stood close behind the man, ready to hold him up if necessary, but for now allowing Madesh the honour of his own strength.

"I hope that this will allow our people to work together again in the future," Colonel Carter added.

Teyla regarded the woman, and turned briefly to glance up at John stood close to her left. She knew he was an honourable man and today she had begun to truly believe that his people were capable of the same. Teyla turned back to the Colonel and moved forward a step, her shoulders as straight as she could keep them with the lingering pain and weakness. Stood slightly forward from Si's strong supportive presence, Teyla was now aware of a slight touch of cooler air through the hole which had been stabbed open through both her coat and her top beneath. She focused away from the slight draught through that fateful place and lowered her voice slightly as she spoke honesty to the commander of Atlantis.

"As I am sure Major Sheppard has explained previously, the Alliance currently do not see any form of agreement with Atlantis as worthy of interest. The Elite however," she glanced back at her fellow warriors, seeing no argument, and turned back to the Colonel. "We see enough to recommend to the Military Council at least that you seem honourable warriors and that you should be considered valuable acquaintances for the future."

Colonel Carter nodded, her expression confirming to Teyla that the Colonel understood the political complexities of which Teyla was advising her. "I intend to advise my superiors of the same," the woman replied.

It had never been lost on Teyla that so frequently those that fought on the frontline were ordered and controlled by those who infrequently, or sometimes never, saw that line for themselves. It was far easier for difficult decisions to be made from the comfort of a political desk. The creation of the Military Council had assisted greatly in resolving much of that problem for the Alliance Military. Teyla had to wonder from where those that made the decisions of Atlantis sat. Colonel Carter clearly had sole control over the day-to-day operations of this city, but she had superiors as well. It was often the greatest shame when such superiors did not listen to the advice of those on the frontline, and Teyla was unclear as to whether that would occur with those from Earth. Though she had come to trust John and, for the most part, also those who had fought alongside her and her fellow Elite this day, she still knew very little about the higher control of these people. But, no knowledge would be gained by distance.

Teyla nodded before she continued. "Though the day may be far away when the Alliance would welcome your presence, all the Elite will know of today. Therefore, I would suggest that from this day, that should those from Atlantis encounter any of the Elite that both our people consider the prospect of working together, if the situation requires it."

"I agree," Colonel Carter replied.

Teyla smiled in return, paused and then continued. "On a separate matter," she began. "You may be aware that my father leads the Athosian worlds?" The Colonel nodded, her interest clear as well as her surprise at the turn of conversation. Behind her, Teyla felt Si step slightly closer. "My father has asked me to extend an invitation to Atlantis, solely from the Athosian worlds. The Athosians value trade and friendships greatly, and he would like to invite a party from Atlantis to visit Athos to discuss possible trade, if that is something which you would be interested in pursuing."

Si held out an electronic pad and Teyla took it with a grateful smile, since he had handed it close so that she would not have to turn much to reach for it. Teyla extended the pad to Colonel Carter. "This pad contains the portal address for Athos as well as instructions on how to reach Tjaru, the main city of Athos, where my father resides."

Colonel Carter took the electronic pad. "Thank you, I will pass on the invitation to my superiors and I hope that we will to be able to visit Athos soon."

Teyla saw honest pleasure in the woman's eyes, as well as awareness of the fact that Teyla had just offered a tiny piece of Alliance technology to Atlantis. Electronic pads were simple technology and already Teyla had seen its equal used on the Daedalus was of similar design.

During his tour of the Daedalus, Oneakka had observed much of Earth technology, as well as noting that some of it appeared to have been spliced in from alien technology. That fact reminded Teyla that though these people's technology was not that far behind from that which the Alliance worlds had developed, they were still people from an entirely different galaxy. There was no way to know of what future technology these people may develop themselves or gain from the worlds of their home galaxy. These people had already displayed an entirely different way of thinking from those in the Alliance with the development of Doctor Beckett's viral weapon. Teyla had to wonder whether technology trade might be a valuable future exchange between their peoples, but for now more subtle exchanges could be achieved. Oneakka had some scans of the Daedalus, taken with the asurrance that it would enable other Elite ships to identify the Earth ship, but it would also provide interesting intelligence for the Elite. She was sure that her and Si's weapons had been studied during their brief confiscation earlier. If these people would one day trade their viral weapon with the Alliance, then small exchanges may be useful. Perhaps her father would achieve more through his network of established friendship created through trading. Either way, Teyla hoped that some ties had been formed today, and that they would have lasting positive repercussions.

"I am sure there is a lot we can learn from each other," Colonel Carter added.

Teyla nodded. "I hope so as well."

The words had been exchanged and essentially it was now out of Teyla's hands. Other powers would come in to play now, those superior to Colonel Carter back on Earth and with others in this galaxy like her father. Teyla's job was now done, and now she had some recuperation in Tjaru to focus on.

"If you would dial up the address for the planet from which you first contacted us," Teyla asked, aware of Si's continued hovering near her shoulder, most likely worrying. Teyla glanced round to where Madesh still waited, his face pale, with Oneakka stood closer to him.

"Of course," Colonel Carter replied as she turned and signalled someone up in the room overlooking the portal room. "Once again, thank you for your assistance today."

"You are welcome," Si replied. He nodded to Colonel Carter and then turned towards Major Lorne's team offering them nods of respect, which they returned.

It was time to depart, and Teyla turned, aware of her more personal goodbye yet to be exchanged.

John stood not too far behind her, those of his group having moved away, except for Doctor Beckett who moved away now as he gave her yet another thankful kind smile.

"Make sure to rest," the doctor told her, his warm hand touching her outer arm for a moment. Teyla nodded her agreement, touched with amusement at someone offering her such kind concern. She was especially pleased, now she had met the man, that she had been part of the rescue of this kind, intelligent, doctor.

He moved away leaving only John stood close to where Oneakka remained close to Madesh. Teyla approached John, as behind her she heard Si moving towards Oneakka.

As she reached John, his gaze shifted over her face, clearly concerned that she was in pain still and she guessed that some of the fatigue and pain she felt was showing in her posture and face, but she pushed it aside and smiled up at him. Aware that there was not much time, as the lights began to shift on the portal. John touched her arm slightly as they moved slightly further away from the portal before it activated with its powerful vortex over the group. The tiny touch of warmth of John's hand against her arm felt distinctly different from how Doctor's Beckett's had done. This tiny touch brought back to her the memory of being held by John during the battle on Mada. She had previously believed him to be an honourable man, but his actions in that battle had proved that belief beyond doubt for her. He deserved every aspect of the new marking on his body, and she felt proud that she had been allowed to design the marking for him. Yet, the bond that had been proven in that moment of battle, now made her feel especially regretful about leaving him so soon. An emotional connection had been created between them, as could so often happen in the heat of battle, but she could not remember having felt it so strongly herself before.

She was not foolish to ignore the fact that the connection was related in some part to the softness in his eyes now, or from the pleasurable experience it had been to see John shirtless as Oneakka had permanently tattooed her design onto his skin. Though John had been turned from her, enabling her to see the design being formed by Oneakka's swift and steady hand, she had not missed the strength and handsomeness of John's body. She had been pressed closely to it only a few hours before and she could not deny the element of desire that she felt mixed in with these emotions.

She had never been one to be persuaded simply by a handsome face, and she knew that her connection with John was far stronger than a simple case of mutual attraction. She now considered him a friend. It had been formed in a very short time, but it was there and already she valued it. That it felt so strong worried her for a moment, for there was no saying how long it would be till she saw him again, if at all. Both of them led lives that were dangerous. The Wraith may one day take her from this life, or they, or another enemy, may do the same to John. She silently found herself recalling the prayer of protection that the Athosians used to ask the Ancestors to watch over those they care for. Teyla knew her father uttered it for her every day, and there had been times when she had done the same, especially for her family and those she loved among the Elite. Now, she mentally thought the words to herself, requesting the Ancestors to protect this man. If she were never to see him again, she would regret it, but it would be preferable that he lived happily and safely in whichever galaxy he may live.

To her left the lights around the portal began to lock into place, leaving only moments until the connection would be made. She turned her full attention to yet another farewell.

"Thank you, John," she told him softly. She did not elaborate, for he knew why she was thanking him, and yet perhaps she was thanking him for more than even he knew. She was grateful for his presence in not only bringing their people slightly closer this day, but in finding and stopping Iketani, and enabling both of them to work together again.

"Thanks for letting us work with you," he replied with a touch of amusement. She smiled widely up at him. The lights around the portal edge were almost complete, the wormhole almost ready to establish.

"I hope to see you again some day," she said. She felt the desire to embrace him, which was something she did rarely and certainly not with someone she had known for such a short time.

"Hey, if you're going to be staying with your family for a bit, maybe you'll still be there when we visit to talk trading," he replied, clearly hopeful that her father's offer would be taken up by those overseeing Atlantis.

"Perhaps, but if not, my father will be an honourable host. You can trust your people to remain unharmed during your visit," she assured him.

John nodded as to her left the wormhole's vortex exploded out towards them. Both of them glanced towards it as the vortex snapped back into place, ready and waiting for her and her group to depart. Teyla looked back up to John and saw the subtle glance he had made towards the others in the large room. There were many sets of eyes upon them and she wondered how this parting would have been different if there had not been so many around them. For a moment she found she was grateful for their presence, for there was something painful enough in her life to so frequently say goodbye to those she may never see again, partings that may be her last.

"Take care," he told her, his eyes bright as he had extended his hand towards her.

Smiling herself, aware of the repeated action from their previous parting, she reached out to take his hand. His hand was as warm and strong as she remembered as their hands clasped one another, but after a single beat he altered the hold, turning her hand so it was uppermost held in his. She remembered acutely the last time that he had pressed a kiss to the backs of her fingers. It was a tiny motion, its significance lost on all those watching, but she felt its impact, though wondered if she were placing more significance than there was. Perhaps John did not recall that moment so clearly from their last parting. Behind her she heard boot steps as Oneakka moved towards the portal, Madesh beside him, if the pained groan she heard was anything to go by.

"Goodbye, John," she said her hand still held in his.

"See you again," he told her as his thumb brushed over the backs of her fingers, sliding over the area where before he had kissed her fingers. A flush of pleasurable warmth passed through her body at the touch and his look told her clearly that he remembered their last parting.

She smiled widely at him, hearing Oneakka and Madesh entering the portal, knowing Si would be waiting for her. She squeezed John's hand slightly and pulled her hand from his. Their hands slid apart as she moved away from him, amused and touched at his behaviour, the echo of his touch still lingering against her skin.

Si stood waiting, as expected, at the horizon of the portal. Teyla paused when she reached his side and looked back at the large room again in which the actual Ancestors themselves had lived. She slid her eyes over the massive room, exchanging one last respectful nod with Colonel Carter, and her gaze finally fell back on John. Si moved beside her, stepping away from Atlantis ahead of her through the portal, and Teyla nodded to John once more as she too turned and stepped away into the portal.

Her life so often felt like an amalgamation of departures, leaving those she cared for behind, and though much had been achieved this day, she could not help being aware that with her deepened friendship with John, that perhaps she had simply found someone else to have to always leave behind, praying she would see them again.

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John watched as the gate deactivated, the colourful window once more visible behind the ring. She was gone and he hadn't had any real time alone with her. An unexpected dull ache took up residence in his chest.

There had been something rather solemn in her farewell, like she didn't expect to see him again. He knew that the life of an Elite was dangerous and so maybe that was how they always said goodbye. The reminder of that danger was strong enough following her injury today, and her passing comment to Carson about having had far worse injuries in the past had not been lost on him. She may have said that as a means of persuading Carson from not pumping her with any more drugs, but John thought there had been something very honest in her voice and eyes when she had said that, and it had been a painful thing to hear. She was an amazing woman, who had almost died in his arms today, and it was as if that moment had cut through something in him, making him feel more for her than perhaps he should.

He had truly enjoyed sitting talking with her on the Daedalus, asking her about her life, her home world. He had wanted to learn all he could about her, knowing that time had been short, but also because he simply wanted to get to know her some more. He had seen her as the skilled warrior, had seen her fight twice now against ridiculous odds, and he had shared important, significant, moments to her people alongside her, but the real Teyla… He had wanted to understand her more. When he had held her, her cheek against his shoulder, her body straining against pain and death, he had realised how little he really knew her and how much he wanted to. Her stories of her family and her home had intrigued him as they painted a wider, deeper, picture of her.

"So," Rodney muttered from John's left as he arrived by John's side. "There were a few things you forgot to mention in your report on the Elite."

Confused, and disturbed from his silent brooding, John frowned round at the man, seeing Lorne and Carson stood nearby were taking interest. He gave Rodney a questioning look.

"About Emmagan," Rodney added gesturing towards the dark gate. Lorne and Carson smiled, moving away, everyone dispersing.

"What about her?" John asked still confused, suspicious and oddly defensive about what Rodney might have to say about her.

Rodney rolled his eyes. "Typical, got to keep all the hot women for yourself."

Carson chuckled from behind John. John glared at Rodney, attempting to intimidate him as was their usual game.

He kept his face controlled, frowning as he replied, though secretly pleased at Rodney's observation. "I don't know what you mean, McKay," he said as he turned and walked away, aware of more chuckling from someone.

"Typical," he heard Rodney complain towards his back, but John just smiled and continued on towards the corridor. The debrief would be tomorrow and for now everyone needed some food and sleep. John wasn't hungry, but he was tired.

He didn't use the transporter, instead he used the stairs, down to the corridor which led to his quarters. The further he walked towards the promise of a shower and sleep, he felt his body grow more tired, but he was also cheerful. It had been a successful day.

He stepped into his quarters and pulled off his weapons, which he should have handed over to be taken down to weapons storage. He dropped everything on the closest flat surface as he headed towards the door to his bathroom. The prospect of a nice hot shower was wonderful. The door slid open as he began pulling off his jacket, only for the vague sharp pain to hit. He hissed against the pull on his newly tattooed skin as he dropped the jacket aside and pulled his shirt up and off. He stepped closer to the mirror over the sink, turning slightly so that he could see the back of his shoulder where his new Teyla designed, Elite given, tattoo was covered with a cloth.

He carefully pulled free the surgical tape holding it in place and peeled the fabric away. The black design was raised as the skin was healing, but he ignored the soreness. He activated the water and carefully cleaned the design as Oneakka had instructed him. Dabbing it gently with one corner of a towel, he turned and looked at the new element to his body. He was still surprised that he had agreed to it, but he was pleased.

The design was about as long as his hand, stretching from the back of his upper left arm down over his shoulder blade. The pattern looked vaguely like a wing, and he wondered if Teyla had designed it that way knowing the importance of the symbol to him and the other Airforce personnel around her on the Daedalus. Either way, he liked it. He turned a little further and smiled as the design rippled as his shoulder blade moved beneath.

A gift from the Elite and designed by Teyla, just for him.

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The corridors of the building were emptying with the dying day, those few around him bowed and nodded as they passed quickly by.

As he passed an open window, which overlooked the open spaces below, Massa wondered why he remained here. This planet had always been a favourite of his, though perhaps that was more due to the fact that it had been where he and Mera had stayed together during their breaks from their Elite duties. He wondered if his remaining here was some continuing form of self punishment.

For so many months he had been homeless, travelling planets on his continual hunt for the traitor who had killed his love and betrayed their order. The anger and hatred had powered him onwards, determined to find her and claim the right to end Iketani's life by his own hand.

That had been denied him, for once again he had not been in the right place where he was needed. It felt as if he had once again repeated his past failure of Mera. Before, he had not been there by her side, even if it had meant his own death as well as hers, he should have been by her side. Now, he had not been where he had been needed yet again, when he could have been the one to slaughter the traitor who had killed his beloved. Though, perhaps there was something rather poetic in Iketani's final end – at the hand of the Queen she had collaborated with back on that fateful day. Yet, that Iketani had died in battle seemed a far too honourable death than which she should have suffered.

It was done though, Iketani was dead and she had finally, in some part, paid for her betrayal. Yet, it had not helped to lift the dark weight in his chest. It had been a month since Oneakka had presented Massa with Iketani's sword, but its presence had not helped Massa. Since then, despite having quarters waiting for him on the Hastos Son and at the training base, he had resisted returning. He had lingered here, perhaps finally allowing out his grief for Mera, but being here only seemed to have kept the pain fresh. The pain inside had not lessened for a moment, despite the knowledge of Iketani's end.

Turning from the window and continuing onwards, he wondered if the time had come for him to leave here. Perhaps it would be best never to return to this world, but being here made him feel close to his memories of Mera. He would not leave that behind, so he would keep his quarters on this world and visit when he wished. The prospect of leaving here felt odd though, as if he was once again abandoning Mera.

Shaking his head at his foolish thoughts and feelings he shoved open the door to his quarters and strode through towards his sleeping room. He had been training all day, working away much of his anger and resentment with purely physical workouts. Many years ago, he and Mera had installed a Generator on this world for training. The hologram technology now provided Massa with continuous strong opponents against which to fight out his emotions. Though many used the Generator, none had dared interrupt him to use it, so he had been in there all day, fighting against enemies that did not truly exist, except in his feelings as he fought them.

He had been tempted to create an image of Iketani with which to battle in the Generator, but doing so seemed to provide her memory with even a tiny amount of honour. But in his head it was her he was always battling against. He replayed that day on the Hastos, wishing that he could have been with Mera when she had died. Emmagan had told him all she had said, that Mera had died honourably in battle, but it had not lessened the anger in Massa's heart. Oneakka had offered to join him on this world to battle in training for as long as Massa wished, but he had declined the offer from his fellow Elite. He knew Oneakka was himself angry at having missed Iketani's demise, but Massa could not allow understanding for another into his thoughts just yet.

He pulled his coat from his tired shoulders, but paused. Something in the room was wrong. Frozen in place, he looked around, analysing the room around him. All of his senses expanded, looking, hearing, and feeling for the enemy that might be lingering in the room. However, after long silent seconds passed he could not find anything other than his own presence in the room. He let his coat drop to the floor and wrapped his hand around the hilt of one blade at his waist, as he eased back towards the door. He opened the panel covering the alarm system, pressed several buttons and saw that no alarms had been tripped. He frowned at it for a moment and then ran a check, which provided a gap in the sensors for a few minutes. Someone had been in here several hours ago. He frowned. Only Elite technology, that he knew, could interrupt the alarm. That technology was so closely guarded that only the Elite themselves made the devices, which meant that an Elite had been in here. He frowned. Why would an Elite break into his quarters? Even if they had for some honest reason why had they not sought him out in the Generator?

He stepped back into the main room, trying to identify what was wrong that had caught his initial attention. His eyes moved immediately to the far corner where on a dark side table stood his pictures of Mera and on the wall beside the table, partly suspended, hung Iketani's sword. Or where it had hung.

Violent emotions filled Massa. She had been here. She wasn't dead.

Moving towards the empty area of the wall, he paused to pick up a detection pad. He passed the device over the wall and the table beside it. After a moment, it confirmed her fingerprints. She had left them for him to see.

The anger and frustration finally dimmed, as violent delight filled him. He turned towards Mera's pictures.

"This time I will not fail you," Massa promised his lost love.

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THE END