My Lover

No, It Can't Be

Rosie is walking around the room, stretching her legs, when she hears the doors opening. Looking over, she sees Heightmeyer walking in.

-"Hey Doc."

-"Hello Rosalie. How are you feeling today?"

-"I'm okay. Sick of being stuck in this room, but I get why I have to."

-"Well, I can't do much about that at the moment. However, there's something else I can do."

-"Yeah? And what's that Doc?"

-"How do you feel about having a visitor? There's someone here to see you."

-"Okay?" - Rosalie is uncertain and confused at who that might be, since she doesn't know that many people in Atlantis.

Heightmeyer walks over to the doors, opening them, and signals to someone to come forward, before leaving the room. The person that walks in has Rosalie stumbling backwards.

-"Hey Rosie."

-"Evan? No, it can't be. You're dead, I read the report." - Rosalie states in surprise, not really believing her eyes.

-"I know. But it's really me, Rosie. I promise."

Rosalie takes tentative steps towards him, around the bed, still not sure if that's really Evan standing in front of her. She looks him up and down, searching for something that will tell her that this is all an elaborate ruse, but finds nothing.

Getting closer to Evan, she looks him straight in the eyes and his blue eyes are fixed on hers, almost as if he is trying to tell her without words that it is him, it's really him. Rosalie stops across from him and after looking him up and down one more time, she knows deep in her heart that the man standing across from her is her best friend.

Once that knowledge settles in her heart and mind, she doesn't hesitate. Rosalie launches herself into his arms, hugging him tight, while small sobs escape her lips, tears joining them. She doesn't know how that's possible but she doesn't care. She has her best friend back and she isn't letting him go.

Evan didn't know what to expect but it certainly wasn't this. Pulling her tight against his chest, he can't stop the tears that fill his eyes, the knowledge that he could've lost her at any time over the last five years and not even knowing about it making him pull her even tighter.

Rosalie reluctantly pulls back, taking deep breathes and trying to stop the tears that are still free falling, while trying to understand how is he there.

-"How are you alive? I read the report that said you were dead."

-"We were taken by the Genii and Colonel Sheppard, eventually and by accident, found us and rescued us a few days later."

-"I never got to read that report."

-"It's okay. All that matters is that we're both safe." - Evan reassures her, seeing her reluctantly nodding, while wiping a few tears away. -"Are you okay?"

-"Better now that I know you're alive."

-"Rosie, I'm sorry. I know what you went through and I'm so sorry you went through all of it."

-"I wish you didn't know, but it doesn't matter. Like you said, we're safe and that's what matters."

-"You're right." - Evan smiles at her, seeing her smile back.

They are interrupted when the doors open once more. They see Weir, Sheppard and Heightmeyer walk in.

-"Dr. Williams."

-"Dr. Weir, Colonel."

-"Dr. Williams, I just received Dr. Heightmeyer's final report, as well as Dr. Beckett's report, and, not only is your identity confirmed but, Dr. Heightmeyer has given the all clear for your return to Earth. I will be contacting the SGC shortly and informing them."

-"Thank you. Truly." - Rosalie smiles, but some sadness can be seen in her smile.

-"What is it, Rosie?" - She can hear Evan ask.

-"Nothing. It's just... I just got my best friend back and I'm gonna have to lose him all over again."

-"Hey, I'm always with you remember?" - Evan gives her a side hug, comforting her.

It is clear to Elizabeth and Sheppard that the bond that Lorne and Rosalie share goes deeper than most. They had been through hell together, and that type of situations tend to bond people in deep and unexpected ways. Sheppard now understands why it was so hard for Evan to see Rosalie like that.

Sheppard hears Rosalie apologize and Elizabeth telling her that it's okay. Elizabeth understands better than most that kind of bond. She tells Lorne to escort Rosalie to one of the guest quarters and then to give her a tour of the city, allowing them some time alone.

Sheppard hears Lorne and Rosalie thank her and walk away, and he can't help but wonder if Elizabeth has also picked up on what is clearly hidden underneath their friendship and bond, something that he is pretty sure they aren't even aware. At least not yet.