New Home (Stargate Atlantis fanfiction)

Memories

He was back in Atlantis. Whole team was somehow crushed emotionally. Woolsey was great that day. He gave them a few days to rest and spared them the boring and unsettling debriefings and it was Lorne who was responsible for filling the report from the last mission to PX9-332 and peaceful negotiations. They were not in the mood. SGA-1 was mourning finally. Mourning the loss of one Dr. Elizabeth Weir. The final and irreversible one this time.

John was wandering the farthest areas of the city, Ronon took his time to beat up every single marine who stepped into the gym, Teyla went through some ancient rituals of her people alone and Rodney closed himself in his lab with some work and threw Zelenka out even though Radek wanted to help him. Woolsey sat in his office even more silently than ever. Suspecting and knowing were two different things.

They took the jumper through the gate officially day later than Lorne. But really they did that just about an hour later. They dialed space gate where Elizabeth took replicators. Their plan was very simple – reactivate nanite body of Fran that harboured Weir, place her on some remote planet and find way to bring her back to Atlantis. Woolsey agreed and promised to bring the case to the IOA just after Keller cleared former leader of the expedition.

They managed to reactivate every single replicator, but not her. Her nanites didn't react to any power, any command. They remained shut down. They could see power build up in others but not in her. After twelve hours of persistent attempts John finally stopped Rodney. They used ARG's which still worked on creations made in Atlantis lab.

They all hid it very well but each of them took fistful of silver dust that once upon a time hosted their dear friend. John went on their balcony and loosened the grip. She would want it to end like that. And that was the only remainder of her. There was no body they could bury. Teyla took silver dust to Elzabeth's office, when Woolsey was at debrief with one of the teams, and just left it in one of the vases that stood now empty and which in times of first leader were constantly filled with flowers from the mainland. Ronon left a little everywhere – Gateroom, Controlroom, halls she used to walk through. Rodney took care of the labs. She would want that if she had say in the matter...

He woke up with sweat just minutes before he had to. After Atlantis came back to Earth those nightmares became much worse, much more vivid. He was promoted yesterday morning. He was fullbird colonel now. Somehow it held no joy like it had the day he received promotion to Lt. Colonel. They paid too much, he supposed, lost too much to be really happy.

He was just about to go out when he heard a slight tap on the door.

"John" it was Melissa, Dave's wife. "Breakfast is ready..."

"I'm comin', Mel" he smiled to her going out from the guest room he was given yesterday. "Hey, look who is that!"

"Uncle John" exclaimed very excited little boy running towards him. "Are you goin' to show me ...?"

"Stop it, little man," John cut his screaming. "First things first. And now there is some meal to eat. You must eat to be strong."

He was well liked by his niece and nephew, he was pleased to see. Dave was also happy to see him, and Melissa was happy when her husband was, so it was nice visit from the start. He was glad to have some time to renew some bonds with his family. Since the last time they saw each other John and Dave sent some letters and became much closer than they used to be in many years. Brothers again, as Mel said when he came last evening. I felt good really, since he was stuck on Earth, or so it seemed, to have a family here too.

Atlantis was family, but people were reassigned to work in SGC, in Area 51, in various research facilities and much more places. He himself was to report in SGC three days from now to start his duty as leader of SG-12 hence his off-world experience. Actually most of the senior officers had been given important positions in SGC. Lorne, now Lt.col., was one of those allowed to stay in Atlantis as a precaution. Many wanted to stay, but it was decided that the city doesn't need a big military contingent now. Rodney and Radek stayed at the City to continue their work with Ancient technology, preferably finding more defensive weapons for the future. There was also talk of moving the city somewhere else, so they needed to figure out way to control the systems. One person John knew he was going to see regularly was Carson. Good doctor was assigned to help dr.Lam in SGC because of the growing number of teams. Keller was to stay on Atlantis in case of emergency. Woolsey was also staying to take care of the city.