Fic: Fate Rated G
Well, technically it is tomorrow... and I figuredsince I'm up all night with a sick kid I may as well go ahead and post it.
Title: Fate
Prompt: 027 - Fate (Day 27 of 30 Days of Sheppard Whump)
Rating: G
Spoilers: Epiphany also slight spoilers for SG-1 episodes such as Meridian and Threads
Warnings: None
Word count: 1,198
Disclaimer: Sadly, neither Stargate Atlantis nor her characters belong to me. If they did, the show would never have been nor would it ever be cancelled. We may have to move it to Cinemax though.
Summary: “My presence is holding off the natural progression of your situation. There is a decision that must be made John, and you must make it.”
John sat up and found himself surrounded by thick white fog, the fog began slowly lifting before his eyes and he saw a woman standing in the distance. She began moving toward him and he got to his feet.
“Hello John,” the woman said when she reached him.
“Tier,” John asked, “where am I? The last thing I remember is running for the gate with Ronon, Teyla and Rodney, we were being shot at. Now I’m in a big white room filled with fog and I’d like to know how I got here.”
“You are not here John, nor are you still on the planet.”
“Oh shit, am I dead? Did I ascend, because as I recall, I said I wasn’t ready for that. If I’m dead I want to be dead. I’m a man of action Tier; I can’t spend all of eternity not being to help the people I care about.”
“You are not dead John, nor have you ascended.”
“What then? This obviously isn’t the planet I was on and it sure as hell isn’t the infirmary on Atlantis.”
“My presence is holding off the natural progression of your situation. There is a decision that must be made John, and you must make it.”
“What decision?”
She turned around and John found himself standing in the infirmary. Machines were beeping, a ventilator was humming, doctors were surrounding a bed talking frantically to one another, and every pair of hands John caught a glimpse of were covered in blood.
“Who is that?” John asked.
The view changed, turning as if filmed with a steady cam, John felt his head swim and he nearly lost his balance. His breath stopped when he saw that the bed was occupied by him. Carson had his hands inside John’s chest which had been cut open.
John swallowed loudly and fought the urge to vomit. “What happened?” he asked.
“There was an explosion on the planet just before you went through the gate. The force of the blast was the only reason you made it through at all. Dr. Beckett is doing what he can to save your life, but he will be unsuccessful.”
“So… what? You came to keep me from dying? Tier I’d rather be dead than in this boring room for the rest of time.”
“You must make your choice John.”
“Are you going to give me my options or do I have to guess? I know you ascended people aren’t really all that helpful.”
“I am here at the request of one called Oma Desala, she has helped your people before. She said I should mention a man named Daniel Jackson. She said you would know that name. Her actions are being watched at all times now, that is why she sent me here.”
“Because you’re interfering with a lower plain.”
“Yes, I have risked much to come to you John, but I remember our time together and you are worth the risk.”
John softened slightly. “Alright, I’m sorry for being difficult. What decision do I have to make? And can we not watch this anymore? How am I supposed to do anything while I’m watching myself die?”
The image faded and was replaced by a familiar room.
“This is where we-”
“Yeah,” John cut her off, “I remember.” He looked around his room from the sanctuary. He was perfectly happy to never see it again, those may not have been the worst six months of his life but they were far from the best, but this view was far better than the previous.
“The survival of the city of the ancients has fallen to you John. The Wraith are growing in numbers, many have combined their forces. They know that Atlantis is their only obstacle and will go to any length to destroy your people. There is a great battle in the future John, not too distant from this day. You are an important part of it, the decision you make today will determine whether your people succeed or fail, whether they live or die. Not just your people here John, but all of your people.”
“You’re talking about Earth.”
“I am.”
“Alright, tell me what to do.”
“I cannot. I can simply give you the options, as you have called them.”
“Alright, give them to me then.”
“You must merge with the city, you must become one. You will then have access to her systems; you will have the ability to protect the city and her inhabitants at all times. No longer will they need someone to sit in the chair to fire drones or fly the city, you would be able to do that from within her.”
“You mean, become the city, her consciousness, her brain.”
“Yes, this will allow your people to have a greater chance of winning the next war with the Wraith.”
“What’s the other option? If I have to decide, there has to be another option.”
“Ascension.”
“If I ascend all I’ll be able to do when this happens is watch.”
“Yes, you will not be permitted to assist in any way.”
“Then that’s not an option.”
“You will join the city then?”
“No wait, I didn’t say that. There are other options too.”
“Which are?”
“Either let me die, or let me live. I can help my people just as much in the chair as I could in the city, but I would also be able to enjoy life. Do you remember those things I told you and your people about? Thunderstorms and lightning…”
“I remember.”
“Well those aren’t the only things I enjoy about living. I like having friends; I like hugging and kissing, playing chess with McKay, sparring with Teyla and Ronon-”
“Making love?” she asked timidly.
“Yes, making love,” John replied. “I wouldn’t be able to do any of those things if I became the city.”
“John, I am sorry, but I was only authorized to supply and assist you with those two options. Oma will-”
“Oma broke the rules by sending you here; you can break the rules by letting me live. I’m not ready to die Tier, but I’d rather be dead than ascended or as a city. Please, if our time together meant anything to you, if you ever felt anything for me, let me live.”
“John, I-”
“Please Tier, let me live.”
She reached out and cupped her hand over his cheek. “Our time together meant the world to me John. I had hoped that one day you would be ready to ascend and that you would spend eternity at my side. It is clear that that day will never come.” She smiled weakly and faded.
John gasped and coughed. His chest was aching and his head was pounding.
“Easy colonel,” he heard Carson say, “we thought we’d lost you there for awhile, but you fought back.”
“Am I…”
“You’ll be out of commission for several weeks, but you’ll be fine colonel. We’re not quite through with you yet, and I have a feeling you’re not finished with us either. Just rest.”
“Thank you…” John whispered.
“You’re welcome,” Carson replied.
John closed his eyes. ‘You are welcome,’ he heard whispered in his head.
The End