SERIES/UNIVERSE: SG-7
DISCLAIMERS: M7 characters belong to Trilogy, et al, SG-1 characters belong to Gekko, MGM, and Showtime. Adriana is mine ... don't mind if you borrow her, just give her back intact and give credit where credit is due.
SPOILERS: Mainly Obsession, my own More than Friends, Under the Sun, and various Stargate episodes.
WARNING: original characters, some violence, nasty language.
At the hospital, they ran into trouble almost immediately. There was some ... disagreement, as to what entailed family. It seemed the hospital staff would only give information to the immediate family. Ezra Standish could have told the hospital staff not to waste their breath. That SG-7 had their own concept of family, and it had nothing to do with blood or genetics. And that Vin Tanner was just as much their brother as Adriana was Buck's sister.
Chris, who had been unbelievably calm through the entire ordeal, was on the verge of losing his cool. Not that Ezra would have blamed him. His leader could be volatile on occasion, but he wasn't an unreasonable man. But after the last few days, Chris was running out of patience. And if that incompetent ninny told Chris one more time that she couldn't give him any information to Chris, regarding Vin's condition, because he wasn't a blood relative, well ...
"Those people are the only family that boy has, young lady, so I would suggest you tell us everything you know about Kevin Tanner's condition," a familiar voice growled. Ezra turned to find General Orrin Travis steaming toward them, with SG-1 in tow. Teal'c, as always, had a baseball cap to cover the ... err ... whatever that was on his forehead. Travis glowered at the ninny, adding, "I'm General Orrin Travis. I believe my colleague, General Hammond, phoned ahead to this hospital, regarding Mr. Tanner?"
The ninny gulped, obviously intimidated, and it was then that a doctor emerged. She walked over, seeing the rather large group of people surrounding the ninny. Ezra would have used his Southern charm on the girl, but at the moment, he was dangerously close to losing control himself. The doctor asked, "Is there a problem here?" Very original, my dear, Ezra thought sarcastically, but I haven't been particularly impressed with the professionalism of the staff up to this point, so I shouldn't be surprised.
"Yes, doctor, there is. A young man was brought into the ER, no more than ten minutes ago. A victim of a stabbing. His name is Vin Tanner. He's one of my men. And these people," General Travis, indicating the SG teams, plus Mary and Billy Travis and Adriana, "are all his family. Vin's mother died when he was small, so he has no blood relatives. We're it. We're his family, we're all he has."
The young doctor gave the ... ninny (it occurred to Ezra that he still didn't know what her function was) an exasperated look. She said, "Ari, how many times have I told you? General, I'm Dr. Judith Hensley. I apologize for Ari. She has a bad habit of giving people a hard time, just to entertain herself. I'll find out what I can about Mr. Tanner's condition. In the meantime, could I have the name of his primary physician?"
"Thank you, Doctor. His primary physician is Dr. Janet Frasier, at Cheyenne Mountain. She can tell you everything you need to know about his medical history," General Travis replied. The girl named 'Ari' gave them a dirty look and flounced away. Yes, that was a good way of putting it. 'Flounced.' General Travis added in a low voice, "And perhaps it's time you took that one's behavior up with a higher authority?"
"I've tried," came the sighed response, "but she's the granddaughter of the hospital administrator. No one wants to step on his toes. However ..." Dr. Hensley's voice trailed off, and a positively mischievous expression appeared in her eyes. She continued with a wicked grin, "However, if a general with the United States Air Force wanted to, I'm sure he could shake the tree, so to speak? If you'd like to accompany me, while your people wait here?"
General Travis returned the smile, his dark eyes glittering with the promise of doing battle. He hugged Billy and Mary, then followed the young doctor down the hall. The various SG teams found seats ... except for Adriana, who already had one. While it only took ten minutes to get an update on Vin's condition (as Vin's CO, Travis had authorized the doctors to do whatever it took to save his life), it took several more hours before anyone would actually come out and talk to them. And in the meantime, tempers frayed.
At Mary's request, Chris had taken Billy downstairs to get some food. The child hadn't eaten yet, and a growing boy had to eat. Grow up strong and healthy. Chris hadn't wanted to leave Vin, but General Travis had pulled rank, reminding Chris that his best friend would need him. And if Chris hadn't eaten or slept ... it was then that Mary jumped in with her request for him to take Billy to the cafeteria. A sneaky woman, Captain Travis ... a very sneaky woman.
Buck and JD sat huddled nearby. At the general's insistence, Buck had been checked out as well. Buck had insisted that he wasn't the one who ended up with a steel blade in his gut, courtesy of Colonel Ella 'Psycho-bitch' Gaines. General Travis had responded, 'well, just humor me.' Buck was fine, although he still seemed a little shell-shocked. On the other hand, Ezra didn't see how he couldn't be, under the circumstances.
The SG teams had taken up position near Buck and JD, with Dr. Jackson finding a pay phone a few minutes earlier to update General Hammond on what little they knew about Vin. Mary had gone for a walk, after reassuring both the general and Adriana she would be fine. Adriana. Ezra smiled at the thought of his friend. She had been a regular little mother where Mary was concerned, during the last few hours. And she was starting to go stir crazy. Ezra had put her crutches into the van and settled them next to her wheelchair. A few minutes earlier, she had finally pushed herself out of her wheelchair and began pacing on the crutches.
Just to make sure she would be all right, Ezra abandoned his position and followed her, though at a safe distance. She got a little antsy if she thought someone was shadowing her. Her travels had taken her to the end of the hall, where Nathan and Josiah were talking. Actually, 'talking' wasn't the word for it. Nathan was very upset. Ezra couldn't blame the man ... while Chris and Vin had together fought those bigots, Nathan had always been ... solicitous of Vin? Oh, Nathan took care of all of them, but Vin had always been special to Nathan.
It had to be hard on Nathan, seeing Vin like that. Sure, they had seen him hurt before. But this was different. He had never seemed ... helpless before. He had finally lost consciousness while being transported to the ambulance, supported between Nathan and Chris. And Nathan had only been able to stop the bleeding, realizing very quickly that he hadn't the skills needed to save his friend's life. He couldn't replace the blood Vin already lost, and then there was the matter of internal damage.
Nathan hated being helpless. Being helpless was too much like being a child, and Nathan Jackson had been entirely too helpless as a child. Unable to protect his mother from the bastards who had raped, unable to save her when she killed herself. And Nathan was getting angry and frustrated. He was angry with Ella Gaines, he was angry with himself, and he was even angry with Vin. Ezra knew this, and knew he didn't really mean what he said.
However, he hadn't realized that Adriana heard Nathan fuming, "Damn fool, what did he think he was doing? Didn't he realize that she would stab him? He ain't Superman, he ain't invincible! What was he thinking?" Because he knew Nathan so much better, Ezra could hear how close he was to breaking down ... knew that only the anger kept Nathan from crying like a child, from fear and worry and possibly even grief.
But this was knowledge that Adriana didn't have. The pair had forged an uneasy truce during the last few months, but they didn't really know each other that well. The young archaeologist stopped as she limped past him and Josiah, and turned to face him. Her eyes narrowed with fury as she spat, "What did he think he was doing? What did he think he was doing? He thought he was saving a woman's life! He thought he was saving the life of a woman with a small son ... a woman whom I thought was your friend, Mr. Jackson!"
Ezra started to speak, tried to redirect Adriana's anger away from Nathan, but she wasn't paying attention. Ezra had known how hard the last few hours had been on Nathan, and Chris, and the others, but he had forgotten it had to be hard on Adriana. She was still recovering from her own injuries, she had been friends with Vin a lot longer ... and she had spent the last few hours taking care of Mary, or letting Mary take care of her.
Adriana spat, "You know, I don't get it. I just don't get it. Is this a trait that only members of SG-7 have? This idea that they have the right to determine who among themselves has the right to live, and the right to die? You and my brother are both like that, deciding who on their teams deserve to live. What, isn't Mary's life just as important as Vin's? And if it's not, are you gonna be the one to tell her son that?" She glared at him, a fierce, dark glare that had obviously been learned from Colonel Larabee, then swept away on her crutches.
Ezra stared after her, then looked back at Josiah and Nathan. Nathan looked confused, shocked, a little angry ... but Josiah looked sad. Ezra asked softly, "Josiah? Do you know what just happened there?" Josiah nodded, sighing, and the Southerner continued, "Well, would you like to share your knowledge with the rest of us, or should we play twenty questions?" It was a little more acerbic than he really needed to be, but Adriana's outburst had shocked him.
However, it seemed Nathan's brain was processing things faster than Ezra's, for he breathed, "Oh God. She heard what Buck said, outside the infirmary. On our last mission, after she and JD were both hurt so bad." Ezra stared at the men blankly, then remembered Buck slamming Vin into the wall, bellowing about him abandoning JD. And Adriana had heard that? Ezra remembered Janet's icy voice cutting through Buck's bellows of rage.
"Every blessed word. Buck doesn't know ... she doesn't want him to know, either. Chris does know. Vin knows," Josiah answered softly. Ezra almost collapsed against the wall. No wonder Adriana had reacted as she did. He had been the recipient of people lashing out in the past, and had learned that often, the recipient wasn't the one who had really angered the person on the other side. They were just the most convenient target.
The same thing was true here. Adriana probably had been irritated by Nathan's words, but they had brought forth the memory of her brother saying the exact same thing. And since she hadn't felt she could ream her brother, she had turned her fury on Nathan. Who was now staring after her with stricken eyes. The medic finally pulled his eyes from her retreating back and looked at Ezra and Josiah, murmuring, "God, I never meant that Mary ... that she's less important than he is. I was just so angry ... I should go talk to her."
"Not now, my friend. Not now. Give her time to cool down. She may even approach you, if she's feeling guilty enough. And you may want to tell her that you didn't mean to imply Mary's life is less important than Vin's," Josiah added. Nathan nodded, looking miserable. Josiah added, looking at Ezra, "What do you think, Ezra? Where do you think she's gone?" Ezra didn't answer. He was still watching Adriana out of the corner of his eye.
"Where she feels safe. Probably to Mary, since Buck is still preoccupied with reassuring JD. No, Josiah is right. Give her a few hours ... and speaking of which, there's the doctor now. Shall we find out about our wounded colleague's condition?" Ezra asked. The other two men nodded, and they headed down the hall to rejoin their friends. Ezra glanced at the other men, seeing their fear. Would they lose Vin?
They would not. Dr. Hensley had been assisting in the surgery, and as soon as she emerged from the operating room, Chris and Billy had been retrieved by Major Carter, while Mary had seen Dr. Hensley from her end of the hall. Mary was holding Billy as the doctor explained, "Mr. Tanner has been taken to the recovery room. He'll be weak for some time, but I see no reason for him to make a complete recovery. He'll need to take antibiotics, to fend off infection, but from what General Travis tells me, he's a very sensible young man."
There was a collective sigh of relief, and Adriana slumped back into her wheelchair. Between blasting Nathan a few minutes ago, and the sudden adrenaline end when the announcement was made, she didn't seem to have any energy. Aw hell. She should apologize to Nathan, too. He hadn't deserved that. She knew what he meant, and the truth was, there was a part of her which was mad at Vin as well.
The thing was, Vin did these sort of things. Not because he thought he was invincible ... but because he thought they had to be done, and getting mad at him for being himself was like getting mad at Buck for being himself. You could do it, but what was the point? You couldn't change either of them. She just didn't know if Nathan understood that or not. It had taken her a long time to stop trying to protect Vin, and Nathan had only known him for a year. Chris said, interrupting her thoughts, "Can we see him?"
Ah yes, the sixty-four thousand dollar question. All eyes turned to Dr. Hensley, who regarded each in turn. At last, she said, "I can take two of you to the room he'll be in, once he's moved out of the recovery room. Decide amongst yourselves who would be the first people Mr. Tanner would want to see when he wakes up. You know him better than I do after all." Adriana smirked. That was a gimme!
"That would be Chris and Mary," she replied. All eyes swung to her, and she explained, "It's logical. Chris is his best friend, and he would want to make sure Mary's all right ... with his own eyes." Mary looked at her questioningly and Adriana nodded. Vin would want to know Mary was okay, would want to see her. Mary reached over and squeezed Adriana's hand, as if to say 'thank you,' then she and Chris followed the doctor to Vin's room.
Adriana smiled, then began wheeling herself to the break room. At least, that was what she called it. It was a place where she could be alone. She needed to be alone right now, needed to recharge. Maybe even get her emotions under control. She closed her eyes and relaxed for several moments. She heard footsteps coming into the room, but kept her eyes closed and didn't speak. After a few moments, she smelled something very, very familiar. Coffee. Irish Cream coffee. The instant kind, but it was still Irish Cream coffee. She opened her eyes to find Nathan Jackson settling a mug on the table beside her.
She smiled at him shyly, and at the exact same time, they both said, "I'm sorry." Adriana blushed and giggled, motioning for him to go ahead, and Nathan said, "I didn't mean to ... I didn't mean that Mary isn't as important as Vin. You're right, she is my friend. And she means a lot to me. They both do. I was just ... angry. And I wasn't thinking. I do that sometimes ... shoot my mouth off without thinking."
"I do, too," Adriana admitted, "I shouldn't have yelled at you ... today, or back when I first got to the SGC. Especially since it really didn't have anything to do with me. I just react when I think people are patronizing me." She shook her head, saying softly, "I was mad at him, too. Pretty silly, being mad at someone for being who they are. What they are. It's as foolish as being mad at Buck, for being Buck."
Buck. Where exactly did that leave them? Adriana didn't know, her brother had been reassuring JD that he was fine for the last few hours. Then again, Adriana had been taking care of Mary, so she figured they were even on that score. Nathan said softly, "I know you know what he said, Adriana. Outside the infirmary. But you gotta know this. Buck doesn't mean what he says, especially not when he's that angry. You know that new show that's on, Farscape? Luxan Hyper-Rage? That's Buck. D'Argo don't always mean to hurt people, and neither does Buck."
Adriana raised an eyebrow, startled that Nathan watched one of her favorite shows, and said, "Farscape, huh? Never had you figured for a science fiction fan, but I take your meaning. So who's your favorite? D'Argo? No, wait, that would be Chris, if he watched Farscape. I've been trying to get him into that show for the last three months. No, your favorite would be Zhaan, because she's a healer."
Nathan actually laughed and replied, "Nice guess ... which happens to be right. And don't give up on Chris. Rain and I got Ezra into the show. Three guesses to his favorite, and no, it actually isn't Rygel." Adriana looked at him in shock, and Nathan's grin got even bigger as he said, "It's not Crais, either. Aeryn." Adriana almost choked on her coffee from laughing, but she managed to swallow, instead of inhale.
"Never would have thought Crais, but Rygel would have been my first guess. Aeryn would make sense though. You know how Ezra is about beauty ... beautiful cars, beautiful landscapes, and definitely beautiful women," she replied. Nathan nodded with a broad grin, and Adriana continued, "I ... this may surprise you, but my favorite is actually Pilot. I do think that if I ever get Vin into it, he'd probably like Zhaan as well."
"We'll keep trying. I'm willing to bet you're just as determined as Mary is, maybe even more so. What do you think ... Buck and Chris would like D'Argo. Vin would probably like Zhaan, like you said. Josiah, definitely," Nathan observed and Adriana nodded, grinning as she imagined the conversations between the resident anthropologist and the Delvian priestess. Nathan fell silent, then said, "My mom liked science fiction. We used to watch Star Trek together when I was a kid. It was our special time together."
Adriana looked up, startled by this, and Nathan continued, "I remember, for a long time after she died, I refused to watch anything that wasn't mainstream. Not because I felt like I was betraying Mama, but because it didn't feel right, watching it without her. It wasn't until they caught the bastards who raped her, and I finally faced that, that I could start watching it again. My own version of reclaiming her. After the first night ... well, after the first day of the trial, there was an old Star Trek episode on. Daddy and I watched it, along with Vin and Chris. And it was just like she was sitting there with me."
Adriana nodded her understanding, even though she had no such memories of her mother. For her, it had been sitting under the night sky ... after Vin had disappeared from her life, she no longer found pleasure in doing that. Because that was something she had done with Vin, and it was something sacred. Different person ... different circumstances. Same feeling, and maybe that was the important thing. Common ground.
Which reminded her ... She looked at Nathan curiously and asked, "Just how did you find out that I like Irish cream coffee? Even instant?" Nathan threw back his head and laughed, his dark eyes twinkling with amusement. Adriana took a sip from the mug, patiently waiting for the answer. Her years of friendship with Vin Tanner had taught her patience ... and his friends were very good at putting that patience to the test.
"Well, one morning, I happened to notice you making coffee for yourself, and grabbing the box which had the International Coffees in it. Deductive reasoning, as Ezra would say. Figured that would make a good peace offering, after you had some time to yourself. Which brings me to the next point. Mary actually asked me to come get you ... she said, and I quote, 'I've had my time with Vin ... now it's her turn.' She also sent these with me," Nathan said, indicating the crutches. Adriana raised an eyebrow, and Nathan continued, "She kinda thought you might wanna go see Vin on your own two feet."
"That lady is starting to scare me. She's not supposed to read me so well," Adriana grumbled, and Nathan laughed again. She grinned at him and said, "Well, in that case, I suppose I shouldn't disappoint her." Nathan shook his head, indicating, no, that really wouldn't be a good idea. He retrieved the crutches for her, watching carefully as she eased herself to her feet and slid the crutches under her arms.
"Thanks, Nathan. And, uhm ... your peace offering is accepted. We'll hammer out the details of the truce later," Adriana said, balancing herself carefully. Nathan offered his hand, and Adriana took it. They smiled at each other one last time, then Adriana moved steadily from the room, and down the hall to Vin's room. Room three-oh-nine, she had heard Dr. Hensley telling Chris and Mary. Room three-oh-nine it was.
Chris heard her before he saw her. The sound of crutches on the tile floors ... or, more likely, the rubber balls on the end of the crutches, squeaking against the tile. Chris opened his eyes, looking at Vin, who was still unconscious, then at the door. Half a second later, a familiar, diminutive form appeared in the doorway. She stopped where she stood, her eyes on Vin's prone body. Then her eyes flickered to Chris, and he said softly, "C'mere, little princess."
She didn't hesitate, but moved as quickly as she could on those damn things, putting all of her weight on her bruised leg. Stubborn kid. Another reason she and Vin had always gotten along so well. Or not. She left her crutches leaning against the radiator, then limped over to Chris, taking his hand once more. Chris squeezed it in return. He scooted his chair a little closer to Vin's bed, then pulled Adriana carefully into his lap. She squirmed for a few minutes, making herself comfortable, then finally leaned back against his chest, her head resting under his chin.
Chris murmured, "You okay, little princess?" She nodded very slowly, sighing, and Chris continued, "He hasn't woken up yet. Mary was only in here a few minutes ... just long enough to kiss his cheek, thank him for saving her life, then she left again." That surprised Adriana, but she didn't comment on it. Chris continued after a moment, "Have you found out anything new? Like why your brother didn't have his gun handy?"
"Don't know. Might want to ask JD, he's the only one Buck's been talking to," Adriana answered. Damn. Chris tightened his arms around Adriana, and she added, "It's okay, Chris. And that wasn't fair of me. According to Mary ... once she got past the shock of having to kill someone ... but she told me that Buck's gun had jammed. He was trying to unjam it when the lights went out. Maybe next time, we should bring two guns each?"
"Sounds like a good idea to me, little princess," Chris answered. She sighed quietly and Chris went on, "So, instead of giving Ella another advantage by taking a gun that was jamming, Buck left it in his bedroom." Adriana nodded against his chest. Chris didn't know what to think, what to say. There was a part of him which believed Buck had done the right thing ... there was no guarantee the gun would have worked. But there had been a chance, and a chance that none of them would have been hurt.
All of which would have occurred to Buck. And Chris didn't have the energy to blast his old friend, especially not when nothing could be done about it now. They were just waiting now for Vin to wake up. The doctor figured he would be fine, as long as he did as he was told. Which he would. Vin got restless, but he was also careful. Maybe he should have both Vin and Adriana recuperate at his place ... they could take care of each other? Chris would ask Nathan what he thought about that, or if two disabled friends would annoy the hell out of him.
Adriana's breathing was evening out, but Chris could feel her fighting off her exhaustion. He murmured, "Relax, little princess. Get some rest." Her body remained tense, and Chris began singing to her. The old Irish songs she loved ...'The Minstrel Boy,' 'Shule Aroon,' the songs he had sung to her when she was a teenager Cassie's age. Her breathing evened out and she relaxed against Chris. And somewhere along the line, Chris fell asleep as well.
At one point he had to wake up and go to the bathroom. He put Adriana on the floor beside Vin, her head resting against the mattress. It took him a little longer to do his business than he had anticipated, but he hadn't answered nature's call in hours. Not only did he have to use the privy, but he was starting to realize he was hungry. But he would take care of his needs one at a time. When he emerged, after washing his hands and face, the scene had changed somewhat. It took Chris a minute to figure out what was different.
And then it hit him. Vin's hand was cupped around the back of Adriana's head. As Chris ventured slowly into the room, he saw the bright blue eyes open. They weren't exactly clear, but they were open, and starting to focus. Chris smiled and slipped up to the end of the bed to make it easier on his friend. Vin blinked and mumbled, "Cowboy?" Chris growled at him, and was rewarded with an impish grin.
Chris returned the grin, asking softly as he eased himself into the chair on the opposite side of Vin's bed, "Welcome back. Don't worry about Adriana, she's fine. Just worn out. How are you feeling?" Vin started to shift position, but the grimace which crossed his face answered the question as eloquently as words. All the color had drained from Vin's face and he closed his eyes, taking several deep breaths to bring the pain under control.
Once he could speak, Vin opened his eyes and looked at Chris, answering weakly, "Like I got a scimitar stuck in my gut, how do ya think I feel?" Chris fought back a grin at the smart-ass answer. It wasn't quite a scimitar, but he could see how Vin would feel that way. Vin was silent for several moments, then asked, "The others? Is Mary okay? And what about ... the other one?" The other one? Oh. Ella.
"Dead. Mary killed her. Damn near took off my head, until Buck yelled that it was me. She's fine, by the way ... Mary, I mean. Remind me to stay on her good side. General Travis was in here after talking to the coroner ... Ella had at least ten bullets in her," Chris answered softly. Vin cringed, provoking another spasm of pain. Chris reached out and put his hand on Vin's shoulder, saying softly, "Easy, pard."
Vin didn't answer at first, then finally breathed, "Aw hell, that hurts. I'm okay, Chris. I think." A soft moan startled them both, then Adriana slowly raised her head. She looked around, a confused look on her face. Then she looked over at Chris, who smiled at her. She smiled back a bit uncertainly, then seemed to realize someone's hand was on the back of her head. She turned her head to her left ... and a brilliant smile blossomed. Vin smiled back, murmuring, "Hey, Miss Drina. Good to see ya."
"Good to see you, too," Adriana answered with that radiant smile. She eased herself upright and asked, "Would I hurt you if I sat beside you on the bed?" Vin seemed to consider that a moment, then shook his head. Of course, he was lying through his teeth, and Chris knew he was lying through his teeth. He was fairly certain, too, that Vin knew that he knew that Vin was lying through his teeth. But with his return to consciousness, Vin's inclination to protect had also returned. Then again, that was a natural part of Vin Tanner. Something Chris had learned a long time ago.
Adriana eased herself onto the bed beside Vin and took his hand. She said softly, "You scared us all pretty good. But I know you ...know you were just being true to yourself." Vin's hand tightened around hers, and Adriana looked over at Chris. He smiled at her, and Adriana continued with an impish grin of her own, "Too bad you weren't awake to hear Chris singing. He sang me right to sleep." Chris rolled his eyes, laughing too hard to even attempt a glare in her direction. Not that it would have been particularly credible glare, anyhow.
"Oh?" Vin asked, casting his eyes over to Chris, a mischievous grin lighting his pale face, "reckon that means you're boring, cowboy." Chris just laughed and Vin muttered, "Aw hell, didn't even get a rise outta him. Reckon that's gettin' a mite old, then. Just like ya, Larabee." This time, Chris did growl at him, and Vin just grinned impishly. Old, was he? They would just see about that!
Chris answered, "Well, we'll see who's old, Kevin. You and Adriana will be staying with me after you're released from the hospital. I'll let the two of you take care of each other." Vin and Adriana looked at each other, not with the mock-horror that would have usually been their reaction to such a suggestion, but instead, genuine concern. Chris looked at them, more than a little worried.
Adriana asked slowly, "Chris, are you sure you want to do that? I mean, it's been a while since you had to handle me while I was less than one hundred percent." Chris left his chair and went over to sit beside both his little sister and the man whom he considered a brother. He put his hand on her shoulder and on his forearm, looking at them both very seriously. Because of Ella's obsession, he could have lost Vin. And Mary. And Buck. And Billy.
He said now, "Yes, little princess, I am sure. You're not at one hundred percent, but you are somewhat mobile, and you can help Vin when I'm not around. You can take care of each other." Adriana bobbed her head in acceptance of this. Chris continued, "You'll be briefed later, about what happened at the SGC. Things are still getting sorted out, but the important thing is, Stacy McPherson will pay for what she did ... and Ella already has."
Yes, she had. She had sought to take people away from Chris ... again. And instead, she had paid with her own life. After Sarah and Adam's deaths, Chris had shut everyone out. Not because he had stopped caring, but because he wanted to stop caring. Wanted to stop hurting. The trouble was, he did care ... and he had been fighting himself all that time. All that time, he had been wanting, yearning, to regain what he had lost.
Which he couldn't do. However, he had been given a second chance. With Buck and Adriana ... with Vin and Mary, after he had betrayed them. He had finally stopped running from who he was. He was a man who cared. About people, about justice, about what was right and wrong. He would stumble and he would fall, but what he understood now was that he didn't have to do it alone. Something his friends, his new family, had taught him.
It was ironic, really. When Ella had tried again to remove all obstacles between herself and Chris, he had finally understood. And his days of yearning, the days of pain and loneliness and rage, were finally over. The woman who had begun those days of yearning, in a way, brought them to an end when she forced Chris to realize how much those four people meant to him. Full circle. A mother had died at Ella's hands ... and a mother had ended Ella's life. Sarah and Adam were at peace, and Chris was free. It was over. It was really over.
The End
26 August 2001