Setting: This story picks up at the end of "Ghost in the Machine" (Season 5) and carries through to the end of the series. It's an AU, because, let's face it, Elizabeth deserved a better ending. So here's my take on things.

Disclaimer: I own nothing, and make absolutely no money from doing this.

Reviews: Feebback is always welcome! This is my first SGA fic, so I look forward to hearing what you think!

Chapter One

[Post "Ghost in the Machine"]

Rodney returned to his lab, miserably alone and empty.

Either way, they would have lost her. Logically, he knew that. But it still felt like his fault.

He sank into his chair, staring dejectedly at his computer screen.

Reactivating the nanites had seemed like such a good idea at the time. Brilliant, in fact, given that it wasn't entirely his own. Sheppard had told him it was a bad idea. Elizabeth had agreed, after the fact. But he'd never believed until the moment they'd lost her on the Replicator planet.

And now, now...

They'd just lost her again.

Rodney sank against his desk, head in his hands. He'd never felt guiltier about anything in his life.

His computer beeped. Rodney ignored it. What was the point, anyway?

"I don't have much time, Rodney, but there's still a chance."

The voice was urgent, pressing even, but more importantly, it was hers.

"Elizabeth?," he asked, looking up.

"You and your team can still complete what we've begun. Not for all the Replicators, but...," she paused, the image of Fran on his screen looking oddly uncertain for someone usually so confident. "For me," she finished, her face a mixture of embarrassment and pleading. "Please, Rodney. You have the skills. You can download my consciousness into an isolated storage device, keeping the rest of Atlantis safe. Then, when you're ready, you can transfer it into the new human form."

Rodney's mind was reeling. Create a machine that would make a human body? It was ambitious, even for him.

"My fate is in your hands," she said, the image going black.

Oh crap.

"Dr. McKay?," Woolsey asked, looking up from his desk.

"You're not going to like this, but I need to show you something," Rodney said, setting down his laptop. He hit play, and Elizabeth's message began.

Mr. Woolsey pursed his lips, watching it silently to the end.

"Is this possible?," he asked, looking to McKay.

"I don't know," Rodney replied, nervous. "Maybe. It's Ancient technology. We have the schematics. But it's not going to be easy."

"Have you talked to Sheppard yet about the logistics of even retrieving her consciousness?," he asked.

"Are you kidding?," Rodney demanded. "Sheppard and Elizabeth...they were close. No way am I bringing this to his attention without knowing we can pull it off."

Woolsey considered. "I don't object to the idea of saving one of our own people," he said softly. Rodney nodded. "Make the preparations for a virtual reality," Woolsey decided. "Once we have a safe place to put her, then we can bring the rest of your team in to confer."

"Okay," Rodney nodded, retreating.

"And Dr. McKay?"

"Yes?," he asked nervously.

"Have some sort of interface ready so we can be sure it really is Elizabeth Weir before we give her a new body."

"Right. Okay," he said, suddenly on a mission.

"John, you should not be alone with your thoughts," Teyla said softly, stepping up beside him at the balcony rail.

John closed his eyes, focusing on the sounds and smells of the ocean all around.

"Dr. Weir was a friend to us all," Teyla remarked. "You are not alone in missing her."

John didn't answer. Teyla sighed.

"She is not dead, John. From what we know of the Replicators, they can survive even the harsh conditions of space for a time. There may still be hope."

John turned to her, chest tight. "Woolsey would never agree."

"Not without a plan," Teyla conceded. "So make a plan, John. Come up with a means to save her, without alerting the other Replicators."

"We still don't even know for sure if that was Elizabeth," he said bitterly, the hope in his eyes fading.

"She sacrificed herself to save Atlantis," Teyla replied evenly. "I believe it was Dr. Weir."

"She was also the one who led the Replicators here in the first place," John pointed out angrily. "She lied to us, Teyla."

"So you do not believe that was the real Elizabeth?," she asked cautiously.

"I don't know," he answered tightly, turning back to the water.

"You knew her better than any of us," Teyla conceded softly. "Although I do not believe it is entirely out of character for Dr. Weir to want to help the Replicators achieve Ascension. It is a worthy goal, and a peaceful alternative to Oberoth's policies."

"Teyla?," John called, just as she was turning to leave.

"Yes?"

"What do Ronon and Mckay think?"

"None of us were convinced until she stepped through the gate. But her sacrifice...it speaks for itself."