Hey everyone! Here's the last chapter of 'Stranded'. Enjoy, and thank you for your reviews! This story was so fun to write! ;)

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A month later, the mess hall was packed; seemingly filled with every person on Atlantis. No one was surprised, for it was a very special occasion, after all.

Carson and John walked down the hall together, having been told by Elizabeth and Rodney to be there at a particular time and to not be late. They both knew what was coming.

Carson's arrhythmia had finally improved, to everyone's joy, and he had been released from the infirmary exactly a week after they'd been rescued from the cave. The fact that he hadn't suffered any other complications was an incredible relief, as things could have been worse for the doctor. He was forced to stay on medical leave for quite a while, especially while his heart still occasionally reminded him of the near-fatal incident, but it was good—so good—to be alive.

The two friends reached the mess hall and stopped before the door, looking at each other apprehensively.

"After you," said John.

"Oh, thank ya ever so much," Carson said. "And everyone thinks I'm the scaredy cat!"

John clapped him on the shoulder. "Go on," he said. "I'm always in the spotlight. It's your turn."

Cason rolled his eyes, but smiled.

John smiled back, and they both walked in.

"Happy Birthday!" everyone shouted. It was thunderous.

John made a face as if he was surprised. It made many people laugh.

Teyla and Elizabeth came over and escorted them to the head table, where Rodney was fooling around with something, his back turned. When they reached him, he picked something up and plopped it on Carson's head.

It was a party hat, with a fuzzy pink ball at the top.

The crowed erupted in laughter.

Carson blushed, whacking Rodney on the arm.

John laughed just as loudly as everyone else, and Rodney motioned for them both to sit down. As they passed his seat, Rodney pulled another hat from behind his back, and plopped it on John's head.

The sight set everyone off again.

Carson laughed, a hand on his aching ribs. He had a feeling that after this night was over, he'd need a higher dose of painkillers.

John took off the hat and plopped it on Rodney.

"Hey, it's not my birthday!" the scientist said.

"Not yet," John replied. He made it sound like a threat, though he was smiling.

Rodney took off the hat and plopped it back where it belonged; on John's head. "Cake time!" he yelled, turning to the crowd and holding out his arms, as if ready to conduct an orchestra.

"Happy Birthday to you!" everyone began to sing. "Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday John and Carson, Happy Birthday to you!"

"And many mooooooooore!" Rodney shouted, in Carson's ear.

The two birthday-boys looked at each other, laughing as people clapped. Carson could feel another blush creep up his cheeks from the attention of so many people, and he inwardly sighed at his timid nature.

"Blow out the candles, already!" Rodney said.

John and Carson both stood, Sheppard giving Carson a hand, astutely noticing that the doctor's ribs were hurting. The cake that stood on the table before them was nothing short of huge, with apparently enough candles for both their ages.

Taking a deep breath, they blew out the candles, John doing most of the work thanks to Carson's ribs.

The applause as the candles went out was loud enough to hurt their ears.

Elizabeth, sitting beside John, stood, and everyone hushed down.

"Today, we don't only celebrate the birthdays of Carson Beckett and John Sheppard," she said. "But we also celebrate the fact that they are here, with us, today."

Everyone clapped again.

"We almost lost them both last month," she continued. Turning to the two men, she looked at them. "And that would have been a crippling blow to us all."

Carson and John both smiled at her.

Suddenly Teyla stood, holding a bottle of champagne that made John's eyebrows shoot up.

Who smuggled that from Earth? he wondered.

Teyla handed it to Elizabeth along with a wine glass, before placing a glass in front of herself, Carson, John, and Rodney.

"I've been saving this for the perfect occasion," Elizabeth continued, opening the bottle and pouring it into the glasses. She raised hers, and everyone in the room raised their cups of tea and coffee.

"To John Sheppard and Carson Beckett," Elizabeth said, smiling at them. "May this be the best birthday of your, hopefully, very long lives."

Chuckles spread through the room, along with shouts of, 'To John and Carson!'

They drank, and everyone clapped again.

Carson's blush deepened, and he looked at his friends, smiling and getting many smiles in return. After all the dangerous, life-threatening situations that they'd been involved in, he'd often wondered if it had been worth coming to Atlantis all those months ago. Aye, he decided. It was definitely worth it.

THE END
It's over! (sniff) I hope you all enjoyed it! ;)