Elizabeth Weir

The Ethosian village has been so quiet. I'm standing at the back of the long procession of people as we line up for John's funeral. Teyla requested that we bury him on the mainland. I agreed. If anyone has the right to decide, it's her. They were so close.

Teyla's people have already dug the hole in the ground. A tombstone was laid at the head of it. John's body is being carried on an open casket. His hands clasped on his stomach, his hair straightened out, all the blood cleaned up. In his hands, he's holding a small golden necklace, the one he'd given to Teyla just a day before.

Teyla's crying, I don't think she's stopped. I can't blame her, she's not ready for this. None of us are. Teyla just about found the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with, and now he's gone. I know Teyla's suffering, and it makes my suffering all the worse.

The Ethosians set his body in the hole. Teyla kneels at the end of the hole. "John," she says, her voice distant. "I know that your in a better place. You've joined the ancestors..." Teyla stifles her tears. "in their city in the clouds. I wish I'd known you better. I wish I'd been there more. There's so much I want to tell you, but I can't." Teyla takes a few minutes to regain her composure. "I love you John Sheppard and I know that one day... I'll see you again. Until then..." Teyla breaks down into sobs.

I can't help but cry, the tears coming down my face. Each one of the burns with memories and times of happiness. In some ways I'm jealous of Teyla, in some ways I'm not. In some ways I wish I could help Teyla, but I know I can't. I'm just a crushed person, crushed because the most important person to me on Atlantis is dead.

The top is lowered onto the casket. Aiden moves to help Teyla stand back. I can feel her suffering as eight Ethosians begin to bury the casket. It's the saddest moment of my life, the saddest of anyone here. John Sheppard was more than Atlantis' military leader, he was Atlantis.

The city will be different now. It's been quieter since he died. There will be no more wise ass remarks. There will be no more witty humor at the briefings. There will be no more ease of use for Ancient devices. There will be no more Atlantis as I know it.

The Ethosians begin to set up candles and pillows. The Ethosians burial consists of an entire night of a candle light vigil. I kneel down on one of the pillows. I would stay here for as long as I could. I owed far more to John Sheppard, but I couldn't ever repay him. The least I could do, is offer a prayer or two for him.

I'm a Christian person. I believe in God. I begin my prayer and hold my vigil on the last memory of John Sheppard. I'll remember him as my greatest friend and my strongest supporter. I wish I could do more, but I can't. I just can't.

THE END

A/N: So, anyone crying yet, I am! Still brainstorming that new story and still looking for possible Beta readers.