For Cielieto because I am in her debt.

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Every system aboard the ship—the city of Atlantis, was either failing, damaged, or beyond repair. Less than a hundred people had stayed behind to help it make the jump into hyperspace. Now the city and her people were suffering from the same fate. Teyla sat at a computer terminal in the control room typing commands. The city was begging for answers just as much as the people around her. Dr. Keller and her teams had taken Elizabeth and Ronon to the infirmary, and Rodney and Radek never remained in any one location for very long. She refused to let her mind wander to her fear for Elizabeth and the others who were hurt. All of this was too soon after Dr. Beckett’s death.

“Teyla.”

She turned. John was standing beside her. He pressed an ear piece into her hand before she could reply and squeezed his fingers around hers for a moment.

“I need to be able to hear you.” He moved his hand to brush hair away from her face, but stopped himself. “Rodney thinks the city is trying to help us solve problems. You need to let him know that it’s really been you helping out.”

John’s smile held for a moment and then he glanced around the room. Teyla had taken charge of the city the moment Elizabeth had been hurt. Now, she was joining the ranks of the Rodney’s scientists. Anyone could perform the changes she was doing, but she was the only one taking time to deal with the little fires.

“I will keep in touch. Thank you, John,” she said as she secured the piece to her ear.

“Good, everyone will listen to you, so keep giving orders. I’ll see you later.”

Teyla turned back to the screen. Two more failings systems had triggered a lock down. She quickly typed in override commands and made alterations to stabilize the systems to give Rodney more time. All she was doing was trying to keep them from being trapped by the city. As an Athosian, she would have never been able to do this. Working with the John’s team had given her more than just knowledge. She closed her eyes for a moment as her control slipped. Dr. Hewston’s face smiled at her and then it exploded. Teyla forced herself to hold back the tears that came with the memory. Sadie had been right. Waiting for him to say something first was like waiting for someone to rescue Atlantis. She quickly turned away from the computer and stepped in the direction John had gone. She froze when she saw him. He was twenty feet away. Was he coming back for something or had he even left? Their eyes locked.

“John—" The tears fell. If some part of her could touch him, even if only for a moment, she wanted it. They were running out of time, and she didn’t know how to tell him.

John walked back to her and took both of her hands. “I just realized that you and I have never needed words, Teyla.” He kissed her softly. “That’s all I have time to say right now.”

She pulled him back to her before he could move away. “Thank you. I needed to hear that.” If there was still hope for them, then there was still hope for the lost city of Atlantis. She could see the answer in his eyes.