Day had turned into night, and Dr. Keller had done all she could. This, really, was quite a lot. She had complained that she could have done more, could have researched something more, to help Elizabeth. Eventually, Ronon managed to calm the young doctor down, repeating that she had done all she could.

Many citizens of Atlantis had come to visit Elizabeth, many John did not know, some he did and others whom he knew their faces and their faces alone. Some sat with her for a minute or two; others just came to touch her arm, while some even came to pray.

Elizabeth’s closest friends, which, of course, consisted of John, Teyla, Rodney, Ronon and even Dr. Keller had sat with her for hours at least, each. They rotated, claiming they would grab sleep when their turn was over, though never really grabbing a wink.

Now, John sits by her side, motionless, staring at her hands. He has been here for quite some time, and feels a deep sense of déjà vu. He sighs deeply, and reaches forward a bit, as if to grab for her hand, but pulls back. John looks away then, spotting Teyla as he does so. She is standing with Dr. Keller, holding Torren and staring at John.

John musters a small smile, and Teyla bows her head just slightly, then smiling to Dr. Keller, she walks over to him. Torren laughs happily as Teyla smiles down at him. John smiles at the little boy, takes him from Teyla as she sits with him, and looks back over to Elizabeth.

She is almost unrecognizable now. Her hair is much longer, curlier, some curls in knots. Keller had tried to smooth down the knots as best she could, but had given up. Her face is much paler than when he last saw her, and she looks almost ghost like. She is deathly thin, her skin tight across her bones. John tries not to look at all the scars, cuts, and bruises scattered, connecting, on her like the branches of a tree, showing him all the places she has gone, all the things she has endured.

John sighs, Torren grabs his finger, and Teyla grabs his free hand. He smiles sadly at her, focusing on the forming tear droplets in her eyes. They had lost Elizabeth, only to get her back, farther gone than they can imagine. Neither, nor is anyone else, ready to let go of her, not ready to accept that she may never be the same again. That is, if she does survive.

“Do not give up hope, John. Elizabeth is strong, she will pull through.” Teyla says from beside him. Her voice is steady, strong, and very believing. He does believe Elizabeth will pull through, he does very much, but he doesn’t know what the wraith, or the replicators, had done to her, and he’s scared to find out. What if she is beyond help? Keller may have helped her physically, but John wants to know if they can help her mentally.

John nods, bounces Torren on his knee, and stares. Teyla squeezes his hand as they wait. Waiting for what, they are not sure. But, they are in this together, believing in Elizabeth, being there for her, and they always will be.