A IS FOR ABSOLUTION

By Enola Jones



There was a room in Atlantis that they had converted into a meditation room when they first arrived. When the chaplain had shown up after the Seige, it gained the trappings of a church. A cross, a Star of David, a star-and-crescent, and other emblems of human religion decorated the walls.

Usually not very many people took advantage of it. Usually John Sheppard would never be caught there.

But this wasn't a usual circumstance.

It had been years since he was in a church, but he remembered the motions. He walked in, bowed his head respectfully and crossed himself. Then he lit a candle and sat down in front of it.

Moments later, he spoke softly. "You have got a strange sense of humour," he said. "You bring another Dex into my life. And he's nothing like Robert."

He was silent for a few moments, then his voice lowered even more. "And it's really not funny. If -- If what happened to my Dex happens to him....I don't think I could take it."

"John?"

He turned, standing as he saw Teyla walking toward him. "Teyla....I...."

She smiled and sat down beside him. As he sat back down, she said, "I come here sometimes to think."

"You do?"

She nodded at an emblem three down from the cross. "That is an Athosian sigil. I put it there. Which is your religious sign?"

"The cross," he said. "When I come to a church, that is."

"I heard what you said. I did not intend to, but I did."

"Teyla...."

"I do not think your friend -- Robert? -- Robert would have wanted you to remain trapped in the past."

"But, I mean, Dex? That's a little..."

"It is an unusual coincidence," she admitted. "But... perhaps it would help if you consider that perhaps your friend Dex might have sent another Dex your way -- for you to heal from his death."

He just looked at her.

"Could you think about that?"

He smiled slowly. "It would be his style."

"You see?" She smiled and touched his shoulder. "I shall see you later, John." And she walked out.

He watched her go, then crossed himself to end his time in the church. Blowing out the candle, he left with much to think about.

Later, in the mess hall, he sat down across from Teyla. "Hey."

"John." She smiled.

"Hey, thanks."

"For?"

"The talk in the chapel earlier. About Dex and Ronon."

She frowned deeply. "Chapel? John, I have been in meetings and training all day. I was nowhere near the chapel."

THE END




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