"I'm not ready for this."

The air was stiff between them. Like the thin cracks throughout the temple had suddenly sprung into walls, veils pierced only by sadness, maybe hate.

John doubted he could ever be ready. But a small part of him wanted it all the same, wanted to cross that short distance, two steps that might as well have been the width of the Grand Canyon, a space so empty it was full.

"Why not?" Rodney tried valiantly not to sound disappointed. He felt as though they were trapped in this moment forever. Years from now, Daniel Jackson would make his way to Pegasus and dig them out - brush vines from John's gorgeous features, eyes still set in pain and confusion . . . find Rodney's jaw set in stone: grim determination.

"It's just too much. Don't ask me . . ."

But Rodney didn't ask. He just took that one simple step.