Everyone said there was no hope; even Elizabeth, who should have known better.

"Sometimes you do have to leave a man behind, John. I know you did everything you could." She'd patted him on the shoulder and motioned for Carson to come forward with a needle.

John gave Carson a look guaranteed to make him back off. John raised his hands in surrender. "I know you're right, Elizabeth. I...I guess I just have to get used to the idea."

Another shoulder pat and he accepted two white pills from Carson before heading out toward his quarters. Halfway there, he took a detour. In the hallway outside the gateroom, he threw the pills into a potted plant.

There was only a skeleton crew on duty - it was late. John moved to Chuck's station and accepted a sympathetic smile before knocking him out with a single punch.

It only took a second to dial back to the planet. He heard a voice behind him, maybe Elizabeth's, calling after him. He stepped through the wormhole and started to run.

"Come on, come on," he muttered, and when he heard the whine of an approaching dart, he stood tall and kept his eyes open.