AN- This is my first ever attempt at a Stargate Atlantis story of sorts. It came about due to a set of prompts sent to me for my other fandom. After doing a SGA marathon, I decided to give these a try. I have a love for Elizabeth and John so decided to do a set of Shweir/Sparky type prompts. Since these are the first ones I have done please let me know what you think, just click review.
Bacon sandwiches always reminded him...
As he sat in the commissary looking down at his bowl of oatmeal, John just wasn't with it. He knew it was going to be a long day, more so as he was stuck on Atlantis with no missions scheduled. He had come for breakfast early, but he just seem to be pushing it around the bowl and not eating any of it. When he arrived the place was near deserted but now it was filling up rather quickly. Even though he had picked a seat looking out of the windows onto the fast ocean for some privacy he was now surrounded by people.
Dropping his spoon back into the bowl, he slumped back in his chair and gazed out towards the pier and the water lapping at the city's edges. He wasn't really paying attention to anyone or anything until part of a conversation drifted past his ears. It wasn't the first time he had heard this type of conversation and it wouldn't be the last, but it was the direction the conversation took that caught his attention. It was the words spoke that cut him to the core and made his chest restricted and all air seemed to leave his lungs.
"It would be nice to have a good old Bacon sandwich for breakfasts, I am sick of the same old choices now." He heard one of the scientists sitting at the table in front of him say.
The words stung him more than he expected them to as he quickly picked up his bowl and bolted for the exit. It was only when he finally stopped and slid down the wall did he realise where his feet had brought him. His mind must have picked this place as he had not actually thought about ending up where he was, especially today on what would have been her birthday. Stretching his legs out in front of him he closed his eyes and took in a few deep breaths.
The smell of the salt hit his nostrils and the sound of waves enveloped his hearing. After a few minutes he opened his eyes and looked around at the balcony he found himself on. It was her balcony, the one he would always find her on. He had heard it mentioned a few times that it was their balcony, but it would always be hers in his mind. Thinking back over the conversation he had heard, the reason he was where he was at that moment in time he closed his eyes and let his mind drift.
Bacon sandwiches reminded him of their last morning on earth together. The last time he woke with her tucked against his side, his hand resting on her naked stomach as she lay flush against his equally naked body. That was the last time they had bacon sandwiches, in her kitchen sitting side by side. Touching but only barely, trying to break the habit before they returned to Atlantis. Now she was gone he had locked that memory away, stored till he could find a way to get her back. He would find a way to bring her back, the original Elizabeth, his Elizabeth. Not the cheap imitation that they sent into space, to float endlessly lost and alone. He would return her to her rightful place, to Atlantis and to him.
"There are at least seventeen ways that could have gone better. Literally. I am counting them right now in my head you moron."
Looking at Rodney McKay as he sat on his infirmary bed did nothing to quell his temper. He was pissed at how badly things had gone on yet another supposed meet and greet. Yet again the reputation about the people from Atlantis had preceded them and they had had their asses kicked for no damn reason. They hadn't lost anyone this time which was good, a lot of broken bones, cuts and bruises and a few dented egos was a bad as it got.
When he was finally given the all clear he bolted from the infirmary like the place was surrounded by the wraith. He had heard enough of Rodney's complaining and he had a headache now. Making his way through the nearly deserted corridors of Atlantis he made it to his quarters, waving his hand over the sensor to open the door. Stepping inside he made sure he kept the lights off, he was more than familiar with the layout of the room as he headed straight for the bed. Lying down he didn't bother taking off any of his remaining clothes of even his boots. He could feel as his body slowly relaxed as the stress of the day seeped away.
He was just slipping into sleep when he heard a voice come through his earpiece.
"Major Sheppard, I take it the fact you're not in the infirmary means your in your quarters. We have a debriefing scheduled for fifteen minutes ago." Elizabeth's voice said as he sat up and rubbed his face.
"Sorry Elizabeth, on my way." Tapping the earpiece to end the communication.
Heaving himself off his bed he looked down at his slightly crumpled and muddy BDU, he didn't have time to change so it would have to do. Making his way to the transporter he noticed his headache was at least starting to ease off which he knew wouldn't last long. Coming out the transporter he made his way to the briefing come conference room and saw he was the last one to arrive.
"Sorry, I'm late, killer headache." Taking his seat so he was near enough opposite Elizabeth.
"Glad you finally made it Major, let's get this over with then you can all get some rest. So what went wrong today then?" Elizabeth asked as she looked around the table.
Ronan gave his account of how things went from good to bad so quickly which Teyla confirmed with her report. John was about to give his version of events when Rodney decided he would tell everyone what he saw happen. Rodney being Rodney he added in his own flare of dramatics and of course when he was done he blamed it all on John.
"So this was yet again all my fault, how come you always find a way to blame me? Half the time I don't have to do or say anything but you blame me. It is not my fault the Pegasus galaxy hates me, McKay." John ground out as he rubbed his temples.
"Things could have gone a lot better if..." But John cut Rodney off before he could get in full swing.
"There are at least seventeen ways that could have gone better. Literally, I am counting them right now in my head you moron. Don't you dare sit there and blame me for some backward bunch of people who think by handing us over to the wraith their planet will be spared culling." John spat out as he balled his fists and pushed himself against the back of his chair to stop himself getting up and punching Rodney.
"Okay boys, enough is enough. No one here was to blame for today's misadventure. Let's just chalk it up so we can be better prepared in future. Let's call it a night, you can all submit your written reports tomorrow. Dismissed" Looking around the table as her most seasoned team members and gate travelers got up and left.
John was the last to leave, he wanted as much distance between Rodney and himself as possible. He was so deep in concentration he didn't hear or see the doors to the conference room close over and shut. Looking around he saw he was the only one still sitting as Elizabeth had come around and was now standing just off to his side.
"Can I kill him? Or even better trade him for something useful?" John asked as he looked up at Elizabeth and gripped the table in front of him.
"No John you can't, but he will get his ass chewed for what he just did tomorrow. Plus I may make him explore some more of the now dried out tunnels we haven't been down yet. He hates babysitting all those people when they search. You really should be heading to bed, you look like crap and that shoulder has got to giving you some grief now." Elizabeth said as she looked her 2IC up and down.
"I now have a tornado playing around my head, I should have just called sick for this meeting." Giving Elizabeth his best and more tried and tested puppy face.
"Why don't you go to bed and I will check in on you when I finish up. I shouldn't be long, you go take something for that shoulder and head and I will catch you up." Taking her hand and resting it on John's shoulder as he leant in and rubbed his cheek on the top of her hand.
John stood up and mentally asked the doors to open as he approached them, feeling Elizabeth coming to stand behind him as he waited for them to open fully. Turning he headed in the direction of the transporter and his dark and cool room. Once he was back in his room he decided he could finally take his BDU off. He still hadn't turned the lights on as he headed for the bathroom, pulling and shrugging his clothes off as he went. Coming back out the bathroom after getting a glass of water he sat down on his bed and picked up the box Dr. Keller had given him when he left the infirmary. Popping out a couple of the small tablets he swallowed them down and took a drink of the water, placing the half full glass on the bedside table next to his book.
Standing back up he shifted the crumpled covers on his bed and lay down on his front, he didn't bother tucking himself in as it was still warm, plus the cool air always seemed to help with his headaches when he got them. The stitches in his shoulder were pulling a little as he moved his arm to tuck it under his head to get comfortable. He had a feeling he would be asleep by the time Elizabeth came to check he was okay. Sure enough, he felt his eyes grow heavy as the tablets started to take effect and the room around him faded into black.
When Elizabeth entered John's quarters she waited for her eyes to adjust to the darkness before she moved any further. She knew he had a habit of stripping off his clothes and normally left a trail from the door to the bed. Sure enough, she saw the trail she had been expecting leading to his bathroom. Following the trial, she stopped when she caught movement to her left. Looking at the bed she watched as John shifted in his sleep before wincing and moving his arm from under his pillow and head.
Walking to the bed Elizabeth stopped and looked down at the sleeping form of her 2IC, friend, confident and most recently lover. She took in the dressing and the way he lay with his leg bent slightly. She knew he had taken a knock to the leg, but there was no major damage. He had been luckily again to return with a full team and no deaths. Taking her clothes off she placed them neatly on the chair beside the bed and pulled on one of John's faded black t-shirts. Pulling the covers over him she slipped in behind him and snuggled down under the covers. She was just getting comfortable when she felt him shift and turn over to face her.
Lifting her hand, she ran it over his five o'clock shadow and listened to the bristle of her short nails on the hair. She watched as his eyes focused on her face and he gave her a weak smile.
"How are you feeling now?" Letting her hand rest on his cheek and she watched him yawn.
"Much better now you're here. Still hurts in places but I'm alive and here with you so it's a good day." Sliding his arm over her waist and under the hem of the t-shirt.
"Sleep, you need rest to watch me kick Rodney's ass tomorrow." Rolling on her back so she could bring John with her to rest his head on her chest.
When she had John tucked against her with his head squarely planted on her breast she lay running her fingers through his unruly mop of hair. She loved these moments the best, just the two of them lying together. She preferred uninjured but like he had said he was alive. Feeling his weight grow heavy as he fell asleep she closed her eyes and thanked the city and the gods of the galaxy for yet again looking after them all and returning them to where they belonged. Placing a kiss to the top of his head she whispered a gentle "good night" before she joined John in the deep darkness of sleep.
Under normal circumstances, he would speak his mind, but with a gun against his head...
John was not normally a one to stay quiet. He was normally so full of himself, so sure of what was going to happen. Now he decided to stay quiet, which was probably for the best. Under normal circumstances, he would speak his mind, but with a gun against his head he now thought better of letting his mouth run away with him. He knew after one too many close calls his luck was going to run out at some point. Also the fact that that the woman opposite him was in the same position put his mouth on a full stop. He didn't want her getting shot because he had a big mouth.
He could feel the cold barrel of the gun pressed against his temple, the smell of weapons lubricant reaching his nostrils. Kneeling on the floor with his hands tied behind his back and a gun against his head was not top of his list for ways to die. He had always pictured a more dramatic ending to his life, more brutal.
He heard the weapon being cocked and closed his eyes. He tried to stay calm, but he was out of options. He opened his eyes and looked at the woman opposite him, his eyes locking with hers. He didn't want her to see him die, but he knew they couldn't do a thing about it. At least if he was going to die she would be the last thing he saw. Resigned to his own death he kept his eyes locked with Elizabeth's, he tried to transfer as much of his strength and loyalty to her.
His next memories were a bit jumbled as so much happened at once. He woke to find the lights of Atlantis's infirmary above him. Blinking a few times he went to sit up but found a hand on his shoulder. Looking in the direction of the pressure on his body he smiled when he saw his boss and friend standing beside him.
"Stay still, that's a nice bump and concussion you have," Elizabeth told him making him still as a wave of dizziness hit him.
"I take it are rescue caused this?" Reaching up gingerly to touch the bump on his head.
"Of course, even rescuing us didn't go to plan," Elizabeth told John as he closed his eyes till the sickness passed.
After explaining how he had come by his new bump and concussion Elizabeth turned to leave, she had a city to run as she reminded him. John nodded his head a little as he looked up at her, he didn't want her to leave, but he couldn't really ask her to stay. Elizabeth saw the look on John's face when she mentioned leaving and saw him pull his puppy eyes.
"How about if Dr. Keller releases you we can have dinner together, how does that sound?" Seeing John's face light up at the suggestion.
"That sound good to me." Smiling as his eyes darted around the infirmary.
"Okay then, I will take take my leave and hopefully see you later then." Turning and starting to make her way to the door.
As she reached the door she couldn't help laugh a little as she heard John shouting for Dr. Keller. She knew he was now going to question the doctor about his release till she got sick of hearing him and let him out. Oh well, he was the doctor's problem now. At least she could get some work done now knowing she had dinner to look forward to with her favourite military man on base.