"Where's Elizabeth?" John's eyes were darting around, unable to believe she wasn't there somewhere, especially after what he'd just returned from. He had refused to lie on the bed and now sat perched on its side. His legs were swinging restlessly as he anxiously waited to get out there. "Doc, I'm fine. According to McKay, I look even younger than before Koyla turned his pet Wraith loose on me."
"Just a minute, we're almost done. If you could perhaps sit still-"Beckett was shaking his head as John leaned far out to the side to peer behind him and his teammates.
"Where is she? What's going on?" John turned his eyes slowly focusing briefly on each of his team mates before moving on to the next.
"Damn it! Just tell me!" This was not exactly the homecoming John had expected. He had the sinking feeling that his short lived surge of adrenaline was about to crash hard.
Teyla approached him slowly extending her arm out to briefly touch his arm as if to calm him. "She has not been injured John, we do not mean to worry you. But she is…offworld right now."
"What…do you mean…offworld?" John hissed.
"John we realize you are uncomfortable with her going offworld-" Teyla started.
"I told her you would kill us, but she wouldn't listen. She contacted Chaya herself, said she was overdue time off. I'd like to take some time off." McKay bristled.
"We're not that lucky. Rodney, you wouldn't leave Atlantis for a minute, you'd be bored out of your mind." Carson muttered under his breath.
"Chaya? She's gone to Proculus? You're joking." John said, rubbing his hands through his hair.
"Yes, well many of the staff members who have gone on leave there have reported on its restorative nature. It is quite beautiful; I'd imagine the rest would do Dr. Weir good." Teyla said raising her eyebrow in warning at McKay and Ronan.
This did not go unnoticed by John. "Why now?" He asked quietly. When they failed to meet his eyes he cast his gaze downward. "She's upset…because of what I made her do."
Carson cleared his throat breaking the silence that had fallen over the room. "All right son, you don't seem to be having any reaction to the enzymes, let me know if you develop any symptoms. But when Ford…well, Ford's symptoms presented immediately. I think you are in the clear."
John jumped to his feet and began trotting out of the infirmary.
"And where does he think he's going?" He heard McKay's voice whining behind him.
Only Teyla dared to follow, jogging behind him to keep up. "John, Major Lorne should be back any minute. He stayed a bit while she settled in, I'm sure he'd be glad to take you over. We'll make sure to contact you if anything comes up. I think a break would do you both good."
"I realize it wasn't easy for any of you to watch, but it was my call Teyla. I told her not to give in to their demands." John stopped for a moment deep in thought.
"It wasn't easy John. How would you have felt in her position?" Teyla's eyebrow was arching again.
She knew, John realized, knew he felt more for Elizabeth than he should. He would have given in, he couldn't have watched them do that to her. He had no idea where Elizabeth had found the strength.
"Teyla, you're in charge while we're gone." He said.
"I'm sure Lorne and McKay-"Teyla started to protest, knowing the men would disagree with John's decision.
"Teyla, you're in charge. I'll tell Lorne, he'll take care of Rodney." John's feet were moving again.
"John?" Teyla called as he broke into a run. "Shouldn't you pack?" The hallway was already empty.