Title:Walking After You
Summary: When John's team goes off world on a routine mission, they reunite with an old friend.
Genre: drama, romance, angst
Pairings: Elizabeth/John
Main characters: Elizabeth, John
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: none

Spoilers: all of season 4, mainly events from Adrift and Lifeline but spoilers and speculations throughout. If you don't want to be spoiled, don't read.

Disclaimer: Stargate Atlantis and it's characters don't belong to me.
A/N: This one is set at the end of season 4, kind of like I'd like the show to end if it ended in season 4.
A/N2: Title taken from the beautiful song by Foo Fighters.

Huge thanks goes to jackfan2 for the beta!

John Sheppard's team stepped through the gate to MR7-247 and took in their surroundings. The planet was beautiful; the sun was shining brightly high in the sky, all around them sounded the chirping of birds and crickets in the lush grass and they could hear the bubble of a nearby creek. The Stargate stood on a huge clearing and there were hills around them as far as the eye could see.

With a smile, Colonel Sheppard took the lead and donned his sunglasses. Without looking back, he called to his team, "Ok guys, let's go and see what this planet is like."

They made their way down the path that lead away from the Stargate, going through a valley next to the stream, their postures were relaxed but alert at the same time. To their surprise the trail led them to a beautiful small town with a well in the middle of a square, simple houses and several markets surrounding it. They smiled as the people around them passed by, nodding their heads in greeting. The villagers looked at the strangers curiously but didn't appear to be afraid of them.

John approached a small grocery market, his eyes scanning the goods laid out on one table. He smiled at the seller and asked, "Hello, we were wondering if we could talk to the leader of your people. We are interested in trade."

"Of course, Maya here will show you the way to the town hall." The seller ushered his young assistant and the team went obediently after her, but not before Rodney had a chance to pick and buy some kind of green fruit to satisfy his growling stomach.

They were led to the town hall, a single stone building taller than the rest, the town's flag and name put up proudly on the front; Erentria. Maya led them inside up to the first floor, knocking on the door there.

"Come in." Maya entered shyly and the team followed her.

"Councilor, I am sorry to disturb you, these people wanted to talk to you." The councilor smiled at the young woman.

"Thank you, Maya. You may go." He stood up from his desk and went around it to greet the team as Maya scurried out of the room, closing the door behind her. He was around forty years old, his hair was raven black, his eyes piercing blue and he had a beard.

"Welcome to Erentria, my name is Durai and I am the leader of this town." He smiled at the strangers and bowed his head.

"Lt. Colonel John Sheppard, Dr. Rodney McKay, Major Evan Lorne and Ronon Dex. We are pleased to meet you." John smiled back as he introduced his team.

"So," Durai smiled and sat on the front edge of his desk, "what brings you here to our little town?" He motioned them to sit down; muttering their thanks, John and Rodney took the seats in front of Durai's desk while Lorne and Ronon sat on a small sofa on one side of the room.

"We are looking for allies and trading partners if you are willing."

The councilor seemed to ponder this a moment before asking, "What do your people wish to trade, Colonel?"

"Our allies offer us a portion of their crops when the harvest season comes, in turn we provide them medical supplies, man power when needed and protection from the Wraith." John watched as utter anguish passed over Durai's face but was quickly replaced.

"Yes, that would be wonderful. Although we have heard that it seems the Wraith's numbers are diminishing. The last culling here was a year ago, many of my people were taken that day."

"I'm sorry to hear that, Durai."

"Where are you from?"

"We're from Alterran." Durai's head snapped up at Rodney's response.

"Alterran? Really? Our ancestors were friends with the Alterran people but after the war my ancestors haven't heard from them."

"They were forced to leave to another planet and settled there. We're their...descendants." Rodney replied.

"And you can really help us fight the Wraith?" Durai asked rather skeptically.

"Well, we will try our best." John smiled at him reassuringly.

"I'm sure my people will be glad for new friends. We shall discuss the details later; I guess you must be tired; the trek from the Ring is long. Why don't you dine with me and my family?" Ronon and Rodney's head shot up at the mention of food and John and Lorne rolled their eyes.

"If it's not a problem for you; we don't like to bother."

"Nonsense, Colonel. Please follow me, I will ensure myself you have rooms ready for your stay."

"Thank you, Durai." They followed him out and to the town square again.

"I will let the cook know we will have guests, meanwhile," Durai waived one arm to indicate the small town, "feel free to look around." John smiled and nodded as the councilor left them to do just that.

Rodney polished the fruit he bought earlier with his sleeve and bit into it, surprised at its rich flavor. "Hmm, that's good. We should take some with us back to Atlantis."

"Later Rodney. Lorne, looks like we'll be staying overnight, get back to the gate and report to Colonel Carter."

"Yes, sir." The Major nodded and left, smiling as he saw two women looking at him with interest.

Adopting a casual air, John pivoted to survey the town with a careful eye. It looked much like the towns in Western movies but the surrounding buildings were made mainly of stone. With his back now to the astrophysicist, he heard as Rodney continued to munch happily on the fruit he'd purchased.

With his back turned, John failed to see Rodney become deathly still. McKay's eyes went wide and the cherished fruit, suddenly forgotten, slipped carelessly from his hand to land with a thunk on the dusty street. Stunned to silence, Rodney's mouth now hung open in an uncharacteristic loss for words.

With his back turned, John also failed to notice Rodney's gaze locked straight ahead. One arm shot out, reaching back blindly, patting the air behind him in a near panic, reaching for Sheppard's back, desperate for his attention. It wasn't until McKay's hand found it's target and the persistent tapping got the desired effect.

"What is it?" John asked, his own gaze fixed on two men arguing lightly at a nearby fruit stand. The tapping continued, more fervently, incessantly… annoyingly. "McKay, what?" The lack of verbal response, coupled with the now physical slaps to his person, irritated the colonel and he rounded on the scientist, teeth clenched, "Rodney, how many times do I have to tell you-"

Rodney's wide, terrified eyes brought John up short. The scientist's hand was now clenching at John's collar and the other was raised, pointing to a place straight ahead. Nervously, John licked his lips as his gaze trailed in that direction and he froze. Ronon's hand reached for his gun but John stopped him.

There, leaning in the doorway of one house, was Elizabeth Weir, watching them quietly.

TBC