Stargate Atlantis – Home

Don't own anything about the show except a huge crush on John Sheppard and a wistfullness for what could have happened had they not removed Elizabeth from the show. So, no infringement intended. Just taking the characters and their universe out to play for a while.

Spoilers for mostly everything, just to be on the safe side.

Chapter 1

She opens the door and startles, seeing him standing there right in front of her, his hand ready to knock on the door. He lowers his hand slowly and looks at her ruefully.

"Major, what are doing here?" she asks, raising an eyebrow. "Anything unexpected came up?"

He shakes his head and looks at his feet, avoiding her gaze. "No, ma'am. I was kind of driving by and thought I might drop to see if you needed anything..." He lifts his head as he talks but combs his fingers through his already unruly hair. Most characteristic of him, she realizes.

"John," she warns him.

He clears his throat. "Well, I might not have driven by your mother's neighborhood, rather more like driven to..." He blushes slightly and that's another endearing feature of his, she reflects. He can't lie.

She steps aside and motions for him to get inside. "Coffee?" she offers.

He almost steps in but stops dead in his tracks when he sees the jacket draped on her forearm and the handbag resting on her shoulder. "Going somewhere?"

"As a matter of fact, yes. I was planning on doing some shopping at the galleria while on leave. Not much choice back home, if you see what I mean," she elaborates.

He nods and then falls silent. "What is it, John?" she asks quietly, her hand coming to rest on his arm briefly.

He smiles ruefully. "You said home..." His voice trails off.

She chuckles as it dawns on her. "You're bored and homesick!" It's not a question. He shuffles uncomfortably. "Right?" she insists.

"Aren't you?" The question surprises her. She didn't expect him to be so straightforward on that subject.

She ponders it for just a few seconds and nods. "Not bored. But homesick, yes." She smiles at him and motions for him to get inside. "Come on. You need some pep talk, as I can see. I'll make coffee and we'll talk. You must have tons of things to tell me since the last time we saw each other," she teases him.

He scowls. "Very funny, 'Lizabeth!" They've been on Earth for less than a week and still have a few days to go before they have to go back. All debriefings have been completed and Homeworld Security has cleared them to have a few days to themselves. Elizabeth is spending some days at her mother's. John was supposed to go and see his family, or so he'd told her anyway but she suspects this is all but a front. She knows from reading his file that he's hardly on speaking terms with his father and brother.

She decides to let it slide and tease him some more.

"So it seems you've been on leave for too long, Major," she chides him, raising an eyebrow.

He looks at her expectantly, not knowing what to make of it.

"Calling your superior by her first name, now?" She smirks. She doesn't have to wait for long before he retaliates.

"Well, ma'am," he insists on the word, "I apologize if I was too forward. I didn't mean no disrespect." His smirk mirroring hers and the cocky drawl in his voice belies his words.

She laughs out loud and slaps his arm playfully. "Come on, John, get inside. That's an order!"

He doesn't budge but instead grabs the keys from her hand and closes the door for her then hands them back to her. "I wouldn't dare take precious time from your tight schedule, 'Lizabeth. You wanted to go shopping. I'll escort you there and keep you safe from any alien creature daring to even think about approaching you," he banters.

She shakes her head and resists the tug of his hand as he gently tries to lead her to the car he's parked in front of the house. "Really, John, window shopping with you? I'm not sure that's a good idea. I've been told men are not really keen on that very feminine activity. I don't want you to get bored to death. Besides, I have offered you coffee and I know you can't say no when it comes to it," she counters, tempting him.

He ignores her and keeps on tugging her towards the street. "I say we go shopping and we get coffee at the same time. I won't take no for an answer."

She shakes her head and laughs, letting him have his way. "You're stubborn," she remarks, beaming at him as he opens the passenger door to his military-issue SUV.

"Right back at ya'," he counters as he closes the door and rounds the car to his side.

They drive in comfortable silence for a few minutes. He starts humming along with the music then briefly turns to her. "I didn't ask. I'm sorry. I should have enquired about your mother. Is she well? Maybe she wanted to come with you..." His voice trails off as he concentrates on the road.

She chuckles. "Stop rambling, John. My mother is fine. And no, she doesn't want to tag along! Right now, she's playing bridge with her dear friends and as things often go, they'll end up in their favorite restaurant afterwards and come home late. See, I'm all yours!"

He glances at her and gives her a grateful smile. "That's good! I suddenly realized you were humoring me because I was moody. I don't want to intrude."

She tsks and laughs. "You know, for someone who has all the girls at his feet (he rolls his eyes at that, in mock exasperation), you're quite self-conscious. I wouldn't have pegged you for being the type who apologizes all the time."

"I'm not. It's just things are so different here – normal, some would say. I'm not used to "normal" relationships anymore," he acknowledges as he parks the car in the mall's parking lot. He kills the engine and turns, angling his body towards her.

"I see," she says quietly and winces. He was the one to initiate this outing but maybe he doesn't feel comfortable with her. She tells him. "But that's OK," she adds, resting her hand on his forearm. "You can leave me here. I'll take a cab home when I'm done."

He combs his hand through his hair and massages his neck, wincing too. "I'm sorry, 'Lizabeth. Not what I meant. I'm clumsy with words. We make a great pair, uh? You, the diplomat, who always knows what to say and me, the flyboy, who never knows how to talk to people."

She squeezes his arm gently. "It's OK. I'm the one who did not interpret properly what you meant. And I do get it, you know. "Normal" doesn't mean anything to me anymore, except what we have on Atlantis... Except what you and I have, John. We connect normally. See, it's just here things are more difficult." He gazes at her but remains silent. "John, talk to me, please."

She's left her hand rest on his forearm and it is soothing him. "I..." he hesitates, unsure of if he's going to be able to convey to her how he feels. She smiles, encouraging him to go on. Right now, they're just two friends sharing their most inner thoughts. The cabin of the SUV is acting like a shield, a cocoon protecting them from the harsh reality of the outside world. "I spent one year in Afghanistan and one at Mc Munro. Then we left for Atlantis. I don't connect to that life anymore. I feel lost here. There's no one waiting for me, no one who can understand what I've been through, no one I can confide in... except you."

He falls silent and her heart goes out to him. She knows. She's experienced the same. She's always been on the move since her father passed away. There's not much to keep her here. She can't tell anyone where she's been, what she's been through. Except him. She feels she doesn't belong on Earth anymore. Her companion has chosen not to wait for her. She has not called her friends because what could she tell them? She'd have to lie through and through to protect what she knows. Even her relationship with her mother has evolved. And in a sense, it's for the better. If something happens to her, her mother is already used to not seeing her, not hearing from her. She has her own life, full of little, meaningless things that are as alien to Elizabeth as her life on Atlantis would be to her mom. She has encouraged her to go on with her life while she's visiting because she doesn't want to disrupt her well-organized routine – her comfort zone.

She tells him. She pours her heart out to him, except for Simon – that, she cannot tell him. He doesn't have to know how humiliated and lonely she feels. "So, you see, John, I do get it. I'm homesick too, even when I know we'll face many more dangers when we get there. All our friends are there. Everyone there makes me feel at home – where I rightly belong."

He teases her as he rests his hand on top of hers. "Even Rodney?" He's got twinkles in his eyes. It feels good to see him relax.

She gently removes her hand from under his but slaps his arm playfully. "Yes! Even Rodney! Now, let's get inside. I've got tons of window shopping to do and I still owe you a cup of coffee."

They exit the car and start walking toward the entrance. "You 'buying?" he asks, smirking. "Should have said it earlier. Would have saved us the talk!"

She knows this is his way of lightening the mood. She loosely folds her arm in his. "Behave! You're acting like a four-year-old!"

He puts his hand on hers and pats it gently. "I know, ma'am. But that's exactly what I am!" he banters, wagging his eyebrows, making her laugh out loud.

They end up window shopping a little and then sit at the food court as it's already late and he mentions treating themselves to something they really miss about Earth. She's not that hungry but lets him walk her around the food court until they've decided that a pizza and some ice cream afterwards would be just what they need. They settle at a table for two in a quiet corner and share their meal and a conversation. They talk about nothing in particular as they usually do on Atlantis when one joins the other on the balcony.

"I miss our balcony," she can't help mentioning as they share their ice cream, digging their spoon in the same cup. He looks at her wistfully and setting his spoon aside, grabs her free hand in both of his. "Hey, we're going back. And we'll have many, many more conversations on our balcony." On second thoughts, he adds, dabbing a drop of ice cream on her nose: "but we won't have ice cream! So seize the day!"

She laughs, glad the day is off to such a good start after all.

They stroll to the coffee shop and she insists on treating him after he paid for their food. They bicker a little. "Please?" she almost begs.

"Independent much, are we?" he remarks playfully.

"Only true to my words, John. I said I was buying. Remember?" she raises an eyebrow to make her point.

"Yes, ma'am," he says, saluting, and lets her have her way because it makes her happy.

They take their coffee with them and walk arm in arm, looking at the windows.

"You didn't tell me what you needed to buy?" he mentions after a while as he drops their cups in a bin.

"Mainly clothes. Comfortable things I can wear when I'm in my room. I know it seems vain, but I still need things of my own and not just the government-issue uniforms we wear."

He's surprised. This is a part of her he doesn't know about. He always sees her in uniform. He was taken aback this morning at seeing her wearing those tight-fitting jeans and the leather jacket. They're not used to seeing each other in anything else but their work clothes tho' she's already seen him running around the city with Ronon, dressed in sportswear. She too has noticed his civilian clothes today. He's wearing jeans that fit him too well, she reflects and starts blushing at the thought, a well-worn leather jacket he might have inherited from his years as a pilot and a blue shirt that compliments his eyes.

He sees the blush but takes it as a reluctance to take him in the stores with her. "If you need to be alone while you shop, I can make myself sparse and join you later on," he offers.

"Would that be more convenient to you?" she asks, not wanting to impose on him.

"This is not what I meant, 'Lizabeth." He winces. "I just want to give you space. But if you don't mind me coming with you, I'd love to." There. He's said it. He hopes it's not too forward. On second thoughts, he asks her so.

She laughs and tugs at his arm. "Come on, Major, let's see if you'll feel as comfortable as you sound once you enter the fitting room area!" She winks at him and he feels himself blush at the thought. He doesn't know what it is about his boss but tho' she's always been very forward and friendly and sometimes even teasing with him, today, she seems to have decided to unwind. He thinks of boundaries and rules and regulations and shakes his head. He decides he reads too much into all this and mentally slaps himself.

She chides herself for being such a tease. She knows there are boundaries. She knows General O'Neill would not leave them unprotected while on Earth so they're bound to have agents protecting them and watching them. She just hopes what they see is not going to raise suspicions. She can't lie to herself. Seen from another perspective, they do look very friendly to each other today. She crosses her fingers and decides that for the time being, they're entitled to a little bit of fun, after all they've been through.

She finally buys a few things here and there, spending as little time as possible in the fitting room. He patiently waits outside and even once goes to find another size. He does it as if it were the most normal thing in the world – spending time with her in stores. She graces him with a smile and kiss on his cheek as they leave the fitting room area of the last store and before they are in plain view.

He looks almost shocked but pleased. "What was that for?" he still inquires.

"For being so patient."

"Really, it was nothing. You never waver when choosing, you're really efficient. You're the perfect girl!" he banters then realizes it might sound like he's coming on her. His look drops to his shoes as they stroll towards the cashier.

"And you're Mr Right!" she banters back, seeing his unease. He looks up and beams at her as she pays for her purchase. "It seems like you've had a rough time with girls and stores. I do appreciate you decided to come anyway," she adds, taking the bags from his hand.

"I can carry that, you know?" he offers.

"Marry me?" The joke is out before she can take it back. She blushes. "Sorry," she adds hurriedly. "It sounded like something fun to say. I'm a moron!"

He laughs out loud and takes the bags from her. "I'll carry your bags free of charge, dear. But if you want to marry me, I'm all for it!" he adds teasingly. "And you're not a moron. That was indeed funny. I hope the guys from Homeworld have that on tape. I might borrow it from them when I feel gloomy."

She looks shocked. "You know?"

He shakes his head in disbelief. "Of course I know! Do you really believe they would leave us on our own while we're here and risk having us kidnapped?" He raises his eyebrows at her expectantly.

"I guess not. So, if they have that on tape, we're in trouble, right?" she wonders aloud. She was so stupid! She didn't think for once. She just loosened up and there they were, just because she had a moment of distraction!

He tugs her to him and looks right into her eyes. "Stop worrying. Jack O'Neill is Homeworld Security and believe me if I say we're safe with him. In all the senses of the term. He'd never do something to harm us because of that. He knows how hard it is to have a normal life with our jobs, right? And besides, do you really think they'd discipline us for taking time for ourselves for once when we're not on duty? We're too valuable for that,'" he adds, with a good dose of cynicism in his voice.

She sighs and nods in approval. "You're right. But, still, it was stupid," she apologizes.

"Sure it was!" he teases her as he tugs her along towards the next stores. "I could have said yes!"

They end up in front of a store selling coffee machines, those ones where you only need to put a pod in it to get fresh coffee in no time. She sees him look wistfully at the thing. He's like a child in a toy store. "Do you want to go inside?" she offers.

"Na," he says with a dismissive wave of his hand that doesn't succeed in hiding his true desire – to get in there and try the thing.

It's her turn to tug at his arm. She walks him to the machine. "My mother has one of these," she coaxes him. "It's wonderful. You don't need to clean it afterwards. Just throw the pod in the bin. And you can have all sorts of coffee," she adds, showing him a catalogue.

He sighs. "See, 'Lizabeth, that's the thing I really miss when we're on Atlantis. Good coffee. The one in the cafeteria is OK. I mean, it's barely so."

"Well, you could always replace it with tea, you know," she teases him, observing him from the corner of her eye.

"Now, there's no way you're gonna make me drink that thing! That's just hot water to me. You should be ashamed of even suggesting it," he answers more vehemently than he had imagined.

"Watch it, John! You're being disrespectful!" She wags her finger at him and for a moment he thinks he's gone too far then he sees the smile she's trying to hide. "You're impossible!" he chides.

"Sorry," she laughs. "I couldn't help it! Now, why don't we get serious for a moment. I have a purchase to make. Black or red?" she inquires.

He looks at her in dismay. "What?"

"Don't play dumb, John. Which one do you want?" she insists patiently.

"You want to buy me a machine?"

"Yep! There are perks to being the leader of an expedition. I get to carry way more things than you do. So I'm treating everyone to a little something. You were the last one on my list." He lifts an eyebrow to mock her at the use of little. She ignores him and turns to the salesperson. "We'll take the red one, thank you." She turns to him and adds: "I'll have the pods delivered to my mom's place before we go so it can be packed with my belongings but do you think you can carry this to the car?" she asks, showing him the machine's box.

"You're kidding, right?" he asks anyway, tho' he can see her paying for it already.

"No, I'm not. Coffee makes you happy. You'll get as much as you want, as long as the pods last. I'll have enough packed for some time and if need be, I'll ask for more when we get special deliveries by ship," she elaborates, winking at him, not wanting to refer to the Daedalus by its name.

"You're offering me a coffee machine?" He cannot believe his eyes. This is such a sweet gesture. So like her, actually. She always thinks of others, pampering her team, tho' he knows she can be tougher than most men if she needs to.

"Enjoy!" she says, as she hands him the box. "There might be a glitch, tho'," she adds teasingly. He watches her cautiously, waiting for the second shoe to drop. "If it's in your office, you might see me a lot more than you're used to, or than you might want to, as a matter of fact!"

He follows her towards the parking lot. "Be careful, Dr Weir. I might get used to seeing you more often. In fact, I might decide to leave the machine in your office so you won't be able to evade me. This all thing might come back to bite you back!"

She smirks but doesn't stop until they've reached the car. He puts the bags and box in the trunk and closes it then he bends towards her and brushes his lips on her cheek. "Thank you, 'Lizabeth," he simply says then holds the passenger door open for her to get in. She sighs with content as he rounds the car. It was indeed a really good day.

He drives her back to her mom's and takes the bags inside.

"Thank you for this wonderful day, John. It was fun." They smile at each other.

"Can I take you out to dinner?" he asks tentatively. He shuffles on his feet, suddenly uneasy. He might be crossing boundaries there.

She observes him a for a while, pondering. Are they going too far? Are they too friendly? Is it going to be too difficult for them when they return to Atlantis and their positions and need to act accordingly?

"John..." her voice trails off and he immediately takes it as a rebutal. He lifts his hands up in surrender, looking sheepish. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked."

"No, that's fine. Actually, you know what? I'd love to accept your invitation," she says with a smile.

"You don't think it will be a problem?" he insists. "I don't want you to say yes to humor me."

"John, I don't see why humoring you would be a problem. You humored me enough today. And before you say anything else, humoring is not pitying. I'd very much like to spend more time with you. We're entitled to enjoying a good meal and the conversation of a good friend, aren't we?"

"Pep talking me again, eh?" he lifts his eyebrow the way she does and she laughs.

"That too! If one day I had been told I'd have to boost your self-esteem, I would have laughed at the notion." She licks her lips briefly, eyeing him. "Seriously, John. An evening out is exactly what I need and probably what you need too. I still have a few errands to run and also quite a few phone calls to return and then I'm all yours. Why don't you come and pick me up around six. You pick the place. Whatever you like will be OK with me. Alright?" she looks him in the eye as she sees him pondering his answer. He lifts his hand but she beats him to it and ruffles his hair playfully. "There! Now, your answer, Major?" she says, crossing her arms on her chest.

He nods silently then reaches out to her hair and tugs a loose strand behind her ear. "Six o'clock. Be ready. I hate women who are late!" he says over his shoulder as he walks to the door.

TBC