Disclaimer: Don't own, don't make any money from my "borrowing" of these beloved characters.
Elizabeth was scowling at her computer when John entered her office. That in and of itself was nothing unusual, so John plopped on the edge of her desk and leaned over the computer to see what was vexing her now.
"I didn't even know we had a weather report." John was impressed.
"Yes, well after the storm, McKay designated a scientist to be our resident meteorologist. It would be best to have a little more warning the next time some nasty weather rolls in." Elizabeth sighed and sunk back against her seat. "Days and days of rain ahead."
John felt a similar scowl creeping across his own face. He bit down on his lip and shifted, glancing out to the balcony. The sky had already morphed into a deep shade of dark blue and the heavy clouds already released a light smattering of rain.
"Rain." He commiserated.
There had been a time when he didn't mind the rain, a time when he would have been almost eagerly thinking of an early morning run outdoors where he could soak up the fresh scent of the newly cleansed world. That seemed like a lifetime ago, before he'd made the acquaintance of a people called Genii and an evil named Kolya.
"Elizabeth, I have an idea." He grabbed her hand, ignoring the shocked look in her eyes as he tugged her out of the chair. "Do you trust me?"
A knowing smile crossed her face and her eyes slanted towards him playfully. "Maybe not so much when you look at me like that."
"You look curious, though." He planted what he hoped was his most irresistible expression on his face. "You know you want to come with me."
"Do I have a choice?" She looked skeptical, but shut the lid to her laptop anyway.
Victory. He tried not to smirk. "Come on, we need to grab a few supplies on the way."
"Why am I already nervous?" Elizabeth laughed, but allowed John to tow her away.
He was determined to get her away from her office and the control room before she changed her mind. Her laughter was infectious. Chuck's wide eyes doubled back to track them and John threw him a wicked wink as they escaped down the stairs.
A half hour later-
They stood under the covered roof of the southwest pier. Elizabeth drew in a deep breath of air, hoping her mind could override the imprinting from that horrid day of the storm. She longed for the day rain again made her think of this sweet fresh air rather than the terrible cold and intense fear she'd felt during the incursion.
"You're up, Elizabeth." John handed her a glass and a golf club.
She wrinkled her nose and sniffed before taking a sip. "Athosian?"
"Nah, but I could probably round some of that up if you'd like it better. That's Radek's special brew."
She gingerly took a sip and quivered as the hot liquor tore down her throat. Not bad.
"No, I like this. It's surprisingly warming." Elizabeth looked back at the glass wondering if she even wanted to know what it consisted of. "My belly feels warm, John, is that normal?"
"For Radek's brew, yes. It'll make your cheeks flush, too."
John brushed back a strand of her hair and her skin sizzled when his thumb brushed her cheek. She made a mental note to sip the liquor very slowly. Her body was heating up in ways that had nothing to do with liquor. She was going to have to pace herself…and put some space between her and John.
She put down the glass and pulled the golf club tightly into her grasp. She swung and a delighted little feeling of victory surged through her. It felt good. Forgetting her intent to keep space between them, she turned in a circle grinning like an idiot coming face to face with John.
"Told you. It feels good to get drunk and hit things."
She pretended to be shocked. "You never said anything about drunk, John. You said drink. Drink and hit things. It did feel good." She admitted.
John directed a smile toward her that made her breath hitch. She tried to avert her eyes, but instead they washed languidly down his body. He'd ditched the uniform for a battered concert tee and a well worn pair of blue jeans that molded just right against his body. She looked up, finding his eyes watching her in amusement. She blushed furiously and swiveled to reach for her glass. As long as he didn't turn his back on her, highlighting the rear view, just maybe should wouldn't embarrass herself by outright drooling in appreciation.
Elizabeth picked up the glass and took another sip. "Your turn." She nodded towards the golf clubs.
"First I think you need a little help with your swing." John took the glass and handed her the club. She was just getting in stance for the swing when a wave of heat singed the nerves on her back. John's arms wrapped around her, his hands settled atop hers. Her yoga attire may have not been the best choice when she'd changed for this outing. Through the thin material, she could feel the beat of his heart and every flex of his muscles as he settled in behind her.
His voice was hot against her ear. "So you just need to focus on two things."
Elizabeth's eyes fluttered and she fought to keep her knees from quaking. Focus, she though wryly. Not a chance in hell of focus with his body wrapped around her and Radek's damn liquor racing through her body, lancing her every defense. She finally muttered something unintelligible in response. His breath dusted against her neck sending tiny sparks racing down her spine.
"It's all about the grip." John stepped closer and it was all Elizabeth could do to keep from leaning back into him. "And focus. Pretend the ball is Kolya's head."
Kolya. That name cleared some of the haze from her mind. Elizabeth swung. Her shoulders burned from the exertion and her spirits soared at the thought of Kolya's head pummeling far and beyond the rails of the pier.
Feeling victorious, she turned to John, forgetting he was just behind her. She stumbled and his arms swept around her, pulling her tight.
"I've got you."
Yes he did. More than he knew, she thought. Her palms were on his chest and she could feel his heart rate increase beneath her fingers. She edged back and was caught in the molten darkness of his eyes. The sound of her own heart beating erratically started thundering in her ears. She finally understood she wasn't alone in the shift of her emotions. She wanted more and he stood there waiting for her to take it, wanting her too. It was a heady sensation and a choice she hadn't yet prepared herself to make. She swallowed deeply and finally found the will to extract herself.
She turned and exhaled the deep breath she'd been holding in. Biding for time, she reached for the golf club and started readying herself for another swing.
John pulled the club from her hands. "Maybe we just need to loosen you up some more."
"My legs feel like jello, John. How much looser do you want me?"
A flicker of childish delight flashed through his eyes and he pressed his lips together, trying not to laugh. Belatedly, she realized she'd just offered up one hell of an innuendo.
"Jello?" He finally managed.
"Your fault." Oh the wicked ways she could drive that smile from his face. She settled on something simple. "You were the one staring at me like a starving man."
John's mouth opened softly in surprise. "Maybe I'm just a thirsty man." He rebounded well.
"Have any more of Radek's brew?"
A sly smile stretched wide across his face. She was relenting and he knew it.
He refilled their glasses and passed one over to her. Wordlessly she pulled the glass to her lips, never breaking eye contact. The fiery liquid burned down her throat and she embraced it, along with the ensuring heat that coursed through her body, her heart.
John put their glasses aside and took her hands, drawing her a little closer to the edge of the pier. Even at this distance, slanting raindrops breached the shielding of the roof above and the rain fell soft against her skin. He nodded towards the ocean and she turned her eyes to follow. She had avoided the balcony in her office on rainy days since the incursion. She'd forgotten how beautiful the falling rain could be against the ocean, how mesmerizing the sound of the raindrops striking water. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply.
A moment later John nudged her side. She blinked and found John's eyes on her. He didn't need to say a word, she knew he got it, they were along on this journey together. For the first time in a long time, the rain didn't bring with it memories of terror. Looking upward, she found a break within the clouds. The stars sparkled brilliantly through the dark. She held her arms out and starting slowly spinning in the rain. She was probably grinning like an idiot, but that was okay. She was taking back the rain, Kolya's memories wouldn't ever tarnish this simple joy ever again.
Perhaps she had sipped too much of Radek's fiery delight, she twirled a little too hard and wobbled, landing in the hard press of John's embrace.
"Elizabeth, we may have gotten you drunk."
His voice rasped deliciously against her ear and she could only nod in silent agreement. But it wasn't just Radek's liquor that was making her world spin. His hands had been busy, they'd trailed down her body to her waist and now his fingers ghosted under the hem of her shirt making her nerves riot in response.
Perhaps it was time to make some new memories of the rain, she mused. Her hands threaded through his damp messy hair and she stretched up, pressing her lips into his. A low growl rumbled through his throat, his lips parted and he pressed deeper into their kiss. His mouth was hot against hers, demanding, and he tasted of the same fiery liquor she'd recently decided she adored.
A crack of thunder roared through the air. They forced their lips apart and turned towards the ocean. John pulled Elizabeth's back to his chest and she leaned into his warmth. Seconds later a jagged bolt of lightning ripped through the sky with a burst of radiant light.
John steered her around and they retreated back under the safety of cover. "There's a couch inside, we can sit there and watch the storm."
She peered at him from the corner of her eyes. "Or generate some electricity of our own?"
His eyes stretched wide with sinful delight. He grabbed her waist, pulling her with him as he flopped onto his back on the couch. Her flip flops tumbled off, clattering to the floor beside them.
She had landed rather ungracefully on top of him. She pushed up from the couch to readjust and John frowned at the space she'd put between them. He shifted them sideways, securing her body between him and the back of the couch. His nose nudged against hers, but instead of tilting her mouth closer, she pulled back an inch.
"I'm going to sign you up for the weather forecast, John." Her hand snaked into his hair, her nails scratching softly against his scalp.
"Mmm. Okay." John's hand trailed down her side. "Wait. What?"
"So you can plan accordingly." She tucked her arm under his shoulder and her fingers trailed down the strong planes of his back down to his waist. She slipped her hand into the back of his pants pocket and gently squeezed. "I kind of like playing in the rain."
She'd never known a mans laughter could rumble so sinfully against her lips. His muffled laughter died away as she pressed deeper into their kiss. It was ragged and getting sloppy. Somehow the angle was wrong, her head had lodged against the crease of the couch. He softly grunted in frustration, tugging her closer before rolling them over. Her fingers trailed down his arms, his muscles bulging enticingly under the press of his weight. His mouth was hot on her neck, blazing a fiery trail towards her ear.
His breath ghosted against her ear. "Elizabeth, if this is playing, you'd better give me some kind of warning before things turn serious. You might give me a damn heart attack."
"John?" Elizabeth's breath caught as his body settled lower against her. She gently drug her toes up his calf before hooking her leg around his thigh, drawing him closer and increasing the pressure in all the right places. "Consider yourself warned."
A/N. Just a oneshot, hope you enjoyed!