PROMISES

Starring:
Dr. Elizabeth Weir, John Sheppard et al, Angela Peterson (OC), Dr. Rodney McKay
Co-starring:
Teyla Emmagan, Ronon Dex, Dr. Carson Beckett, Col. Steven Caldwell
Special appearances by:
Gen. Hank Landry, Gen. Jack O'Neill, SG-1

one

Elizabeth stands in front of the full length mirror, caressing the new pearls laced around her neck. They are exquisite, not of Earth but that makes them even more special. The beautiful dress she borrowed from an Athosian woman, Yianni, is made of cream colored embroidered lace over a sleeveless white silk sheath; lace alone covers her arms from shoulders to wrists. The bodice is a little tight, but gives her ample cleavage, and she can't find fault with the effect. The skirt flares at the hips instead of the waist so it drapes elegantly over the tops of her shoes, which are old, tan and worn, but the only dress shoes she has; besides, only the pointed toes can be seen at any given moment.

A knock on the door doesn't jar her, she's been waiting impatiently for this sign, but her stomach flutters all the same. She opens the door and there he stands, looking beyond beautiful in his dress blues even with his perpetually mussed hair. She always liked the Air Force uniforms best, now she knows why. He smiles, flashing the dimples she adores. "You look gorgeous, Elizabeth."

Her stomach flutters again. She takes a deep breath to still her nerves. "Thank you, Colonel. So do you."

"But…" He tilts his head just a touch and looks her over. "Something's missing."

Elizabeth smoothes her palms over the Athosian lace. "I don't think so."

He grins as he pulls his hands from behind his back. One holding a fistful of lovely blue wild flowers tied with a long piece of embroidered white silk that matches her dress.

Elizabeth chokes back a joyous sob as she takes hold of the bouquet. The flowers smell of vanilla. Smiling and blinking back tears, she looks up at him and can see a shimmer of tears in his eyes as well. Elizabeth caresses his cheek. "John..."

He kisses her palm. "Ready?"

Taking another deep breath, she nods. John crooks his arm and she links hers through it. He kisses the side of her head. "I love you, Elizabeth."

"I know. I love you too."

He leads her down the corridors of the Daedalus. As they make their way to the bridge, personnel stand aside, smiles and applause start ringing through the corridors. Suddenly, music swells; traditional Earth music playing over the ship's sound system.

Elizabeth's heart thumps in time with the familiar song. She clutches his hand, but doesn't stop walking. Nervous maybe…but determined nonetheless. She didn't expect this to happen so fast, didn't expect so much enthusiasm from the expedition team. And she surely didn't expect Col. Steven Caldwell to be so…well, such a romantic.

But love is a powerful motivator. And boy, is she in-love.

They turn the final corridor and Elizabeth lays eyes on her best girlfriends grinning like kids in a rainbow of colors. All three wearing dresses similar to Elizabeth's – made specifically for the occasion – only in three striking different colors. Though military, Laura is in a royal blue gown that dazzles, Teyla's bronze skin glistens fabulously in plum and Angela's absolutely stunning in crimson. Elizabeth hears John's breath catch when he glimpses Angie in all her glory. The connection between those two never fails to amaze. She wishes Ronon could be here to see Teyla and Carson could see Laura, but Atlantis needs both to remain in the city just in case. She can't wait to see their reactions later, however.

The women smile at Elizabeth, Angie blows a kiss to John then they turn in and waltz down the 'aisle' created by the people standing for the procession. Gasps and 'ahhs' echo back to Elizabeth and she grins again.

By her side, John links his fingers through hers and squeezes gently. "Last chance to make a run for it."

She flashes him her patented stink-eye. "No way."

John shrugs, though he smiles as well. And he escorts her down the aisle.

Steven, also in full uniform, stands at attention in front of the giant front windows overlooking the brilliant blue planet they call home. Rodney fidgets in his suit as he stands off to the right. Seems the best man might be even more nervous than the groom.

Laura, Teyla and Angela step off to the left as Elizabeth and John approach.

Her groom smiles, his eyes crinkle and the love in them washes over her. Her heart surges with adoration and gratitude that she finally found him. That she knows what true love really is. This man who was willing to risk everything to be with her.

Her soul mate.

John releases her hand as they come to a stop in front of Steven. He caresses her back before handing her off to the groom and stepping aside, taking his place in the front row.

Since the event is happening on the deck of the starship, everyone stands for the ceremony, which Elizabeth promised would be short and sweet so they can get back to work quickly. The Daedalus is due to leave for Earth in less than five hours.

"Who gives this woman to this man?"

John stands at attention. "I do."

"Better get used to saying that," Elizabeth whispers out the side of her mouth making Angie grin, John blush and the audience snigger.

Steven lifts his chin and everyone grows silent. "We are gathered here to witness the union of Dr. Elizabeth Weir and Major Jonathan Sheppard."

She turns to look at her groom. "Jonathan?"

He shrugs, grinning. "For now."

Elizabeth cups his cheek and he leans into her touch. "By any other name…" her smile slides into a sly smirk. "You're still mine."

"You bet." He kisses her suddenly, passionately, getting whoops and cheers from the crowd.

"Hey," Steven chides. "We haven't gotten to that part yet."

And everyone laughs.

XOXOXO

John's gaze slides from the bride and groom to his own betrothed who unashamedly has tears in her eyes. Tears of joy for one of her closest friends. Angie loves Elizabeth like a sister and John knows the feeling is mutual.

Betrothed he smirks. The word seems too old-fashioned when thinking of Angie. The spitfire, hellcat of a woman has captured his heart, mind and body. His soul inexplicably linked to hers through an accident with an alien device… and he wouldn't have it any other way.

When Elizabeth made the crack about him having to get used to saying "I do" the blush that followed wasn't out of embarrassment or nerves. He would willingly grab hold of Angie right now and say their vows up there with Elizabeth and Jonathan. But Angie refused to take Elizabeth out of the spotlight for even a moment. "This is her day. Their day. We'll have ours and it'll be fabulous… and all ours." They haven't set a date yet because Teyla's friend on the mainland is making Angie's wedding dress from scratch with materials from all over Pegasus that Teyla has chosen. If it's anything like Elizabeth's it'll be breathtaking.

Angie's gorgeous beyond belief with those dark brown bedroom eyes, pouty lips and lush black hair. And man, a single look or touch from this mortal goddess is enough to get his temperature soaring. But as ludicrous and ridiculously poetic as it might sound, it's the internal strength and wisdom she has – and tried to hide for so long, even from herself – that drew him to her.

She's his match in every way. They have so much in common, more so than any other woman he's ever met. She's a guy's girl: smart, funny, sassy, adventuresome and a hellava lot of fun to be around. Sometimes, she's as much a kid as he is… which drives the Atlantis crew crazy, especially Elizabeth, who's gonna put them both in the brig if she catches them skateboarding through the city one more time.

Angie's fond of saying: "I kinda failed the girly quiz early on." She told him she couldn't tell a Prada purse from a Target one, she's never spent more than ninety minutes in a mall, doesn't own tons of shoes and never went to the bathroom with a group of girls. Ok, so she doesn't like sports unless it's a movie about the sport, like "Remember the Titans" or that baseball one with Charlie Sheen, but she is a closet sci-fi geek and loves action movies almost more than John does. A big fan of "things that go boom!" she chuckled. She's even gotten him hooked on disaster flicks from the seventies like The Towering Inferno, Earthquake and the Airport series.

Angie uses her knuckle to catch a falling tear and she must see him staring at her because her gaze shifts from the ceremony to him and John's breath catches. Her lips twitch; her soft smile growing sultry as she returns his gaze. He can feel the love simply flowing off her in waves. It's part of what makes their connection so incredible. Before, she'd be embarrassed to be caught showing such emotion. Angie does not like to cry and had the most difficult time expressing her feelings for John. But things have changed so much in the last few months; ever since their engagement. She's more stable, less erratic, even though she still has the occasional mood swing, they usually follow a session with Heightmeyer or a dramatic metabolism meltdown. Poor woman has to eat more than McKay and likes it half as much.

Angie is probably the strongest person he's ever met while still being the most emotionally fragile. She's a conundrum. But he's also content in the knowledge that while Angie may not need him to save her… she wants him to be with her. She's choosing to be with him. And for John, that's something he's never known.

She's not perfect, but then neither is he. She still hides things from him, like her age… and there's still a part of her that houses Jax even if she tries to deny it. Jax was her cover for far too long and made it easy to hide behind the mask when things got uncomfortable. John knows that feeling well, he's hidden behind sarcasm and jokes. Angie simply gets stoic and quiet… blank. John's determined to break through that last bit of wall even if it takes a lifetime.

He's not so self-deluded not to recognize his own 'issues', of which there are many, but one she called him on a while back that struck him hard. They went to I-zoola for a brief vacation after the incident on the hive ship. Angie was skating and fell on the ice during one of her twirling jumps. John rushed in to help her but she brushed him off and got back up. She hurt his feelings and he let her know it the only way he could: he yelled at her for being careless. So she yelled back. It erupted into an all out war of words about taking risks and not worrying about consequences… he still doesn't know where the hell that came from, but she stopped him cold.

"Stop trying to be a goddamned hero all the time, John. You're not on the job right now, you're my fiancé watching me work at what I do best. I'm not some china doll, damsel-in-distress! And even if I was, you sure as hell know that if I fall down, by God, I'll pick myself up if I can." She poked him in the chest and he was so stunned by her wrath he couldn't think of a comeback. "If I want help, I'll ask for it. If that's not something you can handle then you need to leave." Heightmeyer called it his 'savior complex'. John never accepted that diagnosis from the good doc. But seeing Angie's reaction slammed the message home. And surprisingly enough, made him love her even more.

John had stared at her for the longest time, seeing the anger in her eyes was nothing new, he'd seen it before when she took out Kolya. But it was the churning in the pit of his gut that made him realize how true her words were. He did have a problem letting others – Angie particularly – do things that might get them hurt.

He goads her into wearing protective gear whenever they skateboard in the city even though he goes without so much as gloves. Whenever she goes off-world, John makes sure that if he can't go, someone else is assigned to keep by her side at all times… and it grates on him until she returns. While planning for the wedding, Angie, Cadman, Teyla and Elizabeth were off-world together – without backup! – leaving John in charge of the city. When they didn't come back on schedule, he had already organized a rescue team to go after them. Only to have them show up as the team was about to leave.

Elizabeth gave him an earful after that, especially since they'd only been two hours late. But then she turned around and puked in her waste basket because Angie had gotten them drunk – which was the reason they were late. John was livid but couldn't find fault with Elizabeth's argument, given that they'd been on an allied planet and John never once tried to dial in for radio contact. He just assumed they were in danger and needed rescuing.

Angie's still watching him, as if reading his thoughts. She winks before giving her attention back to the bride and groom: Elizabeth and Jonathan. Now that's not confusing at all, seeing your universal twin wedding the woman you once considered your own. John shakes off the thought. Yes, he loves Elizabeth. He always will. And there was a time that he believed he was in-love with her and Angie at the same time. But he realized the differences between his feelings for both women.

His devotion to Elizabeth is bonded in true friendship, companionship… possibly even soul mates as Angie once said. But the line had been drawn by fate or whatever that managed to keep them apart – something always did. And John finally realized their connection was far greater and more important than being together physically. They need each other and Atlantis needs both of them. And any damage to that emotional connection they share would be catastrophic for everyone.

Not everyone understands the situation between the three of them: him, Angie and Elizabeth. He's heard the rumors and grumbles from some who don't really know Angie. They call her a troublemaker, say she's selfish for interfering with John and Elizabeth's relationship, consider her an interloper in the city because she's not a scientist or in the military. John's not sure why this tension exists. Angie has done incredible things for morale: teaching ice-skating and dance to anyone who wanted to learn, including the Athosian and I-zoolan children. And the I-zoolan's could not love her more than they already do and it makes John so proud to be with her on those trips. Receiving and accepting compliments on anything has never been easy for her… and the blush that rises in her cheeks makes John weak in the knees.

John's love for Elizabeth transcends being in-love or lust – though those glimpses he still gets from Jon when the two are going at it… that's gotta stop! Still he finds it odd that he's not jealous of Jonathan, because on some level he is Jonathan…or was – he still gets confused by the whole timeline thing – and he makes Elizabeth happy. That's all he can ask for. His best friend deserves to be loved unconditionally, without reservation or a split heart. Jonathan gives her that. And John can now freely admit to himself that despite early protestations, he is head-over-heels in-love with Angie and probably has been from the start.

He never could have taken the women up on the deal they offered him: to share him. Though he did consider it for a few moments… okay a day, but he'd already found himself locked into Angie. After what happened on Haskin, John almost lost her and that memory still shakes him. If he wakes in the dead of night and she's not next to him in bed, he has to fight off momentary panic until he realizes she's only inches away. They spoon most of the time now, though she still claims not to like cuddling. But John has to laugh as she holds tight to his arm draped over her waist and links her fingers with his.

She's come so far in a short time here. It still amazes him that he really didn't know she existed before Ronon came to the city. John knew her as someone who worked in the infirmary, had heard about the dance instructions, though he'd never witnessed one until the day in the gym with Ronon and the other men. Back then, Jax, as she was known, was kind of an elusive entity, not in his inner circle, though not completely outside it either. And, then, all the secrecy surrounding her had not only intrigued him but pulled him in; and again her elusiveness combined with the need to protect her hit him like a sledgehammer. She'd been through enough for one lifetime, so John felt drawn to her. That savior complex really did him in.

Then the Ancient "honeymoon" addiction kicked in and they were inseparable. But it wasn't until Kolya kidnapped and tortured her and she managed to not only save herself but John's team as well that John finally realized: this is the woman for me. And it had nothing to do with saving her… but saving himself. Angie broke through all the walls that not only she built up, but the ones John had erected for himself as well. She even managed to get Ronon to lighten up. Now that's an amazing feat if John ever witnessed one.

Okay, so he's a man in-love… everything she does is magic! John grins. So what. The truth is, not everything she does goes over well. That Halloween party that died before it was born. Her and Cadman's attempts at a scavenger hunt – just between the two of them – which had McKay raging for both their heads when some Ancient trinkets went missing.

John stifles a chuckle. Angie and Laura Cadman are the strangest pair… and yet they make total sense. Lucy and Ethel… Laverne and Shirley… they got nothin' on these two goofballs.

John clearly remembers the water balloon fight through the halls of Atlantis between the two women that eventually led to the soul-bond between him and Angie. If it hadn't been for Cadman…

He can't think about that. Can't fathom not having this dark angel in his life.

John's only problem is that he thinks the feelings he has for Angie just might kill him. He's never been so deeply entrenched in someone else. When she hurts, he hurts, when she's happy, he's happy… and when she's … oh man when she's in the mood God help him! They still have that constant need for each other, though they no longer fight through withdrawals. He simply needs to touch her, smell her to get his fix, but when they make love he's still insatiable, they both are. She's so unworldly gorgeous when they're together. He can't get enough of her. The way they fit together, bring out so much pleasure in each other… it's hypnotic almost. He can't close his eyes when he's with her. He keeps her face in his mind when he's off-world. He can sense when she's nearby: a pleasant tingle low in his gut that bounces to his heart when she smiles at him.

Just like earlier in the corridor when she grabbed his arm and pulled him into a storage closet. John felt the rush of her as he entered the corridor and his body immediately reacted to her presence… her lust-filled presence.

The room was small and dark except for a tiny red light above the door. Her mouth was on his instantly and John gave in, deepening the kiss, tasting her, taking from her as much as she took from him. "Damn, you're so beautiful in dress blues! It should be illegal you being this gorgeous," she said in the gravely voice he's still getting used to, her hands working frantically on his belt.

John chuckled. He'd gotten dressed on Atlantis and just arrived even though the ceremony was still a half-hour off. "Look who's talking." His voice hushed as he traced her jaw line with kisses. "You're wearing a fucking dress again!"

She leaned back and smiled slyly at him. "Tell me you want me."

John sank his fingers deep into her soft curls, pulling her head back to expose her neck and growled as his lips latch onto her throat. "I always want you!" She whimpered when he hit the right spot and John's pants were becoming increasingly restrictive. Her fingers unlatched the top button. With a groan he pulled back. "But we can't. No time and… I only have the one uniform."

She sighed, closing her eyes in disappointment. But then her eyes opened and locked with his. A fierce gleam told him she wasn't in the mood for 'not now'. "But I could be anyone," she drawled, drawing his zipper down, feeling him growing, hardening against the brush of her knuckles. "A stow-away. A spy. I should be thoroughly searched." Her lips played lightly over his. "And if found guilty… thoroughly punished."

John closed his eyes and groaned, as if he actually had to think about this. She's his Aphrodite, his Venus… he can't say no to her… never wants to say no. "You really are a Very Bad Girl." He kissed her this time, tasting the cherry gloss on her lips, loving the feel of her tongue darting against his and the happy mewl in her sigh.

Taking a deep breath, she grasped his face in both hands and caught his gaze; hers so full of desire it made his knees weak. No woman has ever done that to him. Sure he's felt wanted, desired before… but not hungered for. "What are you gonna do about it?"

John spun her around and pushed her toward the wall. Her hands slapped against the metal with a soft thunk. He leaned in and whispered thickly against her ear. "Whatever I want." He felt a shiver rush through her body that excited him to no end. "Spread your legs, lady."

With a familiar shudder that told him she was beyond ready for him, Angie did as she was told and slid her legs apart, at least as far as the tight skirt would permit. He gripped her hips, slowly pushing upward over the silky material that encased her breasts, enjoying the tactile sensation. He cupped and squeezed mercilessly at the tender flesh beneath his heated touch. She leaned into his grasp, breathing heavy. His fingers dipped into her warm cleavage as he stepped closer, pressing himself against her backside. "I think you're hiding something from me," he said.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

His hands smoothed down her body, over her stomach, down her legs. He squatted and rummaged under the skirt, each hand running upward over a toned leg, lifting the skirt as he stood up; his pants slipped around his ankles at the same time.

Damn! She wasn't wearing anything underneath. "Son-of-a-bitch," he hissed, feeling his boxers getting even tighter.

"Find something, sir?" she asked breathlessly.

He cupped her bare ass. "Not exactly. But I'm not complaining either." He pushed his hand between her legs, feeling her out, parting her and finding that sweet nub of nerves with his fingertips. She cooed and writhed against his hand. John loved the feel of her in his hand, under his command… though he'd never tell her that last part. He could do anything to her now, anything at all and she'd let him. She'd beg him even. That kind of power over another person could really screw with someone's brain. The fact that all he wanted to do now was send her into a frenzy of pleasure tempered everything else. Sure he had control, right now… but only because she let him. She trusted him enough. Loved him enough.

John's heart thudded against his ribs. He hadn't thought about it much before. He just loved her and hoped that she loved him in return. Even though she told him she did, how could he be sure? Women had told him they loved him before and he'd been hurt; eventually, he learned to get out before it was too late… before his heart got completely stomped when emotions changed.

But with Angie it was already too late. He was lost. If anything happened to her, or if she suddenly decided she didn't want him, he'd be devastated. Inconsolable. He knew that. He accepted it.

Soft pants combined with a kind of purring sound at the base of her throat told John to move on and he quickly slipped his middle finger inside her. She spasmed at the contact. "You are hiding something." Hot and wet. Angie was always primed for him, probably a reaction to the Ancient device. "I think a more thorough search of you is in order." He added another finger and started pumping fast and furious, making her bite her lip so she wouldn't cry out and alert their presence. He grabbed her hair with his free hand and yanked her head back, turning her to look at him. "You're mine now… no one to help you."

Her glazed eyes widened. "Are you going to hurt me?" she asked in a deceptively innocent voice.

He grazed her ear with his teeth. "No. Just fuck your brains out," he hissed. John kissed her hard but also pulled away both his hands, getting a whimper in return that made him smile. Not bothering to drop his shorts, John freed himself and grasped her hips again; bunching the dress in his fists, he pulled her hips back as he roughly drove inside.

"Oh God!" she cried and John quickly covered her mouth with his hand.

"Don't say a word," he hissed into her ear. "Understand."

She nodded acquiescence, but he didn't take his hand from her mouth as he pulled out and drove back into her again, powerfully, possessively. She gasped and he did it again and again, driving both of them crazy. She felt so good around him. Taking hold of him, possessing him as he did her.

Sometimes he wondered if this was healthy, their need for each other, the unending want that simply drove both of them beyond reason. But those thoughts were fleeting, especially when he was buried deep inside Angie – which didn't have to be all the time, but sure as hell felt like heaven.

"You're a thief. I know it and you do." He ground his hips against her and she cried out, the sound of pleasure barely muffled by his hand. John shoved his middle finger between her lips. It was the same one he'd just had inside her. Angie moaned as she started sucking on it, twirling her tongue around the tip, then the length, making John so incredibly hard as he relentlessly pounded into her. "God! Angie!" He didn't want to break character, but damn what she did to him!

She was moving back against him, pushing onto him as he shoved upward. John thought he might black out from the pleasure surging through his body.

Time seemed to stand still for them whenever they were like this. John couldn't hear anything beyond the air rushing in and out of her nose, his own harsh breathing, the slap of skin against skin. He didn't want to mess her dress or his uniform, but couldn't help taking her so roughly. It's not something they normally do, this game play, but whenever it happens, whatever the scenario, John can't deny how hot it gets him or the intense pleasure of his release.

He slammed into her, faster and faster, a steel rod of flesh between her sweet, silky folds and she whimpered with need behind his hand. He pressed into her, releasing his hold on her hip so he could reach around and free a plump breast for his fierce desire. She shuddered again as he palmed her mound, rubbing a peak between his fingers only to pinch it, making her whimper even louder. He nearly came then, but managed to hold off. And then she was pushing back again, clenching tight around him. John bit his lip, she wasn't ready yet, close but not there just yet. He could go at any moment; he just needed to hold on so he could take her with him.

His lips found the spot between her shoulder and neck, the spot that drives her crazy for some unknown reason. He played the tip of his tongue over it before snapping his teeth down – not too hard but just enough.

And then a muffled "Johnny" came from behind his hand and her body was seizing him, squeezing, sending bolts of pleasure straight to his spine and John let go. He came with a couple sharp thrusts and a rather loud "Angel!" but by then he didn't care who heard or even saw them. Damn they're good together!

Slumping forward, John buried his face against her shoulder riding out the pleasure. They stayed locked together, coming down from the high. He could feel her arms trembling under the strain, knew if he let go of her waist, her legs would give out, so he held on tight, relishing the closeness.

He withdrew his hand from her mouth, but she grabbed his wrist and planted a kiss on his palm before releasing him. She looked at him over her shoulder. "So amazing… you should be illegal."

John chuckled. Regrettably, he withdrew from her and both let out a sigh of completion. Angie turned to him, grinning. "So, what am I supposed to have stolen?"

John cupped her face. "My heart and soul."

She blinked, startled then a softer smile graced her lips and she palmed his cheek. "Then we're even."

"Good to know." He kissed her lightly, tenderly then pressed his forehead to hers. "You can't have yours back."

"I wouldn't want them if I could." Then she looked at him, the startle gone, replaced with so much warmth his heartbeat tripled. "I'm yours…always."

John smiled, kissed the tip of her nose and ran his hand over her lush curls again. "Same here."

It took them a few moments to stop staring at each other. John always loved a good stare, especially when he was looking into Angie's chocolate eyes. But a sharp voice beyond the door reminded them where they were. A kiss later and they quickly set themselves to rights. Amazingly enough, once fully dressed, they didn't look any worse for wear. She'd have to clean up elsewhere but on the outside it seemed all Angie needed was to fix her lipstick and possibly dab on some face powder given the glisten of her skin, but other than that, she looked so gorgeous, there was no telling that he'd just ravaged her in a storage closet on the Daedalus.

Before they left the closet, Angie gave him a bouquet of blue flowers for Elizabeth. "Trust me, she'll love 'em." John kissed her cheek and headed for the nearest free quarters to make sure he was presentable.

John shifts on his feet as the vows start coming to a close. He catches Angie watching him again, a sly gleam in her eyes telling him she knows exactly what he was thinking about. Slowly, she licks her lips and gives him the dirtiest smirk he's ever seen.

A promise he has no intention of letting her forget.