Bless the Broken Road
A/N: Stargate SG-1 and Stargate:Atlantis do not belong to me, I just like to take the characters out and play with them from time to time. I'll put them back, I promise!
"Bless the Broken Road" by Rascal Flatts doesn't belong to me either.
This is in response to a challenge I came across at Command Dynamics: A story with a song by Rascal Flats or a really cute love song! Elizabeth has to realize her feelings for John, or they are already in a relationship and one of them contemplates their relationship. It haunted me until I wrote it….
Rating: Teen
Pairings: Elizabeth/John, Sam/Jack(established), Daniel/Vala(hints anyway)
Set early in Season two of SGA
This is my first Atlantis fic…please review (but be gentle!)
The day full of meetings and briefings dragged on, seeming like it would never end. Elizabeth could see that her team was getting impatient with the IOA and Generals O'Neill and Landry were doing little to hide their impatience. Finally the last meeting of the day ended and everyone stood, stretching and breaking off into small groups. Elizabeth smiled at the sight of her team and SG-1 joking and sharing stories. John felt her eyes on him and turned to smile back, shrugging his shoulders. Elizabeth tilted her head toward him, only to be distracted by Vala bouncing over to her.
"I think we ladies have earned some 'retail therapy'!" Vala stated, smiling charmingly at Elizabeth. "What do you say? Shopping, then dinner and drinks with the guys at O'Malley's?" Her eyes twinkled mischievously. Vala had seen the look her new friend had exchanged with the yummy Lt. Colonel and wondered if they knew how bad they had it for each other. She couldn't wait to play matchmaker again. . .
Plans were made to meet later that evening and the ladies headed to the locker room to change into civvies. Vala took one look at Elizabeth's jeans, white t-shirt and brown leather jacket and shook her head.
"Right, "she thought, "this is going to be harder than I thought."
~*~*~*~
"I don't know . . . "Elizabeth started, wrapping her arms self-consciously around her middle.
"You look fabulous, darling!" Vala gushed, and motioned to Teyla and Sam for backup.
"Oh yeah! Fantastic!" they agreed, Teyla caught Vala's eye and smirked at her.
"Dressing up a little is a nice change from those uniforms, don't you agree Elizabeth?" Teyla encouraged.
Elizabeth sighed and caught Sam's gaze, silently begging for help. Sam just bit back a smile and shrugged.
Elizabeth turned and looked at her reflection in the full-length mirror. They had a point – the black skirt sat perfectly on her hips and flirted right above her knees; the dark purple strappy tank top hugged her figure perfectly and showed just the right amount of cleavage. Her creamy skin looked like porcelain against the dark clothes. The black strappy heeled sandals Vala had chosen made Elizabeth's legs seem impossibly long.
For the briefest moment, Elizabeth let herself wonder what John would think of her new outfit and shook her head.
"Where did that come from?!" she thought, as she put a hand on her belly and tried to quiet the butterflies that had suddenly taken up residence there. She rolled her eyes at herself; Dr. Elizabeth Weir did not have a crush on someone from her expedition team! Could not . . . she just didn't do that sort of thing.
She turned around and nodded at the others. "Ok, you win!" she chuckled as Vala let out a little cheer and hugged her tight.
~*~*~*~
John took his beer from General O'Neill and noticed that the General's attention had shifted to the door. He thought he saw Jack's eyes light up and couldn't help but wonder if all the rumors about the former CO of SG-1 and his former 2IC finally getting together were true. John watched in amusement as Sam sauntered over to Jack, a challenging gleam in her eye. John cleared his throat and shifted uncomfortably as he witnessed Sam plant a kiss on Jack's lips.
"Well, I guess that rumor true." John muttered under his breath. He caught Daniel's eye and flushed a little when Daniel smirked at him. John was rescued by Vala sideling up to Daniel, putting her arm around his shoulders and placing a smacking kiss on his cheek. It was John's turn to smirk as Daniel squirmed uncomfortably and wriggled out of Vala's grasp.
Ronon chuckled and patted Daniel on the back. Then he turned to Vala and asked about Teyla and Elizabeth.
"They'll be right in." Vala smiled, a twinkle in her eye. "Elizabeth just needed a minute." The men shot Vala a look, wondering what she was up to. John noticed Sam whisper something in Jack's ear, both of them quickly glancing at him. Not for the first time, and most likely not the last time that night, John shifted uncomfortably. John turned to Ronon, trying to see if he had any idea what was going on when he felt Rodney pound him on the arm in an attempt to get his attention. He turned to snipe at Rodney and stopped when he saw the scientist's shocked expression. He opened his mouth to ask Rodney what was wrong when Rodney just shook his head and pointed to the door.
John turned, his gaze following Rodney's finger. He did a double take when his eyes found Elizabeth's. She smiled sheepishly at him and shrugged. His eyes raked down her body, taking in the tight tank top, flirty skirt and heeled sandals. He couldn't help but notice the contrast of the dark clothes against her ivory skin. He caught himself staring and felt his heart rate quicken. John raised his eyes back to hers, giving her a slightly crooked smile and nodding a tiny bit. He turned to the bar and ordered himself a shot as she made her way over to them, Teyla coming up behind him.
"Get a grip, John!" he muttered, his hand shaking as he threw back the shot, washing it down with a swallow of beer.
The group made their way to some tables that had been pushed together; after some sneaky work by Sam, Teyla and Vala, Elizabeth found herself sitting next to John, their chairs so close together that their thighs kept bumping. The butterflies that had made their appearance earlier went crazy every time she felt his leg brush against hers. Elizabeth breathed deeply, trying to calm the butterflies, and immediately realized her mistake as she was inundated by John's scent.
Sam and Jack exchanged a knowing look as they picked up on the subtle effect John was unknowingly having on the typically unflappable doctor.
To Elizabeth's left, John was having a similar problem. Elizabeth's scent was driving him mad and his heart was pounding so hard he was sure everyone in the bar could hear it. He tossed back the last of his beer and tried to focus on the conversations going on around him.
John thought back over the relationships he'd had over the years and mentally shook his head. Even if she felt the same way he did, she deserved better than him. John sighed and excused himself from the table, heading to the bar to order everyone another round. He glanced back at the table, smiling in spite of himself when he caught sight of Elizabeth laughing at something someone had said. She had thrown her head back and John couldn't help but stare at the expanse of pale skin she left exposed. The desire to put his lips to that warm, smooth skin overwhelmed him and he turned away, just to find Jack O'Neill standing next to him.
"Though you might need a hand" Jack gestured to the trays of drinks. He cleared his throat. "Does she know?" he paused; John shot him a confused look. "Elizabeth. Does she know how you feel?"
John felt his face flush and opened his mouth, intending to deny what Jack was suggesting. Instead he found himself shaking his head. "I didn't really know how I felt till she walked in the door tonight, dressed like that." John admitted. "How do you do it, sir? Once you realize how you feel; how do you work side by side with her?"
"Call me Jack, please. And you just do. You realize how lucky you are to at least be able to see her every day, even if you can't ever touch her or tell her how you feel. You find yourself almost hoping that she doesn't feel the same way, 'cause you know that she deserves better. Better than you and your screwed up past. Better than a love that can never be expressed." Jack paused and glanced back at Sam. "Then, one day, you decide to say 'screw it!' and you take that chance. And, if you're a lucky bastard, like me, you find yourself in her arms, hopefully for the rest of your life." Jack raised his beer to John and smirked. "'Course, you could just tell her and save yourself all the trouble."
John shook his head and chuckled at the older man's words. "You are the expert, I guess, aren't you?" he asked, realizing that Jack and Sam had overcome insurmountable odds to be together. Maybe there was a chance for him and Elizabeth. Not that he's ever telling her how he felt . . .
The two men walked back to their table and passed the drinks around. John moved back around the table, stumbling on his way back to his chair. He put his hand on Elizabeth's shoulder to steady himself and heard her gasp at the skin to skin contact. His eyebrows shot up and he determinedly avoiding meeting Jack's eyes across the table. He quickly moved his hand and sat back down, intentionally nudging her knee with his, offering her a quick smirk when she shot him a questioning look.
They finished their meals and relaxed into conversation until Vala finally sighed loudly and shifted irritably.
"I just simply can not sit here and talk any longer! Daniel, darling, come dance with me!" she stated, taking Daniel by the hand and practically dragging him out of his seat. Daniel looked back at the group pleadingly and allowed himself to be pulled out onto the dance floor. Vala wrapped her arms around Daniel's neck and pulled him close. Sam shook her head and smiled at her friends, then nudged Jack, nodding slightly toward Elizabeth. Jack cleared his throat and nodded back.
"Elizabeth?" Jack asked, standing and offering her his hand.
"Oh! Um, OK . . . "she stuttered slightly, standing and letting him lead her to the dance floor. John watched her go, enjoying the way her skirt swished around her legs. He caught his team shooting him looks and snickering.
"What?!" he defended himself, mortified when his voice cracked a little. He felt his face flush and shrugged. Sam smiled sympathetically and exchanged a glance with Cam, who stood up and asked Teyla to dance. Sam excused herself from the table and headed to the juke box. She chose a few songs and decided to ask John to dance before Rodney asked her. The last thing she needed, she figured, was Jack beating Rodney up.
She took John's hand and led him to the dance floor, giving Jack some space when she saw that he seemed to be in a very heated conversation with Elizabeth.
"Jack, I can't answer that!" Elizabeth exclaimed, a little shriller than she had intended.
"C'mon Elizabeth, it's pretty clear to everyone else what's going on. I just wanna know how long it's been going on!"
Elizabeth sighed and figured if there was anyone she couldn't fool, it was Jack. She knew his and Sam's story. She knew he'd see right through any lies she tried to tell him.
"Look, I didn't even really realize it till today. As long as we were in Atlantis, I could chalk my concern up to being the commander of the expedition. I didn't have to worry about justifying my concern and I certainly didn't examine my feelings too closely. That," she cleared her throat, "that would've been too dangerous. Then Vala dragged me out today, insisting on dressing me up and I let her. Now, I realized that I let her because I liked the idea of dressing up for him. God that sounds so . . . so . . . ridiculous!" she exclaimed.
"No, it sounds, well, girlie, actually." Jack chuckled when Elizabeth lightly slapped his arm. "But that's OK. So is caring about him . . . even if it's more than you're supposed to. Look . . . I'm horrible at this, but I hafta say – don't let what happened with Simon spook you." Elizabeth looked down and bit her lip, blinking away the tears that threatened to well up in her eyes. Jack put a finger under her chin and tipped her face back up, meeting her eyes with his. "Believe me; I know what I'm talking about. I'm an expert at screwing things up and denying myself the chance at happiness." He paused and looked over at Sam, smiling softly. "Take the chance, Elizabeth. You've sacrificed enough." He finished quietly. He danced Elizabeth over to Sam and John just as the track on the juke box changed.
"Hey Sheppard, how 'bout you let me dance with my wife." Jack raised his eyebrow at John and laughed when the Lt. Colonel's jaw dropped.
"Your, your wife?" John looked back and forth between Sam and Jack in disbelief. "Oh, yeah, rumor definitely confirmed" he muttered at she stepped back from Sam, letting Jack take his place. Jack in turn placed his hand on the small of Elizabeth's back and gently pushed her toward John. He nodded at her and tilted his head in John's direction.
"Have fun kids!" he quipped, spinning Sam away.
John and Elizabeth looked at each other; she twisted her fingers together; he shifted uncomfortably.
"This is ridiculous!" Elizabeth thought. "We're friends; we've been friends for over a year, this is NOT a big deal." She took a deep breath, her green eyes met his and she smiled. "Rascal Flatts." She said, nodding toward the juke box and taking a step closer to John.
"'Bless the Broken Road'" John grunted, closing the space between them.
"Great song" she answered back, putting her hands around his neck.
"Yeah," he retorted, putting his hands on his hips and rolling his eyes at his sudden inability to form an intelligent sentence.
Elizabeth let her head rest on John's shoulder as the music washed over her. She could feel his breath in her hair and closed her eyes.
"Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart, they were like northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you"
The words hit her like a ton of bricks and Elizabeth realized that Jack was right. What if everything, everyone, else was just leading her to this, to John? Could she really just walk away from it all, never knowing what might've been?
Elizabeth decided that she had, in fact, sacrificed enough. It was time to do something for herself. And if the way John's fingers were absently caressing her sides as they danced was any hint, he felt the same way.
"I think about the years I spent, just passing through
I'd like to have the time I lost, and give it back to you
But you just smile and take my hand
You've been there, you understand
It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true"
John tried not to shudder as he felt Elizabeth's warm breath tickle his neck. He wondered if she had any idea what she did to him. He suspected she did or she wouldn't have been playing with the short hair at the nape of his neck like she was. He suppressed another shudder and another thought hit him as he listened to the words. He had a feeling that they'd been set up and knew that Sam had chosen this song specifically.
"OK, I get it . . ." he muttered. He tightened his hands on Elizabeth's hips and softly dropped a kiss on her temple, right by her ear. "Elizabeth, we need to talk." John whispered in her ear. He felt her nod her head against his shoulder. She lifted her head reluctantly and their eyes met. Not for the first time, sparks flew between them. This time, though, they didn't try to hide it or deny it.
Unable to help himself, John leaned forward and gently kissed Elizabeth, his tongue hesitantly seeking entrance to her mouth. Her lips parted and she deepened their kiss. They broke apart to wolf whistles and cat calls (mostly from the Atlantis team). Elizabeth hid her face in John's chest and laughed.
"Wanna get outta here? Go talk somewhere more private?" John asked quietly.
Elizabeth nodded and let John lead her off the dance floor. They by-passed the table full of their friends and headed to the door. They'd have plenty of time to fill everyone in later.
They made their way to Elizabeth's car and got in. She turned to look at John, lifting an eyebrow and tilting her head at him.
"Who would've thought that a trip home to deal with the IOA would turn into this?" she asked, gesturing at the two of them.
"Well, we had help, nudging us this way, you know." He answered. "Do you think they were all in on it?"
Elizabeth shook her head. "I don't know, but I guess I didn't hide my feelings as well as I thought I had." Her cheeks flushed as she admitted her feelings out loud. "John, I swore to myself that, as commander of the Atlantis expedition, I wasn't going to let myself get too close to anyone. I felt that it would undermine my authority, especially if anything horrible were to happen." She put a finger to his lips, and stopped him before he could say anything. "I always used Simon as an excuse. He was my fall back, my reason not to feel anything for anyone else. Little did I know that he'd moved on without me." She said bitterly. "I realized today, though, that it doesn't matter- none of it does. I can tell myself that I've stayed detached, but I'd be lying - I've been lying to myself for some time now. And I left Simon long before he left me." Elizabeth drew a shaky breath and let her hands drop to her lap.
She looked up at John and her breath was taken away by the intensity of his gaze.
"Elizabeth, I have to tell you, I'm no picnic. I buck authority every chance I get, I take risks, unnecessary risks usually, I'm stubborn . . ."he trailed off at the look she gave him. "Right. You already know all this. Look, I'm not saying that this will be easy, but I'm willing to give it a shot. Life's too short not to take chances."
"We have to keep our personal lives separate from our professional lives. This can't affect the decisions we make or how the city's run. I will not let this put any of my people in danger." Elizabeth insisted.
"Understood. Let's just take this one day at a time and make up the rules as we go." John answered.
She met his eyes again, searching for any uncertainty there. When she found none, she silently nodded her head.
"Now, where were we before those idiots so rudely interrupted us?" he asked, licking his lips.
John pulled Elizabeth to him, claiming her mouth with his, knowing that he would give her forever.
"But now I'm just rolling home into my lover's arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you"