Title: The Bet is on!
Author: Belisse
Archive: FF, Dataport Archives, Atlantica and any other out there, just ask first.
Fandom: Stargate Atlantis
Category: Humor/Romance
Rating: PG-13
Paring: Sheppard/Weir
Summary:A small fic about what is going on inside Sheppard, Weir and McKay's head when things they do for fun go against them.
Warnings: none
Series: First in the Friends are Foes
Sequel to: None
WIP: Complete
Beta: None
Season/Episode: Season One
Spoilers: Brief one from Hot Zone.
Disclaimer: I don't own them, I only wish I did
Author's notes: Enjoy! Feedback is a drug and I'm a junkie. This story is something light I wrote; in order to give my brain some space to think about my other story and come up with an ending. It'll depend on the reviews, my decision of making this one longer. I'm just using it to get rid of Writer's block. Also this story hasn't been proofread, so all the mistakes are mine. Also, just in case, the italics mean what John is thinking.

Enjoy!

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The Bet is on!

When did something so simple, like a question became the hardest thing to do? He paced around his room, the bet was on, and he will have to do it one way or another or suffer the consequences. He had to do it; he will walk to her office and ask. Is not like he has never done it before. But this time is different, is Elizabeth.

He never expected that by accepting the offer of coming to Atlantis, he would have found the woman he would like to marry one day. That alone was a big thing.

Then other things came to mind; he cursed; why did he accepted Rodney's bet? Ok, it was time to be a man. John walked toward the door, but before reaching it he backed off. What if she said no? That would be the worst thing that could happen, because if she said no, he will have to jog around Atlantis for one hour with no clothes on.

At least it comforts him that if she said yes, Rodney will be the one showing the goods.

For some time Elizabeth had said that she had picked children for her expedition and John Sheppard knew it; he was the messiest one. He was always the one giving off wild childish ideas in how to spend their days off.

For once he managed to trade for a weird substance, which had medical values, but induced everyone who drank it into an alcoholic like drunkenness. It was getting healthy, by getting drunk. It could be taken in any amounts, because if you weren't sick, it helped by keeping you healthy.

He was the one with the idea of picking out a room big enough to make a bar. Somewhere the people in Atlantis could socialize freely. Tonight was the opening night, everyone off duty was going, the main drink; John renamed it the Heavenly Beer. It was like drinking beer, but it's good for you, and it was Dr. Beckett approved.

His thoughts returned to the problem at hand, asking Elizabeth. When did it manage to become an issue? Ok, she can't say NO. She likes me, I know it and she is the only one who has the guts to tell me when I'm being a prick.

There he was again, thinking of her. OK, Focus! John knew that he was getting cold feet, and that can't happen. She liked him, and he knew it. There was definitely something going on, how about the time when he made her really angry. John wasn't sure of what he had done, but it was a little after the incident with the nanite virus. Their relationship was very sensitive; she had stormed in his quarters. He had lock it, but being the leader meant that she knew how to unlock his door. In that very moment he just walked out of the bathroom and was in the process of putting some underwear on.

She didn't even knock on the door, and John had one leg up. So the sudden appearance of Elizabeth in his room had made him trip backwards. He fell into the bed and landed on the floor on the other side of the bed. Once there he had grabbed the bed sheets and covered himself.

Elizabeth in the other hand, having walked in John's room, only to find him naked she instantly turned around. She said whatever she was going to say, very quickly and almost ran out of the room.

After that she had evaded him, the next time they had seen each other was in a briefing and she kept evading his gaze. But every once in a while he had caught her eyeing him.

Going back to the problem, how to ask her? Which is the best way to approach her? DAMN IT! He went out of the door and started walking toward the control room. Hey Elizabeth, do you know the thing we have tonight? NO, that sounds stupid!

He slowed his pace; he was getting cold feet again. John shook his head and continued walking. He has to do it! He finally arrived at the gate room, for a moment he pretended to be looking in interest as a team arrived. Then slowly made it to the control area; Peter and other technicians were working on a new console. John stopped and pretended to be interested in whatever the console did. He stole a glance where Elizabeth's office was. She was there looking at something on her computer.

He started pacing again; he knew that everyone around him knew of the bet by now. Gossip on Atlantis spread like wildfire. By now there were other bets going on, he was sure of it.

John stopped at the door; he is going to do it. He stopped again, and then he heard Elizabeth's voice, "Want to come in, Major?"

John walked in the office, she eyed him suspiciously. Maybe she already knows about the bet, and now she'll say NO. He could already see himself jogging naked around Atlantis. "Hey." John said, Elizabeth finished whatever she was doing and closed the computer. She looked at him right in the eyes, "Is there something you want to tell me?" John sat down, "Me? No… what makes you think that?"

"Well John, you just spent the last hour pacing around outside my office. What are we? 10?"

John was speechless, "What? No, I'm just… I was looking for something to do. To keep my mind occupied." Elizabeth kept staring at him; he knew she was seeing right through him. "Yes, I bet the preparations for the new bar are extremely difficult and consuming."

John saw her smirk, he knew she was playing with him, he decided to make the move. "Yeah… about that, tonight we have designated as the opening night, and I was wondering…" He stopped for a moment, NO! He was getting cold feet in the middle of it, and then he heard her say, "Yes?" Damn it she knows! And she is enjoying it!

"I was wondering if you wouldliketogowithme." The last part he had said it so fast, he wasn't sure she had got it. Elizabeth kept quiet for a moment, taking in what he just said. It was the most painful, long and agonizing minute of John's life.

"As a date?" She asked curious, "A date? No! It's more like the leader of the expedition and the chief military officer showing support to their fellow explorers, and also enjoying the night as friends." Elizabeth smiled; she leaned back on her chair as if thinking about it. John shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

"I'll be expecting you in my quarters at 8:00 PM."

John couldn't believe what he just heard. Did she just said yes? He was frozen to the spot, Elizabeth stared at him, "Now Major Sheppard, I suggest you make sure everything is ready for tonight while I finish my work for today."

John stood up and walked out the door, people in the gate room were staring at him. As if expecting that he will shout her answer. But no, they will have to wait, he smiled broadly, the only thing in his mind was getting Rodney's reaction to the news. He will enjoy this night.