We, the Sparky Army, decree 2008 to be the Year of the Spark. We pledge to post a new sparky story or chapter of a sparky story every day from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008. Though the Powers that Be have removed Elizabeth Weir from the regular cast of Stargate Atlantis, we feel that she remains an integral part of the show, and that the relationship between her and John Sheppard is too obvious to be ignored. We hope that you, and anyone might happen to read these works, agree.
And if that isn't official enough for you, we don't know what is. Seriously, guys, we're just trying to have some fun--and show TPTB that Sparky is the way to go. So sit back and enjoy the 366 stories coming your way!
Helpless
Chapter 2
By kuroima
The conversation John and Elizabeth had with their counterparts confirmed what Carson's test results already had, the group that had arrived on the ancient vessel was them but from another universe. This alternate reality wasn't much different from their own, their pasts matched completely and most of the events in their first year in Atlantis happened there as well. The difference was that they had found a weak but working ZPM they used to fight the Wraith and fled with the city to another planet. This action had depleted the ZPM and they had never found a way back to Earth just as the SGC apparently never found a way to reach Atlantis.
"I can't imagine how this must be, no contact to Earth for so many years," John slowly shook his head as he thought about it taking a sip from his beer.
"We just don't think to much about it," he paused. "Sure, we miss our families, our friends and all the things from Earth you can't find in this galaxy but the trick is not to think about it all the time," he looked out onto the ocean and John noticed a sadness in his voice. "And we have each other. We've grown into some kind of big family and there's always someone there for you," both of them smiled slightly.
"I guess it's not always that easy," John stated and the other one nodded silently.
"Especially not when Ford and Ronon brew their own kind of beer," he told him and grimaced. "That's when I miss ours from Earth," he said and took a long sip from his beer and John started to laugh. "A lot of us started over," he continued. "A big, flying alien city as your new home? That's actually not that bad," John had to grin as this was the same he had thought of when they had settled into their new home so many years ago.
"Want another one?" John asked him as he emptied his beer but he shook his head.
"You're not going to tell me who won the Super Bowl in all those years, are you?" John's counterpart looked at him expectantly and John started to grin.
"I can do better than that," he said and started to head for the doors of the balcony the other one looking after him. "We can watch it," his face lit up like a child one's on Christmas and he quickly followed him.
"I think I can get Elizabeth to stock up your supplies," he said as they both crossed the control room on their way to the next transporter.
"Supplies as in cultural treasures like this?" he asked.
"Exactly," John nodded and grinned.
"I wonder what they're up to now," Elizabeth followed the gaze of the other woman to both Johns who just passed the control room deep in a discussion.
"It's like the long lost twin brothers found each other again," she said and returned the amused smile of her counterpart.
"How did you start over with him?" Elizabeth asked her changing back to their previous conversation. The woman from the other reality lowered her eyes to the ground for a moment.
"You mean how could I forget Simon and give up everything I had with him?" she asked in return and Elizabeth nodded hesitantly. "I have to admit that it was not easy. I kept telling myself that we would find a way to return soon and that he's waiting for me. But the days turned into weeks, months, years…," she trailed off. "I think there was a point were I already had given up but not admitted yet and then there was John," a smile appeared on her lips. "I think I don't need to tell you how persistent he can be," a soft smile graced her lips and Elizabeth had to smile as well.
"You don't need to think about Simon waiting for you," Elizabeth told her as they had fallen into silence. Her counterpart must have picked up the meaning of her words and seen the sadness as she gave her a sympathetic look that Elizabeth waved off with her hand. "It's long ago," she just said.
"Exactly, that's why you should finally tell him," Elizabeth rolled her eyes at the other woman and thought about the irony of this situation.
"I can't, it's not as easy as it is in your reality," she said to her defence.
"Maybe but I'm aware of the possible consequences if we return to Earth some day but do you want to know what really made me start a relationship with him?" Elizabeth raised her head to look at her counterpart who wore a serious expression on her face. "I didn't want to let the opportunity slip, the opportunity to have a wonderful life with a great man. Even if he may not return from a mission one day, at least I had the privilege to be his wife and be loved by him," Elizabeth lowered her eyes to the pot John had given her for her first birthday in Atlantis and caressed it with her fingers. "Don't deny your heart what it's longing for."
The present…
"Elizabeth," she sighed as she heard John's voice and him following her. She had been aware of his gaze that he had constantly kept on her during the briefing while she tried to focus on it and denied to look in his eyes. "When are we going to talk?" he whispered to her as they walked through the control room.
"John, please," she begged him. This was the situation she had tried to avoid all those days.
"Then tell me, how long do you want to keep ignoring and avoiding me?" she heard the bitterness in his voice and closed her eyes for a split second not answering him. "I guess our conversation is displaced for later then," he said a little louder and left her on the door to her office.
Elizabeth sighed again and waited a moment before she entered her office to meet the waiting group of scientists. What the hell was she doing? What should she do? She had never felt so helpless in her life.
TBC
