The darkness was reaching for her again. Taunting her at every turn, it threatened to pull her down. She ran from it, not figuratively but literally. It was late at night or early depending on how one looked at it, so everyone with common sense was in bed. But despite all her logic, all her training, common sense was something she had left in her office. Heart roaring in her ears, her feet slapped the ground with no regard for silence. She stopped at the end of two hallways and looked down each before running blindly down one.

Despite her better senses, she threw herself through the first door she could find and froze, pressing her back to the cold door, hand fumbling for the switch so she could throw herself back inside. But no luck, the figure on the balcony had already turned around. The waning moon had illuminated parts of him, leaving others in shadow. But his eyes were lit up and they were on her.

For the first time in months, Elizabeth Weir and John Sheppard were alone.

He didn't even bother to ask if she was alright. Heart pounding, she kept her hand firmly against the wall, though she stopped it from groping blindly. Silently he tore his eyes away from her and looked back across the balcony. She felt indescribable sadness. She was petrified, not sad—

"Oh my God," Elizabeth said softly, her hand covering her mouth as she noticed the small tremors of fear racing down John's arms and his white knuckled grip on the railing. He turned around at the sound of her voice and confusion covered his face, "stop it!" she cried covering her head with her hands as their joined emotions shot all around her, forcing her knees to buckle.

"Dr. Wei—Elizabeth!" he said closing the distance between them and covering her hands with his own, "look at me. It's okay, breath in and out, push it to the back of your mind."

His voice echoed through the confusion and the tumultuous emotions eased a little, giving way to clearer thinking. As if someone was inside her head guiding her, she felt the mess untangle itself and push back, receding but staying close enough so she could feel it. She felt someone's hands on her own and looked up to see John, his hands covering hers, thumbs just barely touching the sides of her eyes.

"What just happened?" she asked slowly removing both their hands and getting to her feet. He followed the suit, both tucking their hands into their respective pockets.

"You let your guard down," he said slowly, "I haven't felt anything since right after Ronon's funeral."

"What is this—this is impossible," she shook her head.

"I don't think so," he said. She closed her eyes and threw up the barriers she used for diplomatic missions. They locked in place and instantly the connection was shut away, she was able to think once more. Opening her eyes she looked at John whose face had become unreadable.

"So is this an effect of when we connected?" she asked crossing her arms, "like you enhancements?"

"I don't know," he said, "we'll ask Carson tomorrow."

"Alright, good," she said nodding. Turning to face the door, she flipped the switch. The doors slid silently open, "don't stay out here too long."

"Wait," John said, his hand bouncing against the stone railing, "don't go—stay for a bit."

"I don't think that's such a good idea," she said turning around and crossing her arms.

"Why not?" he asked, "we used to come here all the time."

"We used to do a lot of things," she said shortly, "these past couple weeks—we can't—not now—"

"Then when?" he asked coming forward, "just because we never see each other in a non-professional way, doesn't mean I don't know what's been going on the past few months."

"You don't know the half of it," she muttered.

"Oh really Dr. Weir, because in case you forgot I am your equal rank-wise," he said, watching as she drew herself up, stacking barrier after barrier around herself, "and like it or not, we do have to work together."

"I never said we didn't," she shot back.

"Then say it," he said.

"Say what?" she asked.

"My name," he said, "if you haven't forgotten what it is—"

"I know what your name is!"

"Then why don't you say it!"

"You know damn well why!" she spat, fists clenching. He took a few deep breaths through his nose, his fists clenched at his sides. She turned and walked to the doors, hitting them to open with excessive force.

"Calling me John does not mean you're going to throw yourself into my arms and admit what we both know and feel," he said, switching his tone to a far more serious one, "I know that, believe me, but neither of us can take much more of this—and neither can Atlantis."

"No, what Atlantis cannot take much more of is death. Look at this from my perspective, I followed a team through the Gate, I got people killed, all so I could save you. What am I supposed to do? Wait for you to get caught again and throw myself through the Gate like some lovesick fool?"

"It's a thought," he said cocking his head to the side. She let out a heated breath and he walked to the doors, standing in front of her. Reaching behind her he hit the button, his fingertips brushing her sides. The doors slid open, "see you tomorrow Liz," he smirked and walked out, leaving Elizabeth standing there, her mouth opening and closing, her mind whirring as to whether she should smack him or ask Carson if there was a nickname for John.

Sighing she let the doors slide shut and walked to the balcony, leaning her forearms against the still warm stone. Looking out at the city, she let herself relax, closing her eyes and lifting her face to let the night breeze play with her hair. For the first time in a while, she felt at peace, as if there was still beauty and hope in the world. As if Atlantis was still a home. And though she didn't know it, John was leaning against the other side of the door, his eyes unfocused and grin playing on his lips, wondering why the world was suddenly such a happy place.

Ahh! Shweir goodness, sorry. I just saw the spoilers for TLG and I won't spoil it but wow!

So yeah, plot bunnies. don't worry, the Satedan's are still coming.

For those that think/hope/wish Ronon was still alive, you're in for quite a shock. Oh another burning question to answer in the next chapter, what happened to the betting pool? (see Truly madly Deeply).