Chap. 3:
Two weeks later, Lexi is sitting in her office, watching McKay pace back and forth, which seems to be how he reacts any time he comes to her office to talk with her.
"Rodney, sit down."
Stopping mid stride and glaring at her, "but...oh all right." he says, taking a seat opposite of her.
"Look, you shouldn't worry about Ronon. Jen made her choice and he's gonna have to deal with it." and seeing him wince, "he won't do anything to you. If anything, he'll take out his feelings on John and some unsuspecting marines."
Running his fingers through his hair, "Ronon isn't the only person I'm worried about. Now that Jennifer has made a choice, do I change tactics, or keep doing the same things?"
Smiling at him, "you're gonna have to change a few things. But mostly just keep spending time with her and she'll let you know if you should be doing anything else."
Looking down at his watch, "oh, I've got to go. We're heading off world to see Carson." and standing up, heading for the exit, "thanks Lexi."
Watching him walk out the door, "no problem. Say hi to him for me."
"Will do." he says, as the doors close behind him.
She watches the doors for a couple of seconds and shaking her head to clear it, she gets up and just as she is about to reach her desk, she hears the doors swish open again, "Rodney, did you forge..." the rest of her words are cut off as John has his arms wrapped around her waist and is kissing her passionately.
Smiling and talking through the kiss, "shouldn't...you...be..in the...Gate...room?"
Pulling away from her and returning the smile, "I should. But a little bird told me that you're celebrating your Atlantis birthday tomorrow."
Raising an eyebrow, "John, you know better than anyone why we do it this way."
"Yeah. Elizabeth insisted on it. I think it was because she didn't like everyone knowing when it was her real Birthday."
Not missing the hurt that flashes through his eyes, she takes his hand in hers and squeezing, "I think it was because she knew people around here are usually so wrapped up in work, that if she made it a requirement, we would have to do it."
Shifting uncomfortably on his feet, "anyway, I don't know what time I'll be getting back, and I wanted to give you something." and reaching into his back pocket, he brings out a black box, "Happy Birthday."
Taking the box from him, she opens it, letting out a gasp, "oh John! It's beautiful." and as he takes out the diamond tennis bracelet and puts it on her right wrist, "you really shouldn't have. It must've cost you a fortune."
Shrugging, "it wasn't that expensive. Also, I haven't had someone to buy things like this for in a really long time."
Turning the bracelet around her wrist and looking up into his eyes, "thank you. I love it."
"Good I'm glad." and leaning down, he takes her face in his hands and kisses her. Pulling away, "okay, now I've really got to go. But when I get back, we'll celebrate properly." and smiling at her, he turns to head for the door.
However before he reaches it, he stops short as he feels her hand on his arm. Before he knows it, she has spun him around and is kissing him hard, arms clasped around his neck, fingers running through the hair on the back of his head.
She pulls away, and looking down at her, "wow. If I'd known all it would take to get a kiss like that would be to buy you diamonds, I would've done it a lot sooner."
Laughing and playfully hitting him on the shoulder, "you're horrible, you know that?" and pulling him into a hug, resting her head on his shoulder, "be safe, I love you."
Hugging her tighter, "I'll try my best." and pulling away, "love you too."
She watches him get into the transporter and as the doors close, she smiles as she catches the wave he sends her way. Heading back into her office, looking down at the bracelet as she walks over to her desk, she sends up a little prayer, just like she does every time he heads off world.
xxxx
"Lexi, hang on a sec."
Stopping in her tracks, she turns around to try and locate the voice, smiling as she does so, "Evan, what's up?"
Sidestepping some scientists who are in his way and reaching her, "where are you headed?"
Falling into step with him, "the mess. You wanna join me?"
Smiling, "sure." and as they reach the doors to the mess, "so, do you have any plans for celebrating tomorrow?"
Walking over to the food line, "no, not really. I have a full day of sessions, but other than that nothing really set in stone. Why?"
Grabbing a tray and filling it with food, "well, I was thinking we could have dinner. Unless you were planning on doing something with Colonel Sheppard."
Leading him to a table, "nope. John and I don't have any plans, dinner would be great. Just you and me?"
Taking a seat at the table, "no."
"You're not throwing me a party are you?" she asks, around bites of her soup.
Smiling, "no. But I was thinking about inviting a few people."
Returning the smile, "just promise me one thing."
"What's that?"
"Promise me that you won't go overboard."
"Scout's honor. It'll be you, me, and few select people."
Grinning, "thanks."
They finish their respective meals and after discarding their trays, he walks her to her quarters. Kissing her on the cheek, "sleep tight, Lexibeth."
"How many times..."
Laughing and hurrying out of her reach, "I know, I know. Don't call you that."
"If you know, why do you keep doing it?"
Talking over his shoulder as he walks away from her, "because, I love to annoy you."
"And you're so good at it." she shouts after him, a huge smile on her face, as she sees him turn the corner. Turning around to face the doors, she swipes her way into her quarters and after getting ready for bed, she climbs into it, and taking out her radio, she falls asleep as soon as her head hits the pillow.
xxxx
Sitting in the infirmary, John scans his eyes over everyone, smiling to himself at the fact that they had all made it back, relatively unscathed. As soon as they had walked into the infirmary he had waved off Keller's attempts to check him over before his team and Beckett. Leaning back against the gurney now, he finally admits to himself how exhausted he really is. Rubbing his eyes, it takes his brain a little bit longer than it usually would, to realize that he is currently attracting very little attention. Happy that this is the case, he quietly slides off the gurney and slips out of the infirmary. Heading for Lexi's quarters, he loses himself in the events of the previous twenty four hours.
"John, stop!"
Stopping inches from the door, "wh..what? Huh?"
Jogging to a stop next to him, pulling her headphones out of her ears, "you okay?"
"Yeah." and running his eyes over her, taking in her clothes and the iPod on her arm, "I thought you'd still be in bed."
Swiping them into her quarters, and guiding him over to the couch, "it's 0830."
Smiling, and taking her hand in his, "yeah, but."
"But I'm not off today. I've got sessions starting in two hours." and looking him over, seeing the fatigue radiating from him, "hard mission?"
Sighing, and sinking further into the couch, "you could say that. We had some difficulty with the locals and the wraith. Carson came back with us and..."
"Colonel Sheppard, please report to the infirmary." cuts off the rest of his words.
Looking at him, she doesn't miss the flash of guilt that crosses his face, "did you sneak out without having your check?"
Not meeting her eyes, "yeah. I wanted to see you."
Standing up, she walks over to the dresser and pulls out a hoody. Taking off the iPod, putting it in the same draw, she pulls the hoody on and walks over to stand in front of him, "come on, let's go get you checked over, and then we can come back and you can crash."
Looking up at her, a tired smile forms on his lips, and taking her hand, "I can't say no to you can I?"
Pulling him to his feet and squeezing his hand, "no you can't." and as she leads him out of the quarters, "oh by the way, we're having dinner tonight with Evan, and a few other people. I don't know all the details, but I saw him in the gym and he said he'll be by to pick us up at 1930."
"Another party?" he asks, as they reach the transporter.
Getting in and hitting the screen, "no. He promised, it's only going to be dinner."
Stepping out of the transporter, "well that's good." and slowing his pace even more as he really is tired, "so after dinner do we get to celebrate, just you and me?"
Smiling as they reach the doors to the infirmary, "like you said last night, we'll celebrate properly." and looking around the infirmary as they enter it, she sees Beckett standing next to a microscope, deep in thought, "all right Carson, he's here. Where do you want him?"
Scowling at her, "I'm not an inanimate object."
"No lad you're not. But, sometimes I wish you were, because then you'd actually stay in one place for more than a few minutes at a time." Beckett says, as he walks over to the gurney under the ancient scanner and patting it, "up you go."
Rolling his eyes at being treated like he's five, but hopping up onto the gurney, and lying down, "I'm fine."
Watching him lie down and hitting the start button on his tablet, "I'm sure you are Colonel, but you know the protocol." and walking over to stand next to Lexi at the screen that is connected to the scanner, "now keep still for just a sec."
Suppressing a yawn, feeling his eyes starting to close, and trying to keep them open, "got...it..doc."
Lexi had taken a seat next to the scanner screen as soon as they had entered the infirmary. Sitting there now, watching the back and forth between Beckett and John, she smiles as she sees John trying to stay awake.
As Beckett reaches her side, focusing on the scanner screen, "now John..."
"Carson."
Looking over at Lexi from reading the data coming up on the screen, "what is it, love?"
Pointing at John, "he's asleep."
Following her finger he sees that John is indeed asleep, "aye, that he is. I'm not surprised by that either." and refocusing on the images on the screen, "well, he's right. He is fine, excluding the obvious of course."
Turning off the screen, "I'll be right back. I want to draw some blood and then you can take him back to your quarters."
Looking at him, "are you sure you don't want to keep him here till his blood work comes back?"
Shaking his head as he heads off to get the supplies he needs, "no. I don't think anything's gonna show up that the scan didn't catch and he'll be more comfortable in your quarters."
Nodding, she smiles as she refocuses on John and sits down on the edge of his bed, next to him. She scans her eyes over him, and not able to help herself, she reaches out and runs her fingers through his hair, surprised when he doesn't stir. A couple of minutes later, Beckett walks back over, nodding at her, as he goes about drawing John's blood.
Finished filling the vials, "I have to say it's definitely easier to draw blood from him when he's out cold." he says with a smile.
Shaking her head, "so, should I wake him?"
Collecting the vials and discarding the used needles, "aye. If anything does show up, I'll radio you." and heading off for the lab part of the infirmary, "I'll see you later love."
"Yeah. See you." and bringing her attention back to John, who is still dead to the world, she places a hand on each shoulder, and gently shaking him, "John, wake up."
A minute later, swatting at her arms, "come on mom, five more minutes."
Catching his hand, "John, it's Lexi. You're in the infirmary."
Eyes snapping open, it takes him a couple of seconds to focus, "huh? What happened?"
Letting go of his hands and standing up, "you fell asleep. But, you're good to go."
Sitting up and scrubbing his face to wake himself up more, "see I told you I was fine." and swinging his legs over the side of the gurney, "let's go."
She waits for him to stand and falling into step next to him, she takes his hand and they head for the transporter.
As they step out of it in the crew quarters section, she looks over at him through the corner of her eye and smiles. He is shuffling along, clearly exhausted, but he is slowly but surely keeping pace with her.
Taking pity on him, she moves closer to him, and wraps her right arm around his waist.
Startled a little at first, but thankful that she knew he was close to face planting on the floor, "thanks."
Looking up at him, "no problem. You gonna make it?"
Smiling down at her as he rests his arm around her shoulders, "yeah. I'm good now."
Swiping them into her quarters and leading him over to the bed, "track pants and t-shirt okay or do you want to just sleep in your boxers?"
Sitting down on the edge of the bed, watching her head for the dresser, "boxers will be good for now."
She makes a u-turn and coming to a stop in front of him she helps him out of his over shirt, boots, socks and pants. As she is stowing his boots under her bed, she hears his breathing even out and looking at him, she smiles to herself as she can tell he is fast asleep. Still smiling she heads into the bathroom to get ready for her day.
Before leaving her quarters, she sits down on the side of the bed and leaning down she kisses him on the forehead, "thanks for being mine, John." she whispers and she sits there watching him sleep for a couple of seconds. Smiling to herself and getting up she heads out for her office.
xxxx
Seven hours later Lexi swipes her way into her quarters, focused entirely on her tablet. Looking up from it, she realizes that it's dark and the only light in the room is from her tablet and the daylight that is filtering in through the edges of the curtains on the windows.
She blinks her eyes a couple of times and as they adjust to the darkness, they are drawn to the bed, where John is still asleep. Frowning she places her tablet down on the desk and climbing onto the bed, she sits down on his right side, crossing her legs in front of her.
"John?" she says, concern inching into her voice.
She waits a couple of seconds and when he doesn't wake up, she uncrosses her legs and shifting onto her knees, she places one hand on each of his shoulders, effectively pinning him. Leaning down, she kisses him on the lips, smiling when this has the desired effect and she feels him wrapping his arms around her, pulling her down onto him.
Pulling away from him, so she can see his face, she catches the smile, "hiya sleepy head. Did you really sleep all day?"
Scrubbing his face, and looking at his watch, "yeah, I guess I did." and lifting his head up off the pillow, kissing her again, talking through the kiss, "you...didn't...ground me...did you?"
Running her fingers through his hair, "no I didn't."
Frowning at her, "that's weird."
"What's weird?"
"Well. I usually can't go a couple of hours without someone needing me for something, unless I'm grounded."
Raising an eyebrow, "maybe there wasn't anything that needed your immediate attention."
Pushing her gently away from him and sitting up against the pillow, "Lexi, there's always something going on."
Climbing out of the bed and heading for the bathroom, "I don't know what to tell you John. I know I didn't ground you and there were no new medical groundings today."
Getting out of the bed and following her into the bathroom, entering it just as she is taking off her pants, "I'm just saying, it's weird."
Pulling off her shirt and catching him staring at her, "okay, it's weird." and smiling, "well, are you just going to stand there, or are you going to join me?"
Thinking the shower on as he pulls off his t-shirt and boxers, "I'm right behind you." he says with a smile.
xxxx
Lorne was running a little late. He had been caught up in the ready room, trying to put a stop to a disagreement between SGA-3 and 5. Each team had requested the same planet assignment for the following day, and he knew that the only way to settle the dispute would be to allow both teams to go.
Shaking his head at the memory of the situation, he comes to a stop in front of the doors leading to Lexi's quarters. Taking a look at his watch, he smiles to himself as somehow he has managed to make it there on time.
A couple of seconds later, the doors swish open to reveal Lexi standing there, a smile on her face, "you made it on time."
Looking her up and down, "yeah, I did. You look beautiful, as usual."
Blushing, "thanks. You don't look too shabby, either."
Smiling, "thanks. So, is the Colonel ready?"
"Yeah, Major. I'm all set." John says, as he steps up beside Lexi, "lead the way."
They head for the transporter and as he hits the screen for the north pier, "sir, just so you know, teams three and five will be sharing exploration of M8S-928 tomorrow."
Stepping out of the transporter, John looks over at him with a scowl, "let me guess. They all wanted to go?"
Nodding his head, "yep. I lasted about ten minutes with them yelling at each other about it. I hope it's okay."
"It's fine. But why didn't you radio me to deal with it?"
Shrugging, "it wasn't anything I couldn't handle."
Swiping the door control to let them out onto the north pier, "oh. Okay." he says, as he steps outside first.
Looking over at Lexi, he catches her mouthing "good one." and smiling in response they follow John out onto the pier.
About half way down the pier, Lexi stops short at the sight that meets her eyes. There are lights strung up everywhere and one long table set with food.
Feeling hands pulling her forward, she looks on either side of her to see Lorne and John smiling at her.
Smiling back, "Evan it's perfect. John did you know about this?"
Shaking his head, "nope. This was all Lorne's doing. Good job, by the way."
Pulling her along the pier, "thanks sir." and looking at her, "I figured if we had the dinner out here, less feathers would be ruffled."
Seeing the group of people assembled, she understands what he means. Even though Atlantis is one big family, there is no question that there are certain cliques that have developed over the five years that the expedition has been living in Pegasus.
They reach the group of people, and Lexi smiles as everyone comes up to her in turn and wishes her a "Happy Birthday."
As she hands Torren off to Teyla, "shall we eat?"
"Most definitely." McKay and Ronon say at the same time. As everyone laughs at the eagerness shown by the two of them, they all take seats at the table and the eating commences, accompanied by lots of animated conversation and laughter.
xxxx
Two hours later, Lexi is sitting in between John and Lorne, quietly watching them debate the proper way to deploy an attack on an enemy who holds the upper hand. She smiles as Ronon, weighs in on the conversation and letting her eyes wander over the rest of the group, her smile widens at the sight of her favorite people enjoying each others company. A couple of seats down, on her right, McKay and Zelenka are chatting about the recent movie that was played at the base movie night, with Keller and Jamie. On her left, Beckett is talking with Teyla, Kanaan, Maddy and Amelia, their conversation having something to do with the latest adventures Torren seems to have gotten into.
"Lexi?"
Startling a little, "yeah."
"Where were you?" John asks, looking from her to Lorne and back.
Smiling at them, "I was enjoying the company." she says, gesturing to everyone sitting at the table.
Following the sweep of her hand and smiling, "everyone certainly seems to be having a great time."
Also looking at everyone talking and laughing, "they sure do. I'll say it again Major, good job."
"Thanks sir. It was my pleasure." and standing up, clearing his throat to get everyone's attention, "so, is everyone ready for some cake?"
"There's cake?" McKay asks, instantly perking up at the mention of it.
Reaching for his radio, "Kane, bring the cake out now." Lorne says.
Everyone's attention is drawn to the doors leading into the city as they open to reveal Sergeant Kane of the kitchen staff, wheeling a cake with lit birthday candles out to the group.
As the cake is placed in front of her on the table, Lexi looks up at Lorne, "is it?"
"Your favorite flavor. Of course." he says with a smile, and looking around at everyone, "I think Happy Birthday is in order."
As the chorus of Happy Birthday fades away, Lexi blows out all the candles in one breath. Cutting the first slice, she hands out a slice to everyone, smiling at the praise she receives from McKay and Ronon, for her choice in flavors.
An hour later, she wishes everyone a good night, as they all head back into the city. She and John walk back with Jamie and Lorne. On the way back, John ends up walking next to Jamie, who is still lauding him for his choice in jewelry, and from what Lexi can see, making him extremely uncomfortable.
"I think he just set the bar exceedingly high for the rest of us." Lorne says quietly so only Lexi will hear it.
Looking over at him and then at John's back, "I told him it was too much. But he said he wanted to get it for me."
"You deserve it."
Blushing and looking at him, "thanks Evan." and slipping her arm through his, "tonight was wonderful. I'm so glad that you did this for me."
Smiling, "I'm happy you had a good time. I sure did."
Seeing that they are about the reach the intersection leading to her quarters and that John and Jamie are slowing down, she lets go of his arm and kissing him on the cheek, "sleep tight and thanks again."
Giving her hand a quick squeeze, "you're welcome." and taking Jamie by the hand and leading her in the other direction towards his quarters, talking over his shoulder, "good night, sir. See you at the briefing. Lexi, Happy Birthday."
Smiling at him, "thanks. Night Jamie."
Looking over her shoulder, "good night and Happy Birthday."
Watching them disappear from sight and feeling John's eyes on her, she turns her head to look at him, "you ready to celebrate properly?"
Looking around the corridor, making sure that no one is around and that they aren't in sight of any CCTV cameras, he sweeps her off her feet, "yes." and carrying her the rest of the short distance to her quarters, he thinks the doors open.
The minute the doors are closed, he mentally locks them and carrying her over to the bed, he lays her down on it, and as she pulls him down on top of her, they undress each other, clothes flying everywhere. An hour later she is lying there watching him, a smile on her lips, chin resting on his chest, "thanks."
Opening his eyes, "for what?"
Leaning in she kisses him, and pulling away, "for the bracelet, and for being mine."
Smiling, "you said that already."
Returning the smile, "you heard me this morning before I left?"
Lifting his head off the pillow and kissing her again, "yeah and I have to say, I've never been so happy to belong to someone before."
Resting her head on his chest, she smiles, and closes her eyes, a sense of contentment and safety washing over her. A few minutes later, just when she thinks that he is asleep, she jumps a little as his voice cuts through the silence of the room, "Lexi, do you want to marry me?"
Shocked by the question, she doesn't know what to say. Instead, she sits up, playing with the ring on her finger.
Uncertainty and fear have him cursing himself for asking her. Sitting up and reaching for her chin, to turn her head to face him, he catches the tears streaking down her cheeks, "Lexi, what's wrong?"
Wiping the tears from her face, she leans in to kiss him, and as she pulls away, "nothing's wrong."
Wiping a stray tear away from her cheek, "usually you don't cry when nothing's wrong."
Smiling, "I know that. It's just that the question is not something I thought I'd ever hear from you."
Confusion inching into his voice, "why?"
"Because of your previous one."
Pulling her down into his arms, "oh, right. Well, I didn't say that I wanted to get married. I asked if you wanted to."
Smiling to herself, resting her arm over his stomach, "well then, the answer is of course I want to get married. Every girl dreams of the big white wedding." and feeling him tense under her arm, "but not right now."
Relaxing again, "to me?"
Sliding on top of him, and locking eyes with him, "answer me a question first."
Reaching up to push a piece of hair behind her ear, "sure, what?"
"If you had had your mom's ring when you were dating Nancy, would you have given it to her?"
Considering the question, he comes to a decision, "no. I don't think I would have."
Leaning down she traces her lips up his chest to his, and after kissing him for a couple of minutes she pulls away. Smiling as she sees that his eyes are closed and a smile is playing across his face, "why not?"
Opening his eyes, "because Nancy couldn't understand why I do the things I do. You do."
"Then the answer to your last question, is yes. I want to marry you John. But like I said before, not right now. There's too much going on, and I like what we have."
Pulling her down into his arms again, "me too." he says and closing his eyes, "Happy...Birthday." he gets out before sleep takes him.
Lifting her head up, she sees that he's fallen asleep, and resting her head on his chest again, she too falls asleep.
xxxx
A couple of days later, Lexi is jogging her way through the city, just before dawn. For the first time in a long time, she had woken up in the throws of a nightmare. It had taken her a couple of minutes to remember where she was and after realizing that she had not woken John up, she had quietly gotten changed and headed out.
Shivering, from the lingering fear, she focuses on her breathing and the feeling of the ground under her feet, losing herself in the motion. She jogs out to the south pier and doubles back the way she came, winding her way to the central tower. From there she jogs to the west pier and finally, feeling her body screaming at her that she just might be tired enough to fall back to sleep, she heads back to her quarters.
Reaching them, she takes a look at her watch, sighing as the numbers tell her that she has jogged for an hour and a half and it is 0640. Swiping her way into them, she startles when John steps out of the bathroom, towel wrapped around his waist, tooth brush and tooth paste in hand.
Taking out the headphones, "morning." she says, as she walks up to him and gives him a kiss.
Squirting toothpaste onto the toothbrush, scanning his eyes over her as she unstraps the iPod from her arm, "you okay?"
Meeting his eyes, "yeah, just couldn't sleep."
Turning and walking back into the bathroom, "that's usually my line." he says around the toothbrush.
Placing the iPod down on the dresser next to the bathroom door, and following him into it, "I had a bad dream and needed to clear my head."
Spitting and washing out his mouth, he places the toothbrush in its holder and turning around to face her, "what was it about?"
Thinking on the shower, she starts to get undressed, "John, I'm fine."
Raising an eyebrow, "Lexi."
Stepping up to him, she kisses him again, and as she pulls away, "I really don't remember it. But thanks for asking."
Leaning down, he kisses her forehead and smiling at her, "you sure?"
Returning the smile and stepping into the shower, shouting over the water, "yeah. Now go get dressed or you're gonna be late for the briefing. And you know how Woolsey gets when you're late."
Also shouting over the water, "yes ma'am. I'll see you tonight. Love you."
Her "love you too," follows him out of the bathroom. He gets dressed and after grabbing a quick breakfast in the mess, he heads for the briefing.
Stepping out of the shower, Lexi feels a whole lot better. She gets dressed and heads for the mess for her breakfast date with Keller.
xxxx
Six hours later, she is sitting in her office in between sessions, reading through her e-mails. Half way through them, her radio goes off. Reaching up to turn it on, "go ahead Evan."
"Lexi."
Tensing at the hesitation she hears in his voice, "what's wrong?"
She hears him sigh, "this is why I can never keep anything from you."
Smiling to herself, "why, because I can sense when something is bothering you?"
"Yeah. How do you do that?"
Shaking her head in amusement, "I was trained to do it and I've also known you long enough to be able to tell. But that's besides the point. What's wrong?"
"Sheppard and his team are..."
She feels the icy tendrils of fear creeping over her, and it steals her breath away for a second. Absentmindedly her thumb starts twirling the ring on her ring finger, "let me guess. They got into trouble."
"Yeah. I'll let you know when we've got any news."
"Thanks Evan."
"No problem. Lorne out."
The radio link closed, she is glad that her next appointment is early. She loses herself in work and three hours later, "Major Lorne to Dr. Carter."
Tapping her radio, offering an apologetic smile to her patient, "go ahead Evan."
"Lexi, Woolsey is heading off world. We've found the team. They should hopefully be home soon."
The knot of worry in her stomach loosens a little, "thanks Evan. That's great news. Carter out." and with the link closed she resumes her session.
At 2310, that night, just as she is about to get into bed, she startles when the doors to her quarters swish open.
Turning around, a huge smile of relief crosses her lips as John comes striding over to her, wrapping her in his arms.
She quickly pushes him away, pinching her nose, "you stink!"
Sniffing his clothes, he laughs, "oh right. Sorry. Woolsey and I just smoked a couple of cigars. I guess the wind didn't carry the smoke away from us."
Sitting down on the edge of the bed and looking up at him, letting go of her nose and pointing to the bathroom, "clothes in the hamper, right now please. Laundry is a necessity tomorrow and while you're in there take a shower."
Mock saluting her, "yes ma'am," he says, as he strides into the bathroom.
Climbing into bed, the knot in her stomach finally dissolves, and picking up her book from the bedside table, she starts reading, smiling to herself when she hears the shower turn on.
Thirty minutes later, she looks up from her book to see him climbing into bed. Placing the book down on the bedside table, she turns over onto her left side, propping her head up with her hand, "so what happened?"
Relaxing into the pillows, closing his eyes and letting out a tired sigh, "well, it turns out that the natives were getting restless."
"Huh?" she asks.
Opening his eyes and smiling at the look of confusion on her face, "the natives of Pegasus decided to form a coalition. They blame us for a lot of the crap that has happened and they decided to put us on trial for it all."
Realization dawning, "so that's why Woolsey left the base."
"Yeah, he really saved our butts. Although, we didn't get off scott free."
"What do you mean?" she asks, as she rests her head on the pillow.
Holding out his arm, he waits for her to snuggle up to him, "well, let's just say, we're gonna be defending more than just Atlantis from now on."
Resting her chin on his chest, "well if that's the case, let's get some sleep."
Lifting his head up off the pillow, he kisses her, and letting it fall against the pillow again, "why?"
Frowning, "cause you barely get enough of it now, and you only have to worry about Atlantis. How much do you think you're gonna get once this base isn't the only thing you have to protect?"
Matching her frown, "good point." and as a huge yawn escapes him, he sees the look she's giving him, "okay, okay. Sleep it is." he says, closing his eyes.
Smiling, she watches him for a couple of minutes and when she is sure that he is asleep, she rests her head on his chest and closing her eyes, listening to his breathing, she also falls asleep.
