The doorbell chimed but Elizabeth chose to ignore it. Looking out over the beach, she sighed. Everything she could ever ask for was at her fingertips but it just wasn't what she needed, she didn't need all of these material things. She needed a chance to challenge herself mentally, expand her talents. She needed a change.

"Miss Elizabeth?" a knock at the door followed the question.

"Come in." Elizabeth turned around to see what the housekeeper wanted. Mrs Brown entered the room carrying a large box, placing it on the bed she handed Elizabeth an envelope.

"This just arrived for you, Miss."

Elizabeth glanced curiously to the box. What was it?

"Thank you." She said with a smile.

Mrs. Brown closed the door silently behind her and Elizabeth walked over to the box and sat down on the bed next to it. The writing on the envelope looked unfamiliar, this just intriguing her more. Deciding to leave the letter until last, she pulled the lid of the box.

Peering inside, Elizabeth gasped. She reached in and pulled out a dress.

Blood Red. A shade of color, she had never yet dared to wear. It was a color that she thought she wouldn't be able to pull off so she hadn't tried. Standing up, she moved in front of the mirror holding the garment in front of her A knee length cocktail dress, the bodice and straps were beaded. It was gorgeous and looked like it would fit her perfectly. This thought made her interested in the sender of the dress.

Placing the dress gently back into the box, she reached for the letter. Pulling out a small card she glanced at the message.

Elizabeth,

I think that this is your color! Wear it for me at the races this Friday.

There was no signature. No indication about who it was from. The gown was gorgeous and who ever had sent it to her had exquisite taste.

'Simon, it has to be Simon.' Elizabeth thought. He was the one escorting her to the races.

Dr Simon Wallace had been pursuing her for a year, and one could say that they were together. Her father kept pushing her towards him, she knew that he wanted her to eventually marry him. Elizabeth had been leaning towards a life with Simon until recently. Until a pair of hazel eyes, dark unruly hair and a smile that would melt the polar ice caps had captivated her from across a room. 'Stop!' she scolded herself. 'Stop thinking about him.'

The races mentioned in the note were an annual social event hosted by Atlantis Incorporated. At this thought, Elizabeth crinkled her nose. Atlantis Incorporated were her family's rivals. The only reason that she attended the races each year was because she was socially obliged to. Simon had already organized to take her to the races and when looking at the dress, she finally decided that this year might not be so bad after all.

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Adjusting the shoulder straps of the dress, Elizabeth glanced at herself in the mirror. The dress fit extremely well, which she had guessed when she had first held it against her body. She had never had a man give her a dress, let alone know how to pick the right size.

The bodice of the dress hugged her torso, while the bottom half flowed out, reminding her of something hippies might have worn. She had decided to leave her hair out as it went more with the race hat she was going to wear. Looking at herself again she had to agree red did seem to be her color.

"Miss Elizabeth?" a voice called out from downstairs. "Dr Wallace has arrived."

"I'll be right down." Grabbing the hat and her purse, she went downstairs to meet Simon.

Simon Wallace was a highly specialised medical doctor. He was at the top of his field, always being invited to give speeches about the newest medical techniques. Simon was a tall lithe man, his hair falling around his face. It was a little longer than she liked but it didn't really bother her.

"Elizabeth, you look gorgeous!" Simon claimed as she greeted him. She knew she should thank him for the dress but had decided not to say anything about it. She wanted him to mention it first. Simon did not attempt to claim responsibility for her looking the way she did and she played along. I t seemed he wanted it to remain a mystery.

"Thank you." Elizabeth replied belatedly to his flattery.

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John looked impatiently at his watch. She should have been here by now. Sending her that dress had been an instinct that he maybe shouldn't have followed. He hadn't been able to help himself though.

John had been walking along the street, when he had caught a glance of that dress. At first, he hadn't known what had attracted him to it but then he'd had an image of her in it and knew that he had to give it to her. John had gone inside the shop and explained to the lady that he had wanted the dress. The girl had proceeded to ask what size his woman friend was. John had awkwardly told her that he didn't know but had described Elizabeth to the saleslady. The price of the dress had stunned him, how a scrap of material could cost so much he hadn't knwon. Money wasn't a problem but it had just surprised him. Buying it anyway, he had asked the store to deliver it to her house. He hadn't known her address but just mentioning the name Elizabeth Weir had the saleswoman nodding.

"You seem impatient about something?" Teyla's voice asked him from behind.

"No." he replied shortly.

"Well it looked….." Teyla was talking but John was no longer listening. A vision in red had just entered to marquee. John watched in what seemed like slow motion as Elizabeth walked in.

He had known that the dress would be perfect; he had never seen anyone more gorgeous in his whole life. John knew he was staring but he couldn't help it.

He had this insane need to talk to her, get to know her better. John knew he shouldn't, she was a Weir. His thoughts were stopped when he realized she was not alone. His eyes narrowed in on her companion and this unpleasant feeling rose in his stomach. She was leaning all over the other man and he was touching her in return.

John suddenly realized what he was feeling: Jealously. This shocked him, as he had no right to feel jealous towards the other man. Elizabeth wasn't even his to feel jealous over. He didn't even know her.

He was still staring her way when she suddenly caught his eyes.

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Elizabeth had been having a great time. Simon had been a little dull but apart from that everything had been so much fun. She had actually bet on the right horses and won some money. Elizabeth had never allowed herself to enjoy the races before and she felt a little regret at that. It had always seemed like an obligation to attend but this year something had changed.

Simon had told her that it was time for lunch, so she had let him lead her to the Marquee where they were now mingling.

She felt a tingling awareness rush up her spine and looked up. There he was, the man that had been occupying more than his fair share of her thoughts.

John Sheppard was standing next to his fiancé on the opposite side of the room. She wanted to look away but her eyes felt compelled to seek his out. Maybe this is why she had been having such a good time, unconsciously knowing that he would be at the races his families company sponsered. They stared at each other for a full minute before Simon's hand on her waist broke the connection.

"They are seating us now."

Elizabeth just nodded and moved to where Simon indicated. She felt this need to seek John out, talk to him. Maybe after lunch she would.

TBC