Chapter Six

When Teyla and Ronon finally reached the control room they found John sitting in one of the chairs, seemingly staring into space.

"John? Are you alright?" Teyla walked up to him and the Colonel jumped slightly.

"Er, yeah. Fine, I'm fine. But it's getting harder."

Teyla nodded in understanding. John was one of the people who would find it the most discomforting not being able to control his actions. Elizabeth was another one of those people.

"Where's Weir?" Ronon asked, his eyes continuously scanning the room for members of the expedition who should be considered dangerous in their current condition.

"I don't really know. I think she's avoiding me…things have been getting a little too…close, if you understand." John sighed somewhat sadly. "She doesn't like this anymore than I do. In fact I think it's even worse for her. You know how she is."

Teyla nodded in understanding. Sitting down in a chair next to John she explained what she and Ronon had discussed earlier.

"John, think back to when all of this started to happen."

"I don't think I can. This past week all seems a bit fuzzy." He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Ronon and I think we know what's been causing this." Teyla continued. "It began a while after we returned from M3X-492."

"Wait, which one is that?" John interrupted and Teyla realised from the look on his face that John was finding it hard to concentrate.

"The last planet we went to." Ronon rumbled.

John nodded slowly and Teyla carried on speaking.

"I think it's the juice, John. It seems to be affecting everyone, making them less likely to think of the consequences."

"Why aren't you and Ronon…?"

"Carson told us that Ronon and I have different body chemistry to you." She paused. "I do not believe we can stop people from drinking it though. We managed to procure a large amount from M3X-492 and it will last for at least three more months."

John rubbed his fists into his eyes. "This can't go on. If it keeps getting worse…"

Teyla nodded and so did Ronon. Teyla remained quiet, trying to think of a possible solution and Ronon, now sitting on the edge of one of the consoles, surprisingly also looked deep in thought. John had fazed out and was once again staring at some random spot on the wall.

--

Elizabeth breathed out slowly and closed her eyes. She'd left John in her office and quickly made it to one of the outer balconies and was now leaning against the wall, staring out at the ocean. The sea breeze washed over her and she let her shoulders relax slightly.

To be honest, she actually had no idea why she was resisting John so much. It could have to do with the fact that she had no idea why she was acting the way she was, as if all rational thought had been taken from her, but she doubted it.

It was more likely that she was afraid to be hurt, or afraid that the IOA could reassign her or John if they ended up in a relationship. And she'd rather have John as 'just a friend' than not have him at all. It could even just be her own damn stubbornness and the fact that she couldn't help but make her life harder and more difficult.

If John died on a mission through the 'Gate that she sent him on…?

Sighing again, Elizabeth slid down the wall and sat on the floor. She rested her elbows on her now bent knees and forced the heels of her hands into her eyes.

That was probably her main reason. It could be taken two ways. If she wasn't in a relationship with John and he died, she'd be left wondering what it would have been like to be with him. If she was in a relationship with John and he died, she'd be left knowing what she was missing.

There were an awful lot of 'ifs' but either way she was promised heartbreak. John couldn't stay lucky forever. Eventually, with his job…

Elizabeth didn't even want to think about it. Flashes of their 'meeting' in her office kept flashing in her mind. There was one thing she was sure of; one thing that definitely wasn't an 'if' and that was that she'd fallen in love with her Military Commander.

--

Rodney had no idea what was going on. He was surrounded by a variety of different colours. The last thing he remembered properly was being shut in some empty storage locker by Teyla and that cave man. He knew he'd managed to get out of there by using his superior intellect; ignoring the fact that there was no way he could have gotten out, since the door was locked from the outside, without someone else's help.

He shrugged and carried on down the hallway, ignoring the splashes of colour, which, if he'd looked more closely, were actually splodges of paint from paintballs.

Opening the door nearest to him, he walked out onto a balcony with no real intent, only to almost trip over someone. Swearing, he turned around to see a shocked Elizabeth staring at him.

"Rodney?" She asked confused.

"Hey, Elizabeth…"

"Rodney, is there any reason why you're here?" Rodney seemed to ignore her for a moment before turning round and realising she was still there.

"Oh, yeah, d'you want to come to the rec room? Radek has booze." He spoke in a reserved manner, as if he didn't want to let her know that it was Radek who had managed to procure the alcohol.

Elizabeth shook her head. Her ability for rational thought may be lessoning but it was still strong enough. Rodney wouldn't take no for an answer, however, and a couple seconds later she found herself dragged from the balcony by an over eager scientist.

Alright, there were the next three chapters. Did you like them? I'll update the last three chapters soon (If I get some reviews of course!!)