Stargate SG-1 and Stargate: Atlantis, the characters and universe are the property of Stargate (II) Productions, Showtime/Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, Gekko Productions and the Sci-Fi Channel. The content of this story is solely for entertainment purposes and no copyright infringement is intended.
A/N: I am NOT in the medical, military, mathematics or science professions so what you read is just 'winging it'. Hope it all sounds plausible. Also in my stories there will always be Dr. Weir and Dr. Beckett.
This is the fifth and final story completing the story arc I've written dealing with Colonel Sheppard's disability. Preceding order: Three for the Price of Two, Conquering Adversities, Unexpected Surprises, Life Altering and now New Beginnings.
The story was beta read and any remaining errors are my own. Enjoy.
New Beginnings
Author: kwillads
Before Elizabeth could say something the suites door chimed. John thought open with his mind. This time it had to be Carson. "Hey Carson." John said without turning his head or taking his gaze away from Elizabeth or getting up.
"You missed yo…oh! Am I interrupting?" Carson came to a fast stop after entering, a wide eyed surprised look on his face seeing Dr. Weir and Colonel Sheppard in a somewhat compromising position.
"No, just had a bit of a headache and Elizabeth was rubbing it away for me. Sorry about missing my post-mission check. Everyone check out okay?"
Carson managed to pull himself back together. "Yes, well…if you don't mind since I'm here…"
"It's fine Carson. Can you do it here, or do you need me in my room?" John was hoping he would say here was fine, he liked where he was…very much.
"You're fine where you are lad if Elizabeth won't mind."
"I don't mind Carson." Finally being added to the conversation.
Carson moved around the dining table, glancing at the uneaten dinner, and around the lounge chairs setting his doctor's bag on the coffee table. Crouching down he rested one hip on the edge of the couch. John scooted over giving the doctor a little more maneuvering room.
Carson made quick work of blood pressure, pulse and respirations. Digging in his medical bag he found his penlight quickly he checked pupil reactions. John only winced once. He didn't carry a digital thermometer it took up too much room in his bag considering everything else so he produced the old fashioned mercury thermometer and placed it under the Colonel's tongue while he took a blood sample for testing. Finishing he listened to the Colonel's heart and lungs.
"No temperature Colonel and everything checks out fine so far. How's the headache?"
"Almost gone." He was honest. The truth was it was down to just an annoying throb he could put up with. Two hundred percent better from when he walked through the gate, but Carson didn't need to know that part.
"I can give you a pain reliever if you want."
"Nah, I'm good."
"Okay son, it that your dinner over there by chance?"
John just gave Carson his best 'you know it is' look.
"Aye, well get yourself some food and some more rest."
"Yes mom." John drawled.
Elizabeth gave him a chided pat on the shoulder.
"What?" John smirked backed at her.
"I'll leave you two to your…business." Carson blushed a little pink.
"Gee Carson, it's not like we're teenagers making out." John snarked.
Carson efficiently tossed everything back into his bag, closed it up and left the two lovebirds on the couch.
Once the door closed behind Carson, "John, you shouldn't tease Carson like that."
"He's a doctor Elizabeth." As that should be explanation enough. "Now where were we? Oh…yes I remember now. I want you, Elizabeth."
oOo
"General you got a minute?" Sheppard asked standing at the door of Elizabeth's old office. Another two months had passed and the Daedalus arrived with more men, new scientists and more supplies.
His relationship with Elizabeth blossomed after he confessed that he wanted her. He couldn't believe what he said two months ago but he had meant every word, he did want her. It appeared that Elizabeth wanted him in return. There were more sunsets watched together, more moonlit walks, more romantic dinners, more hand holding, more poetry, more movies and a little more kissing being done on his part. His team had been more than understanding about the amount of time he spent away from them to be with Elizabeth.
John was taking things slow with Elizabeth not wanting to go too fast. He needed to make sure this was right for the both of them. He was military, always ready to put his life on the line. Could Elizabeth handle that? Nancy couldn't. But circumstances were different this time they would be together, living in the same city, not thousands of miles apart. Nancy had to endure not knowing if he was alive or dead, what he was doing or where he was. Elizabeth would know because she would be right here with him. Love was confusing.
Col. Lorne entered Sheppard's office with a grin on his face. The unloading of the Daedalus was done. Supplies were disbursed with the exception of one item. He filled his commanding officer in on the latest screw up with Quartermaster Supply which brought him to where he was now, standing at the General's door.
"Come in Colonel. What's on your mind?"
"I need to go to Earth Sir. We've had another foul-up with Quartermaster Supply and I don't think I can let this one go. Three days – four tops." Maybe I should have said a week.
"Explain."
"You've noticed our PX?" John asked waiting for confirmation. The General nodded. "Most of the items in the PX have been supplies shipped to us on the Daedalus with a no return policy besides taking up valuable space for items we do need. We got fifteen thousand scrubbies for God sakes instead of ammo for the P-90's. They sent us green and red ink pens. We don't use paper here. I have several child size rain coats all in bright yellow along with several size 13 boots which only a handful of people can wear. Last month Dr. McKay ordered coax cabling and received twine as a substitute. What do they want us to do? String to cans together to play telephone! The list goes on and on General. The gazillion paperclips to go along with our non-existent paper we made into garland for our holiday tree decorations a few Christmas' past. But his time Quartermasters has gone too far. I can't let this slide any longer. They're taking up valuable room on the Daedalus with this nonsense. And the Scientists and Doctors are not getting what they need in order to do their jobs. I request permission to go to Earth and talk some sense into Supply." John huffed at the end of his rant taking in much needed oxygen.
"You haven't told me what they shipped to us this time." General Brankovik leaned back in his office chair studying the tight clinched jaw of his first military officer. He heard the complaints and on occasion had visited the Atlantis PX taking in the vast array of items one not usually saw on a research or military base.
"Oh right. Sorry. This time they sent us a thousand pounds of cat litter. We have no cats here. No motor pool and the jumpers don't use oil. They've gone too far this time. Someone has to do something. I have to do something. So what do you say General? Can I go?"
"If I let you go will I have to bail you out of one of your jails?"
"No Sir. I'm Special Ops trained." Sheppard replied giving the General his trademark grin.
"Do I want to know what you're planning Colonel?"
"No Sir. The less you know the better." John hadn't come up with a plan yet. He would just wing-it like he did most of the time.
"Agreed." General Brankovik scratched his bearded chin with indecision. He leaned forward in his chair, "you can go. We open the gate to Earth at 14:00 be ready to go then. And Colonel… don't make me regret my decision."
"Yes Sir."
John turned on his heels and almost ran out the General's office. He needed to arrange for the cat litter to accompany him back to Earth. He headed to the east pier to get a sled then over to the storage room to obtain large containers. After transferring the litter into the containers on the sled he tossed in a few other items for good measure. He headed for his room to pack a few clothes while informing Lt. Col. Lorne he would be gone a few days. After packing he stopped by the labs, infirmary and inputted into his PC tablet lists of items that were never received but were needed. He vowed he would do his best to bring back their missing items.
Standing in the gate room with his duffle over his left shoulder John waited for the gate to dial Earth. The sled was packed and strapped down for safety. He had told Elizabeth he was going to Earth for a few days to take care of their little supply problem. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Elizabeth walk into the gate room.
"Come to wish me luck?" John asked.
"No, I'm actually going with you. I need to get some materials from Dr. Jackson for my language class and since the General was keeping the gate open long enough to send you through he's sending me as well. Is that going to be a problem?"
He hadn't noticed she was carrying her overnight bag. His attention was on her beauty. Boy did he have it bad. "Not at all Doctor, the more the merrier I say."
The stargate whooshed into life before them. The General yelled down from the balcony that the Earth iris was open and to proceed. Elizabeth headed through first. John pulled the handle on the sled and followed.
"Welcome to Earth Dr. Weir and Colonel Sheppard." Announced Gen. Hank Landry from the floor of the gate room.
"Nice to be here General." Elizabeth replied.
"What have you brought?" Landry looked at the sled with all its many containers.
"Thank you Sir. Quartermaster Supply seems to have a no-return policy. I'm here to change that….Sir." John stated as he guided the heavy sled full cat litter, boots, coats, pens and other miscellaneous items he managed to stuff into the crates to a halt at the base of the ramp.
"I see. Well I wish you luck Colonel. I'm a General and I haven't been able to convince them of their wrongful ways. Of course before you proceed those items will need to be checked through quarantine."
"Understood Sir."
"What broke the proverbial camel's back this time?"
"Cat litter."
General Landry laughed until he thought his sides would split open. "A while back Quartermaster's sent the SGC fifteen thousand colored nylon balls. Can you believe it? What use were nylon balls? That's when I put my foot down not that it did any good. I wonder what became of them."
Colonel Sheppard and Dr. Weir exchanged a shared look between themselves that gave the General the idea that the two Lanteans did.
"Walter!" The General yelled. And the Chief Master Sergeant came hustling around the corner. "Escort our two visitors to the infirmary then find them suitable quarters. I'll have your returns gone over they should be ready by the time you get done in the infirmary. And Colonel Sheppard you're restricted from entering Level 21. The labs there are working with electromagnetics just to be on the safe side. I know your implant is shielded, but let's not take any chances while you're here."
"Yes Sir."
"Oh and Dr. Weir…Dr. Jackson is off base but is scheduled to return tomorrow morning. I hope that won't be a problem."
"No General, no problem at all."
Without further word the General left the gate room and headed back to his office still chuckling over cat litter and colored nylon balls.
"Ma'am, Sir, if you'll follow me." Master Chief Harriman said motioning that they should follow him.
Walter wound them through corridor after corridor until they came to the infirmary. Dr. Lam gave them the standard 'welcome to Earth' exam. Taking one vile of blood for testing before sending them on their way with the Master Chief to find their quarters and drop off their bags.
"Master Chief, can you arrange transportation for tomorrow morning. I want to get those supplies back to Quartermasters ASAP. And can you tell me where I might find a quiet room to work that has access to the internet."
"Of course Colonel right this way." Walter pointed and started down the gray corridor stopping mid way when he realized he wasn't being followed.
"Elizabeth you gonna be okay?" John inquired remembering he was leaving her standing in the middle of the hallway.
"Yes John. I have a few phone calls to make. Meet me for dinner?"
"Sounds good. But let's go out for dinner."
"Fine. Say seven?"
"See ya back here at seven then. Sorry Master Chief lead the way."
John followed Sergeant Harriman to a small nondescript room with a laptop, legal pad and pencil at the ready. Closing the door with a thought didn't work. He had to remember he was back on Earth and had to do things the old fashion way. He got up from the table and closed the door manually. Setting back down he booted up the laptop and began his searches.
John finished his last search looked at his watch and had just enough time to shower and change before meeting Dr. Weir for dinner. He stood to find both his legs tingling. Ignoring the strange sensation he managed to make it back to his assigned room. While John showered and changed the tingling feeling vanished. He arranged for a car for the night with the desk Sergeant on duty.
Precisely at seven he knocked on Elizabeth's door. She too had changed into a nice outfit a definite change from BDU's and combat boots. Elizabeth had on a dark pair of slacks with heels and a soft green sweater blouse. She carried a black over jacket for later when the fall evening air cooled. John was the man in black reincarnated. Black long sleeved turtleneck shirt which hugged his frame in all the right places with his tight black jeans. The couple made their way to the surface and Colonel Sheppard signed for his wallet, credit cards, cash and the car he requested.
Opening the passenger door he assisted Elizabeth into the black SUV. The seven mile drive into the city took twenty minutes. Neither one spoke as they passed the beautiful countryside. Mountains reached high into the sky with their foliage of green topped with white. Some of the passing trees had started to turn to yellow and orange signifying the change from summer to autumn.
Elizabeth finally broke the silence between them. "Where are we going John?"
Concentrating on his driving he kept his face forward as he answered. "Just before the expedition left I found this nice restaurant that offered Thai, Middle Eastern, California and Italian cuisine all at the same place. The place is called The Blue Star. It's not much farther. We have reservations for seven forty-five. Does that sound okay with you? I guess I should have asked what you might like, sorry."
"The Blue Star sounds wonderful." She returned with a smile noticing how transfixed he was on his driving.
And just like that they pulled into the parking lot. John hopped out and quickly circled the SUV to open the door for Elizabeth taking the claim check offered by the valet before entering the swank, romantic restaurant.
They were seated promptly. Elizabeth ordered a glass of wine and John a beer. The music played softly in the background and the lighting was intimate. A single candle surrounded by a ring of fresh flowers adorned the center of the table. For Elizabeth it was a tough decision on what to order. Everything on the menu sounded wonderful but she finally chose the Thai Gkaeng Ped Gkai or in English as it was written on the blue menu; Chicken and Roasted Eggplant in Red Curry Sauce. She liked spicy foods. John was more reserved and ordered Bourbon brined Niman Ranch Pork Chops with Sweet Potato Gratin, Apple Compote and Bourbon Glaze.
They talked about their relationship for the first time, where it was going and what it meant to each of them. It was the most personal talking John had ever done about himself and his feelings in a long time. Elizabeth seemed to have a way of getting information out of him. When the waiter came back to ask about dessert they shared an Artisan cheese and fruit assortment. Neither one wanted anything heavy after the large meal they had been served. The appeal of fresh Earth fruits and cheeses was just too tempting to pass up. It was nearing 10 pm and closing time for the restaurant when John helped Elizabeth into her sleek jacket, paid the check and waited for their car at the front door.
On the drive back to the mountain Elizabeth managed to talk John into meeting her mother Evelyn who resided in Norwalk, CT an hour plus drive outside of New York.
John escorted Elizabeth to her quarters and since it was late headed for his own. He had a big day tomorrow—Quartermaster Supply wouldn't know what hit them. As he lay on his bunk he couldn't believe that he agreed to meet Elizabeth's mother. How'd that happen?
TBC 9/60
