Whereabouts

A/N: So, here's the next chapter. Thank you for all the kind reviews. Enjoy this chapter - or not.


John was more stubborn than Elizabeth, that's what she thought on Monday afternoon when she still hadn't seen him. He hadn't shown up for breakfast and he hadn't helped her clearing the table. There had only been two place settings in the first place.

She hadn't encountered him in the kitchen, the living room, the wine cellar, the library or the corridor that led to his room. She had practically looked for him everywhere without attracting too much attention. He hadn't even answered her knocking on his door and she doubted that he was at home at all.

She didn't want to ask Mia or Mr. Robbins where he was, because she couldn't think of a reason why she wanted to talk to him. They didn't know that she had spent her free time with John and she didn't want them to know it.

Elizabeth was getting frustrated by his absence and she realized that she must have hurt him pretty much. Julie had been right. She had been angry at him for getting past her façade that fast. She had just been too stubborn -again- to accept that fact.

When she called it a day, she decided not to drive home immediately. She couldn't ask Mia or Mr. Robbins where John was, but there was one person who would know it and whom she could ask. And maybe she would also find John there.

It was already dark when she pulled onto the parking lot of the airfield. She hoped that Evan Lorne was still there and that she would find John there, too. John had given her a short tour after their flight and she tried to remember where the office was located. It was a lot more difficult in the dark.

When she finally found the door she could make out light through the key hole. She took a deep breath and knocked two times. She heard a muffled 'Come in' and opened the door. She found Evan Lorne sitting at a desk, currently working on his notebook. When he looked up there was surprise written all over his face.

"Good evening. I'm sorry to disturb you. I'm not sure, if you remember me, but..."

"Elizabeth, of course I remember you" he said and leaned back in his chair. "Have a seat" he gestured to a chair in front of him. Elizabeth closed the door behind her and sat down. "What can I do for you?" he asked and Elizabeth could see his questioning look. She didn't know how to begin. Maybe it hadn't been a good idea to come here at all.

"Well, I don't know how to put it. Do you have an idea where I might find John Sheppard?" she asked and looked at the man in front of her. He looked tired and there was confusion evident in his face. They sat in silence for a few moments before spoke.

"I'm a bit confused that you don't know it, I thought you two were..." he started, but broke off. "He's currently on a mission in Antarctica. He'll be back in about two weeks, if everything goes well" he then said. His words caught her off guard.

"He's gone?" she asked, not able to keep the shock out of her voice.

"Yes, his flight went this morning" he said and frowned at her.

"But why...?" she began and then she suddenly remembered. He had told her Friday evening that it would be his last weekend. She hadn't paid much attention to it, but now she knew what it meant.

"I thought he told you" Evan said and Elizabeth looked at him. He was surprised that she didn't know it.

"He didn't" she said. He was in Antarctica. That was why she couldn't find him all day. She hadn't looked at the end of the world. Elizabeth stood up again from her chair and gave the other man a small smile. "Thank you for telling me" she said and was about to go when he spoke.

"I don't want to pry and it's none of my business, but I'm surprised that he didn't tell you"

"Why should he tell me?" Elizabeth asked. He would have probably told her, if she hadn't left him standing on the fair. Evan leaned forward and rested his elbows on the desk. He looked as though he was considering how much to tell her.

"Well, he mentions you pretty often and judging by the way how he talks about you, I thought you two are close" he said and Elizabeth stared at him. "I mean, I already got the impression when he brought you here. He never brought..." he trailed off, thinking.

"We are not...close" Elizabeth said and sat back down on the chair. "Actually, we don't know each other" she admitted and Evan raised an eyebrow at her. "I...I'm..." she started, but then stopped, not knowing what to say.

"You work for the UN, right?" he asked and she looked at him. "John told me" he added at her questioning look.

"Not currently. I..." she sighed. She decided that she could trust this man. "I'm currently working for Kelly and Richard Sheppard. I'm the new housemaid" she said and waited for a reaction, but Evan didn't say anything. "I needed a break from my job, because..."

"I know" he interrupted her, when she struggled for words.

"You know?" she asked, feeling suddenly angry at John for telling the other man. He must have realized her change in tone.

"Don't worry, he didn't tell me why you needed a break. He wouldn't do that. He just told me how you two met, that's all" he assured and Elizabeth's anger subsided. "So, you two are not..." he trailed off, giving her a questioning look.

"No" Elizabeth said and he leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression appearing on his face.

"Well, he's expected to come back on November 23rd" he said. Elizabeth nodded slightly and stood up again. "I'm going to fetch him from the airport. Care to join me?" he then offered.

"No, it's ok. Thank you" she said and went over to the door. "And sorry again for disturbing you"

"Don't worry about it" he said and Elizabeth gave him a final nod before she disappeared into the darkness outside.

"Elizabeth, can I speak to you for a minute, please?" Mr. Robbins asked her one week later when he met her in the wine cellar. Josh had asked her to get a bottle of port.

"Of course, what can I do for you?" she asked and looked through the dusty shelves.

"Richard Sheppard is giving a small party on the 23rd and I wondered, if it is possible that you could stay longer that day. Mia is capable of doing it on her own, but I would like to have you around to keep an eye on her and help her out in case there's a problem" he said and Elizabeth pulled a bottle from the shelves.

"I can do that" she said and wiped the dust from the label. It was the wrong bottle.

"Thank you. The Sheppards will be out for breakfast that morning and I don't think that it is necessary for you to come already in the morning. I'm awaiting you at 1 pm" he said. Elizabeth put the wrong bottle back in its place and took a few steps to her right.

"Ok, 1 pm. I'll be there" she said distracted and took the next one. It was wrong again.

"Are you alright, Elizabeth?" Mr. Robbins asked and she looked at him.

"Yes, I'm fine, it's just that I can't find the right bottle" she said and looked back at the shelves. "Josh asked me to get a bottle of port for starters, I think it's Foie gras"

"It's on the other side" Mr. Robbins said and pulled a dusty bottle from the shelf opposite of her. He handed her the bottle and Elizabeth wiped the label clean.

"That's it. Thank you"

"I never had the opportunity to ask you how you like it here" he said and Elizabeth looked at him. They hadn't seen each other much since she was working there.

"It's nice here. I think I got used to being here" she said and it was true. She really got used to doing the household.

"That's good to hear" he smiled and held out his arm to indicate to her to go first.

"Thank you" she smiled and made her way upstairs. "The 23rd, 1 pm, right?" she asked and Mr. Robbins nodded.

"Yes. The party will start at 7 pm and you just have to help Mia serve the drinks and arrange the buffet in the dining room. That's all"

"Ok, I can do that"