The morning after she resigned, Elizabeth Weir was sat on John Sheppard's bed in the infirmary playing solitaire with him. Nothing in her body-language hinted at the inner turmoil she was suffering; she was just happy to spend some time with John without worrying what people would think. Except they couldn't get too close because she hadn't told him yet.

She had intended to tell him last night, but he was already on the verge of sleep so she'd said good night and told him to rest. At that point she had resolved to tell him in the morning, but as she had walked to the infirmary she was so inundated with people asking if the email circulating about her resignation was true, that her confidence had slowly diminished and when she realised that he hadn't been informed yet, she had decided to put if off for a little longer and just enjoy his company.

He was going to seriously pissed off at her when she did. The whole point in them splitting up had been so they could continue to do the jobs they loved so much; he would hate the thought that she had given that up for him.

'Have you not got work to do or something?'

'I'm nursing you.' She teased.

'I meant proper work.' He said.

'It's all in Caldwell's capable hands, I'm sure.' Well, that wasn't technically a lie.

'If you say so.'

'I do.'

John shrugged and from outside they heard something fall to the ground and raised voices. They exchanged a curious glance, which was answered as Rodney and Ben marched into the side ward staring furiously at Elizabeth. Oh crap, she thought to herself.

'Have you gone insane?' Rodney demanded.

At this she rolled her eyes.

'Nothing's happening here. We're just playing solitaire.' John said, showing them the tablet.

'I don't mean you two and your game of 'solitaire'.' Rodney said using air quotations.

'What's going on?' John asked.

'Elizabeth's resigned.' Ben said.

John's head spun to look at her, 'Are you serious?'

'Yes.' She said in a small voice.

'Why didn't you tell me?' He asked, looking hurt.

'Because I knew how you'd react.'

'Why have you resigned? The letter just said 'personal reasons'.' Rodney asked, sounding perplexed.

'Are you really that obtuse?' Ben asked.

'What?' Rodney asked defensively.

'She's resigned because of him.' Ben nodded in John's direction.

'Hey.' John said, 'I had nothing to do with this.'

'Of course not.' Ben muttered cynically.

John sat up, 'You care to say that again because I will-'

'Stop it!' Elizabeth shouted.

The three men looked at her slightly sheepishly.

'This was my decision. John, I should have told you first, but I knew you would try and talk me out of it. I just can't do it anymore – I thought this city was enough, turns out that without you, it all feels a little bit superficial and empty.'

'I thought you two was just...sex.' Rodney said.

'For goodness sake.' Ben muttered.

Elizabeth gave him a reprimanding look, 'That was our cover story for the IOA.'

'Why didn't you tell me?' I'm your friend.' Rodney said to John.

'No disrespect, but you're not exactly brilliant at keeping things to yourself.'

'Still...' Rodney said.

'And how exactly is this going to work anyway? You living in America, him in Atlantis.' Ben asked.

'I've applied for a job here – the one we discussed.'

'You seriously think the IOA are going to be willing to forgive and forget and let you continue working here?'

'Maybe.' Elizabeth said doubtfully.

'What job?' John asked.

'Translating the Ancient data that Ben has discovered.'

'Oh come one,' Rodney said, 'You are totally over-qualified.'

'I'm hoping that might work in my favour.'

'You love...loved your job.' John said.

'But I love you more.'

He gently pulled her in for a kiss.

'Well, this day just keeps getting better and better.' Rodney said, in disgust.

They pulled away with and smiled at each other.

'Who's you replacement?' Ben asked.

'I didn't stop around to ask. I suspect it will be Colonel Caldwell.' Elizabeth said.

'Caldwell?' Rodney spat, 'I've been here for two and a half years! I know this place inside out.'

'I don't know for sure.' Elizabeth said.

'Let's be realistic here – he's earned a fair few brownie points with IOA with all the stuff he's informed them about out of 'duty'.' John pointed out.

'I still think you're mad.' Ben said, shaking his head.

'Sorry for disappointing you.' Elizabeth grinned.

Rodney and Ben looked at one another and left the room, looking incredibly downbeat. They didn't understand. And she'd always thought Ben would support her through this – he knew how much losing John had hurt her. In a way, it made her incredibly proud of her leadership of Atlantis. Every single person she had come across seemed genuinely upset that they wouldn't be working for her anymore, and she felt the same way about not being their leader anymore. Even through the bad times, she'd loved every second of it. It was going to be hard to let go, she thought wistfully.

'I don't want to work for Caldwell.' Rodney whined.

'Nope. Me neither. So you either suck it up or we're gonna need a plan.' Ben said.

'A plan? Don't you get it? There's nothing we can do – she wants this.'

'Oh I get it alright; she's been given an ultimatum. We just need to take the ultimatum out of the equation. You're a physicist; you should be good at that sort of thing.'