Sorry this has taken so long to finish, it's just been very busy the last few months. So here is the final chapter…probably a major disappointment but I just really wanted to complete this and move on (no I've not forgotten about Enlightened Beings!)

So, will our Sparky pair get better and live happily ever after?

Chapter 20

Three weeks later…

"So, ready for the mission?" Kate Heightmeyer asked John as he sat casually on the couch.

"Hell yeah." Was his reply and Kate smiled at his outburst. "I've been going crazy sitting around here doc. It's time I went back out there."

Kate nodded then tilted her head. "And I hope you don't plan on contacting Boron and his people."

John could hear the warning in her voice and he rolled his eyes. "Of course not. I don't want to put Elizabeth through that again." He assured her quietly but she continued staring at him. Beginning to shift uncomfortably he finally sighed. "Okay, so I may have mentioned something to Ronon-but that was weeks ago. Honest."

Kate raised an eyebrow and her face showed a trace of disappointment on it. This prompted the pilot to add to his statement. "We agreed we'd only do something if we encountered them again, by chance I mean. Believe it or not Ronon wasn't too happy on the idea and he convinced me to leave it."

"Good. And how are things with you and Elizabeth?" She asked poising her pen above the large notepad.

"Um, okay, I guess." John told her hesitantly. "I mean, we've not resorted back to calling each other Mara or Rami. But…things are still …weird."

Kate nodded sympathetically. "They are bound to be. But as long as you both become more involved with the city again that will slowly change. Things will gradually return to normal."

"Oh I'm sure they will doc." John assured her. "It's not our relationship I'm worried about anymore. It's Elizabeth. Every time I look at her eyes they seem haunted. And she never truly smiles anymore, you know, the way she would if we found some Ancient text or if we came back safe after a dodgy mission."

"I have noticed." Kate agreed. "But slowly she is getting better and I know you're helping her a great deal."

John nodded, grateful for someone telling him. Sometimes he felt useless when Elizabeth got upset in the middle of the night or when she was sick after a particularly bad nightmare where she would repeatedly execute a stranger who had caused her no harm.

They were not technically living together but they spent most nights keeping each other company. They hadn't even officially become a couple but it was clear to everyone that they were. But John was sure that was going to change because he knew exactly what he was feeling for Elizabeth and was determined to tell her and forget about their alter egos once and for all.

"Hey." Elizabeth heard a voice call to her and she turned away from the sea view to see John dressed in his away mission clothes. It had been a while since she'd seen him with a vest on and she gave him a small smile liking the sense of familiarity.

"Hey." She replied softly. "So, are you ready?"

John smiled as he crossed the balcony to stand in front of her. "Yeah, it's like riding a bike." She nodded and then looked down at her feet. "Hey, I'm going to be back in a few hours Elizabeth."

She felt his hand under her chin and let him raise it so she could look at him. "I know. It's just going to be weird knowing you're not in the city."

"I can ask Lorne to go instead if you want-" He began to tell her but she shook her head.

"No, don't be silly." She assured him. "You need to get out there-you've missed it. Besides, I'm sitting in meetings all day with Colonel Caldwell." When he still looked concerned she moved in closer and gave him a gentle kiss on the mouth. "Really John."

"Okay." He replied giving her cheek a quick caress then moved beside her so they could return to the control room. But before they reached the doors John stopped her and faced her again. "Okay, so this might be the wrong time to tell you this but…I feel I have to what with us going off world and all and I think Rami and Mara have gone for good-"

"What?" Elizabeth asked her eyebrows knitted together in concern.

John stared into her eyes and took a second to get lost in them before continuing. "I love you."

And for the first time since being rescued from the planet John saw Elizabeth Weir give him a genuine smile, it even lit up her eyes. "I love you too."

He matched her smile and pulled her into a passionate kiss feeling truly happy for the first time in months. When they pulled back her smile was still there and some colour had even graced her cream cheeks. "You're going to be late." She murmured enjoying the want and desire along with love in his eyes.

"For what?" John asked huskily momentarily forgetting the mission. "Oh, yeah." He grinned sheepishly and Elizabeth laughed.

They reluctantly entered the control room both grinning from ear to ear causing his fellow team mates to smile at each other knowingly as the couple traveled down the stairs. "So, are we ready?" Ronon asked receiving nods as confirmation.

"Dial it up!" McKay shouted up to the technician in front of the DHD and turned back to Sheppard. "So, ready to get back out there? "

"Yeah." Sheppard told the scientist with a grin.

"Good. But if for some reason you don't, uh, you know feel you can manage I may be able to help out." Rodney told him with so much sincerity that even Ronon laughed out loud. "What!"

John chuckled and slapped his friend on the back. "Thanks Rodney. If I need some to scream like a girl I'll let you know."

"Hey!" Rodney cried but was interrupted by Caldwell joining the group in front of the now activated gate.

"Everyone ready?" He asked receiving a 'Yes' from everyone else and a 'Humph!" from McKay. "Alright, have a good mission."

"Will do." John replied giving him and then Elizabeth a confident smile.

"Be safe." Elizabeth told them and watched them walk to shimmering horizon.

"Scream like a girl. Pfft! I do not scream-" McKay muttered to Teyla as they stepped through and John turned to give Elizabeth a quick wave.

She returned the gesture with a smile and sighed. "Are you alright?" Caldwell asked with genuine concern.

Elizabeth continued to stare at the gate until it shut down, relishing in how normal everything seemed now and then finally faced him with a happy face. "Actually, I am."

THE END

A/N: Short I know but hope it ok!