Set after the episode.

The Long Goodbye

A white haze hovered in front of Elizabeth Weir's eyes, slowly meandering away at the corners before fading completely. She rubbed a hand over her forehead, letting it settle over her eyes to block out the light before turning her head so that she was looking forward. Immediately missing the support of the pillow on her cheek, Elizabeth dug her fingers into her neck, coaxing it to work for her.

"I can't believe I dozed off again," she mused.

"Harbouring a different consciousness in your mind in your mind will tend to do that to you."

Elizabeth smiled and focused on the man beside her. "Rodney. You came to see me."

"Yes, well..." Rodney said awkwardly. "Since Sheppard back to his hale and healthy – unfortunately – self, that would have to mean that you too had been resurrected by the witch doctor."

"Ah. Is this a bad thing, being back to my hale and healthy self, then? And do you find yourself disappointed?"

Elizabeth waited for a response, making no apologies for locking her smile on his face. The tips of his eyebrows scrunched closer together as the frown that had been shadowing his features appeared in full force. However, Rodney had the grace to correct patiently, "In a long and distinguished period of study, it has been noted that your wellbeing has no distinctly negative impact on your personal characteristics."

"That's certainly some fast covering of your tracks, Rodney," she noted.

"Huh. Do you think so?" Rodney asked, looking pleased. He then added quickly, "One never knows when one might need to cover one's tracks, especially when one is pursued by Wraith or certain disgruntled inferiors."

Elizabeth deliberately averted her eyes. "Disgruntled inferiors. Of course. Rodney, I've been meaning to ask. Did I do or say anything while under Phebus' control that made you uncomfortable in any way?"

Somehow she found herself looking at him again, particularly his lips, and wondering about the rumoured kiss that everyone seemed keen on talking about – everyone but her and John, that is. That certainly wouldn't make things with her head scientist any better than they were at present.

"You shot me!" Rodney exclaimed instead.

"I'm sorry, it was not my intention, as you may have noticed."

"No, that's no excuse," he grumbled. "Because – you still shot me! And not just with any gun. No, you had to go and use a stunner, which is actually worse than bullets because of the drooling thing which I remind you is in no way flattering and – and come on, that wasn't fair."

Elizabeth reached over to pat his hand. "I said I was sorry. Don't make me repeat myself. Next time I will make sure to use a P90."

"That would be an improvement," Rodney said, with what looked suspiciously like a smile.

"And you're sure there's nothing else that I did that made you uncomfortable?"

"No, no…" Rodney snapped his fingers. "Oh, that's right. You shot me!"