Whenever I Say Your Name, Chapter 2
::::: Flashback: Cheyenne Mountain (During The Rising) :::::
"Major Sheppard."
Two words, softly spoken in a sea of chaos, immediately catches the Major's attention. He turns and almost collides with a Marine carrying what looks like a pretty heavy box. John apologizes and steps to one side of the crowded hallway. He looks past the river of people going by him and sees Dr. Weir standing in a doorway across the hall. Since she makes no move toward him, John assumes he's meant to go to her.
It takes him a few minutes to work his way against the flow of people heading eagerly to the gate room. By the time Sheppard makes it to the doorway, Dr. Weir has stepped back inside the small conference room. He walks in, closes the door, and leans against it dramatically.
"Whew!" John says with an exaggerated sigh. "It's getting a little crazy out there. You'd think everyone was getting ready to go to another galaxy or something."
He watches as Dr. Weir's lips start to twitch into a smile before she can no longer fight the chuckle that escapes her. John grins and is suddenly struck by how stunning his new commander really is. He's been in Cheyenne Mountain for a week has rarely seen her smile, let alone laugh. She's beautiful normally, but the bright smile and sparkle in her eyes almost takes his breath away.
They stand there, each of them wearing goofy grins on their faces. Things have been pretty stressful and it's nice to have a moment of relax. Weir is the first to reign in her amusement, but John takes pride in the fact that she doesn't look as serious as she did in the hallway.
"I wanted to thank you for choosing to come on the expedition," says Dr. Weir.
"Eh." John shrugs. "Antarctica was getting a little boring anyway. Having to thaw out your socks every morning gets old after a while."
Elizabeth can only smile and shake her head at Sheppard's outlook on life. His sense of humor is something she'll need to get used to.
"In any case," she continues. "I appreciate the fact that you're coming with us. I think you're a valuable addition to the team."
"You mean my genes are a valuable addition to the team,"John retorts. There's no bitterness in his voice, only humility with regards to his genetic necessity. Sheppard doesn't realize he's showing a crack in his normally over-confident façade.
Dr. Weir cocks her head to one side and looks at John pointedly for a moment.
"No…" she says. "I think you will be a valuable addition to the team. I think you'll offer a unique perspective on the whole expedition. Besides…I'll need some help dealing with all these military types."
Now it's John's turn to cock his head to one side. "Uh…not sure if you've noticed, but I am one of those military types."
"Are you, now?" asks Elizabeth witha raised eyebrow and a slight grin.
"Good point," responds John, matching her grin.
A loud crash outside makes them both wince. John looks over his shoulder at the door, then back at Dr. Weir.
"I should probably go help or something."
Elizabeth looks past him to the door. They can clearly hear shouting from the other side.
"No…" she says, motioning towards a second door on the other side of the room. "You should probably just worry about getting yourself ready for the trip. Armory is that way."
Sheppard looks back at the door behind him just as the argument out in the hallway rises in volume. Elizabeth gives him an I-told-you-so look. He shrugs and makes his way over to the other door. The door is almost closed behind him when he pops his head back in the room.
"And Dr. Weir," John says, making Elizabeth look up from the pile of papers on the conference room table. "Thanks for asking."
Dr. Weir doesn't respond, but her smile carries John through the next few hours until they leave for Atlantis.
TBC...