Disclaimer: Don't own Stargate Atlantis. I'd like to, but I just don't have the money.

The next morning was a typical sunny day on the mainland; at the beach, Ford and John were waiting for Elizabeth, McKay and Beckett.

"Don't think Weir is going to be happy that her boy was injured."

"Will you stop that? I don't appreciate it."

"Was that a question?"

"No it was an order."

Ford smiled to himself.

"I just don't get why you're still trying to hide it, everyone knows."

"We're not hiding it; we just haven't announced it yet."

"Do you love her?"

"Christ Ford, will you just shut your mouth, and that is an order."

Ford smiled to himself, he knew that his CO was in love with Weir and he also knew that they were no longer hiding the relationship very well. At the beginning it was impossible to tell anything had changed between them, then slowly it became more obvious, he would stare at her in briefings, she would always be next to the gate after a mission and very soon they stopped caring about who knew.

Ford saw something overhead; it was the Puddle Jumper. Puddle Jumper 2 actually.

Ford and John headed over to the area where the Jumpers normally landed and waited for it occupants to disembark.

Elizabeth was the first to come off the Jumper.

"Major Sheppard, Lt Ford."

John smiled, it was always business when she disembark, she did it to play with him.

"Dr Weir, I need to talk to you for a minute."

"Of course."

Elizabeth walked over to John and also immediately, John placed his lips on hers and began to kiss her. She kissed him back holding no resistance.

Ford turned away, he had nothing against John and Liz doing that, in fact, he thought about getting Teyla to do the same thing with him, but he just didn't want to see his CO and his boss getting up to it.

McKay and Beckett disembarked.

"Oh God, it's only been one day." McKay said as he saw John and Elizabeth.

John moved from Elizabeth's mouth.

"One long day" He said in a husky, breathless voice.

Elizabeth looked up at John.

"What happened?"

His face had cuts from the night before and his run in with the unknown beast.

"Oh, yeah, that."

John and Elizabeth separated.

"Okay, Jinto came to me last night and told me he saw something in the bushes, I went to check it out and whatever the hell it was attacked me. Ford came just in time and shot it before it could do any real harm."

"Will the Athosian's be okay mainland, should we take them back to Atlantis?"

John wrapped his arm around Elizabeth.

"They'll be fine."

She nodded before adding

"Will you be okay?"

"Of course I will."

Elizabeth turned to Beckett

"Carson will you check him while I go and see the Athosian's"

"Of course Dr Weir."

John joined Elizabeth about 20 minutes to see her surrounding by a group of Athosian children.

"And that's what a gargoyle is."

"Thank you Dr Weir."

The children walked away and started to play, Elizabeth turned to John

"You're dead."

"Why?" He asked trying to pull the 'I'm innocent' act.

"Because..."

"Dr Weir, we need you?" It was Ford coming from the direction of the beach.

"I'll be there in a minute Aiden."

"Dr Weir there's been an incident. McKay and Jinto have been attacked."

TBC...

Just settling into this story, next chapter will be better and get on to the three challenge requirements.