Disclaimer: Don't own it.

John and Elizabeth settled in Jumper 1.

Ford, Beckett and McKay had agreed to stay with the Athosian's while to two of them when to Atlantis to deal with the problem.

Halling and the Athosian's had agreed to go to Atlantis and John had requested four more Jumpers to go to the mainland while he took Elizabeth back to Atlantis.

John was actually happy the two of them had been called back to Atlantis, although he was not happy about the situation, because it meant they could have some time together. Time was something they rarely had together so when they did have some downtime they almost always spent it together.

Even if was just John sat in her office while she worked or Elizabeth staying with John while he was doing some Recon about the planet in the Jumper.

When they got some downtime at the together, which was a rare occurrence since they were the two leaders of Atlantis, they'd fly a Puddle Jumper to a unpopulated part of the mainland.

Any and all time they spent together was cherished.

John glanced at Elizabeth from the corner of his eye as she suppressed a silent yawn. John knew she hadn't been sleeping well.

He'd go passed her office during the night and still see her working. He'd tell her to go to bed, she'd make up some rubbish explanation to why she couldn't, then John would tell her again, and because she didn't have the energy to fight she'd agree. Then during the night, he'd wake up to find her not by his side but at her small desk in the corner of the room. He'd plead with her to go to sleep and after about an hour of his pleading she would.

It happened like that most nights and he had a feeling it'd happen again tonight.

"Elizabeth, you okay?"

Elizabeth turned to him and nodded.

"I'm fine."

He could tell she was lying.

"You seem tired."

Elizabeth sighed

"There was a situation last night, I didn't get much sleep."

John nodded

"You should have called."

Elizabeth shook her head

"Bates and Stackhouse took care of it."

John nodded again and Elizabeth had an idea of where he was taking the discussion; and sure enough, he did.

"You're not getting enough sleep."

Elizabeth smirked trying to hold-on to her temper

"Well, you do have a tendency to keep me up at night."

John who was not smiling retorted

"Well, staying in your office until the early hours doing work can't help either."

Elizabeth sighed

"Not this again"

"Not what again?"

John asked because he knew that Elizabeth wouldn't admit to anyone, not even him, when she needed help.

"The whole thing about thing about you thinking I don't sleep enough"

John didn't miss the emphasis on the words 'You' and 'Thinking'

"Is it wrong that I'm worried about you?"

John didn't want to fight. He hated fighting with her but he did need to talk to her about the situation.

"Liz…I'm worried about you. You're burning yourself out. You can't run the whole damn city yourself."

Ah, that came out a little hasher then he meant it too.

"I have to run the whole damn city myself, who would if I didn't. That is my job like your job is to explore the other worlds mine is to run the city."

Elizabeth was loosing her temper and John could feel it. He knew he'd have to travel lightly if he was going to make it.

"Liz…"

Elizabeth cut him off.

"John I don't care…just get me back to Atlantis."

John knew then he was sleeping alone tonight and possibly the next few nights.

They spent the rest of the journey back to Atlantis in silence.

When they landed, Elizabeth was practically off the Jumper the second it stopped.

John followed quickly behind her. He wanted to make sure she didn't pass out from tiredness on the way to the briefing room. He followed her into the briefing room and took a seat next to Stackhouse. He was blaming Bates for the situation he was in. If he hadn't interrupted what they were doing on the mainland, John would not have brought up the sleeping thing, Elizabeth would still be talking to him, and he wouldn't be alone tonight.

Elizabeth took her usual seat at the head of the table.

"Okay, St Bates explain to me what it actually happening."

Bates didn't miss the frost in her voice and he rightly assumed that she and John had a fight on the Puddle Jumper.

"Ma'am we are convinced that they may be a thief on Atlantis."

"Stealing what may I ask?"

"At the moment it's only food but we wouldn't have even noticed if they weren't doing a stock check of everything."

"Are you sure it's not just a miscalculation?"

"No Ma'am."

Elizabeth placed her head in her hand for a moment before responding.

"Stackhouse, I want you to find out what is going on. Now"

Stackhouse stood up and left the briefing room. When he was gone, Elizabeth turned to Bates.

"St. Bates, there is a situation on the Mainland; the Athosian's are coming to stay for a few days."

"What…?"

Elizabeth held up her hand to silence him.

"There is a danger on the Mainland which Lt Ford and Major Sheppard will be taking care of. Until then the Athosian's are staying with us. I want you to set up temporary quarters for them. They should all arrive by late tonight. Dismissed"

Elizabeth was the first to stand up. As she did, she wobbled slightly and grabbed the table. John and Bates were immediately at her side supporting her.

"Ma'am are you okay?"

Bates tried to guide her back into the chair but she resisted.

"I'm fine."

"I'm taking you to the infirmary."

John tried to lead her to the door but she broke his grip.

"I am fine, just stop fussing, both of you."

Both men were shocked by her sudden outburst. Elizabeth ignored their stares as she left the briefing room.

Bates turned to John

"You've screwed up again."

John turned and glared at Bates

"I've had enough of your comments and your insubordination. I am a senior office and second in command of this base. Don't you forget it."

John glared at him again before leaving the briefing room.

TBC…

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