Thanks very much for the reviews. I'll go on for now and see how it goes. Had a really bad day today and your reviews cheered me up! You're too nice!

prideofoctober: You're right! Doh! Yeah, think Sumner and Everett are marines. Sorry guys, I'll try and get the story more accurate next time.

Maye: Happy birthday to u, happy birthday to u, happy birthday dear Maye, Happy Birthday to u! Hope you like your present!

Chapter 2

John, Elizabeth, Rodney and Ford watched in amazement as a test tube floated in mid air and then tipped to allow the blue liquid in it to flow into a beaker. The beaker then began to drift over to a tripod stand where it sat over a Bunsen burner.

"You know, this time last year, this would have seemed strange." John muttered to the others keeping his eyes on the syringe hovering above the workbench.

"Yeah, Carson you found out anything yet?" Rodney asked impatiently directing the question to the floating syringe.

They heard a sigh. "Nope! This is hopeless. You know next time you want a guinea pig Rodney, don't come to me!" a Scottish voice moaned.

Rodney rolled his eyes. "Look, maybe it'll wear off."

"And if not then we'll paint you back in!" Ford suggested sounding like he genuinely meant it. When he saw Elizabeth frown at him he raised his eyebrows and said, "What?"

Shaking her head she pulled Sheppard over to the side.

"What if we can't get him back?" Elizabeth asked in a worried voice. John glanced at syringe and then back to Elizabeth.

"Well, then we'll have to paint him! But we'll figure something out Elizabeth. We always do." He reassured her. She nodded and gave him smile. He grinned back, happy to have made her feel better, but frowned when her smile disappeared. Elizabeth was looking past him and John turned cautiously to see who had just entered the medical lab. His heart sank when he saw Colonel Everett walking into the room. Right. Of course they would have told him he thought gloomily. Everett scanned the room as if inspecting its contents and scowled when his eyes lay on Sheppard. He opened his mouth as if to speak but nothing came. He threw John a puzzled look. John gave him one back but then realised he had a beaker floating next to his head.

"What the…?" Everett trailed off as it drifted back to the table. "That's Beckett?" he asked Elizabeth in disbelief.

"Yes." She replied. "He's working on a solution but it may take time."

"Right. Well, this ain't what you see everyday."

"Actually this is quite normal for us." Elizabeth said, ice in her voice. "It's what happens when you come to a distant galaxy Colonel. Unusual things happen."

There was a deadly silence in the room and Rodney swore he could cut the tension with a knife. What the hell was that remark about? Ford wondered as he heard Carson's breathing increase in speed. John looked from Everett to Weir and then down to the floor. Wait a minute! Don't let her fight your battles for her! He told himself and gave his CO a cold stare.

"Is that so Dr Weir?" the marine asked matching her coldness. "We can only hope Sheppard saves the day."

Before John could answer back Rodney spoke. "Yes, well, we need to get on Colonel. Not that I'm not enjoying the Antarctica atmosphere in here."

"As always Dr McKay your sarcasm scars me!" Everett said putting on a faux hurt look. Directing his attention back to Weir and Sheppard, still standing next to each other, he pointed at Weir. "I need to speak to you. Be in my office in 10 minutes." Leaving her with the order he walked out.

"His office? Elizabeth what's going on?" Rodney asked. He knew there were going to be changes but he had thought Elizabeth and Everett had begun to like each other. And he knew for a fact that the marine fancied her.

"It's nothing Rodney." John said. "The Colonel and I sort of had words and he's taking it out on Dr Weir." He turned to Elizabeth. "Look, I don't want you getting into trouble over this. I can defend myself."

"I know you can." Elizabeth agreed. "But he's going to have to start realising he can't push everyone around. Besides, he's not my CO. I can say whatever the hell I like!" With a determined face she left the infirmary.

"This is going to be fun!" Rodney said sarcastically. "Let's just hope this doesn't interfere with our work."

"Yup." Ford replied understanding the scientist's fears about their future. Glancing at Colonel Sheppard he saw what looked like worry in his eyes and knew things in Atlantis were not going to be peachy.

Elizabeth took a deep breath and knocked on the glass door. There's a first time for everything! She thought and opened the door when she heard "Come!"

Closing the door she faced Everett. "You wanted to see me?" she asked professionally. She waited patiently as he finished reading a report. He looked up.

"Have a seat." He gestured to the seats in front of the desk and held up the files beside him. "Damage reports. We'll need McKay and the scientists to get to work on the repairs. We took quite a beating."

Duh! Elizabeth thought but kept her mouth shut. "Dr McKay has already begun. He was just lending Carson a hand with his…problem."

Everett nodded and looked at her. "You know, I actually thought we would get on Elizabeth." When she gave him a disbelieving glare he continued. "I understand you care about these men and women. Even Sheppard."

Elizabeth restrained her self from slapping the look off his face when he said the last part. Instead she opted for the diplomatic approach. "Yes, I do. We've all been through a lot. It may sound corny, but we're like a family now. I trust these people with my life."

"And you don't trust me?" Everett asked in a surprised voice.

"I don't know you Colonel." Elizabeth explained.

"Matthew, please." He said in a warmer voice and gave her a smile. "I know you have doubts but am not a bad guy!" As she gave him a sceptical look he sighed. "Look, I may not get along with Sheppard but we will all have to work together. Can we at least try to be civil?"

"Of course. So long as you don't insult my team."

After a few minutes Everett nodded. "You have my word." He promised.

Elizabeth gave him a slight nod and a grateful smile. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll begin organising repair teams." With a nod of approval from Everett Elizabeth left feeling a little less stressed but still worried. Something told her this was not going to be an easy ride.

"Pleased! You think I should be pleased!" Carson Beckett shouted at a stunned Ford.

"Well, you're nearly visible doc." Aiden stuttered, now a little scared of the angry Scot.

"You can see my face Lt! That's all!"

"It's better than nothing doc." John said trying to calm him down but desperately wanting to leave. It would seem that Carson would return eventually so all they could do was wait. And since he wasn't really helping the situation John wanted to go see Elizabeth. It had been several hours since they had had the delicious turkey sandwiches and he thought maybe they could have dinner. I just want to talk to her again he thought. Their chat had definitely helped him feel better. Just knowing she was there made him happier. Seeing Carson continue to moan at Ford he quietly crept out of the infirmary and headed to the mess hall. Ford won't mind he reasoned but knew he would get an earful later.

Elizabeth hummed as she stood in the queue waiting for her food. She had gotten into the habit of missing meals while trying to run Atlantis and had had a scolding from Carson for loosing weight. So since Colonel Everett, Matthew she thought with smile, was now in charge she could afford the time to eat. She collected her warm plate and made her way through the half empty hall to a table over looking the ocean. Sitting down she didn't notice a body approaching the table. She jumped when she heard a voice. Looking up she saw John standing over her with a tray in his hands and felt her heart skip a beat.

"Hey." He said with a grin. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you." He apologised.

"Oh, it's okay. I was just…you know…thinking." Elizabeth replied smiling.

"Aaah, not my strongest attribute!" John joked which earned him a scowl from Elizabeth. She had seen his file and knew about his degree in mathematics. "Mind if I sit with you?"

Elizabeth shook her head. "Of course not!" she watched as he settled in the metal chair and chuckled when she saw his plate. "Turkey sandwich? Again?"

John shrugged. "What's not to like about a turkey sandwich? So, what did Everett want?" he asked before digging into his food.

"Oh, nothing really. Just trying to convince me he was a good guy. And that I could trust him."

Funny how he's trying to convince Elizabeth John thought annoyed. He's probably just after some action!

"Riiight." He drawled. "A real good guy!" His voice dripping with sarcasm.

"I know we can't trust him, yet." Elizabeth said hesitantly. "But maybe he'll change. He might begin to understand what it's like out here."

Elizabeth knew John didn't believe her and why would he she wondered. The guy had been an ass! He gave her a 'don't hold your breath' look and she shrugged.

"Anyway, enough about him. How are you feeling now?" she asked changing the topic of conversation.

"Better. Thanks to you." John said sincerely. Elizabeth gave him a shy smile and they sat lost in each other's eyes.

Colonel Matthew Everett walked briskly along the corridor to the mess hall and made his way to the counter. Glancing around the room he spotted Weir near the balcony and watched in dismay as Sheppard joined her. He felt a stab of jealousy as he watched them talk and laugh. Why did she trust that guy so much! Everett thought angrily. It was then that he decided to go after Elizabeth Weir. If it meant going into a serious relationship or just to piss Sheppard off, he was determined to win her over.

Author's note: I seem to like jealousy in my stories about Liz and John , huh? Well, good / no good? Let me know. Suggestions for where this could go are welcome.