As always thanks for the reviews. This is a very short chapter because I've got a lot of studying to do this week so I won't be able to post chapters as quickly as normal. I had the sudden urge to watch the beginning of SG1 season 8 last night and the first time I saw this bit in Zero Hour I didn't find it funny but this time I found it hysterical,
Jack (to sg1 after them waiting for him): You've all met right?
Daniel (sarcastically): Yes we know each other's life stories!
Jack: Is that snippiness?
Daniel: Is that a word?
That basically sums up my sense of humour! Anyway,
johnliz4ever: Thank you for reviewing so quick, I was still on the computer when you did and was like yay!
ErabuHikari: "friggin bastard" – nice.
Aimee5: Thanks for writing so much, some good ideas in there too, hmmm…
Ashkash: Yeah, after I wrote Everett tiptoeing it made me laugh too but I was too tired to change it. Glad you liked it though.
I've updated my profile so there's a wee bit more info about me in it if anyone is interested. I was just being lazy before. This chapter is all Liz and John, I had to get some of the fluff in before I study so here goes…
Disclaimer: Don't own 'A tale of two cities'.
Chapter 4
Standing in Elizabeth Weir's room John had to mentally shake himself. She had been in his before but he had never seen hers. Elizabeth gave him shy smile and then made her way into the bathroom.
"Make yourself comfortable!" she called before disappearing leaving John alone.
John nodded and took a deep breath, Keep cool, it's only her bedroom, no big deal. He scanned the room wanting to study it in great detail. It was immaculate, even neater than his. On Elizabeth's desk there was a picture of what looked like her family. Elizabeth was standing in the middle of who he assumed to be her parents and two brothers and in the background he could see a big house with a white picket fence. It looked nice. There were other bits and bobs on the desk, including a brush, notepad, laptop and a book – 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens. John picked up the book and read the blurb. As he had expected it sounded complicated and too much for him to handle. 'War and Peace' had given him enough bother. Elizabeth still thought he was only on page115, but what John hadn't disclosed was that it was for the third time. To be honest, he couldn't put it down and so had read it twice. But he would never tell anyone that for fear of being considered smart. He opened the book and skimmed the first page. Hmm maybe I would enjoy it he thought.
Putting the heavy book down in the same place he walked over, past the balcony, to her bed and sat down. As he water running from the bathroom John twisted round and saw, much to his delight, Elizabeth's pyjamas on her pillow. They were silk and consisted of a pair of small shorts and strappy top. Yip, now he was sweating. On the bedside cabinet he saw another picture frame. Squinting to get a better look John saw it was Elizabeth and a man who was not in the one on her desk. Searching his mind to match a name to the face he suddenly realised who this guy was - Simon. The couple looked so happy it hurt John to look at it. Turning away he considered what to do. Maybe this was a bad idea. Perhaps she's still in love with the guy and I'm here to declare my love for her he thought. John stood up prepared to leave when Elizabeth appeared at the bathroom door. She had changed he noted. She now wore a pair of fitted jeans and a white cotton top with very thin straps. Casually leaning against the door she gave John an apologetic smile.
"Sorry I took so long. I just had to…" she trailed off when she saw John's face. It looked as if he was unsure of what to do. "Going somewhere?"
"I…well…no." John stuttered and sat back down again. Yeah, I'm not going anywhere! He thought taking Elizabeth's appearance. God she looks good!
Elizabeth gave him a relieved smile and sat next to him and lifted up his hand. Taking the white face cloth she had brought out with her she gently pressed it on to his knuckles. John felt a stinging sensation and bit his tongue. Elizabeth glanced up at him.
"Is it sore?" she asked softly.
John shook his head. "Nah, not really." Elizabeth chuckled at his macho response and continued to wipe the back of his hand. They sat like this for several minutes, Elizabeth gently stroking his hand and John just watching her. She then stopped the repetitive action and placed the cloth on her desk. When she turned back the light from the moon illuminated her face and John became entranced by her beauty.
"Better?" she asked.
"Much." John managed in a husky voice.
Elizabeth saw the look in his eyes and knew exactly what he had wanted to ask her. Feeling excited by his presence here and their closeness of late, Elizabeth desperately wanted him to ask her. She knew what the answer would be.
Seeing John was in a trance she lightly touched his hand to bring him back.
"John?" When she could tell he was listening she took a deep breath. "What was it you wanted to ask me?"
John looked down at his knees and then back up. He shuffled up next her and looked straight into her eyes.
"Well, first I just wanted to say thank you for, you know, being there for me. Us talking has been great."
"Yeah, it has." Elizabeth agreed and John could see her eyes twinkle.
"The other thing is, um, recently I've been feeling sort of…non-human. If that makes any sense?" he asked frowning. When Elizabeth gave him a puzzled look he elaborated. "Since Colonel Everett arrived the memories of Sumner have come flooding back. After that I felt like I wasn't human anymore."
Elizabeth felt her chest swell with sympathy for the man before her as she could see the pain and anguish in his eyes.
"I was beginning to think I didn't have any feelings or even a soul…"
"John?" Elizabeth interrupted and he gave her a grateful smile. She had understood and he was glad he didn't have to continue. He was surprised when she took his uninjured hand and gave it a squeeze.
"You are anything but non-human. If it weren't for you we would have lost Atlantis to the Genii, lost countless of personnel, you were even willing to risk your life to save us when the Wraith attacked!" she said with an emotional but firm voice. "What you have done since we came here is admirable and courageous. And I have never regretted asking you to come with us."
John was lost for words. Coming from her made John beam with pride and he gave her a small grin.
"Really?" he asked to which she nodded. "Well, it's you I have to thank for that. Recently, just being around you had made me feel…better, more like myself. I'm glad I accepted your offer to come here because…"
John stopped as if rethinking his words and then gave Elizabeth a determined face. "You know what? I'm just going to tell you." He said as he leaned in closer to her provoking the same reaction from her. Gazing into her eyes John softly said,
"Elizabeth, I…"
"Dr Weir to the gateroom! Dr Weir to the gateroom!" came a booming voice across Atlantis along with alarms.
Elizabeth groaned as she pulled back and John sighed and rolled his eyes in frustration. Both stood up but before John could leave Elizabeth pulled his arm so he could face her.
"Promise me we'll finish this?" she asked hopefully.
John's disappointed face erupted into a happy one and he nodded.
"Promise." He said.
Elizabeth gave him an excited smile and rushed off to the nearest transporter leaving John, once again, alone in her quarters. Stretching dramatically John couldn't remember the last time he felt truly happy and set off down the empty corridor whistling. Maybe I should pop up to the gateroom just in case he wondered. Although he was meant to be off duty tonight he hated being away form the action. Making a final decision he changed direction and made his way back to the transporter. They might need the extra help he told himself. Just as he was about to reach the lift it's doors opened and John came face to face with a very angry Colonel Everett.
Author's note: I haven't read 'A tale of two cities', I just knew it was a classic and maybe something Weir would read.
