Title: The In-between Time
Author: Mo
Fandom: Stargate: Atlantis
Pairing: Shweir.
Rating: PG-13.
Summary: What really goes on in the seconds in-between?
Note: The 'Lantisficathon on Livejournal was the basis for this story, written for Roothekittykat
"And you know it."
He was in the infirmary, bug gone, gaping hole remaining. Thankfully, it was covered by a patch. She wanted to know what he'd been trying to tell her, he pretended not to know what she was talking about.
They were on the beach. He was applying suntan lotion to her back, the sun much stronger on the mainland than on Earth. She couldn't tell if the warmth spreading through her was due to the sun or to John's ministrations.
In the puddle jumper, exploring a second piece of land, much smaller than the one the Athosians inhabited. When the ship jostled, she fell against him. He made sure she was steady, holding her just an instant longer than needed, before hoisting her off of his lap. He hoped his 'condition' was disguised by the baggy uniform pants he wore.
On the balcony adjacent to the control room. The Genii were gone. He found her there after he finished taking Sora to the brig. Elizabeth was shaken but not broken and he wanted to embrace her. He waited.
He came back from the planet with McKay, both sporting bruises, he with a gunshot wound to the shoulder. She met him in the infirmary (they met there a lot) and told him jokingly to stop getting hurt. She wasn't actually joking.
She had heard from McKay that John had been in Chya's quarters. She didn't want to believe it, but… McKay wouldn't lie. She closed herself off from the pain that seized her heart, and smiled the next time she saw the… woman.
When he saw Old!Elizabeth, he was in awe. He couldn't help but think that he wanted to see Young!Elizabeth grow old. He stopped the train of thought before he could actually wonder how he would know her at that age, exactly.
She couldn't express the fear that took her when the told of the ancient device that had killed Kolya's man instantly… and had nearly killed John. She couldn't bear to lose him, but couldn't say it out loud. She could barely think it.
As he taped the message to Colonel Sumner's maybe-family, he couldn't help but state that not everyone had a family back on Earth. The truth was, he didn't. His only family was here, on Atlantis. Her.
After he heard of Grodin's death, he went to her. Found her on that balcony again, crying. This time, he didn't hold back. He snatched her up rather unromantically, and whispered, "It wasn't me." Deep down, she knew it wasn't… knew the time was coming when she would have to order him into a situation that might call for his death. Turning, she slid her arms around him under his jacket, needing to feel him solidly pressed against her. He kissed her deeply, holding her tight against his body. Just as suddenly, he left. She stood in shock, bliss, love… and he was gone.
As she looked into his eyes, centuries passed. All the time that would pass, would not for them. Their time was over. She didn't even blink.
"Go."
