Chapter Six:


Atlantis, Pegasus Galaxy

John wondered through to the control room, looking for Elizabeth Weir. He could have sworn he told her not to work too hard, but yet, no one has seen or heard of her the entire day.

Walking through to were he had last saw her; he noticed she was still in the same position, bent over her computer, her eyes now surrounded by black, unaware to the world around her.

"Elizabeth?" He whispered as he drew closer. No response. Walking behind her, he gently touched her shoulder. She jumped.

"John!" She exclaimed, blinking as she looked up at him. "What time is it?"

John smiled.

"Elizabeth, It's past midnight. You've been working all day. Come to bed."

Elizabeth protested, looking back at her laptop.

"I'm almost done, a few more hours-"

"That will be there in the morning." John interrupted, placing a finger on her lips. He cupped his hand on her cheek, and she leaned into it, her eyes fluttering shut.

"I guess I could use a few hours shut-eye…" She whispered, as John gently picked her up, her head lolling against his chest as she fell asleep in his arms.

Walking gently past the smiling, knowing faces of those around him, he walked to their quarters, gently tucking her under the blankets and kissing her forehead.

"Sleep tight…" He whispered, walking from the room. John might have gotten Elizabeth to sleep, but he had a job to do.

Walking into the labs, he found the Colonel sleeping at her lab desk. John sighed. Sam had been working herself stupid all day, looking at ancient technology, trying to get it all working and get O'Neill and herself home. But with Jack now off on a midnight joy ride in a jumper with Ford and Carson, he wasn't here to notice the Colonel working without food or sleep. Sighing, John poked Sam on the shoulder.

"Wakey-wakey Colonel…" He whispered. Leaning closer, he listened to her slurred words.

"No…I swear…I put the reactor in the fridge…" Her face frowned, "It was there a minute ago…no…don't do that…do you want us to be attacked?…the pigs…they're coming…"

John grinned, poking her on the shoulder again, to the same result.

"Don't…de-molecularization…event horizon made of…of…particles…alpha ray particle acceleration beam…"

John shrugged. Did this woman ever stop thinking? Deciding to go for the next best approach, he gently reached out, tweaking her nose. Instead of a usual hand coming out to swipe at him sleepily as he expected, John was surprised when her hand shot out and snatched his, bringing it to her mouth as she bit it, and John cried out at the sudden pain. Opening her eyes, she let go of his hand, which he cradled watching her.

"I'm so sorry!" She suddenly gushed, seeing his hand and who it was. John nodded, a smile on his face.

"It's okay…not the first time a beautiful woman has gone and bitten me."

Sam looked sheepish.

"Why don't you go get some rest?" He asked, as Sam peered into her empty coffee cup. Sam looked at her watch, and then realizing it was wrong looked at John.

"What time is it? Is the General back yet?"

John shook his head.

"It's past midnight. Last thing I heard was they were all going to stay at the mainland for the night, just to show General O'Neill around."

Sam nodded and stretched, her eyes drooping.

"I might stay up a little longer…thanks for waking me."

John nodded, and grudgingly, left the lab. It was almost time to bring in the reinforcements.

The next morning, John woke in bed, to find the other half, usually occupied by Elizabeth, empty. He sighed. He knew exactly where she was. Changing into his usually clothes, he walked into the control room, expecting to find her sitting at the laptop, only to find it empty.

"Where's Doctor Weir?" He asked one of the many technicians. The man looked at him strangely for a second.

"You haven't heard?" He asked, frowning. John frowned also.

"Heard what?"

"Well," The technician started, leaning in like it was a huge secret. He lowered his voice, "Doctor Weir translated the writing…turns out the wraith detected the burst of energy which was Colonel Carter and General O'Neill arriving from Earth…and they're on their way here now. Turns out they have some kind of means of detecting when the machine is used and it's function, so they figure, a way of getting to Earth is here now in Atlantis."

John's mouth opened in surprise.

Turning away, he jogged down to the labs. He knew where Elizabeth was going to be.

Running into the lab, the Colonel and McKay had to temporarily share, he noticed Sam was sitting next to Kate, Kate who was crying.

Taking a step back into the shadows, he listened.

"And…and he said he was sorry! I mean! He thinks he loves you!"

Sam rubbed Kate's back in support.

"Well, he's wrong." The colonel said tiredly. Even from the shadows, John could see the large black bags under her eyes.

Walking past him, Elizabeth entered the room, she was carrying coffee, and although he knew she had seen him, she ignored his presence, sitting down on the other side of Kate and handing her and Sam steaming mugs.

"I'm sure if we talk to him…" Sam began. Kate coughed.

"No, No I don't want that. I don't want to pressure him. Maybe he's right…he doesn't love me."

Elizabeth sighed.

"He said he loved you Kate." Sam began, "He talked about proposing to you. That love doesn't go away suddenly. He's just confused. Give him some time."

Kate nodded, glancing at her watch.

"Thank you. I'm going to get some sleep." John quickly pretended like he had just arrived, knocking on the door. Kate smiled at him as she walked past, trying unsuccessfully to hide her tears. Sam and Elizabeth turned to watch him enter.

"Is the General back yet?" Elizabeth asked, taking another sip. John shook his head.

"Carson radioed in. Halling invited them over for tea. They'll be back later in the afternoon."

Sam nodded.

"Is it true?" John asked quietly. "Are the wraith coming?"

Elizabeth nodded, suddenly looking worn.

"According to the data, it will take the Wraith a while to assemble their forces. They had a timetable, they'll be here in just under a month."

John nodded.

"Now," Elizabeth said sternly, turning to Sam, "You've been working on this non stop, and your no closer to having a solution." Sam opened her mouth to protest.

"I don't care how much you threaten me like last time, you're to start taking breaks, I want you to start AFTER twelve in the morning and FINISH by seven at night. You hear me? I don't you working yourself to death." Sam opened her mouth in horror.

"Even," Elizabeth continued, "If this time table keeps you from finding a solution for a few extra weeks, I don't see a problem in it."

Sam, gone from horror, to slightly, grudging acceptance, nodded.

John coughed, and spoke up.

"Well, if those rules are for the Colonel, I think they should be for you too Elizabeth."

Elizabeth opened her mouth in horror.

"And," Continued John, "As not only your military advisor, your second in command AND your boyfriend, I'm enforcing that rule right now."

"You not a doctor…" Elizabeth grumbled half-heartedly.

John grinned.

"You want me to go get one?" He asked, mockingly.

Elizabeth shook her head vehemently. John grinned.

"Good. Behave you two." Turning and walking from the room, he smiled inwardly.

One Point for the cocky Major!


Sam sighed as she walked into her new quarters. With her new 'curfew' she wasn't making any new discoveries, and although she reminded herself, she wasn't before either, it still was hurting her like knives pointing into her chest. When had she become so addicted to making new discoveries and finding new things?

Sighing again, she changed into her tank top and shorts, jumping when a knock interrupted her thoughts. Opening the door, she noticed McKay watching her.

"Yes?" She asked irritably. No doubt this had something to do with the whole 'I love you and I dumped Kate thing'.

Rodney stopped and took a deep breath.

"I love you Sam." He whispered. Sam's eyes opened in shock. She might have been expecting it, but it still gave her a surprise.

"Err…" Was all she managed to get out. Rodney took a step closer. She took a step back.

"Look Sam," He began, "I want you to know, every day you were gone I missed you more and more…it hurt Sam…and now you're here…"

He leaned forward and captured her lips in his.

Suddenly he pulled back, a strange expression on his face.

He backed away.

"Err…" He looked around, backing out of the door. "This was a mistake…" He whispered, eyes filling with tears. Sam sighed.

"Yes it was Rodney." She said tiredly, vision swimming before her eyes. "Go to Kate, she still loves you."

Rodney nodded.

"I've lost my chance haven't I? To be with her?"

Sam shook her head.

"No. Go see her." McKay nodded.

"Thanks Sam. I'm glad to have you as my friend." And he walked from the room. As the door slid shut, no one noticed Sam slide to the floor, unconscious.

Ttfn!