Every time I get a review about the first chapter I hold my breath coz I'm expecting a big rant. But so far they've been good and you're all being very patient with the lack of fluff. Hopefully you'll like this chapter a little better. I started typing this out towards the end of Two Turkey Sandwiches so that's why they're up pretty quick.

Ashkash: I think you're going to feel for Sheppard in this one too.

MacCartney: No whompin yet but since you asked for it I'll try and include it in a future chapter.

johnliz4ever: Thanks for forgiving me! Hmmm, about your other request, hmm, okay. I suppose I can let go of my Joe just for a while though! (People must think I'm crazy!) LOL.

Worth It

2. The Negotiation

John watched Elizabeth and Caldwell sit together as they talked. They were deep in conversation but John knew it would be about the negotiation. Only the officer wished it were Elizabeth telling him it went well instead of Rodney McKay.

"Colonel? Colonel?" Rodney snapped seeing Sheppard's eyes glaze over as he watched Elizabeth. "Are you even listening to me?"

John bit his lip in anger and faced the grouchy scientist. "Yes Rodney I heard you. Forgive me for looking at someone else that is, I'm sorry to say, a lot nicer than you!"

He immediately regretted his outburst when Rodney seemed hurt. Sighing he gave his friend an apologetic look. "I'm sorry. I'm just…a little on edge today."

Rodney made a puzzled face. "Why? These are probably the nicest people we've met since the Athosians."

"I know. I just have this feeling. I'm sure it's nothing to worry about and you and Dr Weir will get us the food deal." John assured him then began to gaze at Elizabeth once again.

"Yup. I'd say it's done deal now. Elizabeth is doing great." Seeing John gaze at the woman in question Rodney felt sorry for his friend. He knew how much John liked Elizabeth and still could not figure out why nothing had ever happened between them. Both were smitten with each other and sparks flew whenever they were in a room together. But somewhere along the line Ryan Caldwell had appeared and wormed his way in.

However, Rodney still had hopes that Elizabeth and John would wake up one day and smell the oh so lovely coffee. Debating whether or not to broach the taboo subject, his decision was made for him by the arrival of Dr Weir.

John cleared his throat and stood up to greet her. Rodney copied him.

"Dr Weir." John said with a charming smile. "I hear you're doing great in there."

Elizabeth's cheeks flushed at the compliment, which did not happen often in public, and John felt proud of the achievement.

"Well, I'm not sure about that but we're making progress, aren't we Rodney?"

"Yup." Rodney agreed and clapped his hands together as he saw people move towards the village hall. "Looks like the Lowderans are ready to begin."

As Rodney began to walk away Elizabeth stayed behind.

"Better get in there before Rodney breaks something sacred." This earned a laugh from Elizabeth and then John deadpanned "Or he actually speaks to anyone."

As her laughter subsided Elizabeth shook a finger at the air force Colonel. "Don't mock him, he's actually been very good."

But as the diplomat walked away John saw the amusement remained in her expression. Gazing at her retreating back John felt someone else's eyes on him and scanned the surrounding area for the owner's gaze. He stiffened when he saw Colonel Caldwell staring at him with a very unhappy face.

John looked away as if examining the immediate vicinity and relaxed when he saw his CO head back in the direction of the gate. Caldwell was returning to Atlantis early to debrief other teams about their missions and keep everything running.

Damn it Sheppard, got to be more careful he warned himself.


"So are we agreed?" Dr Weir asked hopefully.

The two aliens sitting across from the two Atlantis representatives glanced at each other.

"We are agreed." Rami announced and gave their guests a smile.

Rodney and Elizabeth let go of a breath they didn't know they'd been holding and smiled back.

"Thank you." Elizabeth told them.

"It is customary amongst our people to have this trading arrangement written down." Rami told them.

"We also have that custom. We call it a contract." Elizabeth explained. "Would you like to word the contract or shall we?"

The Lowderans muttered to each other and finally agreed that they would word it. "We shall proceed to make this contract and you may examine it."

Both Rodney and Elizabeth nodded. "Sounds good. When would you like us to return?" she asked.

"Tomorrow if that is possible?" Mekha asked politely receiving nods yet again from their new allies. "Then tomorrow at noon."

"Good. Thank you so much Rami and Mekha for you help and hospitality." Elizabeth said her voice brimming with excitement. "We will return tomorrow."

"Thank you." Rodney also said surprised at his own enthusiasm.


"Well done Elizabeth!" Rodney cheered on their trip back to the gate and almost tripped over a large branch in the process. John was shocked at his colleague's cheerfulness and questioned him about it.

"Why are you so damn happy about it? You don't normally get this excited about anything!" He asked as they continued to trek through the large forest.

Rodney shrugged. "I just think this will be a good treaty is all I'm saying."

John and Elizabeth smirked at each other and then John asked, "You've fallen in love one of their deserts haven't you?"

At first Rodney looked shocked at the accusation then pouted. "Well, can you blame me after being stuck with just power bars for the past few months?"

His two friends chuckled and all three breathed a sigh of relief when they saw the Stargate through a clearing in the trees. Walking up to Sergeant Bates Sheppard ordered him to dial home and turned to face Elizabeth.

"Seriously, well done." The sincerity in his voice made Elizabeth's heart swell with pride.

"Thank you." She glowed.


That night Atlantis was bustling with both those from Earth and the Athosians. As John glanced around the balcony the memories of their first night on the surface returned when they had celebrated after the rescue mission to the Wraith home world. He saw Jinto and Halling looking out to the sea and Ford and Teyla laughing at one of Carson's jokes. Wondering where Rodney was John finally looked at the buffet table and saw him munching on a sandwich while talking to Kate Heightmeyer. Seeing the couple chat and laugh only brought John back to reality and his gaze was reluctantly pulled towards Elizabeth. She was standing with Caldwell talking to one of the Athosians.

Recalling that first night again it had been him and Elizabeth talking on the balcony after she had supported his actions during the rescue mission. Now, having to stand there and watch the woman he wanted to be with laughing and joking with another man ripped his heart to pieces.

Unable to take anymore he rushed through the crowds and made his way to a quieter balcony on the East pier. When there he took a deep breath and leaned against the railings. Lost in his own thoughts, John did not hear the door open behind him.

"Colonel Sheppard?" came the quiet voice and John turned to see Teyla standing with a concerned face.

"Teyla, hi." John greeted sadly. "What you doing out here?"

"I saw you leave in a hurry and wanted to see if you were okay?" she asked gently and John knew the alien woman had picked up on his distress over Elizabeth.

"I'm fine. I need to be, don't I?" he said bitterly and Teyla frowned.

"If you care for Dr Weir, why not tell her?"

John sighed and looked out over the calm sea. "It's not that simple Teyla."

Still frowning in confusion Teyla came to stand with her friend. "Love is not simple John Sheppard." She told him as if an old wise woman. Then again, he knew Teyla was very wise even though still young.

John grimaced at the word love and bit back the urge to retort. Not that Teyla was wrong; she was bang on the mark. John had just never admitted it to anyone, not even himself.

"You know, I wouldn't have minded Elizabeth falling for another guy. In fact, at the time I was not that bothered. Sure I was angry and upset but I thought I would get over it." He explained and Teyla raised an eyebrow when his voice got slightly louder.

"I do not understand?" Teyla said cautiously.

John couldn't hold the anger in anymore and began to rant. "What I'm saying is I can't move past it! No matter what I do I always think about her! And that's never happened to me Teyla! We humans normally heal and move on but I can't! Now I have sit and watch her move on without me all because I was too damn stupid to tell Elizabeth I love her!"

It was then that Teyla realised that there had been a reason Elizabeth and John were not together. Seeing the tears fill up in John's eyes she reached out to squeeze his hand. "What happened John?"

Still no tears fell but John choked out the story.

"It was a couple of weeks after the Wraith attack. During that time Elizabeth and I spent some time together, just getting to know each other. I think we both of us had had a shock with me almost dying and wanted to become closer. She then came to me one night and told me Caldwell had asked her to dinner. She wanted to know what I thought."

Hearing him take a ragged breath Teyla knew the end of the story.

"Of course, me being me, had to act all cocky and tell her to go have fun. The look on her face when I said it Teyla, she looked so hurt… and now she's with him."

Both stood in silence as they processed the story. Teyla really did want to smack John Sheppard on the head for being so stupid but saw he was suffering enough.

"Have you ever considered telling her the truth?" Teyla asked not knowing how stupid the question sounded to John.

"Everyday Teyla, everyday." John muttered. "But everyday I think tomorrow will be better and I won't feel this way anymore. Never happens though."

Teyla could not imagine going through all that pain and anguish for almost 5months but that was typical of her friend. John Sheppard never opened up about anything. Until today that is which gave Teyla hope he would come to his senses.

Despite wanting to be alone John took comfort in Teyla being there, supporting him emotionally. "Thanks Teyla." He whispered and she nodded with an understanding smile.


Unknown to Teyla and John, Elizabeth Weir had heard everything. Standing round the corner from the balcony door she tried to keep her sobbing quiet by holding her hand across her mouth. Hearing silence come from the balcony, she ran back to her quarters blinded by tears and finally opened her door and entered the dark room. At first unsure of what to do she stood for a minute shaking. She then reached out to the wall for support and ended up sliding down into a crouching position. She continued crying into her knees.

Elizabeth had seen John rush off and then Teyla follow. Worried about his unusual behaviour she too followed, making her excuse to Ryan that she needed to be somewhere quiet and assured him she would be fine alone. Only a few people knew that Sheppard's other place of solitude was the East pier balcony, including Elizabeth. Walking around the corner, before the door could even open, she heard John begin his rant and Teyla try to console him.

Now, after all this time she now knew how he really felt. And why was she crying? Elizabeth wasn't sure whether it was out of happiness or anger at the lost time with Caldwell.

Why didn't he just tell me! She thought frustrated and wiped her eyes.

After a couple more minutes of sobbing she finally took a deep breath and sniffed. Pulling herself up she went into her bathroom and grabbed a tissue. After cleaning herself up she began to get ready for bed. Despite the surprise from John, Elizabeth still had to get this negotiation finalised and she needed the rest. Just as she changed there was a knock at her door. Unsure of whether to answer it or not a voice called out her name.

"Elizabeth?"

It was Ryan. Sighing Elizabeth went open the door and gave him a small smile when he appeared.

"Hey, are you okay?" He asked concerned and she nodded.

"Yeah. I'm just tired, that's all." Hoping he wouldn't question her red, blotchy eyes.

"You look it. Want some company?" Ryan asked with a charming smile, which made Elizabeth feel sick. She could not cope with 'them' tonight, especially after John's revelation.

"If it's okay Ryan I would just like to spend sometime on my own tonight."

Giving her an intent look he finally agreed. "Okay, guess I'll see in the morning?" He said sounding disappointed.

"Yeah." She replied trying to keep a firm voice. At this moment she didn't even know if they were going to still be a couple the next morning.

Ryan leant forward and gave Elizabeth a quick peck on the cheek. "Sweet dreams Liz." He whispered sadly and then made his way back down the hall.

Biting her bottom lip Elizabeth had never been more confused in her life. While she felt something for John, it was obvious Ryan really cared about her. He had also asked her out in the first place and told her daily that he loved her. But was that enough if Elizabeth couldn't return those feelings?

Letting the door slam shut Elizabeth climbed into bed although not expecting to get much sleep. Provided all went well tomorrow she would confront John and hopefully sort out her feelings once and for all.

Author's note: See, more Liz and John! Bear with me, it'll get better!