Thanks for the reviews; you're being very patient I know. Having Liz find out about John's feelings wasn't my original idea but I wanted to let you know my faith in ShepWeir fluff. Was watching some the end of season 1 episodes again and there are so many moments between them! Teyla's more like a good friend to him now, huh? Anihoo, here is chapter 3. The pace starts to pick up in this one.

Worth It

3. Fallen

John Sheppard bounded up the stairs to the control room and stopped at the top when he saw Elizabeth Weir in her office typing away. John shook his head. Even with concentrating on the negotiation she still had piles of work sitting in front of her. He realised the expedition leader must have been up at the crack of dawn and looked exhausted. After his conversation with Teyla last night John had hoped his feelings for Weir had dampened, but when he actually saw her they were still there. Sighing he walked over to her door and knocked twice.

Elizabeth looked up and her eyes widened when she saw who it was. Waving him in John got the feeling all was not well with his favourite diplomat this morning.

"Morning." He greeted cheerily to which she gave a half-hearted smile. Pointing to the chair John sat down and saw Weir glance wearily at the laptop screen. "Everything okay?"

Elizabeth glanced back up. "Huh? Oh, yeah. I'm just typing up a report about how the talks went yesterday. Should have been done last night but, well, we were a little distracted." At her last remark she gave him an intent look, which he couldn't decipher. It was almost as if it had a hidden meaning.

"Tell me about it!" John joked and then a heavy silence settled. Both debated whether to reveal their discoveries about last night but before either could speak Rodney McKay burst in the room without even knocking.

"Morning all!" he almost sang and clapped his hands together. "We ready for the big deal, huh?"

John glared at the loud and over cheerily scientist. "What's with you again?" When Rodney gave him a puzzled look John elaborated. "Well you seem to be Mr Happy all of a sudden. Oh, did you and Kate have a good time last night?" He asked with a smirk.

"John!" Elizabeth scolded, more out of anxiousness than anger at this particular subject. Rodney just scowled.

"Was just asking. Or are you just excited about this pudding?" he continued to prod.

"Not that it's any of your business but we had a lovely time last night!" Rodney announced defensively and even Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. "And yes, we'll hopefully get pudding today."

Both John and Elizabeth stifled a laugh and Rodney made a "Humph!" sound.


Half an hour later almost 15 people were gathered in the gateroom. Just as Elizabeth was listening to Sheppard brief his men, along with admiring how strong he sounded during times like these, someone grabbed her hand. She turned to see Ryan Caldwell and he gave her a grin.

"Ryan, I didn't think you were coming today?" she asked quietly so not to interrupted the Colonel who was still talking.

"Well, I thought you could have used the moral support. Plus, it would be good to seal the deal with two leaders, huh?" He said and she could see the hope in his eyes.

"I'm sorry we didn't get a chance to talk this morning but you don't…"

Ryan waved off her concerns. "Look, to be honest I'd rather accompany you. You know, be there in case anything goes wrong."

Not wanting to insult him by refusing the caring offer Elizabeth reluctantly nodded and Ryan squeezed her hand. She heard Sheppard confirm that everyone was ready and shouted for the control room to dial the gate.

John had noticed Caldwell's presence and deliberately ignored him. Does Caldwell think I can't handle this? He wondered angrily but didn't say anything as the huge puddle of water emerged in the metal ring.

"Let's move out!" he ordered and stepped through the event horizon.


Rami and Mekha waited patiently as Elizabeth read out two copies of the one contract to Caldwell and McKay. It had been agreed that Atlantis would provide medical equipment and technology for defensive purposes only and in exchange they would get a shipment of food twice a month. It was a very generous offer; all three knew it, especially since the Lowderans had accepted medical supplies instead of weapons. Finally agreeing on all points Elizabeth returned to the table.

"This contract is well written, we will be happy to sign." She announced and then Rami spoke up.

"Sign?" she asked confused at the Earth term.

"Sorry. It is a term we use to describe a mark left by those who agreed the contract. In this case it would be you and myself so that in the future no one can debate the contract's credibility." Elizabeth explained slowly choosing her words carefully.

"I see. We also have a similar procedure, only we use a solution to leave a finger print on the contract." Mekha told them and as he did a small tub of blue solution was brought forward. Seeing Elizabeth's hesitance he demonstrated. "See, nothing to be frightened of. It will not harm you, I promise."

Elizabeth knew it was a bad idea to do this without Dr Beckett checking the solution but they were so close and she did not want to insult their new allies. She placed her thumb in the cool blue liquid, ignoring the disapproving looks from both Ryan and Rodney, and pressed her thumb into both bits of yellow paper.

"That's actually a better system if you think about it." Rodney thought out loud. "It means the print is unique"

No one answered so Rodney kept quiet. Once Rami repeated the 'signing' everyone breathed a sigh of relief. They had done it; they finally had a food contract.

"Great!" Ryan exclaimed. "When can we expect the first shipment?"

"Out harvest is almost over, return in three days and we will have a collection for you." Mekha revealed and Elizabeth gave them a grateful smile.

"Thank you so much, to both of you. I'm sure we will become great friends." She said excitedly and then all shook hands.

Rami and Mekha bowed and pointed to a small woman standing at the doorway. "Senrai will show you out. We look forward to your next visit."


John stood outside the entrance to the village hall and nervously smiled at two young women who had been staring at him for almost half an hour. Already agitated at just being here the Colonel didn't appreciate the attention of the woman and tried not to look in their direction too often. Finally his three colleagues exited the hall chatting enthusiastically and Sheppard scolded himself for being paranoid.

See John, nothing to worry about he told himself and smiled as they walked up to him.

"Looks like you've got a fan club Colonel!" Caldwell said amusedly indicating to the two women at the bottom of the stairs and John swore he saw Elizabeth look away annoyed.

Could she be jealous? He wondered. She shouldn't have worried, John had no intention of speaking to either and just wanted to leave knowing all, including Elizabeth, would be safe back in Atlantis. He hated her coming off world but it was required for this one mission.

An awkward silence ascended the group, although Rodney was oblivious to why and was daydreaming about the food they would be receiving soon.

"Colonel Sheppard, why don't you go ahead and secure the gate with team 1" Caldwell ordered and both John and Elizabeth frowned at the unnecessary order.

Not wanting to disobey orders Sheppard gave him a curt nod and walked off to the gate. Elizabeth gave an irritated sigh.

"Was that even necessary Ryan?" she asked and when he gave her an 'I'm the boss' look she backed off not wanting to make a scene. "Are we going then?" she suggested in a lighter tone.

Just as they approached the large forest they heard a large swooping sound, to Elizabeth it sounded very much like a plane. As they glanced back to the town hall they were horrified when it suddenly blew up. Both Rodney and Caldwell hunched over Elizabeth to protect her from any debris. Glancing around them Caldwell heard his radio crackle.

"Colonel Caldwell, we can see enemy…what looks like planes approaching the town!" Sheppard told him and Caldwell was distracted by the screaming of villagers as they ran towards them.

Grabbing Weir's hand he forcefully pulled her and all three began running to the gate. Ducking every now and then when an explosion rocked the ground Elizabeth could hear firing up ahead and knew their men were trying to knock out the planes. When they almost reached the clearing Elizabeth saw a woman and a young girl fall and struggle to get back up. Changing direction she ran to her right and reached out for the woman's hand.

"Give me your hand!" she called out but the woman shook her head.

"I can't move! Please, take my daughter! Take my daughter!" she cried and Elizabeth grabbed the young girl before turning back.

"I'll come back for you!" she shouted and headed for the gate.

Reaching the clearing Weir saw Bates was the nearest marine and went up to him. He stopped firing when she approached him running.

"Take her through the gate! I'm going back for her mother!" she told him trying to catch her breath and handed the girl to a surprised Bates.

"Ma'am? Wait!" he called out but she was already in the forest.

Sprinting to the now open gate he took little girl to the event horizon. Putting her down he told her, "Go through there, you'll be safe, I promise!"

After hesitating the girl finally stepped through and Bates double backed to Sheppard. "Sir! Dr Weir went back into the forest. She went back for someone!" he reported and Sheppard stared at him.

"What!"

Caldwell also over heard and shouted at Bates. "Bates get back to your position!" Bates ran back to his previous spot and resumed firing on, what looked like WWII planes, while Sheppard glared at his CO.

"Sir! We have to go back!"

"Negative! Stay where you are Sheppard!" Caldwell roared over the gunfire.


Back in the forest Elizabeth reached the mother and saw, thankfully, that she was still alive. Bending down to help her up she gave her support when finally standing.

"Do you think you can walk?" she asked and the woman nodded. "Good, let's go!"

Helping her limp to the edge of the forest, they had not gone more than a few steps when a force from behind them knocked them over and Elizabeth felt pain soar through her left arm and back. She cried out in pain while the other woman sat up. Unable to get back up Elizabeth shouted to the alien woman.

"Go, get to the gate!" when the woman seemed unsure of what to do Weir gave her a reassuring smile. "Your daughter is waiting for you. Go!"

Biting her lip the woman nodded and began to stumble to the gate. Seeing she was out into the clearing Elizabeth rested her face on the ground and tried to breath through the pain. She could hear cries from the injured around her and Elizabeth closed her eyes as if trying to block them out. Forgetting all her problems she finally let the blackness engulf her.


Sheppard scanned the field frantically still seeing no sign of her. Suddenly a woman came limping towards them and Sheppard went to help. When he reached her she began to cry.

"One of yours is stuck in the forest! She is badly injured. Please, you must help her!"

Ford glanced worryingly at Sheppard who nodded and the young marine helped the woman through the wormhole. Turning back he saw Sheppard march up to Caldwell.

"Sir! Elizabeth is still alive but she needs help. I'm going back in!" But Caldwell grabbed his arm.

"It's too late Colonel. There are now foot soldiers on the ground!" he stated pointing them out but John didn't even look.

"But Sir…?" John shouted in disbelief as more planes flew over their positions.

"I am giving you a direct order Colonel! Now everyone, get through the gate!" he ordered.

All officers and marines slowly backed to the gate not taking their eyes off of the enemy ships and began going through. John made sure Caldwell was through before him and he grabbed Ford's arm.

"I'm going back Ford! Try and keep the gate open but raise the shield till you get my IDC!" he explained and Ford nodded.

"Yes sir! Good luck!" he said and stepped through the gate.

Running back towards the forest John's stomach turned when he saw bodies scattered in the dirty ground and hid behind a tree. Scanning the wood he could see a few men walking in the distance carrying guns similar to his P90, only slightly smaller. Looking at the bodies close by he eventually spotted a blue Atlantis jacket covered in blood. Raising his gun John mentally planned his route in order to avoid the soldiers for as long as possible.

"I'm coming Elizabeth." He whispered and began making his way to her.

Author's note: I thought I'd give Bates a nice role in this story coz I do like him. Please R and R!