Hey guys! Thanks for keeping up with me. This chapter will seem familiar with John and Liz talking again in the brig, but hey, it works! I actually didn't think I could sustain the story for this long, so I hope you ain't getting bored. This will just be Liz and John stuff coz I want to give you all something while I write the next part and it's a lot shorter. Sorry if I don't mention everyone at the beginning of my stories but I really do appreciate your thoughts!
Falcon Horus: Yay, another Bates fan! Another good idea for Caldwell's punishment. Feel quite bad coz we've not even met the character and you all hate him! Whoops!
Ashkash: Yeah, Weir's on the warpath alright. 'jealous git' – nicely put and such a British insult! LOL.
Rhin Ariel: Glad you liked Ford's part. Originally I was going to make it Teyla but felt he was better for this part.
highonscifi: Here's more! LOL.
Now, please watch you don't start drooling over the image of Sheppard in the first part. I did and almost short-circuited my keyboard!
Worth It
6. Confessions
John focussed on the floor below him and began his press-ups. He had already done 500 sit ups and was trying to find ways to keep his mind off of her and his nose-diving career. Whilst John was sure Elizabeth would be furious at how he was being treated, in his heart he knew he deserved to be court-marshalled. He had disobeyed a direct order, again. But, as before in Afghanistan, it had been worth it.
Just as he reached 75, and still going strong, he heard the door slide open. Stopping and groaning the pilot stood up ready for another face off with Caldwell. Facing the cell's door he was surprised to see Dr Beckett emerge pushing a wheelchair and his heart leapt when he saw it was Elizabeth being brought in.
"Elizabeth!" he exclaimed shocked but happy and received a dazzling smile in return as she was wheeled up to his cell door.
"John." She replied as she shakily stood up and turned to Carson who had one arm around her waist and the other holding her hand. "I'll be fine, really."
Giving the patient a sceptical look he sighed, "Alright, but if you feel dizzy or nauseous or…"
"I'll give you a shout." Weir assured him while squeezing the hand and he reluctantly left them alone.
"How are you?" John asked concerned giving her body a glance over. Her face was still very pale and he could see the padding from the bandages under her t-shirt.
"Still sore, and a little tired but okay other than that." She told him and he gave her a stern look.
"You didn't need to come down here Elizabeth, we could have talked over the radio or something. I don't want you to get stressed or tired out."
Elizabeth chuckled at his doctor tone. "I wanted to thank the man who saved my life, again might I add, in person." Then, with a sparkle in her eyes, added quietly, "My knight in shining armour."
She almost laughed out loud when John's face flushed. She had managed where many had failed in making Lt. Colonel John Sheppard embarrassed. She almost felt proud of the achievement.
"Well, you know, it was nothing" he muttered while looking down at his feet.
"It was more than nothing John," she almost whispered. It suddenly occurred to him that if she was here then she knew about the court-marshal. Not wanting Elizabeth to feel bad John was about to play it down but she jumped in first. "You risked your career and life for me. You shouldn't…"
"I'd do it again," he blurted out and heavy silence descended as they stared intently at each other. He could see the tears form in her eyes and moved closer to the door. "I don't regret it Elizabeth. It was worth it."
Trying to stop the tears from falling Elizabeth took a deep shaky breath. "John, I heard you…that night at the party with Teyla, on the balcony."
At first confused at the confession John's eyes suddenly went wide when he remembered the night clearly. Looking away he saw Elizabeth move, closer to the door on her side, out the corner of his eye. Not wanting to deal with her rejection again, he refused to look at her while also hoping he didn't smell too bad after his workout very aware of how close she now was. Yeah, nice thought in a moment like this Sheppard! He thought sarcastically. Focussing once more on the topic at hand he kept looking at the floor.
"It…it was nothing…I…" John stuttered angry with himself for acting so weak in front of her.
"It should have been you, John." She told him so softly he almost missed it and his head snapped up startled. Seeing he was unable to speak she pressed on, "I never loved Ryan, he was…a mere substitute for what I really wanted."
John's heart began to beat fast and he was suddenly very aware of his breathing. Trying to keep his cool he answered,
"Really?"
When she nodded he grinned so wide Elizabeth thought his face would split. Not wanting their very over due, romantic moment to continue in the cold, dark cell with two marines watching, and there was so much more to tell him, Elizabeth cleared her throat.
"I'm going to speak with Caldwell, try to make him see sense."
John shook his head. "It's no use. What I did was wrong Elizabeth, this is what I deserve."
"No it's not! You did what Ryan should have, and I'm not going to let him ruin your life just because you were braver than he was!"
Weir's voice echoed around the large room and the two guards glanced at each other hearing her outburst. The door opened behind her and Carson came rushing in.
"Whit is it? Is everything okay? Whit's going on?"
Both John and Elizabeth stared at him for a second and then burst out laughing at his rambling, which caused the medic to clam up and scowl. "Whit?" he repeated.
"She's alright doc, just a bit pissed off." The officer explained then his face became serious again. "Seriously, I don't want you getting worked up…"
Elizabeth raised a hand to silence him and Carson was impressed how that action always worked for her when the Colonel immediately shut up. In his case most continued complaining or, like Rodney, mimicked him. Tuning back into the couple's conversation it had seemed Elizabeth had won the debate and was making her way slowly to the door.
"Eh, Dr Weir? Just where do you think yir going?" he asked in a motherly tone and John gave her a smug smile.
"See, even Beckett thinks it's a bad idea."
"No no, I just meant you should be in the wheelchair." Elizabeth returned the smug smile and John sighed as he watched her sit back down.
"Fine. Just, promise me you'll take it easy." He asked worriedly.
"I promise. He's not going to get away with this." She told him in a determined voice and John knew she meant it.
Author's note: Yip, I know very short. Next one will be Caldwell and Liz so it may take some time coz I want it to be very emotional and effective. Stay tuned!
