Disclaimer: I don't own Stargate Atlantis

Atlantis (2 Weeks later)

Elizabeth didn't blame him, if she was honest with herself, she expected it. John might be strong but when it came to his emotions, he was weak, like a child. So when he told her a week ago that he couldn't be there for her through this, that he couldn't be strong for her, she accepted it. She didn't cry, didn't beg him to reconsider she just nodded, silently and he left.

Rumours were already flying around the city, somebody, probably Kavanagh, had found out she was pregnant and told everyone and while some knew that Kolya was the father, some mistakenly thought that John was the father and that he'd left her because he didn't want the baby. Whenever she heard anyone talking about it, she put them straight telling them that John wasn't the father and that Kolya was.

She wouldn't admit it but she missed John, how he used to be before the whole Genii incident. She missed his friendship, even though he'd promised her they could still be friends he'd been avoiding her for the past week.

Carson had been great. Helping her through everything, helping her with the pregnancy, helping her with John. She was grateful, but it wasn't the same.

Teyla had been trying so hard to help Elizabeth feel comfortable, even suggested she went to the Mainland for a break but Elizabeth had ensured her that she was fine.

So here she was, sat in her office finishing reports, trying to forget about all the people in the control room who were keeping a close eye on her. She was brought out of her trance by a knock on the door. She looked towards the glass and saw Rodney, she gestured for him to come in.

"What can I do for you Rodney?"

She knew exactly why he was here. It seemed like Teyla, Rodney, Ford, Peter and Carson were all taking it in turns to check-up on her every half-hour

Rodney began to babble incoherently about some aspect of the city.

"Rodney…stop it."

Rodney became quiet and looked at her.

"We're worried about you Elizabeth."

Elizabeth shook her head

"I'm not ill, I pregnant. Many women have gone though this before."

Rodney nodded and sat down opposite her. When Rodney had found out about her pregnancy his reaction had been similar to that of John. He couldn't believe she was even considering keeping the baby but after Carson talked with him he accepted the idea. He still had his doubts but he was going to help Elizabeth through this.

"Have you talked to…?"

"…John…" She finished off for him "…not recently"

She stopped typing and looked a Rodney. She knew he was expecting her to say something vindictive.

"What do you want me to say?"

Rodney shook his head and sat forward.

"I just thought you'd be a bit more emotional about it."

Elizabeth sighed and turned back to her laptop.

"John made a decision. I accept that. It's not his child."

Rodney closed his eyes. He wanted to tell her how much John still wanted to be with her, but he couldn't. Rodney wasn't usually good at keeping secrets but he'd promised John he wouldn't say a word. They were hurting each other so much though, maybe if they knew how the other felt they can try and put everything behind them.

"Elizabeth, you know I'm here for you, whenever you need a friend I'm…"

Elizabeth cut him off with a smile

"You're here, I know"

She gave him a warm smile, which he returned before leaving her office.

Rodney walked from Elizabeths' office into the control room, he saw John walking up the stairs.

"Major"

"Rodney"

Rodney saw Johns' gaze fall into Elizabeths' office, his eyes darkened with sadness before he turned back to Rodney.

"Why do you go see her?"

John looked at him confused.

"I've got nothing to talk to her about"

Rodney nodded knowingly. John had been doing this for the past week. He wouldn't talk to her, wouldn't be in the same room with her unless it was official but he'd come up to the control room and just stare at her.

"Why are you up here then?"

Rodney knew he'd lie.

"Oh, um, training it's cancelled; I've got something on the mainland to do"

Rodney nodded.

"Sure fine, it'll give me more time to work on this"

John nodded and after taking one last look at Elizabeth, he walked to the Jumper Bay.

Rodney sighed; John was still a mess.

Flashback

Rodney heard a knock at his door and reluctantly got out of bed, he was dying of flu and someone had the cheek to disturb him, typical he couldn't even die in peace. He opened the door and saw a very upset John behind it.

"Rodney, can I talk to you?"

Rodney let him in and shut the door. He knew John was having trouble accepting Elizabeths' pregnancy but he didn't expect John to get this upset.

John sat on the edge of Rodney's bed.

"I broke up with her; I've just left her when she needs me the most.

Rodney was not comfortable in these situations but he knew Ford was on assignment on the mainland so he was the only one left that John could talk to.

"She doesn't even hate me; I want her to hate me, she as the right to hate me."

Rodney knew John wasn't thinking right. Rodney sat down next to John. He tried to find the words to comfort John but he wasn't used to being the person people come to for support so he was making it as he went along.

"John…I know this is difficult for you, but…um…if it's what you want then it's for the best…"

John looked at him and cut him off.

"I still want to be with her but I can't…I can't accept that child"

Rodney understood, he was having trouble coming to terms with the revelation as well but Carson had managed to talk him round.

"John, despite the fact that it's father is a complete bastard, it's still Elizabeths' child as well. You would have to accept the child if you still want to be with Elizabeth"

John lowered his head and shook it. He didn't want any reminder of what Elizabeth went through, the child would remind him everyday.

Rodney hesitatively placed his hand on Johns' shoulder to offer support.

"Don't tell her what I've said, don't tell anyone"

Rodney nodded

"I won't say a word"

End of Flashback

Rodney gazed over to Elizabeth before continuing with his work. This whole thing was going to get worse before it got better.

Mainland

John was a mess, Elizabeth was a mess, the tension in the city was unbearable. Ford was glad to be out of there, even if it was just for one night. He felt sorry for John, he knew this was difficult for him, but it was so much harder for Elizabeth. John had took his shot and walked away, Elizabeth could never do that, she'd made a decision that was going to last for the rest of her life. Ford walked from the settlement when he saw the Jumper overhead. John embarked from the back of the Jumper looking a little worse-for-wear. Ford walked over to him

"Sir"

John nodded at him at walked over to the settlement. Ford knew his CO would eventually get over it but there would always be a reminder on Atlantis and he worried about how he would handle it. At the moment, he could pretend it didn't exists but all that would end on the day Elizabeth started to show.

TBC…