Disclaimer: I don't own Stargate Atlantis

Spoiler: Brief mention of 'The Gift'

Note: This is unbeta'd. Also updates may become slower since I go back to school on the 5th and then it is something like 5 or 6 weeks until my year stand down and start our final exams, which means for me a lot more revision and homework. When I get a little downtime I continue with this story but I may not get much.

McCartney: Is Kolya alive? I guess you'll just have to keep on reading because I am not telling you yet.

HazeydreamHave you been invading my mind? Those are the three ideas I originally came up with and I'll tell you now. One of them may be right.

Ashkash: First off, glad you liked chapter 6. I'm happy you found Johns' speech a little heartbreaking. Secondly glad you liked the second dream sequence. That originally wasn't going to be a dream at all, it was going to be something containing John and Liz but I decided against it.

TubaPrincess: Thanks, glad you like the name Bree.

highonscifi: Thanks, I hope this update is fast enough for you.


Atlantis (Two days later)

Elizabeth looked out across the ocean. The waves lapped gently against the sides of the city.

Bree snuggled against Elizabeths' chest sleepily. Since her dream about Kolya taking her Elizabeth hadn't let Bree out of her sight. She'd even moved Bree's cradle into her room.

Elizabeth kissed the top of Bree's head.

"You know, he'll never find out about you and he'll never take you honey. I'd kill him if he ever tried to take you."

Elizabeth placed another kiss on the top of Bree's head as someone walked out onto the balcony.

The blonde haired woman stood next to her placing her hands on the railing.

"Elizabeth can we talk?"

Elizabeth sighed.

"Is that really necessary Kate?"

Kate turned to face Elizabeth. John had been right. Elizabeth did not want to confront this.

"Elizabeth, you've carried this around for nearly a year all by yourself. Why didn't you tell anyone?"

Elizabeth closed her eyes briefly before looking down at Bree.

"I didn't want to believe that he was alive because if I believe that I know there is a chance he could come and take Bree from me."

Kate understood. She knew how much Elizabeth loved Bree and how it would destroy her if anything happened Bree.

"Why didn't you tell anyone he was alive when you were rescued?"

Elizabeth sighed and tears fell onto her cheeks.

"Remember when you asked me if I loved him?"

Kate remembered. Elizabeth had been set in her decision that she didn't love him.

"I did. The woman he created loved him; she was part of me. She was the part that wouldn't let me tell anyone that he was alive. She's still there now. She's is what has kept me from telling people he's alive."

Kate put a reassuring hand on Elizabeths' shoulder.

"That doesn't necessarily mean you're the one who loved him. You were programmed to be someone else."

Elizabeth shook her head.

"I often wonder why I allowed it to happen"

Kate was expecting Elizabeth to continue but instead she walked off the balcony back into the control room. Kate sighed and lent further onto the railing.

Elizabeth was breaking and Kate knew it. She knew it and there was very little she could do about, short of putting Elizabeth on 24-hour surveillance. Kate knew Elizabeth wouldn't hurt herself or do anything crazy, but she also knew that Elizabeth needed help, she couldn't keep everything locked up. It would end up destroying her.


Elizabeth into her office and put Bree in the Ancient equivalent of a playpen. She moved to her desk and began to type up reports. She could not believe Kate had come to psychobabble at her. Over the past two days it seemed like John had told everyone about her dreams. Earlier in the day before she went off world Teyla came to her quarters and offered to perform at ritual that was suppose to rid people of their nightmares.

Elizabeth had snapped at the young woman and now she felt awful about it. Teyla was only trying to help after all. Elizabeth buried her head in her hands and sighed, she just wanted to forget about it. It was driving her crazy. Everyone was, yet again, assuming she was going to breakdown. She sighed, during the last year and half she'd completely lost control of her life. She wasn't the woman she used to be, Kolya had changed her permanently into someone else. Someone she'd never been. Elizabeth ran her fingers through her hair. She thought about how great it would be to just disappear. Go somewhere and never look back.


Off World (Gistorri)

John, Ford, Rodney and Teyla walked down the long path to a small village on the planet of Gistorri. They'd made contact with them several days before and were going back to negotiate a trade alliance.

Actually, that was only half of it. The leader of the Gistorrians insisted that in order for a fair alliance to be made that would benefit both people he first must be able to trust them which meant he must go to Atlantis and meet with their leader. Elizabeth had not at all been happy with it but had agreed to it, which meant that John, Ford, Rodney and Teyla were going to retrieve him.

"Major Sheppard"

Jota, the leader of the Gistorrians greeted them.

"Jota, Good to see you again"

Jota and his high ministers bowed.

"As your leader agreed to our request?"

John nodded; he wasn't going to add that she agreed reluctantly.

"Yes, Dr Weir is looking forward to it"

Ford rolled his eyes. Last time he'd talked to Elizabeth, which was not long before they disembarked on the mission, she had not been happy about bringing complete strangers onto Atlantis. After her current dreams, she'd been viewing everyone as a threat. The only people she trusted where himself, John, Teyla, Rodney, Carson and Peter. Over the months of Elizabeths' pregnancy Ford had found himself becoming closer to Elizabeth. They'd become good friends and she began to confide in him. People had always thought she was closer to Carson but in reality Ford was the one she trusted most. He remembered back to the day she went into labour.

Flashback (4 Months earlier)

Ford knocked on the door to Elizabeths' office and walked in. Elizabeth looked up at him and smiled. Ford couldn't do anything but notice how she glowed and how beautiful it made her. Ford at down opposite her.

"How are you feeling Ma'am?"

Elizabeth smiled at him. He was glad to see her smile. In his opinion she didn't smile nearly enough.

"Aiden; I've told you before. Call me Elizabeth"

Ford smirked. She'd insisted for months now that he call her Elizabeth but rarely managed it.

"I'm fine, the baby as been kicking like crazy"

Ford sat forward.

"Is that normal? Are you both okay?"

Elizabeth smiled; she was touched by his concern. He really was a sweet kid.

"Aiden, it's normal. Don't worry"

Ford smiled, slightly embarrassed at how he overreacted. Elizabeth looked down at her laptop then back up at him, smiling nervously.

"So, how is John? I haven't really talked to him recently"

John had been spending a lot of his time recently either at the Alpha site or on the mainland and although they did talk to each other, it was mostly about work. When they did talk about other things, it was usually very brief.

Ford was certain that John had heard the rumour that Elizabeth and Carson were more then friends but anyone close to them knew it wasn't the case. Carson was being supportive but nothing else. Everyone knew Elizabeth still had feelings for John. Her question proved she did.

"He's fine. He's on the mainland."

Elizabeth nodded.

"He's been there a lot lately."

Ford instantly knew what she was saying. A rumour was going around Atlantis that John had started a relationship with one of the Athosians' and Ford had done his best to try to keep it from her but it appeared that someone had outsmarted him and told her that it was true.

"Elizabeth. That rumour you heard is not true. John is not seeing anyone."

Elizabeth smiled nervously.

"Its' none of my business if he is."

Ford smiled sympathetically.

"Elizabeth, it's okay if you still feel something for him."

Elizabeth smiled and her eyes filled with tears.

"I wouldn't really blame him if he was."

She placed her hands on her abdomen and closed her eyes.

"Elizabeth…"

Elizabeth winced in pain.

"Elizabeth, are you okay?"

He walked around to where Elizabeth was sat.

"C'mon, I'll take you to the infirmary."

Elizabeth shook her head.

"No, I'm okay"

Ford wouldn't take no for a answer though. He helped her from her seat and took her down to the infirmary.

End of Flashback

The team, along with Jota and the high ministers walked back to the Stargate. They walked through the Stargate half-expecting Elizabeth to be waiting for them. Instead, she was in the office oblivious to the fact that they'd even stepped through the 'gate. John shot a 'wait here' at his team and run up the stairs to Elizabeths' office.

"Liz, Jota and the high ministers are here. It does not look good that you're not there waiting for us."

Elizabeth looked up at him then glanced to the playpen opposite her.

"I'm not leaving her in here by herself."

John walked over to the playpen and picked up Bree.

"I'll take her, you don't need me for this thing do you?"

Elizabeth sighed.

"I could use you, look ask Aiden if he'll take Bree."

John nodded. Elizabeth switched off her laptop, straightened herself and followed John down the stairs. John walked over to Ford.

"Lt, will you take Bree?"

Ford nodded and took Bree into his arms and began rocking her off to sleep gently.

Elizabeth walked over to Jota and the high ministers.

"Jota, this is Dr Weir"

Jota took Elizabeths' hand and kissed it.

"Dr Weir it is honour to meet you."

Jotas' gaze drifted to Bree.

"Is that your daughter?"

Ford noticed how uncomfortable Elizabeth became.

"Yes."

She answered nervously and gave Ford a look telling him to take Bree away.

"We better go down to the infirmary."

Ford glanced at Teyla and Rodney and they understood.

"Yeah we should"

Rodney murmured and began to walk in the direction of the infirmary followed by Ford and Teyla.

Jota watched them go and turned back to Elizabeth.

"You have a very beautiful daughter."

Elizabeth nodded

"Thank you. We should really start this meeting"

Elizabeth gestured to Bates and they followed him to the briefing room. John stopped Elizabeth from following them and whispered

"Are you okay?"

Elizabeth avoided his gaze.

"I don't like the way he took such an interest in Bree."

John shook his head.

"He was just being friendly. He's not a threat Elizabeth"

Elizabeth nodded and walked up to the briefing room.


The meeting ended several hours later with an invitation from Jota for Elizabeth, John, Bates and the rest of SGA1 to attend a celebratory banquet on Gistorri. John couldn't help but notice that Elizabeth looked more relaxed with them.

"We would love to come."

Jota smiled happily.

"The banquet shall take place in two days. Until then"

Jota and the high ministers bowed their heads and began to leave through the Stargate. Jota turned to them.

"Dr Weir, your daughter is more then welcome to attend also."

Elizabeth smiled nervously, she wasn't in a position to trust many people and this guy's interest in Bree freaked her.

"Maybe"

Jota smiled at her before stepping through the Stargate.

Off world (Gistorri)

Jota walked into his house. He moved over to a drawer and took out a radio.

"Relay station three, prepare to receive transmission."

A voice came over the radio.

"RS three, awaiting transmission"

Jota smirked.

"Let Cowen of the Genii know, we have found her."

Jota smirked. The search was over.

TBC…