Sheppard's eyes snapped open. Next to him his alarm was screaming in his ear. He reached across to turn it off, and knocked it on the floor. With a silent curse, he leaned over, picked it up and turned it off. Then he dropped it on the floor again. He lay back thinking.
'Dreaming of Rodney. I have had weird dreams before, but that was the ultimate in weird. I've dreamed about Atlantis before. Walking around. Standing on a balcony. The complete destruction of the place. Never people here though. Anyway, there were many more better looking people in Atlantis.'
Sheppard's thoughts were interrupted as his alarm went off again. He'd only hit snooze. As he rolled over to hit it again, he discovered how close to the edge of the bed he was. And how much the floor hurts. This earned another curse as he rubbed his knee. With a sigh, he dragged himself up, making sure his alarm was off this time, and headed off to get ready.
The mess hall was quiet this early in the morning. Sheppard had come to know who was up that early, or who hadn't slept. That was reserved for the scientists normally. It was normally the military personnel who were up early. However, this morning there was someone else in the mess hall. Someone he didn't normally see in the mess hall. Getting his tray, he watched her from a distance. She appeared totally absorbed in her own thoughts. He smiled, and proceeded to get his breakfast.
It wasn't until he put his tray down on the table opposite, she even realised anyone had noticed her.
"Good morning."
"Good morning Major."
"How are we this morning Doctor?"
Elizabeth smiled at him as he sat down. "Good. You?"
"A little tired. So, what are you doing down here? I thought you only ate in the sanctity of your office?"
"I thought I'd slum it today and eat with commoners down here, as you put it." She smirked at him, and he smirked back before drinking deeply from his coffee cup.
"I needed that."
"I thought you were only a little tired?"
"Well, I dunno. I feel more tired now. It's just…"
He never got to finish as suddenly a young woman came over to the table.
"Doctor Weir? My apologies for disturbing you, but may we please speak with you?"
She pointed across to a table of young scientists, at least, Elizabeth recognised them as scientists.
"I'll be back soon John." She quickly got up and walked across to the table. John continued to eat his breakfast and drink in silence. Every so often he'd look across at her. She was often deep in conversation, or listening hard. He assumed. Either that or she was a wonderful actress.
It was around 20 minutes later when she sat back down again.
"Sorry." She picked up her coffee mug and drank the remnants in one gulp.
"Anything interesting?"
"Just running an idea passed me before going to McKay."
John sighed, thinking of the dream again.
"Anything the matter?" He looked into Elizabeth's eyes; there was definitely concern there.
"I, I just wondered if you wanted to join me on my morning stroll around the city?"
"Sure. One minute." Picking up the trays and cups, she went and placed them for washing. John got up slowly, waiting for her to return.
'Tell her. You'll feel better telling someone. And she's least likely to laugh at you.' John tired to ignore the voice in his head, but he knew it was right.
"If something's the matter, you can always talk to me John." It was his turn not to have noticed someone walking up to him.
"It's nothing. Come on."
Elizabeth sighed as they left the mess hall, "Major Sheppard, there is one thing I don't understand?"
"What?" He looked at her, a little bemused,
"If you are up this early, how are you always late to briefings?"