Thankies again to the nice reviewers. I would like to say, there are probably going to be a few scenes on balconies, hence the chapter title.

Chapter 4:Balcony scene, Mark 1

Down one corridor. Then another. Then another. Everything was sort of starting to blur to Sheppard. People sped past. Voices echoed.

"Watch it!"

"Doctor!"

"Major!"

"Sorry!" That was Elizabeth, he knew that much. She was a very fast runner. And had some stamina.

Then, all of a sudden, they stopped.

They were in an empty corridor. At one side there was a huge window, brightly coloured glass illuminating patterns across the opposite wall. Elizabeth was smiling, bathed in a sort of pink glow at the moment. He smiled.

"Where are we?"

"Somewhere in Atlantis. Don't panic. I know the way back to civilisation." She smirked at him, and turned back down the corridor.

He watched her as she walked away. He was curious. How did she know exactly where to go? He certainly didn't recognise this part of the city. Then again, he went off world. She didn't. Probably had some spare time. At the end of the corridor, she hit a button and a door slid back.

"Coming?" She didn't even need to turn around. She could here his boots dragging behind her. 'Always a positive sign', she thought to herself. She sighed; sarcasm was more Rodney's department.

Stepping out into the bright sunshine and soft breeze, Elizabeth instantly felt more awake. Sort of more alive. That was why she loved coming out onto the balconies. For a while, at least, she was free.

"Nice. Very nice. When did you find this place?" Sheppard moved across to lean on the balcony rail next to her.

"A few weeks ago. I keep having to find new ones, because someone finds the one I'm using eventually. Then everyone has a question or problem."

"It's called being the leader."

"Really?"

"You know, you should leave the sarcasm to the professionals. You sound weird saying it."

She turned to glare at him.

"Anyone in particular?"

"You're doing it again. And Rodney."

Then John remembered why he'd followed her, to tell her what had happened in his dream.

"Erm. There's something I want to talk to you about."

"Oh. Sounds ominous."

He looked at her. She looked worried.

"It's nothing big. I just had a bit of a weird dream last night."

"So that's why you're tired. Took long enough to find out didn't it." She smiled. He smiled too. "So, what happened, or are you going to leave it at that."

"It…it was about Rodney."

Elizabeth started to laugh, and then clapped her hand across her mouth.

"Sorry." She mumbled through her hand. She took it away, biting her lip.

"I didn't think you'd laugh."

"Really, I'm sorry. But a statement like that, it just sounded a bit suspicious."

He looked at her with one eyebrow raised. 'So,' he mused, 'Doctor Weir has more of a dirty mind than I realised.' He smirked at her. She merely smiled. That wicked little grin again.

"Nothing like that Doctor Weir!" He made sure to emphasise her name.

"Of course. Please, continue."

So, John told her what had happened, right up to him waking up. He would have continued, but that would have meant he would have said something about falling out of bed. That would just be humiliating. Especially as Elizabeth was in a very devious mood.

Not now though. She was in a very thoughtful mood. Leaning on the balcony, her eyes were closed.

"I have no idea what that means. Maybe you should go talk to Rodney instead."

He nodded his head, looking out over the sea.

"Well, I'll need a guide to get to his lab, I think. Help?"

She turned, her eyes gleaming.

"A man, asking for directions? That sounds strange. I'll have to tell someone about this."

She walked away, not before flashing him a sly smile. 'Her mind was definitely taking a day off, or something.' John thought. And once again, all he could do was follow her.