Hmm. What's this? Well, it looks like an update. It smells like an update. It tastes like a computer. Hey it must be an update! Anyway, I'm back to school tomorrow, so updates may not be as regular, but I'll try, Also, any readers of any of my other stories, take note, there will be no more updates till this is finished. Which could take a while.
On to the update. We have Kavaunagh! If any part of this seems OOC, sorry, I just wanted a decent excuse to get someone to hit Kavaunagh. Thank you for the lovely reviews, and as to if John tells Elizabeth…read on and find out.

Chapter 21:Balcony Scene Mark 3

Elizabeth was enjoying the early morning sunshine in peace on the balcony. There was an ambassador coming to the city today to discuss a treaty. On the planet in question, it was customary for ambassadors from both sides to meet the leaders of the other on their home world. Though many weren't happy with the idea of someone unknown coming to the city, they didn't have much choice. They needed allies and supplies, and both were in short supply at the moment. So, in a while Elizabeth would be meeting with the ambassador and trying to forge a deal. It felt good to know that for once she would be doing her job of being a diplomat instead of trying to talk her way out of a hostage situation. Thoughts of the last set of people to come to the city made her shudder slightly.

It was at this point that the doors slid open. Elizabeth sighed and turned to face whoever it was.

"Well, I guess I can't hide out her anymore"

Instead of finding herself face to face with some technician or scientist, she found herself face to face with a very troubled Major Sheppard. He wasn't paying attention at all.

"John. What are you doing all the way out here?"

Suddenly, it hit Sheppard who was in front of him. He took a step back, ready to run again. He tried to look up at her, but all he could see was her dead twisted face. The scream seemed to echo around him.

"John? Is there something the matter?"

He continued to move back, swallowing his fear. Then he realised that he was stuck. The door had shut behind him.

Elizabeth moved down till she was right in front of him. He looked terrified. She reached out slowly and laid a hand gently on his arm. Part of her expected him to hit it away. But he didn't. He looked at her hand, then at her. He let out a sigh and relaxed a little.

"What to explain what that was about?"

Instead of answering her, John pushed past her and moved to the balcony railing. Leaning on it, he breathed in and out deeply before turning to her.

"I-I-I-I just…It's just that…"

'I made a vow.' That's what he'd said to Rodney. He'd promised. He'd promised her.

"John, have you had another dream?"

There it was. The one question he didn't want her to ask. He could tell the truth, and break his vow. Or he could lie, and keep his vow intact.

"No."

She looked at him uncertainly for a moment, and then smiled.

"Good. You had me worried there."

John smiled back, wondering if he'd done the right thing. Elizabeth moved across next to him. Reaching out, she placed her hand on top of his.

"You would tell me if you had, right?"

"Of course."

'Stop lying! Tell her the truth!' John thoughts were screaming so many different messages at him.

'Stay calm.'

'Leave. Leave now.'

'You're a fool John.'

He looked at her again. She looked so calm and peaceful. He had to save her now.

The doors slid open again.

"Oh please. I'm not interrupting something am I?"

Both turned to find Kavaunagh staring at them. His arms were folded and he looked very unhappy.

"No, I was merely speaking to major Sheppard."

"And that involves you holding his hand?"

Elizabeth stared at him stunned. What was he thinking?

"I was not holding his hand."

"Of course you weren't." The sarcasm was barely disguised.

John couldn't believe it. He'd already hit one guy; he was about ready to do it again. He started forward but Elizabeth grabbed his arm.

"John!"

"That's right. Listen to her. After all, she is charge."

The disgust in his voice made John want to hit him even more. Elizabeth stepped forward till she was level with Kavaunagh.

"What are you doing here?"

"I was nearby, so they sent me to tell you that the ambassador is arriving soon. Though I don't appreciate being treated as a messenger."

"We all have to do jobs we don't want to do, it's the way things work out here."

Elizabeth turned away from him to ask John if he was coming when Kavaunagh spoke again.

"Yes well, I don't want to have to work under your rule, but I don't have much choice."

"Yes you do." Elizabeth spun to face him angrily. "I've told you before, we can dump you on some planet somewhere. I'm sure there'd be no objections."

Kavaunagh wasn't happy.

"Well, I'd like to see how many objections we'd get to dumping you on a planet somewhere. Maybe the Genii are offering a reward for you. We could use some money. I'm sure they'd find some use for you. A pretty woman like you, I'm sure the men there would like you."

Kavaunagh's face was a twisted leer.

Elizabeth had had enough of him.

With no warning, she lashed out and hit him across the face.

Hard.

His glasses fell to the floor and smashed. He clutched his face as he realised his nose was bleeding.

"You little bitch." He took the opportunity to lunge at her, but John stepped in and grabbed him.

"I suggest you don't do that. I believe if word gets out about what you said, a lot of people are going to be very, very angry with you. And no one's going to protect you. So I suggest you take your glasses and leave. I mean, how's it going to look when people find out you've been hit by a girl?"

Kavaunagh glared at John, but said nothing. Reaching down, he grabbed his glasses and stormed off. But not before giving the pair of them the dirtiest look he could muster.

"That wasn't like you."

"I guess I'm just stressed out at the moment with everything that's going on. I'll be glad when I can relax. Anyway, you would have hit him too if I hadn't stopped you."

"I've already hit one bloke for insulting you, I guess it was time for you to stand up for yourself."

Elizabeth shook her head and rolled her eyes. Stepping out of the doorway, she looked at him.

"Coming?"

"Sure."

With that, he stepped out too and they both headed for a transporter ready to meet the ambassador.

What john didn't know was that he was about to get the fright of his life.