Thanks for reviewing. Glad you were still interested in the story. I've been reading some fics with Siege Part 3 spoilers and I'm getting very excited. Roll on September! Also peepz have written that Weir and Sheppard hug, do they? If you don't want to reveal the answer in a review please email me coz I really want to know! Anihoo, on I go.

Chapter 8

1 Week later.

"Doc I'm fine!" John mumbled trying to speak despite a glass thermometer sticking out of his mouth.

"Humor me!" Carson snapped getting annoyed while taking the pilot's blood pressure.

"Three men walk into a bar-"

"Jesus lad, it wiz nae a challenge!" The medic cried exasperated and yanked the thermometer out of his smirking patient. "Well everything looks fine."

John rolled his eyes and jumped off the bed. "Exactly what I said!"

"Feel free to show me yir qualified medical certificate anytime Colonel. Another week off active duty I think. Now scram before I get a big needle!"

The officer didn't need telling twice and practically ran out of the infirmary scowling at the thought of spending more time hanging around with nothing to do. John pushed away the nagging thought that that wasn't the whole truth since if he popped into the control tower he would be able to find something to do. But going near the command center meant speaking with Elizabeth, something John was not ready for.

She had not made the effort to see him so he did the same and kept himself occupied with reading 'War and Peace' and bugging McKay. He did feel bad however knowing that Caldwell and Weir had a lot on their plates and could use someone to help out.

Feeling the guilt rise in him he swallowed hard and made his way to the main tower deciding it was time to just get it over with. But as the Colonel stepped in the transporter he found himself directing the lift to lab section where McKay would no doubt be. He mentally scolded himself for whimping out and made his way to the head scientist's lab. Even from the lab he could hear the astrophysicist's rants.

"I asked you to devise a new system that would regulate the power flow not evaporate the entire city!"

Approaching the doorway John heard a small female voice stuttering her apologies whilst offering to make her boss a coffee and sandwich.

"Adjust this and this, move that, sugar no milk, ham and cheese, now go!" Rodney ordered and let out a huge, frustrated sigh just as John entered the lab. He managed to just jump out of the young Korean scientist's way as she shuffled past him fiddling with some papers and her large black glasses.

When Rodney saw John he let out a loud groan and threw his hands up in the air. "Yet another interruption! What do you want this time Colonel?"

John shrugged as he picked up a silver slate with Ancient writing on it. "Oh, nothing. Just bored. Hey!" He cried when Rodney snatched the device from his hands.

"My lab is not a toy shop!" Glaring at John he asked, "Why don't you see if there is anything productive to do for Caldwell?"

Waving off his suggestion Sheppard found another relic, which was yet again pinched out of his grasp. Keeping his voice light he replied, "Off active duty remember?"

"I'm sure you could be doing paper work or helping Elizabeth do hers-" Rodney paused realizing why the man before him was so reluctant to visit HQ. "Oh! Still avoiding her eh?"

Frowning John retorted, "I am not avoidingher. She's been avoiding me!"

"I bet she hasn't even thought about you this week Colonel!"

"Gee, thanks Rodney!"

"No," McKay replied rolling his eyes. "I mean she's been snowed under with paper work whilst trying to negotiate a food trade with our new allies. I know for a fact that Beckett's fuming with her for not eating right this week and almost relieved her of command."

John stared shocked at this new information and immediately felt his guilt return ten fold. She's been too busy to visit! "Yeah, well, we didn't exactly leave on the best of terms McKay." Although the scientist didn't know the specific details of Elizabeth and his last encounter it was pretty obvious it hadn't been pleasant.

Shrugging whilst returning to his computer McKay muttered, "Well maybe she's not so angry anymore."

"Maybe-" John paused. "Hold it! You know something don't you?" When the man before him did not reply he said, "McKay?"

Biting his lip he turned to face his questioner and rubbed his hands together nervously. "Um, I may have talked with Elizabeth yesterday but it was nothing really-"

John sighed. "Man you have a crap poker face Rodney. Just tell me!" He said in a slightly louder and more intimidating voice that he knew always scared his teammate.

"I found Elizabeth upset on the balcony last night and when I asked her about it she said she felt terrible for leaving things the way she had with you and that she couldn't concentrate on anything." Rodney revealed watching the Colonel carefully. "She said she had still been angry with you and…let's just say she regrets what she said." He finished clearly embarrassed to be talking about feelings.

John nodded slowly taking in this new information. At first he felt deliriously happy that he still had a chance with Elizabeth but then this feeling dissolved into one of confusion. What should he do now? Go to her and…what? Talk, kiss her, hug her? What if she wasn't ready to talk to him yet? Maybe he should give her time but he knew he couldn't wait any longer to know how she really felt.

Ignoring Rodney's expectant look John simply nodded again and wandered out of the lab much to his friend's annoyance. Running to the door he yelled, "Don't tell her I told you! Ok? Sheppard?"

Still ignoring him Sheppard made his way back to the transporter and though out his plan of action. With any luck he would a much happier man tomorrow morning.

A/N: ok just a wee filler before what I think will be the last chapter. I love writing McKay and Carson. They are just great ain't they? Just finished the new Harry Potter book to day and OMG! It was so amazing! Can't believe I now have to wait for the new seasons and the next HP book, waiting sucks! Please r'n'r. Taa!