This is the final chapter of 'Atlantis Games'….thanks so much for all the reviews, it really has encouraged me. It's been nice to see some familiar names from the forums reviewing this story, thank you all for your support and constructive feedback.

Once again, I own nothing to do with SGA (more's the pity). Also thanks to Annie my beloved beta.

This chapter has turned out shippier than the other two….you have been warned.

Enjoy.

Chapter 3

In all honesty, Elizabeth thought to herself as she made her way back to her office, she couldn't actually remember her elbow smashing into the Major's nose, she remembered wanting to teach him a lesson….everything after that was a blur of black hair, snarling teeth and an aggressive streak she didn't quite recognise in herself.

She sat down at her desk with a sigh and grimaced at the amount of paperwork that greeted her. It would take her hours to catch up and to make matters worse, thanks to her 'shep-whumping'(as Rodney had called it), Holling in his capacity as competition adjudicator had been forced to disqualify 'the pink ladies' from the Games and 'Team Sheppard' had won by default.

She threw her palm pilot onto the desk top in disgust and checked her watch, he really should be here by now , it was their evening ritual and after today's public fist fight she could really do with a coffee; but Elizabeth had a nagging suspicion that it wasn't just the caffeine fix she was missing.

She chewed on her lip, alarmed at her reliance on his company.

Oh to hell with it Beth, don't be a wuss!

She cleared her throat and tapped her earpiece twice "Major Sheppard."

That's good, you sound confident, professional……

"Dr Weir" he acknowledged drowsily, his voice crackling over the intercom.

Oh hell, he's in bed……

Visions of the Major pleasantly rumpled from slumber flew into her mind, catching her off guard and causing her to smile just a little.

"Could you report to the mess hall please" she hurried.

There were a few moments of silence and Elizabeth unconsciously held her breath.

"On my way."

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John absently waved his hand over the control panel. Smothering a yawn, he exited his quarters and made his way towards the mess hall, intentionally bypassing the control room and recreational areas….in fact avoiding anywhere he would have contact with……..…well…..…anyone.

He walked through the designated guest area and smiled affectionately as he heard Jinto's laughter. Atlantis had been so quiet since the Athosian's had left for the mainland and it was nice to have them back, even if it was only for a few days.

"Take that you Wraith scum-sucker!"

The echo of sticks slapping together caused John a momentary flashback to earlier in the day and he shuddered. Grimacing at the boy's colourful vocabulary, John counted the boy lucky that Holling wasn't around to witness his son's cursing. Ford should really stop swearing around the kids…

"Jinto, when is it my turn?" another voice wailed.

"Not yet Mayla" Jinto replied sternly.

"But I want to be…"

John grinned and puffed out his chest, hero worship just never got old.

"…..Dr Weir!"

Sheppard stopped in his tracks. Excuse me?……. For crying out loud, even the Athosian kids thought he was a wimp!

Shrugging off his dented pride, John passed through the doors to the mess hall narrowly avoiding Jinto and his playmate running into the corridor wielding sticks and wearing 'Fear the Weir' T-Shirts (McKay's handy-work again). He scanned the room and was relieved to note that it was deserted apart from the lone figure in the corner, cradling two mugs of steaming coffee.

"Dr Weir" he acknowledged her with a curt nod "you wanted to see me?"

"Yes Major" Elizabeth replied, wincing at the large purple bruise across his face.

"Please sit down" she added gesturing to the seat opposite her.

The silence was unbearable and Elizabeth cleared her throat nervously.

"I thought I should reciprocate and get you a coffee tonight" she attempted a smile and slid the mug across the table, noticing that he waited for her to let go before he grasped the handle.

He said nothing but took a sip of his coffee, hiding a smirk………..She was trying to make up with him, and he wasn't about to make it easy for her.

"I thought we should clear the air before our briefing tomorrow morning" Elizabeth explained.

Sheppard remained silent, enjoying her discomfort.

"For god's sake John, will you just say something!"

Elizabeth's temper flared and John's lips twitched.

"Don't you dare laugh at me…….Jonathan Ernest Sheppard."

John's eyes narrowed ominously and he stood, slopping his coffee onto the table top.

"How the hell did you know that?" he scowled.

"You forget that I've read your file, Major" she replied, standing and crossing her arms defensively. "I was just saving that particular piece of information for the right moment."

"If this gets out Elizabeth….!" he warned.

"You'll what Ernie?" she taunted, "Get your mate Bert to come through the Stargate and kick my ass? Elizabeth paused, and added under her breath "Since it's perfectly obvious you can't do that by yourself.."

Sheppard spread his hands on the table in front of him and leaned closer, a devilish glint in his eye.

"If this gets out Elizabeth, I'll make it my mission in life to inform everyone in the Pegasus Galaxy about snoopy!"

Realisation hit, Elizabeth's face fell and she pulled away from him "How did you….?"

John raised his eyebrows and let his gaze drift suggestively down her body, coming to rest on the top of her trouser clad thigh, leaving no doubt in Elizabeth's mind that he'd seen the one visible symbol of her short-lived teenage rebellion……

The sight of a tattoo on her thigh had thrown him completely off balance during their fight. Suddenly his childhood love of Charlie Brown took on a whole new meaning.

"Oh crap!" her cheeks flushed crimson and she closed her eyes, wishing Teyla hadn't insisted on her donning traditional Athosian combat gear for their sparring session.

John was quiet for a moment, allowing her to fully appreciate that her secret was now his too. "I'm sure we can come to a mutual understanding that will protect both our interests, Elizabeth."

Momentarily phased by his provocative tone she opened her eyes warily and met John's amused gaze with her own.

"I'm sure we can……… John." she agreed, raising a customary eyebrow at him.

For once he had to agree with McKay……..Dr Weir was hot when she was angry!

The End

Well that's it …..hope you enjoyed my first attempt at an SGA story. I'm toying with a few ideas for other fics (I can't write angst so won't even try and I think its only fair that I give the guys a break for some humour amidst their battles with the bad guys - don't you?)

Reviews, as always are what inspire.