A/N – I hadn't planned on adding any chapters to my original story, but a few
people wanted to know who was picked (see Chapter 1). I still haven't
decided myself, so I guess we'll all have to wait and see. Thanks for all your reviews and input. KKG
The Choice
Chapter 2
The morning meeting was coming to a close, and Elizabeth stifled a yawn. She sat in the conference room, listening as Carson Beckett, the chief medical officer of Atlantis, gave an update on the status of the infirmary. Normally, she enjoyed listening to Carson; he had a wonderfully dry sense of humor, not to mention that charming Scottish accent. But today, she was worried. She gravely eyed Colonel Sheppard, who was in his customary seat directly to her right. He had arrived late this morning, dark circles ringing his eyes, his hair beyond messy. He had sat down, barely acknowledging her existence, let alone anyone else's, and sat glumly sipping a cup of tepid coffee.
This wasn't good. John Sheppard was normally a buoyant, happy-go-lucky kind of guy, who managed to make wry little jokes even when they were under attack by hordes of Wraith. That he sat so still and cold, apparently ignoring everyone around him, caused a flutter of concern to course through Elizabeth.
Dr. Beckett finished delivering his report, then sat down. Next to him, Rodney was impatiently drumming his fingers on the table, and Elizabeth had to bite back a smile. She and the physicist were scheduled to go off-world later on that day, hoping to establish a better trade agreement with a galactic neighbor.
"Is that it?" Elizabeth glanced around the room, her gaze stopping at John, who still seemed lost in his own thoughts.
"Okay, well thanks everyone. See you next Monday." Elizabeth remained seated as the rest of the senior staff rose from their chairs and, in groups of two or three, exited the conference room.
"Dr. Weir?" Rodney rose from his seat and approached the expedition leader. If he noticed that John remained seated, the Colonel's green eyes focused on the table top, he made no mention of it.
"Yes, Rodney?" Elizabeth looked at the scientist, her sharp eyes taking in the tell-tale signs of excitement that the physicist barely tried to hide. A small smile danced around Rodney's normally frowning mouth, and his blue eyes held a glimmer of enthusiasm. Reports from P2X966 had indicated an abundance of a fairly rare mineral, and Rodney was itching to investigate. Elizabeth returned his smile, already knowing his question.
"Two o'clock, right?" Rodney asked, and Elizabeth nodded her head.
"Yes. Major Lorne and his team will be escorting us to P2X-966. I have a couple of things that I have to do first, but then we can go…." Elizabeth was cut off as John suddenly slammed both hands on the table, and rose to his feet.
"NO!" Tension radiated from the Colonel as he glared Elizabeth and Rodney, and the scientist resisted the urge to step back. John was his friend; the Colonel would never do anything to hurt either Elizabeth or himself. Still, Rodney was shocked at the heated look the Colonel shot at the both of them.
"Excuse me, Colonel?" Elizabeth's voice had a sharp edge to it, and Rodney flinched. Usually he was on the receiving end of Dr. Weir's anger. While it was refreshing to have her ire directed at someone else, he still grimaced at her tone.
John paused, taking several deep breaths. Then, in a controlled tone, he replied, "I said no. Neither of you are going anywhere."
"The last time I checked, Colonel Sheppard, I didn't have to get your permission to leave Atlantis." Elizabeth's words were clipped and ragged, and Rodney frantically tried to send John a silent warning, waving his hands behind the leader's head. John ignored Rodney, keeping his own glare focused on Elizabeth. She returned his gaze coolly, waiting for an answer.
A few frigid moments passed between the two, then John reached down and keyed his comm.
"Major Lorne? This is Sheppard. Under absolutely no circumstances are Dr. Weir or Dr. McKay to leave the city until further notice. Is that understood?" Elizabeth and Rodney opened their mouths to protest, interrupted by the confused voice of Major Lorne.
"Sir? We were scheduled to go off-world this afternoon. Dr. Weir has a trade meeting…" Lorne got no further. Rodney had stepped forward, his bewilderment transforming into anger.
"Now, wait just a minute, Sheppard!"
"Colonel! Under whose authority are you making these orders?" Elizabeth had planted her hands on her hips, her face dangerous.
John held the angry looks of Elizabeth and Rodney as they voiced their own dismay. Memories of his nightmare echoed through his brain, and he closed his eyes for a brief moment. The two of them abruptly quieted as pain flowed across John's face.
"John? What's going on?" Elizabeth reached out and placed a warm hand on his arm, her anger transforming into concern. Rodney froze as John shrugged off Elizabeth's touch.
"I can't…I can't tell you. But neither of you are to leave Atlantis, at all, for any reason whatsoever. If you disobey me, I'll throw you both in the brig. Am I making myself clear?" John's tone was firm, and without waiting for an answer, he stalked from the room, leaving Rodney and Elizabeth to gaze at each other in bewilderment.
"Can he do that?" Rodney asked. Elizabeth was staring at the door where Sheppard had disappeared, a frown on her beautiful features. She folded her arms across her chest, her hazel eyes worried.
"No. But more importantly, why would he want to?" Elizabeth asked softly. Rodney, his face troubled, gave a shrug of his shoulders, then plodded out of the room.
"What is going on, John?" Elizabeth whispered softly.
TBC