Leaving the balcony the two returned to their quarters. Snuggled together on the couch John rubbed Elizabeth's back soothing her to sleep. A short time later Kate and Lucas quietly entered the room.
"Hey." John greeted softly, turning his head towards the door when he heard it open.
"Is she OK?" Lucas questioned as he moved around to the front of the couch.
"She's fine, just resting." John assured, gently shifting himself and Elizabeth slightly so that Lucas could sit on the edge of the couch.
"You're sure she's OK?" Lucas carefully sat on the couch, gently taking hold of one of Elizabeth's hands.
"I'm fine, stop worrying." Elizabeth spoke up sleepily, giving Lucas' hand a squeeze. "Did you have fun."
"Yes, Kate took me to lot's of places. She showed where hers and Rodney's quarters are so we could visit anytime. And she showed me some of the gardens, also she showed me some of the class rooms and..." Lucas paused when he noticed the amused look on his mother's face.
"Sounds like you had a good time." Elizabeth sat up, shaking her head slightly. As happy as she was to see Atlantis thriving, it still seemed wrong in some ways for the city to be so full of life.
The last time she'd been in the city it had only been the military and scientists living there, only a fraction of the city had been explored, they were still relying on the Daedalus for supplies, and the Stargate wasn't public knowledge. But know all kinds of people were living in Atlantis. There were schools, a variety of stores, parks - Atlantis was a thriving metropolis.
The Athosians were still living on the Mainland along with several people from Earth and other worlds who had chosen to build homes there - small communities were appearing all over the Mainland. And to top it all off the Wraith had more or less been defeated and were no longer a threat.
"If you're up to it, I thought we might do a little shopping." Kate's voice brought Elizabeth out of her thoughts. "Get some clothing for you and Lucas as well a few other things."
"Let me wake up a little more and then we'll see what we can do." Elizabeth stood up and stretched, looking down at Lucas. "I think some new clothes would do us some good. And then you can tell all about you and Rodney."
Sitting up John grimaced, pulling Lucas up to sit on his lap wrapping his arms around Lucas in an exaggerated manner, "Come on hasn't the kid been though enough? It's bad enough that you're going to drag him shopping but do you have to throw in the girl talk? I mean hell that's gotta be every guys worst nightmare."
"You should probably be making a visit up to the Command Center." Kate turned her attention to John, choosing to let his last comment go for the time being.
"That your not so subtle way of saying Daniel wants to have a little chat?" After many failed attempts Daniel had finally managed to make it to Atlantis - he'd had to agree to be in charge of the place, but he made it.
"Well considering that from the moment you stepped foot through the gate from Earth till now you have yet to officially report in, what do you think?"
"Hey can I help it if I have a one track mind, that I'm very focused?" John defended himself as he stood up, setting Lucas back down.
"You'd think you'd know better by now, you never mess with the boss. And I thought I'd trained you better." Elizabeth joked, giving John a kiss on the cheek.
"Ha, ha very funny." John kissed Elizabeth back. "Now if you'll excuse me."
Later Elizabeth stood in front of the mirror in her bedroom studying her reflection. A movement off to the side caught her attention. "Hey" She greeted John who stood leaning in the door way.
"Hey yourself." John moved from the door way over to Elizabeth sliding his arms around her waist. "Sorry I was gone so long, but you know Daniel, he can go on and on forever. You'd think after all these years of knowing Rodney I'd be used to it by now."
"I understand." Elizabeth managed a small smile before returning her gaze back to her reflection. "We used the time to get some clothes and things as wells as get settled in a little more. Lucas is still in a bit of shock."
"I think we all are." John didn't miss the way Elizabeth was staring at her refection. "You're beautiful, always have been, always will." He kissed Elizabeth's cheek.
"I look old." Elizabeth sighed.
"Old?" John let out a soft snort, "Hardly."
"Look at me John," She turned to face John. "I mean really look-."
"I have believe me I've looked and I'm looking at the extremely smart, beautiful, and talented woman that I am madly in love with." John tightened his hold resting his forehead against Elizabeth's. "I'm looking at the mother of my child, the woman who raised and protected our child under difficult circumstances. The woman I love more than I ever thought I possibly could anyone."
"What did I ever do to deserve you?" Leaning forward Elizabeth kissed John lightly then rested her head on his shoulder.
"I'm the one who should be asking that question." John ran a caring hand through Elizabeth's hair. "Have you eaten?"
"I'm fine-." Elizabeth started.
"Have you eaten?" John pulled back just enough to look Elizabeth in the eyes.
Elizabeth sighed, "No."
"Come on then." Turning he led Elizabeth out of the bedroom towards the kitchen area.
"Can you fix something, while I check on Lucas real quick?" Seeing John nod Elizabeth crossed over to the other bedroom and poked her head into the room. When Lucas turned over to face the door Elizabeth moved further into the room, "Everything OK?"
Lucas sat up shifting over as Elizabeth sat down on the edge of the bed, "Yeah, I just couldn't sleep."
"Aren't you tired?" Elizabeth gently stroked a soothing hand through Lucas' hair. "You've had a long day."
"Mom...would you sing 'In my Life'?" When Elizabeth nodded Lucas snuggled back down into his covers listening as Elizabeth began to sing softly. Elizabeth always sang to Lucas whenever he had trouble sleeping.
When Lucas finally drifted off to sleep Elizabeth carefully stood up, tucking the covers around Lucas. Turning she wasn't surprised to find a smirking John standing in the doorway.
"I'm shocked you actually singing a country song, and a Johnny Cash song at that. " John teased as he led Elizabeth over to the couch.
"Don't get used to it, I'd still much rather listen to Jazz music than Country, but that particular song does hold a special place in my heart." Elizabeth excepted the mug John handed her.
"I remember, it took me forever to pick just the right song for that night I proposed."
Taking a sip from the mug Elizabeth sighed in content. "Mmm...Athosian tea, it's been way too long."
"I thought you'd like that." John sank down next to Elizabeth, taking the mug from her while handing her the bowl of soup that had been sitting on the coffee table.
Elizabeth drew her legs up and curled into John, "This is perfect."
"Good," John smiled, nudging Elizabeth with his elbow slightly. "Now eat."
"I am." Elizabeth chuckled softly then fell silent as she finished the bowl of soup. "So what'd Daniel have to say."
"Not much, he just gave me a half hearted lecture about following procedure. I think it was mostly just for show, he couldn't have the underlings thinking he was playing favorites. After that he told me about a message he'd gotten from the SGC."
"Let me guess it was about me." Elizabeth sat up, placing her empty bowl on the coffee table. "They want to debrief me, right?" John nodded his head, "And Lucas?"
"They'd like to speak with him as well. Not an official debriefing, but he did grow up there..." John hesitated knowing Elizabeth wasn't going to like the next part. "They want to speak to him without you there."
"No!" Elizabeth shook her head standing up and pacing. "I won't put him through that."
"Liz," John stood catching Elizabeth's hand stopping her pacing. "As much as I hate to say it they do need to speak with him, with both of you. Lucas won't be alone, I'll be there with him and I managed to talk them into letting Kate be there too. We won't let anything happen to him, I promise."
"But-."
"Hey look at me," John gently cupped Elizabeth's face. "He's my son too and I won't let anything happen to him I swear."
Elizabeth nodded slowly, still not completely happy about the whole thing, "When do they...?"
"We're expected back on Earth by the end the week."
"And after that? What happens next?"
"That's up to you. If you want your old job back I think something could be worked out, I'm sure Daniel could be persuaded to share, I don't think all of the powers gone to his head yet. Or if you want you can take a job back on Earth." Pressed a loving kiss to Elizabeth's forehead. "It's your decision, whatever you decide I'll support it."
"I don't know what I want to do. My first instinct is to just go somewhere and hide away."
"Don't worry about it tonight, there will be plenty of time to decided later. Right now I think our first priority is to make sure that Lucas is comfortable with both me and Kate so we can get him through the next few days."
"No at the moment our first priority is to get some sleep." Elizabeth let out a yawn, "And then we can worry about everything else." Pulling John with her Elizabeth started towards the bed room.