Three days later Elizabeth found herself stepping through the Stargate back to Earth along with Lucas, John, Kate, and Rodney - who had marched into Daniel's office declared he was taking a vacation and then marched right back out giving Daniel no choice but to approve the vacation time. Unfortunately as much as they'd wanted to, Aiden and Teyla had been unable to join the group. Being head of the military on Atlantis, Aiden wasn't able to get away from his duties, and Teyla was busy on the Mainland helping her people with harvesting and re-planting of their crops. Carson would be joining the group after he finished tying up some things in Atlantis.
Stepping out of the Stargate Elizabeth had been surprised to see that the gate was no longer under Cheyenne Mountain. She'd know that the Stargate had been public knowledge for about six years now, but it was still strange to see the Stargate more or less out in the open residing in the new SGC that had been rebuilt above ground (think SG-1 episode '2010').
Emerging from one of the conference rooms where'd she'd been most of the time since arriving on Earth earlier that day, Elizabeth smiled as she spotted Kate. "They're done with me for the day. I'm to report back here tomorrow at nine."
"Did they give you the chance to take any breaks?" Kate questioned falling into step with Elizabeth. "You were in there for hours."
"They wanted a lot of information," Elizabeth shrugged. "The sooner I give it to them the sooner they leave me alone."
"In other words you chose not to take any breaks." Kate sighed, "Elizabeth you know better than that."
"Yes I know alright, but the fact of the matter is the quicker I'm done here the quicker I can get back to my life and the better off I'll be." Pushing through the outer door Elizabeth lifted her face towards the setting sun and let out a long sigh, "They want to see Lucas the day after tomorrow."
"We've been through this, he won't be alone, both John and I will be there. For right now I suggest we forget about everything to do with the SGC and get going, John and Lucas are waiting back at the house and I'm sure they're both anxious to see you."
"Are you and Rodney staying with us?" Elizabeth asked absently as she glanced around the parking lot they were crossing.
"As if John or Rodney would have it any other way. I find it amusing how quickly Lucas had Rodney wrapped around his finger considering Rodney's uneasiness around most children." Kate smiled as she indicated a car parked at the curb. With a final look around the area Elizabeth got into the car as Kate moved around to the driver's side.
Slumping into her seat Elizabeth watched the passing scenery as Kate pulled out onto the road, heading for John's house. "Things haven't changed much."
"Where you expecting them to?" Kate glanced in Elizabeth's direction.
"To be honest, I don't know what I was expecting. I was too busy trying to keep Lucas and myself safe and alive to really think about what it would be like if I ever got home." Elizabeth confessed, getting a far off look in her eyes.
"So was the debriefing as bad as you thought it would be?" Kate decided it would be a good idea to change the subject for the moment.
"No," Elizabeth admitted softly as she turned to look at Kate. "They seemed a bit cautious and it was starting to get frustrating answering the same questions over and over, just worded differently."
"They can be annoying at times." Kate turned off the main road onto a narrow lane.
"They want me to report for a more complete medical work up than what I've already had tomorrow afternoon...psychological too." Elizabeth returned her attention to the passing scenery. After watching the trees go by in silence for a few more minutes, Elizabeth sighed, "Is O'Mally's still around?"
"It was last time I was here."
"I'd like all of us to go there for dinner tomorrow." Elizabeth turned back to Kate.
"I don't think the guys will have a problem with that." Kate slowed the car near a turnoff. "We can meet the guys there after your physical."
"I'd like that." Blinking Elizabeth gazed at the house they were approaching "Is this it?"
"Sure is. You have to handed it to John he does have taste."
"It's beautiful." Elizabeth murmured as the car pulled to a stop at the top of a hill in front of cozy looking two-story house with stone siding and a beautiful view of a lake below.
"This is the only house out this direction so there's plenty of privacy. Nobodies supposed to know you're here, but you know the media, so just to be on the safe side a security perimeter has been set up and John's taken care of a monitoring service." Kate noticed the door to the house open and Lucas peek out. "I'll see you later, I have to go find Rodney and drag him out of whatever labs he's holed himself up in over at the Academy. The mans supposed to be on vacation, but does he act like it? Of course not."
"Kate," Elizabeth faced the other woman. "Thanks for being there for me today."
"It's was no problem and remember I'm here any time you need me." Kate smiled.
"I know and I appreciate it." Elizabeth gave a small smile as she got out of the car. A moment later she was being pulled into the house by Lucas. "Well hello to you too."
"Dad took me to the lake today and taught me how to swim." Lucas skidded to a halt in the living room.
"He did, did he?" Elizabeth couldn't help grinning at Lucas' excitement. "Speaking of which where is your dad?"
"Right here," John spoke entering the room.
"Hello," Elizabeth easily slid into John's arms. "I missed you."
"And I missed you." John kissed Elizabeth. "So how bad?"
"Not too bad, just long and boring. I'll tell you about it later." Elizabeth kissed John back. "I hear you've been teaching Lucas how to swim."
"Yeah so what if I have, what are you gonna do about it?" John joked, stepping back slightly a mock glare of defiance on his face. After getting the desired smile from Elizabeth, John took her hand and led her to the dinning room, Lucas trailing behind them. "I hope you guys are hungry."
"You cooked?" Elizabeth teased in exaggerated shock.
"Yes I cooked. I'm a very good cook thank you very much." John raised a playful eyebrow.
Sliding into a chair Elizabeth felt her mouth start to water at the sight and smell of the food in front of her. "I suggested to Kate that we might go out to O'Mally's tomorrow after I finish up at the SGC."
"That's a good idea." John sat down in his own chair.
"You have to be interrogated again." Frowning Lucas spoke up from where he sat next to Elizabeth.
"It's not an interrogation." Elizabeth gently took Lucas' hand in hers. "Some people just have lots of questions for me since I've been gone for so long. Remember we talked about this with Kate."
"And she and dad will be with me when those people ask me questions." Lucas nodded slowly, "And I don't have to answer anything I don't want to."
"That's right." John replied, "And they can't make you."
"Because you won't let them." Lucas finished decisively.
"Correct." Elizabeth smiled. "So what else have you two been up to today?"
Later that night John woke up to the familiar sound of Elizabeth whimpering softly as she moved restlessly. Lifting himself up on one elbow John gazed down at Elizabeth hoping the nightmare would pass. When she let out another soft cry, he lifted a hand to gently stroke her cheek trying to sooth her back into a peaceful sleep. When she stilled John smiled slightly only to suddenly find himself being flung out of bed, Elizabeth's slender body landing on top of him one hand lifted ready to strike.
"Elizabeth!" John kept his voice low but forceful, not wanting to risk waking up Lucas across the hall or Rodney and Kate downstairs.Elizabeth froze, panting as she looked down at John.
"Easy, take a deep breath," John directed softly, remaining motionless under Elizabeth. "It was just a nightmare, you're safe now."
"John?" Blinking Elizabeth looked around getting her bearings. "Again..." Deflating Elizabeth lowered her hand and slid off of John. Leaning back against the bed, she buried her face in her hands, shoulders shaking.
"Elizabeth," sitting up John knelt in front of Elizabeth. "Shh, it's alright." Gently he pried one hand away from Elizabeth's face so he could see her face. "Liz look at me."
"I'm sorry," Elizabeth shook her head, taking a deep shuddering breath. "I'm sorry...sorry..."
"Hey, we've had this talk before. These things will happen, but we'll work through it together." Tilting Elizabeth's head up with one finger, John smiled softly. "And if it means anything you at least stopped before hitting me this time."
"There is that." Elizabeth managed something between a weak smile and a grimace.
"Come on." Carefully John helped Elizabeth up and eased her back into bed, straightening the covers before joining her. "Better?"
"Mmm." Elizabeth pressed up against John, wrapping an arm around his waist. "At least you tired Lucas out enough today that he should sleep through the night with out his share of nightmares."
"Just think after tomorrow you can lie out in the sun as much as you want and enjoy the scenery yourself." John soothingly rubbed Elizabeth's back.
"Tomorrow." Elizabeth shuddered, causing John to tighten his hold as he continued to rub her back.
After a few moments of silence John lifted his head, "Not working?"
"No," Elizabeth choked out, tears starting to slide down her face onto the pillow.
"Plan B then," sitting up John got out of bed gently pulling Elizabeth with him. Elizabeth let out a soft gasp not expecting it when John bent and easily picked her up in his arms.
"John?"
"Still too thin," John noted more to himself than to Elizabeth then he spoke louder, "You didn't have the chance to see this before you fell asleep."
"See what...?" Elizabeth had one arm wrapped around John's neck as he carried her out on to the balcony attached to the bedroom. Her voice trailed off as she saw the hot tub. Carefully setting her down John moved to a control panel and seconds later the water was bubbling, steam rising in the cool night air.
"Completely private, yet we can still hear if Lucas needs us." John started toying with the top button of Elizabeth's pajama top. "Shall we?"
"You first." Elizabeth smiled. Minutes later Elizabeth was resting against John's chest his arms around her waist as the water bubbled around them. "Mmm this feels good."
"Are you relaxed yet?" John murmured into Elizabeth's ear.
"Getting there." Elizabeth sighed softly.
"Here," John teasingly ran his hands along Elizabeth's arms massaging the tension away before moving to her shoulders. "Don't fall asleep." He ordered as Elizabeth began to relax into him more.
"I'm not." Elizabeth glanced back at John, "At least not yet."
"Lucas seems to be adjusting well." John remarked after a moment of comfortable silence between them.
"He's resilient." Elizabeth turned around to face John, straddling his thighs, arms around his neck for balance. "However..."
"I know lots of layers to him just like his mom." John linked his hands around the small of Elizabeth's back and gazed into her eyes. "Kate says you're both doing well."
Elizabeth's eyes clouded slightly, "Adjustment counseling...I know it's necessary, but that doesn't mean I have to like it."
"We'll get through it together, I promise." John leaned forward and brushed a kiss across Elizabeth's lips.
"I know we will." Elizabeth rested her forehead against John's. "I was able to request Carson to do my physical tomorrow when he gets here."
"That's good." John rubbed Elizabeth's back as she moved to rest her head on his shoulder. After a few moments John felt Elizabeth completely relax against him. "Elizabeth?" Hearing the soft sigh, John chuckled then slid one arm under her legs and slowly stood up, cradling Elizabeth close, her arms automatically tightening around his neck.
When she was settled he gingerly stepped out of the hot tub. Twisting slightly he was able to grab one of the towels sitting on a shelf, then continued back into the bed room, where he put Elizabeth down on the bed and lovingly toweled off her damp skin. Finished with Elizabeth, John quickly toweled himself off then eased back under the covers, nestling against Elizabeth as she tucked her head into his neck and slept.