Chapter 6

"So, how was the date?" Rodney dropped into the chair opposite John in the commissary.

"It wasn't a date." John said, and went back to his breakfast

"Right, so you invite her for a candle-lit meal on a balcony and you say it wasn't a date?" John's head jerked up

"There were no candles! And how the hell did you know where it was?"

"What, you think I don't listen to the gossip?"

"What. Gossip.?" Rodney swallowed nervously.

"Just some stuff about where you went, how you were dressed, what you ate."

"What we ate?"

"Yeah, how did you keep a turkey hidden all this time?" John stood

"Rodney, it was a turkey sandwich, not a whole turkey."

"Oh. Actually that does make more sense. So you going on another date?" he called out to John's rapidly retreating back.

"It wasn't a date!" John threw back as he left the room. Honestly, how the hell did the whole city know that he had had dinner with Elizabeth? He just hoped that no one would find out that they were doing it again next week…. He shook off these thoughts as he entered the gym.

"Major Sheppard, you are late again." Teyla, as usual, was already there and waiting.

"Yeah, sorry, Rodney wouldn't stop bugging me." She looked at him curiously

"Bugging you? I was not aware he had insects." He laughed

"No, bugging me. Annoying me, going on and on about something."

"I see….and what was he 'bugging' you about?" The two moved into their normal positions, balanced, waiting for the first move.

"Oh, nothing."

"Really?" She launched into an attack, sticks whirling. He was practicing, was getting better. This time it took a whole twenty seconds before she knocked him down.

"Oh, it's just that Rodney keeps saying that I'm dating Elizabeth, that I'm in love with her or something." He explained as he rose to his feet.

"I see, you do not want this becoming common knowledge." She stated sympathetically.

"What? No, it's that he's wrong."

"Ah" She said

"Ah?"

"Ah." She repeated.

"Oh go on then, say it."

"No, if you say there is nothing happening between you and Dr Weir then I believe you. But surely you can see why Dr Mckay might think that something was happening?" Seeing his bemused expression, she continued. "You frequently eat alone together, you bring her drinks when she is working. I have heard several people speak of seeing the two of you alone late at night, walking through the corridors."

"Walking. Yeah." He said, unable to keep the bitterness out of his voice

"Is that the problem? That she is confined to the wheelchair? Do you still feel guilty?"

"No, we talked about that…. And it's not the wheelchair, it's, it just wouldn't work."

She smiled slightly

"But you no longer deny that you have feelings for her?"

He froze, completely shocked.

"I… I… I guess not." When the hell did that happen?

Seeing his confusion, she walked over to him.

"I think that that is enough for today. We can continue some other time. Clearly you have things to think about."

"Yeah, I think you're right."

Later that night, John was lying in bed, unable to sleep. Images kept running through his mind, Elizabeth smiling at him as they ate, her concentration as she read yet another report. He was saved from this by his radio

"Yeah?"

"John, it's me." His chest tightened at the sound of her voice, excited, nervous

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, but I need to talk to you. Now"

"Sure, I'll come to your room."

"No, meet me on the balcony."

"Ok, give me a few minutes. You sure you're ok?"

"Yes, I'm sure, I'll see you soon."

He threw on a T-Shirt and a pair of jeans, and damn near sprinted to the balcony where they had had their dinner. Unsurprisingly, she wasn't there yet. He leant on the balcony rail, trying to catch his breath, unable to shake the clenched feeling of his stomach.

"John?" Her quiet voice broke the silence. He turned.

"Oh my God."

To be Continued...

Ok I know that was mean but I really liked doing it! Merry Christmas everyone, and thanks for the reviews.