2

Elizabeth wakens to bright light shining in her eyes, a metallic pounding in her head and a smile making her cheeks ache. The last one she can't do anything about, and wouldn't want to anyway, but the other two are seriously disrupting her bliss. Shading her eyes with the back of her hand, she opens them slowly, only then realizing the blinding light is actually the sun blazing in from outside her bedroom window.

She shoots upright, seeing her whole room alight in glorious golden rays. The sheets are tangled about her body, and she's alone.

"Dr. Weir, please answer," a woman calls from the other side of her door.

The pounding isn't in her head, it's outside. Someone is outside. Elizabeth slips from the bed, retrieves her robe from the floor and opens the door, seeing Teyla with her hand up, ready to knock again. "Teyla?"

"Dr. Weir! Are you all right? I've been knocking for quite a while."

Elizabeth's eyes widen, she licks her lips as she looks toward the clock. Ten-fifteen! It's ten-fifteen in the morning! She's never slept passed six a.m. in her life. Even as a kid, she'd always been the first one up in the house.

She runs a hand through her wavy hair. "Oh." Then she looks back at Teyla, whose alert eyes are full of questions. "Uhm." She takes a deep breath and raises her brows. "Is there an emergency?"

Teyla's taken back for a moment. "No…we were simply…concerned. You did not show up for the briefing." Teyla's eyes dart around the room. "And no one has seen you this morning. Are you not feeling well?"

"Oh…umm," she runs her hand through her hair again. "I'm fine. I…uh…" She glances back at the bed. "Overslept."

"I see."

Get it together Beth. It's not the first time you've had sex!

But this was…holy shit! I have to face him! How is she going to do this? How can she go into that briefing room with this big-ass grin on her face and with everyone staring at them? What if he's got the same big-ass grin on his face?

Elizabeth turns to Teyla as she reaches for the door crystal. "I'll be there in ten minutes… don't let them leave."

Teyla nods, disappearing behind the closing door. Elizabeth strips off the robe as she heads into the bathroom, grabbing some clothes along the way. As she passes the threshold into the bathroom, she can hear him whispering in her ear.

She'd been drifting off to sleep when she felt him move from the bed. "Don't leave me," she sighed. She hadn't expected to do that, to say that. It sounded so…needy.

But he'd leaned down and kissed her cheek. "I'm coming back for you, Liz."

Elizabeth feels a shiver race down her spine. Another encounter like last night might actually cause her to reconsider her priorities.

oOo

Refreshed with a two minute shower, clean clothes and brushed teeth, Elizabeth holds her head high as she marches into the briefing room eight minutes after talking to Teyla. Four sets of eyes swivel towards her. She had no time for make-up save a quick swipe of mascara and some lip gloss and feels a bit naked without it.

No naked. Don't think naked!

Too late. The moment the word pops into her mind her eyes go straight to him. John raises his brows at her as he leans back in his chair. There's no big-ass grin, but there is a slight twinkle in his gaze. "Morning sleepy head," he says with a wry smirk.

Elizabeth clears her throat as she takes her seat. "I apologize for being late. My alarm didn't go off this morning."

"That's why I set two alarms, just in case." Rodney chimes in. "Well, at least you got some sleep finally. Forgive me for being insensitive, Elizabeth, but you've been looking a bit--"

"McKay," John snaps the verbal head-smack, shutting Rodney down instantly.

Elizabeth opens the file on her data pad. "Shall we get started?" She catches John watching her with that twinkle in his eyes. He doesn't look the least bit worn out from last night. How is that possible? The man is…well…gifted comes to mind. But also so energetic. He's got the most incredible stamina!

No don't go there. This is business.

Damn it, here comes that big-ass grin again.

Elizabeth drops her gaze from John's and studies her data pad. She simply has to get back to work.

oOo

She can't sit still. She has to move. Has to get out of the office.

Now!

John and his team took off on their recon mission little over an hour ago and it's driving her nuts that she can't see him. She has to talk to him. They have things to discuss. Like, what did he mean that he was coming back…or what about when he said he was there for her only.

No. This is exactly what I didn't want to deal with. No craziness. Last night will have to be exactly that. Last night. The only night.

Can I really do that? Give up such an amazing lover. Then again after that I probably don't need sex for like ten years…okay maybe five, but still…

She's walking fast, dodging passed everyone, ignoring the looks of surprise or the questions about how she's feeling. She doesn't know where she's going until she gets there. She stands outside the door afraid to knock. The single guard gives her a quick nod. He looks bored. Probably hoping for an escape attempt or something interesting.

She shouldn't be here. But she can't help it. She has to talk to someone. Someone who knows.

"Door's open," a husky voice calls. It's a new voice, deeper than before, brought on by damage done to the vocal chords when Kolya tried to strangle her.

Elizabeth is still trying to get used to the change. Hell, she's still trying to get used to a lot of things about Angela. Elizabeth opens the door, seeing her sitting up in bed at an angle, a book on her lap: War and Peace. She looks rested but a bit wired. Not unlike Elizabeth, actually.

"Dr. Weir…" Elizabeth holds up a hand and Angela smirks. "Or is Beth visiting?"

"Beth." Elizabeth rubs her hands over her face. She's shaking and bouncing around the room as if she's just downed two cappuccinos in quick succession. And she can still feel the stupid grin on her face. She catches Angela watching her with a narrowed gaze.

"You did it," Angela says matter-of-factly. There's a hint of something in her eyes…jealousy maybe, but it's quickly gone and a smile takes hold.

Elizabeth sinks onto the edge of the bed, resting her hands in her lap to try and keep them from shaking. The moment she's down, her head drops and her shoulder crumble forward and the tears come out of nowhere. She's not sad or angry or even frustrated. There's no heavy weight in her chest forcing the tears to overflow. Elizabeth isn't sure, but she's feels…happy? Relieved?

Of all the people in the world she could open up to, it has to be Angela? They'd made the pact, but it's still so weird. And yet, Elizabeth feels safe here with the young woman. Feels she can let go and be herself…the whole ugly mess.

Elizabeth doesn't know how long she's been sitting and sobbing like a baby, but when she's done, that stupid ass grin is back on her face and she looks up at Angela to see the one thing she's needed all day. Understanding.

Suddenly, Elizabeth shoots forward and wraps her arms around Angela in a big hug. It must hurt a little because the other woman gives a squeak so Elizabeth quickly backs off. "I'm sorry…I forgot. I'm so sorry!"

Angela shakes her head and pats Elizabeth's hand. "It's okay. But…why…?"

Elizabeth's off the bed and bouncing around the room again. "I can't explain it. I've never felt so…" she stops and stares at her. This woman has given her an amazing gift. Angela Peterson has to be the most unselfish person ever born! She's so…unbelievably beautiful inside and out. "I think I'm in-love with you too."

"Excuse me?" The poor woman looks positively terrified.

Elizabeth gushes a laugh and holds up a hand, still grinning like a fool. "Not like that, Angie. But…God! Okay, I knew this would be awkward. I figured…we keep it all hushed up, never speak of it…but I gotta tell you…"

And Angela starts laughing. Not a little giggle or even a simple chuckle but a full on belly laugh. Elizabeth can only stare at her. It's the grin. I must look pathetic...

Suddenly the injured woman falls against her pillows clutching her still healing ribs, cringing in pain.

"Oh God, Angie. I'm so sorry." Elizabeth sits next to her on the bed and opens the bottle of pain pills, handing one to Angela then giving her a cup of water. "I'm so sorry."

Angela waves her off again. "I understand completely."

So that's it. She isn't laughing at Elizabeth, but at the situation. Because she knows. She's been there. Elizabeth feels the grin growing. "He's John."

Angela's brows arch and that smirk reappears. "That he is. A hundred percent."

Ain't that the truth! Elizabeth giggles. She sounds like a teenager and covers her mouth to try and control it. Angela's still grinning and nodding in understanding. Damn that John Sheppard. He knows how to enslave a woman, that's for sure! Oh God! Elizabeth's eyes open wide. "Could you imagine…if every woman…"

Angela holds up a hand. "We need clones. I'm already on that bandwagon."

I was thinking more along the lines of him having world domination…but clones? Elizabeth can't hold in the chuckle at that thought and Angela joins in. After a few moments, Elizabeth grasps her partner-in-crime's hand and gives it a squeeze. "I truly can't believe I'm saying this, but…I'm glad he couldn't choose between us. I'm actually thrilled we're sharing him." If we are, I still don't know.

Angela's brows shoot up. "Really?"

Elizabeth nods. "Otherwise, I think he might kill me." She giggles again remembering the animal she released last night. And we're just getting started, he said before ravishing her over and over again. Elizabeth shudders at the pleasure-filled memory…such a wild animal. But then again there was always something loving in it, especially the first time.

"Oh, yes," Angela sighs. "Death by orgasm."

Elizabeth catches her gaze and they share a knowing look of bliss and at the same time say, "Not a bad way to go."