6

It's been three days without news. Well, there's been news, just not any good. Ten of the planets on Dr. Zelenka's list have been scratched off. Elizabeth and Angie have spent much of the time together. It's strange that the one person who's been able to help her cope is the one woman vying against her for John's affections.

Though, for Angie, there is no competition. She believes that together they can make him happy. And she's willing to sacrifice part of her hold on him just to keep him.

That's where we are different. I want all of him for myself.

Elizabeth doesn't revel in her selfishness. She's determined not to let Angie know it even exists. As strong as Angela appears on the outside, it merely takes one look into her eyes to see how delicate she truly is. She gives of herself without even knowing it. All the fear she has about losing John and Ronon, she's keeping it inside. She's been doing her best to help ease Elizabeth's worry, without allowing her own to become a burden.

They've spent several hours together, eating, playing cards or chess—though Elizabeth swears Angie's been taking it easy on her—or simply talking about inconsequential things, like TV shows and movies.

Angie's hoping that when John returns, Elizabeth will give him some time off so the two of them can visit I-zoola and Angie can get back into her skates. To keep the young woman's outlook positive, Elizabeth agrees.

Right now, she's asleep on the sofa while Elizabeth finishes recording the data burst that's being sent to the SGC. "…we believe we can streamline our power consumption a further 30." After a pause she adds: "Also at the time of this transmission, Colonel Sheppard's team is still missing and is…is presumed…" She can't bring herself to say it. "Colonel Sheppard's team is still missing. End transmission." She drops the recorder and it clinks on her desk.

Angie wakes with a start. "What?"

"Sorry."

She rubs a hand over her face. "How long have I been out?"

"Couple hours."

She smirks. "Comfy sofa."

"Sure is."

She sits up and rests her elbows on her knees. "I was having the strangest dream."

Elizabeth would love a distraction. "About what?"

Her brows cinch and her lips twitch with amusement. "A Ferris Wheel rollercoaster…and clowns in a VW bug."

"Clowns?"

Angie nods, her smile growing. "Hundreds of them." She holds up a finger. "In one Bug." She shakes her head giving a soft laugh. "It made perfect sense at the time."

Elizabeth grins too. "I'm sure it did."

She's quiet, contemplating a piece of lint on her jeans. "We'd know, don't you think?" She looks up at Elizabeth. "I mean. I know Ronon's okay. I do. But…if something happened to John… we'd know. You and me. Together?"

Elizabeth holds Angie's gaze without blinking. "Yes. We'd know." That seems to ease her a bit and she sighs a smile but her face is a bit pale. Elizabeth considers her for a moment. "Are you hungry?"

"No. But that probably means I should eat. Unless I want to be under Doc's lock and key again."

They head out together and are almost to the transporter when the gate alarms go off. They share a look and race back to the Control Room. Elizabeth reaches the gate tech. "It's a message from Major Lorne, ma'am."

"Go ahead Major," Elizabeth says to the video screen. She can feel Angie close behind her.

"Ma'am, we've found Colonel Sheppard."

Elizabeth and Angela share an excited smile. "I'd like to speak with him."

"Negative, ma'am. He's unconscious. And I'd rather not move him without Dr. Beckett's approval."

Behind her, Angela sucks in a deep breath. Elizabeth nods to Lorne. "He'll be with you shortly. Weir out." The wormhole dies as Elizabeth calls Carson on the headset. She glances at Angie, seeing relief combined with worry. The nervous energy has returned, leaving her bouncing on her heels and wringing her hands together. "I'm sure Carson could use an extra set of hands."

Angie beams at her. "Thanks." Then she rushes down the stairs to wait for Carson and his team.

Elizabeth clasps her hands together and brings them to her lips in a silent prayer. John's alive…but injured. Please let him be all right.

oOo

They return less than twenty minutes later. Angie arrives just before the gurney is pushed through by Carson and his med-tech. Even from the balcony, Elizabeth can see Angela's eyes glimmering with unshed tears. She looks up at Elizabeth and grins, flicking a two fingered salute.

"Let's go," Carson says as he pushes the gurney toward the infirmary.

Elizabeth is already on the move down the stairs to catch up. Angie hangs back, still bouncing full of energy. She grips Elizabeth's arm with more strength than expected. "Carson says he's suffering from exposure, but otherwise he seems fine."

"Why is he unconscious?"

Angela shakes her head. "He has to run an X-ray and MRI. Look for possible trauma."

"No sign of the others?" She asks Lorne.

"No ma'am."

Angie's gaze captures Elizabeth's again. "But that doesn't mean they're not all right. Right? They just could be on another planet. Maybe John got away from whoever took them and gated to the first address he could remember."

"Why not come home?"

"No GDO ma'am. He'd been stripped of gear."

Angie's ready to burst out of her skin. "Go. Have Carson radio me with an update." Elizabeth says and the young woman rushes off toward the infirmary.

oOo

When Elizabeth walks into the infirmary an hour later following Lorne's debriefing, she sees Angie sitting vigil next to John's bed, his left hand sandwiched between both of hers. She nods to Elizabeth, offering a smile that's diminished by the concern in her eyes.

John's still unconscious, now dressed in white scrubs. He's attached to all the necessary monitors that beep in steady rhythms.

Carson comes up to Elizabeth. "He's stable. Breathing on his own."

"Why hasn't he awaken?"

The doctor shakes his head and crosses his arms. "Don't know. There's no indication of head trauma, his blood work is normal."

"And the exposure?"

"Minimal. The planet's climate was fair. Doesn't seem he was out there too long. Perhaps half a day, if that."

"Could he have been drugged? Something that wouldn't show up in the tests?"

"Anything's possible out here."

Elizabeth thanks him. "Let me know if there are any changes."

"Aye."

She goes to Angie's side and sets a hand on her shoulder. "Want me to get you anything?"

"Aye," Carson calls from his office. "She needs to eat. Take her to the commissary."

"I'm not hungry!"

That brings Carson back out in full force, wagging a finger at her. "I still have those restraints you're so fond of, lass. You are still under doctor's orders thanks to that new brain chemistry and wacky metabolism of yours. Don't make me get rough."

Angie rolls her eyes and puffs some air at her bangs.

Obviously the two of them have been having this debate for a while. Elizabeth suggests a compromise. "I'll have some food sent up. Sandwiches?"

"Tuna?"

"Sounds good. Carson, you want anything?"

"No, thank you."

Angie glares at him. "Ha! When was the last time you ate anything?"

Carson presses his lips together tight. "Fine. Yes, Dr. Weir. I would appreciate a sandwich as well."

"Okay then." Elizabeth gives Angela's shoulder a squeeze. "Talk to him. He'll wake up for you."

"Thank you," she sighs, turning her attention back to John's sleeping form.

Before she leaves, Elizabeth takes one last look at the couple, marveling at the fateful circumstances. Not long ago, she'd said the exact same thing to John when Angie was still on the ventilator after almost dying in surgery. At the time even Carson was unsure if she'd make it.

But she had. And Elizabeth thoroughly believes it was Angie's love for John and Ronon that kept her strong, pulled her back from the brink.

She'll do the same for him.

oOo

"What did you tell her," the familiar voice asks. He lifts his gaze and sees Ford glaring at him. He's dressed in rags instead of his uniform, though he still has on his dog tags.

Warm pressure in his right hand draws his attention from Ford to Elizabeth. She's standing next to him, smiling. "Welcome home." She leans in to kiss him and John closes his eyes in anticipation. He doesn't feel her lips on his so he opens his eyes and is instantly blinded by white lights.

Infirmary lights.

His eyes can't handle the glare and he blinks repeatedly as they wobble in his head. There's a flash of color to his right and he locks onto it. Red. Something red is above him. Blinking heavily, John forces his brain to focus and Elizabeth's shirt comes into view. He raises his eyes toward her face. She's smiling down at him.

"Hi there."

"Hey." His voice feels raspy and dry. He tries to sit up, but she puts a finger to her lips and motions to the pile of dark, curly hair resting on the other side of the bed next to his legs. He can feel the warmth of soft hands cradling his left.

"How are you feeling?" she whispers.

"Fine, actually. What happened?"

Elizabeth's brows arch. "Hoping you could tell us. Where are Rodney, Teyla and--"

"They aren't here?"

"No."

There's movement on his left and the most beautiful brown eyes gaze at him and a brilliant smile lights up her face. She's amazing when she smiles. John smiles back. Before he can say a word, her soft lips are on his and she's kissing him like there's no tomorrow.

Now that's something to wake up for!

She pulls out of the kiss, her eyes narrowing on him before darting them to Elizabeth. "Sorry." She smiles at John again. "Kinda got overcome seeing your beautiful face finally awake." She caresses his cheek. "I know this is just your way of getting even with me for making you wait for the ribs to heal, but this is ridiculous. It's not a competition. Besides, I already paid you back for all that wait time," she grins wickedly. "With interest."

John's brows rise on his forehead. "Who are you?"

She laughs. "That's not funny." She exchanges a smile with Elizabeth then both look back at him.

He slides his gaze to Elizabeth. She must read the confusion in his eyes because her smile wavers. "John…stop playing. She's right. It's not funny."

"But," he looks back at the dark-haired beauty. "I'm not."

The color drains from her pretty face as the smile trembles then dies on her lips. Confusion flashes through her eyes as her mouth hangs open. There's so much pain in her expression, so much heartbreak, John's flooded with guilt. Her hands slip from his as she slides off the stool, but her legs don't seem to hold her and she leans heavily on the bed.

Elizabeth's moving around the bed, but the woman is already stumbling backward, her hand fluttering to her mouth, cutting off what sounds like a sob. She looks like she's just been kicked in the gut.

And he did the kicking. "I'm sorry--" John tosses his covers aside to get up.

Carson comes up behind. "Are you all right lass?"

"Carson," Elizabeth says, shaking her head slightly.

Before either doctor can stop her, the young woman spins out of Carson's grasp and rushes out the door. John's never seen so much misery on someone's face…and been the cause of it.

"What in the bloody hell just happened to that girl?"

John looks to Elizabeth, feeling his face heat up with embarrassment and that overwhelming guilt. "I did something wrong…didn't I."

"No, John." She looks to Carson. "It seems he's suffering some memory loss."

"Oh dear Lord." He looks at the closing door. "Someone needs to go after her."

"I'll find her," Elizabeth says, giving John's shoulder a squeeze. "It'll be all right." Then she's gone.

Carson flashes his penlight in John's eyes. "So, do you remember me, son."

"Sure Carson. You, Elizabeth, Teyla, Rodney…"

"But not Angela?" John shakes his head. "How 'bout the name Jax. Does that ring any bells?" John shakes his head again. Carson sighs. "Well for your sake, I certainly hope your memory returns before Ronon does…or he's going to kill you."

John's brows cinch. "Who?"