An update in which all your questions will be answered. I would like to point out I came up with this before I saw 'Avalon Part 1', so I wasn't intentionally copying. Thank you.

Sarah: A thank you for the update, and to answer your question...well it's all here.
puddles1311: I hope it is funny, and I'm glad you like it.
Belisse: It's not exactly anti-shippiness. Anyhow, I think you will very much like the next chapter in terms of J/E.
Ashkash(I think): Of course there's a connection, and I can't remember if it's this chapter or teh next one when we hear more about the very swanky quarters.
Drakcir: Well...I think I should let Serai answer that, don't you?

Chapter 6: Another setback

One week later

Elizabeth was beginning to dread any sort of meeting with John, with or without his team. They always led to something new that would turn her world upside down.

On top of that, she really wasn't in the mood for any more tests from Carson.

However, she didn't really have much of a choice in the matter this evening. Carson and asked for a meeting with John, Elizabeth and John's team to discuss the test results and what they were going to do. John and his team had been on city duties for the past week helping to explore and clean up any parts still left from the storm.

"Elizabeth?"

She looked up from the report she was pretending to read.

"Yes Carson."

"We're ready."

"What?"

He sighed and came across to her desk. He looked down at her concerned.

"The meeting. It's just after 7."

"Really?"

She looked at watch quickly.

"Oh, I must have gotten carried away with these reports."

She coughed slightly and got up.

"You're worried, aren't you?"

"I'm worried he's done something to me, or that there'll be something new to wreak havoc. As long as Serai doesn't turn up, I think we're okay."

Carson smiled and walked across to the conference room with her. They entered to find all of John's team waiting, including John.

"Forget something?"

Elizabeth didn't dignify John with a response, or even look at him. She just took her seat and waited for Carson to begin.

"Well, now that we're all here. The test results prove only one thing."

He stopped and looked around. John and Elizabeth were leaning forward on the table in anticipation. Ford and Teyla were just looking at him. Rodney was doodling on a piece of paper.

"There's nothing wrong with either you."

John stared at him, mouth hanging open. Elizabeth just sat back thinking.

"So, now what?"

Ford looked around the room hoping for a reply.

"I don't know," said Elizabeth softly.

Carson sighed.

"Have you two felt anything over the last week?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, feeling ill, things like that."

"I've been getting headaches and…" began Elizabeth.

"And feeling sick," John finished.

They both looked at each other in shock.

"That's impossible. When we're you getting them?"

"When I was working, what about you?"

"When I was exploring the city. And my damn wrist…"

"It seems to itch all the time?"

"Yep."

"Same."

Everyone was staring at them, trying to interpret the conversation to come to a conclusion.

"Maybe, we should try going back to normal then, if there's nothing wrong. Sending the team off world and such. Carson?"

Carson opened his mouth to speak, but it was someone else who replied.

"I wouldn't advise that."

Elizabeth prayed she was hearing things, but sure enough, Serai was sitting in one of the empty chairs. John groaned loudly at the sight of her. Rodney had finally stopped doodling and was looking at Serai. His mouth was hanging open slightly.

"Stop drooling Doc."

Rodney glared across at Ford. Teyla sighed, it seemed everyone had lost any ability to think.

"Serai, may I ask why we should not go off world?"

"Well, to put it simply, because Elizabeth and John will fall into a coma and it is highly possible that they could die."

John wondered whether he could try to throttle Serai again. Elizabeth just wanted to wake up and it all to be a dream.

"Thanks for that Serai," muttered John. "Wanna explain why?"

"It's because you're tied by blood, you should never be far apart. The further apart you are, the more ill you become. And at the moment, if one dies, you both die."

"What about you and your husband? He went to Earth, and he must have lived."

"He did. It is possible to stop this effect from happening. At this point in time you are two separate bodies, who should be as one. This will continue until your two bodies are joined as one, as they should be."

No one said anything for a moment, unsure about what Serai had just said. But slowly Elizabeth began to understand.

"No. Serai, we can't do that. No!"

John looked across at Elizabeth's horrified face and then to Serai's calm expression.

"It's the only way."

"Will someone tell me what's going on?"

Rodney's eyes suddenly became wide.

"That is just wrong."

"What?"

Carson sighed.

"It is possible, chemicals in the brain could neutralise the effect of the bands."

"Will someone please tell me what is going on?"

Ford and Teyla were also still a little unsure. Serai looked straight at John and spoke in a calm level voice.

"You must consummate your marriage."

John held very still, and then his face became pale.

"Oh crap."

Ford began to laugh uncontrollably. Teyla was still none the wiser.

"I do not understand."

Everyone looked at her trying to figure out how to say it

"John and Elizabeth must partake in…" Carson tried, but couldn't say it. It was just too weird.

"A more intimate relationship." Serai finished. She could see they were trying to be polite about it.

Teyla raised her eyebrows.

"I see."

"Is this the only way?"

Elizabeth was just one step away from begging.

"Well…I mean yes. It's the only way."

John and Elizabeth looked at each other, but neither could meet the others eyes. The idea as just too much to comprehend.

"I think I'll be going now."

Serai quickly took her leave before someone tried to kill her.

The scene left behind was quite interesting. Rodney looked like he was going to throw up. Carson was looking extremely uncomfortable. Ford was trying very hard not to laugh. Teyla was sat calmly, still feeling very confused. John hadn't moved at all. He had one hand in the air from where'd he'd been pointing at Serai ready to respond to the comment. However, he'd gotten a very different comment than he'd been expecting. Elizabeth was sitting with her head in her hands not sure what to say or do.

"Maybe we should let you two talk," said Carson. He wanted to be out of there as fast as possible.

"Yeah."

Everyone else got up and practically ran out of the conference room. Elizabeth looked up at John, but he was in no state by the look of it.

"I'm going to go and take a bath to think about things John. Are you going to be okay?"

John didn't even look like he's heard her.

Elizabeth sighed and headed down towards their quarters. A nice long hot bath; that was what she needed. Then she and John could sit down and try to talk about it like rational adults.

What was she thinking? She'd just been told that she had John had to sleep together so he could go off world again! This was going to take a very long bath, and possibly a large amount of alcohol. This was no time for rational thinking.