Instinct
Chapter 4: Effects
As always, Elizabeth Weir called a debriefing meeting after John and the teams returned from the planet. She was confused, they hadn't brought anyone back and none of them looked the least bit upset. In fact, they looked comfortable. What had happened to everyone? Were they dead? Who was responsible? Where was Dimitri? Questions swirled ferociously causing an extreme headache to overtake her for a few minutes before the teams entered the room. She anxiously awaited their arrival.
"What did you find colonel?" Elizabeth started the debriefing with a question intended for Sheppard.
"Nothing, actually."
"What do you mean?"
"There was actually nothing there, ma'am. The village was still intact, but the people had vanished." Lorne filled in.
"How can that be possible? We all saw the tape."
"There was no evidence of an attack. So, the validity of the tape is another question we have no answer to." Sheppard replied.
"Really? You think it isn't real?" Elizabeth asked.
"It's possible." Sheppard shrugged.
"Hmmm…can we track them using the DHD?" Lorne shifted uncomfortably in his chair, and Elizabeth noticed.
"Do you know something major?"
"Um." He shot a glance toward Sheppard, as if asking him if he should continue. Sheppard simply nodded his head to the side. "Ma'am, Colonel Sheppard told me not to bother."
"Did he?" She asked accusingly, turning her chair to face John's direction.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Did he give you a reason why?"
"It was implied."
"What was?"
"That he didn't have to worry about protecting you now that Logan was gone." Stunned she kept quiet for a moment, then turned back to Lorne and the other personnel in the room.
"Thank you major, you're all dismissed." John stayed seated; he knew he wasn't going anywhere.
One the room had been cleared Elizabeth turned back to Sheppard with disbelief in her eyes. John spoke casually, "You don't look too happy."
"Oh, that's good. I'll have to get you an award for best understatement of the year." She threw back sarcastically.
"Thanks, I'm honored."
"God, John. What the Hell has gotten into you!" Elizabeth said appalled.
"Awareness."
"Of what?"
"That everything you've done lately has been driven strictly by emotions. You saw that tape and you were ready to send me on a suicide mission. You're way too close to him. Or should I say were?"
"I thought we already discussed this, colonel. You are not the one who decides…."
"When it affects the lives of people I care about I do."
"You're very close to crossing a line that you can't come back from, Colonel!"
"What, like you did three days ago?" Elizabeth knew exactly what he was talking about.
"Oh, please, I wasn't even close…" She raised her voice, angry.
"If I wasn't there you would have ended up in his…" Sheppard shouted back.
"Enough! Colonel, I suggest you leave. Now!" Elizabeth commanded. John took the advice. He stood up, shoved the chair in and stormed out.
a/n: Ooooh, what did Elizabeth do! Anyone think they know? Reviews please!