Instinct

Chapter 6: Downfall

Elizabeth remained a few moments longer after the debriefing, trying to sort out everything that had just happened. She let herself sigh while covering her face with her hands. Clearing her mind she stood up and walked out, only to be stopped by a familiar shadow leaning against the doorframe. Inevitably, it was none other than John Sheppard.

"Um, hey?" John inquired nervously, receiving an unfriendly look from the woman in question. He certainly couldn't blame her for what she was feeling. He had almost crossed the line. That line.

"Is there something you needed, colonel?" She chided, folding her arms across her chest. Elizabeth didn't want to talk to him, but out of courtesy she listened. Even if he didn't deserve it.

"Look, I'm really sorry about what I said in there. I didn't mean to hurt you or upset you. It makes me angry to think that…" John paused; this was not the right time to finish that sentence, so he avoided it. He wasn't ready to admit what he felt, especially if he didn't know what it meant exactly.

"…anyway, I was just wondering if we could forget everything." He rambled.

"It's not that simple." A cold remark thoroughly deserved.

"It could be." John countered with hope. His sense of humor was incredible, she thought.

When he started talking again he looked down, missing Elizabeth's unexpected wince. Her face tightened in pain.

"I know this sounds weird coming from me, but…"

"John." She whispered shakily, though it wasn't loud enough.

"…I just want you and me to be able to-"

"John!" She interjected as forcefully as she could, finally catching his attention. Feeling queasy she gripped the side rail, though weakly.

"What's wrong?" John asked sincerely worried, rushing to place a careful hand on the side of her waist.

The question went unanswered as Elizabeth slipped out of consciousness and into John's protective arms.

Two hours later John still found himself pacing back and forth on the outskirts of the infirmary room. Plagued by one repeating image while he kept a close eye on the closed white curtain, where he knew she was. He tried to think of any possible solution, but John Sheppard was no doctor and he knew it. This time it was all up to Carson as the image played in his mind again.

The instant Elizabeth Weir had crumbled into his arms one of his greatest fears, since arriving at Atlantis, had come to life. How ironic. The stunning and fearless leader lay defenseless, in his arms nonetheless. Shock was only one emotion on a list of many that he had felt and still continued to feel. To Sheppard time seemed to slow as he reached out grasping Elizabeth and cradling her against his chest while kneeling on the floor. He felt her go completely limp; motionless after her arms fell to the sides. Her face had already begun to lose its vibrant color. "Elizabeth," he gently whispered trying to wake her from the spell. When a curl of brown hair tumbled down onto her face he pushed it back delicately. How could this happen? What was wrong with her? All questions went unanswered. The only thing that gave him hope was the sound of her breathing in his ear as her head rested carelessly on his strong shoulder. He hated seeing her like this. Out of nowhere time returned to its normal pace as John yelled into his radio to Carson Beckett. Swiftly he'd ran to the infirmary; Elizabeth oblivious in his hold.

Carson's voice pulled John out of the nightmare. John looked around and noticed the curtain was still closed. He immediately tensed at the sight.

"Are you alright, lad?" The Scot cautiously voiced. Carson knew he wouldn't get an answer so he didn't push it. It was a stupid question anyway; he could clearly see that Sheppard wasn't well.

"How's Elizabeth?" John asked sensing something wrong. Carson could only give Sheppard a blank face, causing the feeling to worsen. "Carson, what is it?" He asked strictly.

"I'm sorry, Colonel. We don't know what-"

"Did she…?" John interrupted, fear in his voice. The question didn't need to be asked in its entirety, the meaning was implied.

"Oh, no! She's alive." Carson couldn't believe that Sheppard had actually feared the worst.

"Is there any particular reason why you didn't think to say that first!"

"I thought you…you were that worried?"

"Scared to death. Carson, she collapsed in my arms." Beckett knew John wasn't that comfortable expressing his feelings so he moved on to more important matters.

"Then you would know if she was doing anything unusual?"

"We were arguing, but we've done that before."

"I don't believe this is stress related. In any case, it wasn't your fault, lad. There was nothing you could do." Carson explained politely patting John's shoulder. Beckett was about to walk away when he saw Sheppard still standing in the same spot.

"You can see her now."

a/n: Oh, no! What's wrong with Elizabeth? Thanks goes to everyone who has reviewed or read the story. Extra thanks to my beta, SGAngeL.