Something There?
John rose from the bench, grabbed his bag, and headed back to his quarters to clean up. And in a little under a half an hour, he strode into Dr. Weir's office.
The first thing he noticed, despite himself, was just how beautiful Elizabeth was; her soft curls, her graceful hands, her elegant form, and when she looked up at him, her gorgeous autumn eyes.
"Colonel Sheppard," she greeted him as he entered and took a seat opposite her.
"So," he drawled, making himself focus on the woman before him as Dr. Weir, and not the very attractive Elizabeth, "exploring the city. We have a pretty good idea about the East Pier and the area between it and the Central Tower. I think we should next try exploring the North Pier. Dr.Parrish seems to think that there's the possibility of hydroponics bays being in that section."
"Really?" Dr. Weir asked, a note of curiosity in her voice.
"Yeah, something about the sensor scans indicating a group of rooms that appear to be a likely place for them."
"If there are hydroponic bays," Elizabeth began.
"Then it would help with the supply problem immeasurably," John finished with a pleased smile.
"When do you propose exploring the pier?"
"Well, I thought, the sooner the better, while it's still quiet around here," John replied.
Dr. Weir nodded her agreement. "I suggest that you make certain that Dr. Parrish and Dr. Beckett are with your teams as well."
This time John nodded in response, sat back in his seat, and found himself watching Elizabeth. Suddenly, it was impossible to not notice how the sunlight got caught up in the rich curls of her hair; the way her graceful hands moved deftly over the keyboard of her computer; the expressive way she raised her eyebrow with a quiet smile.
"Colonel?" She asked when she noticed John watching her with a lopsided smile on his own face.
And then he met her eyes that shimmered with autumn colors. For moment, neither spoke as they lost themselves in the quiet moment. And John finally caught sight of what he now realized he had been looking for, the sense of something there between them. He held her gaze until he was certain that she was aware of that something too.
Elizabeth smiled a bit nervously and licked her lips quickly.
John was fascinated by the gesture, but before he could say or do anything, Dr. McKay walked into the Atlantean leader's office, carrying the ornate globe that Inarra had given them. He was speaking before he quite realized that Dr. Weir was not alone.
"Elizabeth, I think that this may be more than just a smaller version of a ZedPM. If I can get it activated, I may…" he trailed off as he saw Colonel Sheppard. "Uhh…Colonel Sheppard," Rodney stammered.
"Dr. McKay."
"The device Inarra gave us may be another version of a ZPM?" Dr. Weir asked.
"The device we agreed that you weren't going to activate until we knew more about it," John reminded the scientist.
Elizabeth gave the two men a curious look.
"Well, yes…but…but I thought…" Dr. McKay stammered. "I mean aside from the whole Captain Kirk thing, I thought that we had managed to agree on…" he trailed off again as he took note of Colonel Sheppard's expression.
Dr. Weir sighed. "Rodney," she started to say before he interrupted her quickly.
"Elizabeth, I'm certain that this device is something almost as powerful as a ZedPM. It's in our best interests to learn how to utilize it," Rodney insisted.
"I didn't say we wouldn't look into it Rodney," Colonel Sheppard said. "I just don't think we should be blowing up any more solar systems. I'm sure that once was more than enough for that.
Dr. McKay sputtered, "That was unintentional."
"Colonel Sheppard is right Rodney," Elizabeth said in the face of Dr. McKay's stubborn, almost betrayed look. "We need to not jump headlong into this. Inarra gave us a warning for a reason. I'm inclined to take that into consideration." She held up a hand to forestall his protest. "Work with Dr. Zalenka, find out more about the device, then we can proceed from there."
After a moment, Dr. McKay nodded and began to make his way out of the Atlantean leader's office, already on the radio with Dr. Zalenka. "No, let's wait until the Wraith are on Earth's doorstep because Atlantis has already fallen," Rodney snapped sarcastically. "Yes, of course I mean now," he replied impatiently to what was clearly a question of time from the Czech scientist.
"Excuse me," he said briskly as he brushed past Colonel Steven Caldwell who was walking toward the entrance of Dr. Weir's office.
"Dr. McKay," Colonel Caldwell acknowledged the preoccupied astrophysicist before addressing Dr. Weir.
"May I come in?" The commander of the Daedalus requested.
"Of course, Colonel," Dr. Weir replied as she rose, gesturing to the other chair facing her desk.
"Colonel Sheppard," the older officer said in way of greeting.
John nodded in response, "Colonel Caldwell."
"What can I do for you, Colonel?" Elizabeth asked, sitting down as the ship commander took his seat.
"The Daedalus has received intel that there may be something worth investigating in a deep space quadrant of the galaxy," he said simply and without preamble.
"Something?" John asked.
"Initial reports tell us that whatever it is, it is something that the Ancients left behind. It's possible that it may be another Ancient warship like the Aurora, or even another deep space satellite weapon. We are unable to determine much more than that from the reports. That's why I'm taking the Daedalus in to investigate," Colonel Caldwell briefly explained.
"And I thought that some of your people might like to join us," he offered. "Perhaps Colonel Sheppard's team, or Dr. Zalenka?"
Dr. Weir looked over to Colonel Sheppard, trying to determine his reaction to Colonel Caldwell's almost unusually generous offer. She noted, with some amusement, that there was a barely contained excitement in the pilot's eyes as he met hers. John's open gaze held Elizabeth's a moment, inviting her to share in his enthusiasm. She hid a smile and addressed Colonel Caldwell, who, for his part, had quietly noted the two Atlantean leaders' silent communication.
"I'm certain that my people would appreciate the opportunity, Colonel. Thank you," Elizabeth answered, her lovely eyes briefly seeking out Colonel Sheppard's before she turned her attention back to Colonel Caldwell.
Colonel Caldwell nodded. "I'll be taking the Daedalus out at 0900 tomorrow," he said simply.
"Thank you, Sir. My team will be ready," Colonel Sheppard responded, rising up from his chair as the older officer did. "In fact, I'll just go see about getting my team prepared now."
"Colonel Sheppard, before you do that, I'd like to speak with you," the ship commander said directly.
"Sir," Colonel Sheppard responded, standing near his chair and waiting for the older officer.
"Dr. Weir," the commander of the Daedalus said by way parting.
She nodded, "Colonel Caldwell," and watched quietly as the two military men walked out of her office door.