Of Regs and Relations

The military commander of Atlantis kept pace with Colonel Caldwell as the older officer made his way out of the command center and through the corridors of the city. For several moments, both were silent as they headed in the direction of the mess hall.

"Colonel, I need you to know that I respect Dr. Weir and everything that she's done here," Colonel Caldwell finally said without preamble. "And I think that you have both done well at accomplishing the extremely difficult task of running Atlantis."

"But I'd like to talk to you about operations here in the City," he continued briskly.

"I see," Colonel Sheppard replied slowly.

"How are relations between the military personnel and the civilian contingent?" The older officer inquired.

John raised an eyebrow in mild surprise at the question before he answered, "There've been a couple of debates about the most effective way to do a few things, but for the most part, there've been no problems."

"They're working well together then?" Colonel Caldwell probed.

"Yes, Colonel," John replied carefully, trying to puzzle out what his superior officer was after.

"No problems with the chain of command between the civilians and the military?" He pressed.

"No Colonel, everybody's pretty clear on where they stand," John responded simply, giving the Colonel a sideways look.

"You and Dr. Weir included?" Colonel Caldwell asked pointedly, watching Colonel Sheppard's face intently.

"With all due respect Sir, but what are you getting at?" John finally asked directly, stopping to face the other officer.

"I know that the chain of command can get a bit fuzzy here on Atlantis. And I know that you're isolated, without the obvious presence of the SGC and their input on matters," Colonel Caldwell said, his voice simple and controlled.

With a slightly sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach, John remembered what Rodney had been suggesting earlier as he started to see where Colonel Caldwell was headed.

"It could make certain," Colonel Caldwell paused, choosing his words precisely, "lines seem somewhat blurred; easier to cross."
When John said nothing, the older officer continued, "And the SGC may not understand, at so far a remove, the unique situation here at Atlantis. Especially since this is the first real expedition of its kind lead by a civilian," the Colonel paused and looked to the younger officer with some severity of expression.

"A civilian that may not fully appreciate the seriousness of certain military regulations as well as I'm sure you do, Colonel," Colonel Caldwell offered in subtle warning.

"Sir, I think you're correct," Colonel Sheppard responded, his bearing consciously exact and military, only his eyes betraying a little of what he was feeling. "The situation here on Atlantis is unique."

Colonel Caldwell merely narrowed his eyes slightly, but said nothing in response.

"And I believe that both Dr. Weir and myself fully understand the complexities of the situation here," Colonel Sheppard asserted firmly.

"I hope so, Colonel Sheppard," the commander of the Daedalus replied significantly, his voice undeniably serious. "I don't want find myself the military commander of Atlantis because you misjudged some of those complexities," he replied openly.

"If that's all, Colonel?" Colonel Sheppard asked simply, trying to not show how much he wanted to step away from the conversation.

For a moment, Colonel Caldwell studied the younger officer before him, looking as if he wanted to say more. But finally, he fell back into his military bearing. "I'll see you and your team at 0900," the commander of the Daedalus responded coolly, and headed back in the direction of the Central Tower.

"Sometimes I really hate it when Rodney's right," John muttered after Colonel Caldwell was out of sight. "I wonder if Elizabeth…"

"Yes?"

Her quiet voice startled him.

John turned to see the Atlantean leader as she stepped up alongside him. "You wonder if I…?" She prompted.

"Oh…I…" he fumbled over what to say.

She gave him a quiet smile and John found himself hoping like hell that she hadn't heard any of his conversation with Colonel Caldwell.

"I was just wondering if you had eaten already, or if I should go back to your office and ask if you wanted me to bring you anything from the mess hall," John quickly recovered.

Elizabeth gave her military commander an amused, questioning look, to which John responded with an unconsciously charming lopsided smile.

"I see," she replied, her tone indicating that she didn't quite believe him before she continued. "As it so happens, I was just on my way to dinner, if you'd care to join me?" She offered lightly.

"I still have to prep my team for tomorrow," he replied. "And think of a name for the ship. I'm not letting McKay name it the Enterprise."

John was surprised by Elizabeth's soft laugh.

"What?"

"Rodney's right, your eyes do light up," she answered with an amused smile.

"I beg you pardon."

"Like a five year with the promise of a new toy," she teased.

"I'll have you know, that what you see is merely the very professional demeanor of a pilot aware of the tactical advantage of having another ship available to us," John answered in mock offense.

"Of course, Colonel," Elizabeth replied, not attempting to hide her now open grin.

John gave her a playful glare, trying to not notice how beautiful Elizabeth looked to him at the moment. "Of course," he asserted, hoping that Elizabeth couldn't tell what he was really thinking.

"Yes?" Elizabeth suddenly said, answering a radio call. "I'll be right there."

"What's happening?" John asked, quickly professional once more.

Elizabeth waved a hand dimissively. "Nothing serious, Colonel. Go prepare you team."

John nodded in response and started to walk away. As he did so, Elizabeth called in a playful tone, "And John, try to play nicely with the other children when you find your new toy."

John turned to see Elizabeth with a teasing grin. He smirked slightly, to which she responded by laughing gently as she walked away.

John went the oppposite direction to find and brief his team…