A/N: I wanted to get this up last week, but school had to get in the way. Anyways I bring you more fluff as ifthis fic wasn't fluffy enough. I just wanted to thank you for all the nice comments... Maybe that is why this fic is getting fluffier. Thanks again!

Chapter 6

"John, I thought you said you wanted to go over your Wraith and Ancient," Elizabeth said to John, who sat with his chin propped on his hand and persisted on drumming his fingers on the table.

"Yeah," he rolled his eyes, "but I forgot that learning was more boring than being bored."

"I'm sorry that I'm boring you, John. But I'm—"

"You're not boring me," he interrupted. "It's the learning part that is boring me."

Elizabeth sighed and leaned back into her chair.

"Elizabeth, we've been stuck here for four days! Four going on five!" His arms flailed dramatically. "The first day was fun. I got to kick your butt," he smirked. "The second day we checked out the underground fields, and I was literally Farmer John for a day. Now the third day—"

"On the third day, you beat up Dolan!" Elizabeth said.

"No, I was going to say you learned how to cook that stew, which was very good by the way. Anyways he asked for some pointers." He crossed his arms over his chest. "I was only helping him out," he said.

"You had him in a headlock!"

"I didn't hurt him."

"Thank goodness you didn't."

"I went easier on him than I did with you. Besides he looked like he could handle it. So... you want to spar again?" he asked with a boyish grin.

"John, you know I can't, especially when I'm wearing a dress like this." She gestured to the green empire waist dress she wore.

John rolled his eyes and tried not to notice the low neckline of her dress. "Teyla always works out in a dress," he said.

"Yes, a 'dress' with slits up to her thighs."

"That's easy. You just need to modify your dress a little."

Elizabeth looked at John. "No."

"You know, we can't stay in your room all day."

"You're right. We can't, but I can. I believe they gave us two rooms."

"Are you kicking me out?" He narrowed his eyes at her.

"No, it's just that you haven't left my side in the last three days. Not to mention, during the last week when we were in the outpost."

"I was near you because you had the portable heater."

"And I thought you were protecting me," she said with feigned disappointment.

"I was. Besides, that's not true. I give you personal space when you take baths and change your clothes. Except for that one time..." he trailed off. "It's just I have no one to talk to here." He lowered his eyes and tried to pout.

Elizabeth gave him a doubtful look. "You never seem to have had that problem before. If I remember correctly you always seem to 'get the girl'."

"I turned them down," he reminded.

"I don't think having nobody to talk to is your problem."

"Oh, then what is my problem, Doctor?"

"Wrong kind of Doctor."

"Aw, shucks." He snapped his fingers.

They sat in silence for a few moments before John decided to interrupt. "So... do you think Rodney and the boys and girls at home are partying like it's 1999?"

Elizabeth looked at him with furrowed brows and rolled her eyes. "It's a good thing we got a message to Atlantis before our radio communications were interrupted by the storm."

"If my parent's called home and said they were stuck indefinitely in a blizzard, I'd party like it's 1999," he said, thinking out loud, obviously in his own world.

"All right," Elizabeth sighed in defeat. "Let's go out for a walk." She stood up from her chair. "And maybe you can apologize to Dolan for assaulting him yesterday."

"I did not assault him."

"And Mara didn't throw herself at you."

"That's different," he scowled.

"Of course."

"You aren't going to let this go, are you?"

"You were the one who brought it up."

"I was doing my job by reporting all the details to you," he pointed out.

"Yes, like a good little soldier." She picked up a shawl that complimented her outfit and wrapped it around her shoulders.

"I could have been king," he said following her to the door.

"But you turned it down."

"Yes, I did," he smiled proudly.

"You're still apologizing to Dolan."

John groaned. Diplomacy was never one of his strengths.

They wandered into the main hall to find Dolan standing to one side of the room observing the large woven tapestries that adorned the walls. He turned to face them when he heard their footsteps echo in the room.

"Doctor Weir, Colonel," he nodded. "I see you have also grown restless." He eyes glanced over Elizabeth's outfit. "I believe you look even more beautiful this evening, Doctor Weir. I do believe the green brings a lovely sparkle to your eyes."

Elizabeth smiled coyly. "Thank you, Dolan."

John coughed to remind them he was still present. "So... how's the neck?" he asked.

"It is fine. Thank you for inquiring," Dolan replied and sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck. "You have a very firm grip, Colonel. I can see why you were selected as Doctor Weir's protector."

"Yeah, sorry about that; sometimes I get carried away."

"It is even more impressive that you," Dolan returned his attention to Elizabeth, "are a match for Colonel Sheppard."

When she heard the words "match" and "Colonel Sheppard" in the same sentence, Elizabeth's felt her face suddenly grow hot. She wasn't sure why though.

"Don't let that pretty smile of hers fool you. She practices with one of my toughest guys," John said.

"Indeed?" Dolan glanced at Elizabeth and smiled. "Impressive."

"Colonel Sheppard is exaggerating," Elizabeth said giving John a look.

He only clasped his hand behind his back and looked away innocently.

"Colonel Sheppard does not have to exaggerate for me to know you are a very remarkable woman," Dolan said with a smitten smile.

"Now it is you, who exaggerates," she said.

"I doubt it. I'm sure even Colonel Sheppard would agree with me that you are truly one of a kind."

"Yup, she's definitely one of a kind. Elizabeth is just modest when it comes to compliments."

"Do you not get many compliments, Doctor Weir?"

"Er... Have you heard anything about the storm?" she asked, inelegantly changing the subject. From the corner of her eye, she was sure John was about to make a comment about our obviously rocky transition. She swore if he said one word she would make him—

"I am glad to find you all here," said the Governor as he entered the main hall.

Elizabeth breathed a mental sigh of relief and welcomed the interruption. "Governor." She stepped forward to greet him.

"I have just received word from our weather forecaster. You may be pleased to hear that the storm is passing much sooner than we expected. It should be cleared up by tomorrow morning," the Governor informed them. "You are quite fortunate this only lasted several days."

"Five days," John added. "I wonder how long your bad storms are."

"Weeks and sometimes months," Dolan replied.

"Then we are quite fortunate," John said.

"That is wonderful news, Governor," Elizabeth smiled with relief. By tomorrow everything would return to normal again. All the attention she had been receiving from Dolan and John was not unwelcome, but it was flattering yet simulaneously unsettling and tiring. "Again, thank you for your hospitality, Governor."

"This is nothing," the Governor assured them. "We are more than happy to have you as our allies."

"Ditto," John said.

Dolan and his father looked at John in confusion.

"Colonel Sheppard meant to say we could not ask for any better allies than the Feldarians," Elizabeth explained.

"Yes, of course," Dolan nodded. "Shall we go to the dining hall? Dinner should be served shortly." He held his hand out for Elizabeth.

She hooked her arm around Dolan's arm and glanced at John, who feigned indifference. She gave John an amused smile, in which he responded by rolling his eyes and following them out to the dining hall.

"Come in, the door is unlocked," Elizabeth said.

John peeked his head through the door and found Elizabeth lying on her side on the bed with her eyes partially closed.

"Oh, you're about to go to sleep. I'll let you sleep."

"No, I'm awake," she said and sat up.

"Were you waiting for me?"

She thought for a moment. For the last several days, John had always made an effort to pay her a visit before they called it a night. It surprised her that after a couple days she had gotten accustomed to him visiting her each night to chat before bed. "I guess I was expecting you," she admitted.

John smirked and sat down on the bed next to her. "And to think earlier today you couldn't wait to get away from me."

"That is because you were being exceptionally irritating."

"Me? Irritating? Are you channeling Rodney right now?" he eyed her suspiciously as she giggled at his comment.

"I see you are ready to go home," she said, noting John wearing his black T-shirt and uniform.

"Well, I'm not a big fan of the Uncle Scrooge nightgown. But yours looks nice."

"You think so? Don't you think it's a bit frilly?"

"No, not really" he said absentmindedly and watched her long fingers smooth down the lace collar around her neck.

Elizabeth stopped fidgeting with the lace and looked up to see John staring at her.

John quickly tore his gaze from her when he realized she was returning his gaze. "Um... It's getting late," he said, scratching the back of his head. "I should let you sleep." He quickly got up and strode towards the door.

"John?"

"Yes?" he turned to face Elizabeth.

"Would you—"

"Would I what?"

As he looked at her, she wasn't sure what she wanted to ask him. Did she want to ask him to stay the night like their first night here? But that was unintentional...

She finally sighed and shook her head, "Never mind, good night."

"Right, good night," he said, unsure if he was disappointed or relieved. He stood by the door with his hand still on the doorknob and watched the faint candlelight flicker over Elizabeth's form. If she had asked him to stay, he would have. Instead, he turned the doorknob and opened the door. "If you need anything, you know where to find me."

She smiled and nodded. "I'll see tomorrow, bright and early."

"It's a date," he smirked and waved good night to her one last time before exiting.

Elizabeth sighed and blew out the candle next to her bed and lay down. Tomorrow everything would return to normal.