Hello! Sorry for taking so long to post. I really am overwhelmed by the response this story has gotten, so thanks to all who are reviewing and reading. Threw fluff in this chapter coz I just can't help myself! Seriously I think its problem!

Chapter 4

As John walked into the infirmary he clicked his fingers in an attempt to calm his nerves and fought back the urge to yawn. The prospect of Elizabeth being either unwell, physically or mentally, had been playing on his mind all night resulting in his current exhaustion. He couldn't sleep worrying that he would be left in charge of the city for a long period of time, something he felt he was nowhere near ready to do.

But the biggest worry was Elizabeth herself. Finally, after months of finding each other's styles of working and communication, the two leaders were not fighting as much. Their professional relationship had developed into a friendship, and John wasn't ready to lose that.

"Colonel." Carson called out from his office walking out to meet him. "How are you?"

"Uh, okay, I guess." John replied trying to suppress a yawn. "How's Dr Weir?"

At his question Carson frowned and tilted his head towards Elizabeth's bed. "Eating breakfast. Quite chirpy actually."

John glanced at Elizabeth who was chomping away on a slice of toast and back. "You haven't told her that it wasn't me she was speaking to, huh?"

Carson gave him a sheepish smile. "Eh, no. She just seems so-"

"Chirpy, yeah." John cut in glaring at him before looking back at Weir. "Right, here we go."

Both men hesitantly approached Elizabeth who glanced up from her book and gave them a small smile. "Morning. How's my city?"

John pouted, "Everything's fine and dandy. Why? Didn't you trust me?"

Elizabeth rolled her eyes, "Of course I did. But neither of us have much control over Rodney-"

"Nah he kept out of trouble for once." John assured her in a fatherly tone while folding his arms. "Um, we need to talk."

Elizabeth's smile disappeared when she saw his serious expression that matched Carson's. "Okay, no need to ask what about."

Both men glanced at each other before meeting her eyes. "Elizabeth, Dr Beckett heard you talking last night…to no one."

Staring at them for a few seconds Elizabeth's eyes went wide and then she looked down at her plate. She swallowed and dropped the toast rubbing her hands together to remove the crumbs. Sighing she kept her head down.

"I thought you came to speak to me John." Elizabeth acknowledged quietly.

"I heard you say his name last night and you talked to "him" for while." Carson said clasping his hands in front of him. "Elizabeth, Colonel Sheppard and I think you should speak with Dr Heightmeyer."

Elizabeth sighed and looked up at John who averted his eyes for a second and then nodded giving her a worried expression. "Please Elizabeth, it can't hurt to talk."

Seeing his worry helped Elizabeth make her decision. "Okay."

John sighed in relief and spoke to Carson. "Will we try for this afternoon?"

"Aye. I'll contact Kate the now." And with that Beckett left his two colleagues in silence.

John cleared his throat and went to speak but Elizabeth cut him off. "Why is it always you?"

He had not expected the obvious question and grabbed a seat to sit down. Mulling over the question John shrugged. "I really don't know." After a pause he said light heartedly, "I was going to come see you, really, but I couldn't make it from your office to the transporter without being stopped by a scientist!"

Elizabeth chuckled, "Welcome to my life!"

"In the end I decided to go to bed and see you in the morning. I honestly don't know how you ever get to bed." He joked but saw she was no longer amused. She seemed to be lost in her own thoughts.

Biting his lip John looked at her hand before lightly taking it in his own. This got her attention. "We'll find out what's wrong, I promise."

Staring into his eyes Elizabeth felt reassured and flushed slightly when he squeezed her hand. John's concern for her was evident and this action only confirmed her suspicions that they were definitely good friends, perhaps even more.

Carson's return interrupted their moment and they immediately let go of the other's hand. "Kate says 1 o'clock if that's okay?"

Elizabeth forced a smile and nodded. "Fine."

"Well," John muttered as he stood up. "I better get to this first briefing-"

"Make sure Major Lorne knows how sensitive the Fragerians are and tell Rodney I don't want him anywhere near that new power source until he's finished with-"

John held up his hands to silence her. "I know, I know! It'll be fine, trust me. Just focus on yourself!"

Elizabeth smiled thinking about the similar scolding she had gotten from 'Sheppard' the night before. "Right."

John gave her a final nod and lopsided grin before walking away leaving Beckett to check over Elizabeth. It took all his will power not to look back at her but he was scared that he'd gone to far with the hand holding action. The fear had emerged when she had stared at him during that moment. It would seem that Elizabeth too was unsure and John had felt safer knowing that nothing could ever happen. But in her eyes he had seen the possibility of more, and it terrified him.

Elizabeth gazed out of Dr Kate Heightmeyer's window at the stunning view, completely unaware of the psychologist's piercing stare and question.

"Elizabeth?" Kate called out noticing the leader's vacant expression and leaned forward to tap her on the knee gently. "Elizabeth?"

Jumping slightly Elizabeth faced the woman doctor again and shook head. "Sorry, was just admiring the view. What did you ask?"

"I asked you about your relationship with Colonel Sheppard." Kate repeated watching her patient's face carefully. For a minute Elizabeth's face went bright pink and Kate noted this down as well as the small cough that promptly followed.

"What do you want to know?" Don't go there Kate, please.

"Well, professionally you seem to be getting on better. What about personally?"

There was a pause. "Better." Better is too vague Elizabeth, it's not a good enough response for her.

Kate raised her eyebrows as if expecting more. "Better? How?"

There was a sigh. "Well, we speak more often about non work related topics; spend more time together as friends; we're friendlier."

If Kate had been frustrated at her lack of a response Elizabeth didn't see it in her passive face.

"You do realize that your reluctance to speak about it says a lot more than you just have Elizabeth." Kate pressed tired of beating about the bush. "It's okay to admit if you feel more for him than just friendship, everything said in here is confidential."

"I know." Elizabeth muttered staring at her hands and then shrugged. "I guess we sometimes even flirt. But, you see it's all in his eyes." She continued looking back up. "That's how I knew he'd be a great asset on this mission, and how I know he feels more than friendship for me and cares very deeply about me. Sure we may flirt openly but you can tell his true feelings and emotions by his eyes." Where did that come from?

Kate nodded as she noted this new information down. She decided it was time to suggest a theory. "Do you think that maybe your visions of this other John is how you wish it could be, under different circumstances or in the future?"

Elizabeth had been waiting for this and her expression showed it. "Perhaps, but it's doubtful. I've felt this way for a long while now, why am I now seeing these visions?"

Suddenly the tables had turned and Kate sensed slight hostility from her patient. This was a common occurrence when patients felt she could do nothing to help. "Stress can have a number of effects and heighten emotions, feelings and doubts that have been playing on a person's mind."

"So stress is causing me to see visions of John as I'm confused over my feelings for him?" Elizabeth asked impatience now flashing in her eyes. When Kate went to speak she shook her head and stood up. "I'm sorry Kate. I know that you're a great listener and I really appreciate the time you've spent with me but I don't think its stress. I don't think you can help me with this."

And with that Kate watched her patient hit the door release button and walk out. Rereading her notes the doctor was surprised at how quickly things had gone down hill but it was obvious that John and Elizabeth's relationship was a big factor in whatever was happening with the expedition leader.

Elizabeth placed her radio piece back in her ear and growled in frustration. She hadn't intended on walking out but the session had been going nowhere, although something in the back of her mind was telling her it was more to do with subject of her and John that had triggered her anger.

The radio crackled to life and John's voice appeared. "Elizabeth? Dr Heightmeyer just told me you left with half an hour to go, is everything okay?"

Sighing Elizabeth slowed her fast pace, "Yeah, I just don't think therapy is going to help with this John. I know what you think but I really don't think its stress. And I'm not ready to talk about what Kate wanted me to."

There was several seconds of silence before she got a response, "Right."

"How are things going with the city?" She asked noticing the lights flickering again in the hall.

"Eh, okay. Apart from Rodney's persistent nagging about this new power source machine. The old maid swears he's done with all his other important projects and is begging to examine this device."

"Well, I guess we have to eventually. Get him and Zelenka on it. That'll shut him up for while but he's not to turn it on at all!" Elizabeth warned momentarily forgetting she was not really in charge today but John said nothing about it.

"Right. So where are you going now?"

Elizabeth stopped, she hadn't thought about it. Technically she was to rest but she didn't feel like it. "I might go to the gym or something-"

"You should rest Elizabeth-"

But Elizabeth was no longer walking or listening to Colonel Sheppard on the radio as she was standing in front of him.

A/N: Please R'n'R, I finally wrote a therapy session with Kate! Wanted to do that for a while. Hope you liked!