Thanks for all the reviews and I've been getting some good long ones too, always the best! Popped into some forums about Atlantis and it's amazing to see how much people are going mad over Conversion! All kinds of ships are getting in there. Can't wait to see it.

Also thanks for reviewing Beautiful Disaster those of you who did.

Chapter 7

For three people it had felt like Atlantis was at a standstill. However, only Rodney, John and Elizabeth knew about the future Sheppard and were having trouble concentrating on anything.

Rodney had been trying to analyze the sensor readings, John had tried sparring and running to pass the time and Elizabeth had spent most of her time thinking over what future Sheppard had told her.

During the small briefing she had missed out most of the story not wanting the others to worry. Leaning on her desk Elizabeth tapped her fingers on her chin and thought back to the conversation.

FLASHBACK

"You're here to warn me?" She asked disbelieving.

Sheppard nodded his face solemn. "This accident caused…let's just say Atlantis has never been the same."

He wasn't saying enough and it was bugging Elizabeth. "What do you mean?"

Before he could answer she jumped in again. "Am I there with you?"

His face said it all. His eyes flashed with fury and pain and he stood up and began pacing. She watched him feeling sick and dreaded his next answer. "I'm dead, aren't I?"

John stopped pacing and looked up with tears in his eyes. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner." He apologized and sat beside her again.

"Why didn't you?" She asked in a shaky breath fidgeting with her hands.

"I just…when I saw you alive I couldn't believe it. I just wanted to see you again." His voice was emotional and Elizabeth could hear the sadness. Glancing at him she asked,

"Are we…are we close? I mean, closer than we are now?" All other matters seemed to have left her mind.

John nodded as he took a deep breath. A small smile appeared and a wistful look crept onto his face. "Yeah. We were very close."

Elizabeth's heart soared hearing those words and this time when John looked at her she saw love in his eyes. Eyes directed at her. "So, you came back to stop me from being killed?"

"Yes, but I'm afraid not just for that." He said hesitantly. "Believe me, I wanted to come back just to save you after…after it happened. But Rodney spieled something about altering the timeline and how one person did not justify it."

Despite feeling a little miffed at McKay, Elizabeth nodded understandingly. "He's right. I wouldn't have authorized a mission for that. Unless…" Realization dawned on her face. "Something big did happen."

"Your death caused a chain of events that resulted in-" Suddenly John's image flickered and he looked to his side. "Fix it! Come on!" He ordered before turning back. "We can't hold the connection but I'll try and return by the end of this day! The accident will take place 3-"

But the lights dimmed and then came back on revealing Elizabeth alone in the corridor. Taking a few deep breaths Elizabeth saw the transporter doors open and the present Sheppard lead a small team out. Trying to shake off the daze she felt after what she had heard Elizabeth watched John approach her.

END OF FLASHBACK

Elizabeth sighed in frustration. "Three what!" she asked out loud. Three days, three weeks…hopefully three months she wished. Since their talk Elizabeth had gone through the endless possible scenarios that could have happened after her death. She was still amazed it had caused so much trouble. But even more surprising was knowing that her and John were 'very close' in the future. Maybe even seeing each other?

A knock on the door pulled the leader from her thoughts and she smiled seeing it was John. As he came in Elizabeth stood up. "Hey. Do you fancy-?"

"A trip to the balcony?" she finished for him and he laughed.

"Great minds think alike!" He said while standing aside to the let Weir go pass him first.

John could feel the personnel's eyes on them as they passed through the control center. He wasn't sure if Elizabeth had noticed but it had become an increasing occurrence. It was as if they all knew there was 'something' between the two leaders and they were waiting for it to finally happen. He was glad when they finally reached the Ancient doors.

Once outside they made their way to the far end of the balcony and leaned against the railing. Taking a minute to appreciate the gentle, warm breeze and stunning view John and Elizabeth stood in silence.

"Are you okay with this?" She asked eventually turning to face him.

"What? With this other me?" He asked glancing at her before making a pensive face. "I guess, why?"

Elizabeth shrugged. "You just seemed uncomfortable in the briefing."

John scanned the horizon before answering. "It's just a little weird knowing you've seen another version of me."

"You've seen another version of me." She reminded him not understanding his point.

"Yeah, but that was different-"

"Why?"

"Just… because."

"Oh, good argument!" Elizabeth mocked folding her arms.

John sighed in frustration realizing he was going to have to be honest. "From your descriptions of…future me it sounds like he's very comfortable around you. Like we're a lot closer than we are now."

Elizabeth's mouth dropped open beginning to believe that maybe they could read each other's minds. Seeing her shocked face John raised an eyebrow.

"You didn't tell me everything, did you?" He asked eying her suspiciously.

Elizabeth bit her lip before stammering, "Eh, no, not really." He shoved his hands in his pockets looking expectantly. "Okay, here's the thing. The accident we are meant to stop is one in which I died. And apparently-"

"You died?" John asked his eyes flashing with worry. "Why didn't you say anything!"

"I didn't want you to react like this!" Elizabeth cried as he began pulling her to the door. "John stop! Keeping me locked up isn't going to help!" She began struggling against his tight and strong grip.

"At least we could minimize your interaction with people, keep you away from experiments-" John insisted letting go of her arm and glaring at her. When she glared defiantly back he practically growled. "Elizabeth, I obviously let something happen to you before so I won't this time!"

"I understand that but he insisted it wouldn't happen for at least 3 days, 3 months, or 3 years…he vanished before he could say."

John threw his hands up at her vagueness. "Great! Comes back to save you but neglects to tell us the time or the place!"

Before Elizabeth could defend his future self, Rodney appeared through the doors. "Hey, what's going on?" He asked looking from an angry Sheppard to a weary Elizabeth.

"Oh Elizabeth forgot to mention that she dies in this 'accident' we're supposed to stop." John explained pretending to shrug it off.

Rodney gasped and John pointed at him. "See, big deal!"

"Oh for goodness sake-!"

"Elizabeth you have to like…never leave your room." Rodney insisted joining John so they were cornering her.

"No! This is exactly why I didn't tell you earlier!" She shouted moving between them and heading for the door. As they began to protest she spun to glower at Sheppard. "And I don't think the future you would let anything happen to me when we're supposed to be-"

She stopped before blurting out what future John had told her and tried to control her heavy breathing. Both men frowned but it was John's eyes that held the most questions. Removing her gaze Elizabeth nervously coughed. "-when we're supposed to still be friends now if you will excuse me I think I'll wait in my room after all."

Quickly walking away from them Elizabeth ignored Rodney's "What was she going to say?" and went straight to her room. As the door slid shut she leant against it and slid down onto the floor. Leaning her elbow on her raised knee she rested her head on her hand and blew out a long breath.

"Can't believe I almost said that…so stupid-"

"Well I never would have said you were stupid Elizabeth." A deep voice commented and Elizabeth looked up to see the future John standing before her.