Moments Like This

Chapter 8 – No Going Back

"How long have you been standing there?"

Elizabeth started slightly at the sudden question, standing up straighter against the gym's doorway where she'd spent the previous few minutes watching her 2IC practice movements he and Teyla had been working on. John turned to face her, taking in the soft smile she wore as she observed him. Much to his surprise, he noticed she was wearing the alluring V-neck turquoise top he'd only seen once before, and from what he could see had managed to get rid of the red paint staining her hair previously.

"I had Rodney complaining to me that you were 'unnecessarily harsh' with him; he suggested I talk to you." Her green eyes narrowed as she scrutinized his reaction as she crossed the Atlantian floor to stand in front of him, her seldom-worn heels clicking against the smooth surface.

"You'd think he'd be used to people getting annoyed at him by now." John smirked, folding his broad arms over his chest, his hazel gaze locking with hers as he studied her pretty face, trying to figure out what the trace of concern he found there was borne of.

There was silence as they stared at one another, both quietly questioning.

"Are you okay, John?" She finally asked in her gentle tone, one he often heard lately.

He shook his head dismissively. "Just certain scientists winding me up."

A flash of fresh apprehension crossed her face as she stepped closer to him, lowering her voice to barely above a whisper. "Are you sure that's all it is?"

John frowned in confusion, searching her features for some clue as to what she was implying. She averted her eyes from his and stepped back, raising two slender figures to rub at her temples, her lack of words worrying him further.

"If…" she started, then took a breath and looked up at him. "If it's because of what happened this afternoon… with us - I mean if you've changed your mind- "

He cut her off before she could finish, cupping her face in his hands tenderly as he kissed her. Feeling the tenseness drain out of her body as his lips met hers, John pulled her to him, momentarily forgetting where they were as his mouth hungrily devoured hers. He forced himself to pull back from her, fighting the growing urge to push her against the nearest wall to finish what he'd started – a task made all the more difficult by the view of Atlantis's commander standing in front of him with her hair dishevelled from his own hands, cheeks rosy and lips swollen from their kiss.

"You worry too much," John told her softly, the forefinger of his right hand tracing the tension in her eyebrows until she smiled, closing the distance between them to press her silken lips to his again.

"I've been told that before."

He grinned at her again, his finger moving over her face to the corner of her mouth before he kissed her soundly once more. Common sense told him this wasn't a good idea in a place so public, but what was left of his resolve crumbled when he heard her make a noise that sounded suspiciously like a whimper. His arms surrounded her waist as he felt her hands in his hair, pulling her flush against him as the kiss deepened heatedly.

It took a minute to register her half-hearted pushing at his shoulders before he complied, studying her intently as she stayed within the circle of his arms, flushed and breathless. "We shouldn't be doing this here."

John grinned widely at the conjured image of Ronon or Rodney walking in on them again, or at least at the image of Elizabeth's mortified face should it happen a second time. "Does this mean you've given yourself the night off?"

Her lips curved into a playful smile as she broke free of his questing hand over her spine, walking towards the open doorway. "Barring an emergency, I think they can cope without me tonight."

Grabbing his gym bag from the bench off to one side of the large room, John hurried after her, idly wondering why she enjoyed his chasing her so much. Placing a hand against the small of her back in lieu of being able to touch her, he found her looking at him with a teasing expression.

"What?"

"Is there something you had in mind for my night off or should I expect to be able to catch up on my reading?"

He feigned needing a moment to consider his answer. "How important is this reading to you? 'Cause I wouldn't want to deprive you of your book just to tend to my selfish… ideas."

Elizabeth had the grace to blush at his insinuation, but didn't falter in her response. "That's very generous of you, Colonel. Perhaps I'll get an early night then."

The mischievous expression adorning her pretty face did nothing to deter the on-going flow of innuendo springing to mind, but before he could retaliate the sight of Lorne and his team up ahead sobered his response. "You hungry?"

She nodded, smiling politely at Lorne as he approached them, the Major acknowledging them politely as he passed, with what John noted was a brighter smile at Elizabeth. He wondered if Lorne was another of the growing list of men to fall for the commander of Atlantis, a list that held his own name at what he suspected was one of the first positions.

---- SGA ---

The mess hall was busy when they arrived, many of the science personnel having called a halt to their various respective projects to eat and sleep – something Elizabeth had insisted upon earlier in the day. John was recounting the menu the mess hall staff was offering that evening as they joined the line waiting to be served, shortly before ducking slightly beside her as he caught sight of McKay at a nearby table.

Managing to collect their meals without incident, they chose a small table by the large windows overlooking the south-west pier. They sat in a companionable silence, finding the mass of multi-lingual conversations going on around them more than sufficient entertainment.

"You think they ever talk about anything other than science stuff?" John asked quietly, lowering his voice to make sure he wouldn't be overheard.

Her amused gaze met his as she looked up from her pasta, her lips curling in mock indignation at his mocking of her science teams. "Maybe their science is akin to your sports."

He made a show of mulling that over, before a bright grin spread across his face. "…or Ferris wheels."

"You talk about Ferris wheels?"

"Sure. Best ones, highest ones… "

"John, I really hope you're not serious." Elizabeth replied, her smile betraying her enjoyment of the conversation.

He didn't get the chance to reply as a shadow descended on their table in the form of the Daedulus's commander.

"Doctor Weir, I was wondering where you'd got to." Caldwell greeted with a civil smile, before his gaze moved to acknowledge John's presence. "Colonel."

"Colonel." John responded, his usual air of sarcasm not quite allowing his tone to seem sincere.

"Is there something I can do for you, Colonel?" Elizabeth asked politely, as John watched her diplomatic face slip back into place and mentally challenged the more senior officer to even dare try to ruin their night.

"I was thinking we could go over the mission reports ahead of the meeting tomorrow."

"I'm sorry, Colonel, I was going to take this evening off before Carson pulls medical rank on me." She smiled at Caldwell, and John had to fight the knot of possessiveness that welled up inside him at how easily she could reason with the men on the base, bending them to her way of thinking without them even being aware of it. He watched the exchange with feigned disinterest, picking at the food in front of him, trying to subtly study Elizabeth's smiling face.

"Until tomorrow, then. Have a good evening both of you." The tall man left them alone again with a nod, disappearing into the bustle of people entering a leaving the large mess hall.

Elizabeth felt John's hazel eyes on her and she rewarded him with her patented raised eyebrow at his unreadable expression. "What?"

John shook his head, refusing to voice the high-school-level jealousy he was trying to quell. "Nothing."

"John…" Her voice held the uncertain concern she'd had before in the gym, and it made him feel worse for worrying her again.

"I really don't like the way that guy speaks to you."

"Caldwell? He's harmless, John."

He appeared to accept her answer for a few moments, chewing a mouthful of the pasta he'd just been complaining about. "Okay, fine. I don't like the way he looks at you."

Elizabeth felt her eyebrows raise of their own accord she was so surprised by his admission, then frowned and stayed silent in the hopes of an explanation.

Seemingly registering the lull in conversation, John looked up to meet her penetrating emerald stare. "Did I say that out loud?"

She really didn't want to laugh at him, but the distinctly adorable expression on his handsome face made it extremely difficult to stay on serious topics. Schooling her face into a playful smirk, she tilted her head to one side slightly as if considering something. "Would this be your aversion to authority coming into play or would it be an alpha male instinct?"

To his credit, the surprised look that crossed his features was fleeting at best, before it as covered with a smile as equally wicked as his companion's. "You realise the second option would authorise me to throw you over my shoulder and -"

"John." The warning in her voice was crystal clear, but whilst it curbed his flirtatious remark, it only proved to widen his grin as he watched her flush a pretty pink.

When she clasped her elegant fingers together under her chin, smiling softly in his direction, he realised she'd finished her meal. "Dessert?"

She shook her head, her eyes following him as he stood up. "I'll just take a tea with me when we leave."

He gave her a quick nod and headed off towards the kitchens. A few minutes later he returned somewhat juggling two cups and two plates, precariously balanced on top of one another. "Ready?"

Elizabeth rewarded him with her puzzled smile, reaching out to take the metal mugs from his hand before he could loose his grip on them.

"There were only two chocolate cakes left, so I figured if I didn't get you one you'd eat most of mine anyway." He grinned by way of explanation, leading her in the direction of the media room.

As much as she wanted to refute the accusation, she knew he was right, having been guilty of stealing partial dessert dishes from him when she'd claimed not to want anything. He amused her greatly with his mutterings about women and their eating habits. They found the door to the media room already open when they got there, filled with what looked to be at least fifteen people. Simultaneously they turned before any of the expedition members could collar their leaders into the movie night, heading towards the transporter.

"My room or yours?"

John turned to her with uncontrollable mirth in his hazel eyes at the unintentional double meaning her words held. "You trying to tell me something 'Lizbeth?"

She levelled him with a predictable glare before a distinctly coquettish smile adorned her lips, before replying simply, "Maybe."

---- SGA ---

Fifteen minutes later Elizabeth was once again sitting comfortably on her 2IC's bed, watching him as he battled with his great idea. Pilfering a projector and a screen from the lab nearest to his quarters, he'd taken to the idea he could hook up the projector to his laptop, thereby creating 'their own personal cinema'. Feeling like a naughty teenager sneaking about with her boyfriend, she'd helped him lug the large screen the short distance to his room, all the while trying not to laugh at his mock warnings of various threats to their 'covert mission'. She was again wondering how the man had ever made it to the rank of Major before she met him, much less Lt Colonel now.

His wonderful idea did however mean that she was free to enjoy the view as he battled the technology valiantly. As he slipped a disc into the laptop, she assumed he'd succeeded; an assumption confirmed when he settled himself onto the bed beside her, remote in hand. His eyes rested on her for a moment, taking in her relaxed form curled up beside him, long legs bent at the knees and delicate hands holding the plate of chocolate cake in front of her. Sensing his scrutiny, beautiful green eyes met his, sending him that puzzled smile he was so used to. Confusing her seemed to be his forte.

He leant forward, brushing his lips against hers, the sweet taste of the cake greeting his taste buds. Winding his arm around her shoulders, she curled up to his side, setting her plate down on his thigh momentarily to reach for one of the two cups standing on the bedside table. Handing him his drink, she reclaimed her dessert and shifted her gaze to the large makeshift screen. "What are we watching?"

"Batman," He replied between sips of the cooling tea. "Not sure which one though."

"You haven't stolen this too, have you?"

"I have it on extended loan from Major Lorne actually." John replied indignantly, his fingers beginning to move absently within her dark hair as he glanced over her head in search of the second dessert. "Where are you hiding my cake, Weir?"

She laughed, setting her now empty plate on the floor beside the bed and retrieving his. "I hope you weren't implying I may have eaten them both, Colonel."

Unwinding his arm from around her so he could consume the dessert, he watched her hold the metal mug of tea in both hands. Her green eyes were on the giant screen in front of them as she curled her long legs under her with the grace of a gymnast. The warmth of her arm against his distracted him from finishing the cake, and she laughed when he waved a forkful of it in front of her lips.

Another fifteen minutes went by before John dropped a kiss to her hairline, his left hand already firmly entangled in the brunette curls of her hair as her head rested against his shoulder. He managed another five before his mouth moved to her forehead. This time she looked up with a questioning smile, beautiful green eyes full of affection. Shifting his right arm over her stomach, he let her instinctually close the distance between them to kiss him, the film playing in the background forgotten. Passion flared in his mind as his tongue found hers and he felt her fingers clutch handfuls of the back of the black t-shirt he wore. She whimpered softly as his left hand found its way under her blue shirt, skimming the satin underside of her bra.

Kissing his way down her elegant neck, he tightened his arm around her as she arched her back. Elizabeth turned her head in an effort to catch his mouth in another kiss, breathing raggedly as she found herself now lying rather than sitting against the pillows. Pulling back to see her eyes, he grinned mischievously at her, kissing the tip of her nose before slanting his mouth over hers again.

Pushing her top up, he dropped gentle kisses to her smooth skin, then up over her ribs until she finally lost patience grasping the hem to pull the light-weight material over her head. He grinned at her eagerness and was rewarded with a flirty smirk before she pulled his head down to meet her lips once more. With warm hands he explored her torso, and then moved from her lips to press tender kisses to her collar-bone, finally taking in the sight of the deep purple satin fabric encasing her chest.

The roughness of the slight stubble on his jaw-line against the soft skin of her breast brought about another whimper as he pressed his lips just above the cup, causing John to raise his head to look at her. "You okay?"

She nodded with an embarrassed smile; her cheeks coloured a self-conscious pink. "Too okay."

He couldn't help but kiss the smile from her lips, enjoying the feeling of her slender fingers in his unruly hair as her other hand tugged at his t-shirt. "Impatient?"

John laughed against her mouth as she shot him a steely look that never failed to shut up insubordinate flyboys – unfortunately for her their current situation immunized him against it, and he proceeded to kiss her senseless until her feigned indignation dissolved completely.

"John?" She breathed quietly, breathless again. "John, lock the door."