A Glimpse into the Future

By Major Dork

Summary: He went to bed in his own room alone, he woke up with a wife, three kids… and a screwed up future.

A/N: Got another chapter for you guys, we're getting close to the end now… enjoy! Warning: You may want to kill me later after reading this chapter! lol


Part Six "Surprises Aren't All Their Cracked Up To Be"

"You want me to do what!"

John rolled his eyes, trying to be patient with the young man before him. "Jason, it's pretty simple. Just go with Doctor McKay to pick up the material. Chaya already has it all together; you're just getting white cloth… a big roll of it."

Jason shook his head, confused. "And what the heck does this have to do with getting mom back again?"

"It's a surprise, Jay."

Jason folded his arms. "How am I supposed to help you if I don't even know what we're DOING?" he asked.

John just smiled down at his son. "McKay's waiting for you at the puddle jumper. Just hurry it up if we're gonna get this all done before tonight."

Jason sighed. "Fine, fine… but this BETTER be good," he muttered, heading towards Rodney.

John watched him go, then turned to his other 'helpers.' Noah was playing with a yo-yo, waiting for his instructions while Ani played with a thread from her shirt. "Okay Noah, it's your turn."

Noah looked up, putting his yo-yo away. "What do you want me to do?"

John moved down to his youngest son's level, looking him in the eye. "You're gonna have the toughest job, think you can handle it?"

Noah nodded excitedly. "Are you kidding me! Of course I can!"

"Good, you'll be my personal assistant. Now Ian is talking with the chef on what to cook for tonight, but he'll need help setting up the food. Think you can hang with him until that's taken care of?"

"No problem."

"Good, after you're done, meet me in the room across from your Uncle Ronan's place. It's spacious enough for what I'm planning."

"And just what ARE you planning, Dad?" Anika asked, walking over to the two. "What's with the dinner?"

John just gave her a mischievous smile. "You'll see."

Ani smiled, shaking her head.

"Go on Noah, you know what you need to do."

Noah nodded, saluting before he ran off. John looked up to see his daughter. "What's you're mom's favorite flower?"

Ani shrugged. "Anything with the color red in it."

Sheppard nodded. "Good, will roses due?"

"If their red, it'll be fine," she assured him.

John took a deep breath, pleased. "Think you can find a way to make sure Simon doesn't come looking for Elizabeth tonight for a few hours?"

Ani grinned at the challenge. "I'm sure I can think of something… I am a Sheppard after all."

Colonel Sheppard laughed at that, kissing her forehead. "Thanks, Ani."

"Anything to help you fix this whole thing," she told him, leaving to work out a plan of her own.

John watched her leave, and then ran a hand through his hair. "This better work," he muttered to himself, before heading toward his quarters to find some things.


"I'm fine, Doctor," John assured a worried Doctor Beckett as he traveled through Atlantis.

"You had a seizer, Sheppard! I don't know about your country, but in mine that's a BIG red flag, son!"

"Carson!" Sheppard finally snapped, stopping in front of the man who didn't seem to want to leave him alone. "If I don't figure this whole thing out, I'm dead whether in the infirmary or not… I might as well be productive… and at least this way we have a CHANCE to save our asses from a timeline re-haul. This is important!"

Carson sighed, folding his arms. "And if you have another seizer?"

John sighed. "Please, just let me try. I can't just give this up now… I know I can get Elizabeth to see reason. I KNOW I can."

Beckett frowned, shaking his head. "God in heaven, I can't believe I'm saying this, but… fine. If you think you can do this, I won't stand in your way. Now what do you want me to do?"

"What?"

"Well if you're gonna do this, lad, I'm going to make sure that it's as easy on you as possible! Now what do you want me to do?"

John grinned. "Jason and McKay should be coming soon with the white cloth… we have a bit of redecorating to do."

"Redecorating? Just what are you planning son?" Carson asked in confusion.

"Just meet McKay and Jason when they come back. They'll take you to the room I'm using and from there; I'll tell you what to do with the cloth."

Carson raised an eyebrow, curious, but chose not to comment. "Got it."


"No, you have to measure and mark where the projectors should be placed, it has to be exact."

Jason groaned, shaking his head. "I HATE math… you know that right?"

John grinned down at his son. "No I didn't… but then again I've only known you for a few days," he reminded his son.

Jason laughed at that. "Wouldn't this be better suited for McKay?"

"Maybe if he and Ian weren't busy talking Caldwell into watching Atlantis while Elizabeth is busy."

"McKay! You asked Doctor Rodney McKay to play the ambassador! Are you nuts!"

"Jay, don't worry! Rodney will come through for me… and if he doesn't… there's always Ian."

"Ian McKay is almost as bad as Rodney!" Jason muttered, marking the spot he'd just measured while Carson, Anika, and Noah worked on hanging up the white cloth Chaya had given them. "I cannot believe YOU came up with this… you sure Carson didn't help you come up with this?" he teased.

"What, I was never romantic in the past?"

"Not really… I mean Mom loved everything and anything you ever thought of, but it didn't seem all that impressive to me. On your anniversary, you'd go to the balcony a lot… have dinner under the stars… but I never really got it."

John smiled at the thought, knowing why Elizabeth had always loved it. It was 'their' balcony… the beginning of the end as far as Sheppard was concerned. "It's complicated; you'll understand when you're older."

"That's what my father used to say," Jason told him, a sad smile on his face as his thoughts fell to the past.

John grabbed his shoulder gently. "I told you I'd try, Jason… if I can, I will fix this."

"I know…" Jason whispered before looking back down at his work. "One down… two to go."

John gave his son an appreciative nod before getting up to help the others with the white cloth.


It'd been a while since she'd been there, unable to face the memories that would hit her in that place. She was afraid, she knew that. She knew she feared what the balcony meant to her, to them. Elizabeth stared at the door, before finally taking the steps that would take her to her once sanctuary. The doors slowly opened, opening the peace she'd always found in this place, to her. The salty air filled her lungs as she breathed in deep, closing her eyes at the sensations… so many memories all at once. So many memories made in this sanctuary.

With her eyes still closed she walked to the railing, feeling the breeze surround her as the past flew through her. She thought of John, of what their relationship had once been. This, this was the place they'd had the true first kiss… a kiss not forced on them, a voluntary kiss pushed on by their growing feelings. She could almost feel it, the way his lips had descended on hers, the softness, the texture, the tenderness. It had shaken her to her core when he'd turned towards her, deepening the kiss, caught in a trance. She could still remember her heart, beating so hard in her chest, almost as if it were tried to escape the cage it was in. His arms had surrounded her, as hers had surrounded him. They would have gone on forever if not for the need to breathe. She remembered when she finally broke the kiss, how hard it was to pull away from him. She'd wanted more, so much more.

"I love you." He'd whispered those words so faintly, that she hadn't even been sure he'd said anything, but as she'd looked into his eyes, she'd known he'd spoken those three words. She'd never seen such devotion in a man's eyes before. Under the stars as their only light… it had been so romantic, so amazing.

"I love you back." Nothing could have ever stopped her from saying those words to him. She'd never wanted to say those words as much as she had with him. It had been so important for him to know… know he was loved. She remembered his smile, the grin that light up his face… she'd put that there. His forehead had moved to rest on hers, eyes closed as they stood there on the balcony, knowing somehow that they had a future together, both knowing with those simple words that they would never have to be alone again.

Elizabeth opened her eyes, not even bothering to stop the tears that quickly fell down her face. She'd once been so happy, so content with her life… when had that changed? How in one moment could things go so badly? The sob that hit her broke the flood gates as she sunk to the floor, unable to control, unable to keep up the lie that she was fine. She had to get off this balcony… she couldn't do this. She couldn't face this world… it seemed wrong to be at this place… this sacred ground for her and John. This place was no longer hers alone, it was shared, shared with another and to be here without him was wrong. With all her strength, Elizabeth got to her feet, wiping her tears and leaving the sanctuary, trying to make it to her room before she broke down again.


"Mom?" Noah called as he looked around for her. He'd looked everywhere. Everything was set up… in hours John Sheppard's plan would begin, but it wouldn't work very well unless Elizabeth Sheppard came. "Mom?" Finally he reached her room, and after some hesitation, he opened the door and walked inside, facing darkness, and the sound of someone crying. "Mom?"

Suddenly everything was quiet. "Noah? What are you doing in here?"

"Mom… why is it so dark?"

"Noah, please, this isn't the time. I just… I just need to be alone right now."

"I can't go just yet! I'm supposed to tell you!"

"Tell me what, Noah?"

Noah paused once more, trying to calm himself down. She'd been crying. Noah crawled onto the bed, using his other senses to find his mother, and quickly hugged her tightly. "Mom? Why were you crying?"

"Noah… I wasn't…." Elizabeth sighed, wrapping her arms around her youngest son, hugging him back. "It's kind of complicated."

Noah just nodded against her, closing his eyes, they were useless at the moment anyway. "Jason and Ani want to see you in two hours… I have a piece of paper with where to go."

"See me? What for? Why in two hours?"

"It's a surprise… to cheer you up I guess. They went through a lot to get it together, promise to come?"

"I promise," she answered, kissing Noah on the top of his head.

"Jay says to wear the red dress," Noah added.

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow at that, frowning. "What's he up to?"

"It's a surprise, Mom! I can't ruin the surprise! Me, Ani, Jason, and a few others did it… just come and you'll see. You'll like it, I promise!"

"Okay, okay… I'll be there. Now why don't you got give them the message and let your mom get ready, huh?"

"Are you gonna cry again?" he asked, quietly.

"No, sweet heart… it's okay… I'm okay. Just go on."

"Okay," he finally said, giving her one more squeeze before leaving the room.

Elizabeth sighed, running a hand through her hair before she got out of bed… unable to stop the small smile that appeared on her face. Leave it to one of her kids to never allow her to be upset for long.


"Well?" John urged.

"She's COMING!" Noah answered excidedly.

John grinned brightly, relieved. "Great, GREAT job Noah! Now go head over to your Uncle McKay's office, he's gonna watch you for tonight… okay?"

Noah sighed. "Can't I just stay with Jason and Anika? Please? I promise I won't get in the way!"

"I'm gonna be sending them off too, Noah, this is gotta be done myself… as soon as they're finished, they're going to Elizabeth's room. I promise I'll tell you all about it later if I can, okay?"

"Fine…" Noah agreed, not at all pleased with this part of his father's plan.

"That's my boy, now wish your father good luck!"

"Good luck," Noah said hugging his father before he turned around and ran off.

John watched him leave, already sure that fatherhood was way better than he'd ever expected. "Thanks buddy," he whispered, then turned to look at his handy work. "Break a leg, John," he whispered to himself, nervous as time ticked by.


"There you are! I've been looking for you all day!" Simon told her, walking from behind her, wrapping his arms around her. Elizabeth sighed, leaning against him. She was looking at her closet, not yet ready to do anything as her thoughts still lied in the past. Simon seemed to caught on, as his pleased smile faded. "Elizabeth? You okay?"

Elizabeth tried to smile, but gave up when she realized how fake it would look. "Don't worry about me, I'm just… got a lot on my mind."

"You aren't getting cold feet are you? I know the reason you delayed the wedding was because of the crisis with John, but once this is all sorted out…." Simon trailed off, moving his arms from around her, then turned her to look at him. "I love you… you know that don't you? I know it took way to long for me to realize it, but you must know how important you are to me."

"I know Simon… you wouldn't be on Atlantis if you didn't love me."

Simon smiled, stroking her face. "You could have any guy in the universe… so why are you choosing me?" he asked, his voice in a whisper.

Elizabeth paused, unsure as to how to respond. She couldn't have any guy in the universe… if she could she knew Simon would not be the one she'd choose, the idea depressed her more and more. She did love Simon, but was it the same feelings she'd had when they'd first been together, before John, before Atlantis?

"Elizabeth?"

Elizabeth sighed, shaking her head. "I better get ready. The kids have a surprise planned for me," she told him, changing the subject.

Simon moved his arms to his side, his mood suddenly darker, from the look in his eyes. "Carson signed me for a double shift tonight, so I won't be finished until morning… he said something about other obligations, so I have to fill in for him."

"I'll see you in the morning then," she whispered to him, giving him a small kiss.

"No, I'll be sleep in the morning… you'll see me tonight… we can have dinner."

"Sounds good," she agreed, then turned back to her closet. "I better get ready, wouldn't want to be late."

"Right, see you later, Elizabeth. Love you."

Elizabeth turned her head to watch him leave, then frowned, turning back to her closet once more. "Love you too," she whispered, shaking her head as she went looking for her red dress.


John paced back and forth, unsure of what he was going to say when she finally arrived. In minutes he'd be facing her again, and he wasn't so sure he could handle it. He didn't want to get into another fight, and he sure as hell didn't want the evening ruined by seizer. So far he'd been fine, but he knew how quickly that could change. Suddenly Jason walked into the room, dressed in a nice black suit. He smiled at the sweat he noticed on Sheppard's face. "Relax, dad… you'll do fine."

"You're not the one with the galaxy's fate on your shoulders! I'd think you'd be just a bit nervous considering if I fail you may not even ever be born!"

Jason just smirked, watching his father pace back and for, one single rose in his hand. "You're wearing a tux, you have a red flower in your hand, and an apology… it'll go fine. This was beyond brilliant, dad, and I KNOW she'll love it."

John stopped pacing finally, calming himself down as he stood next to the table set for two, with another rose sitting in a vase in the middle of the table. "I hope so."

Jason walked over to his father, giving him the remote to work the projectors. "As soon as I give the word, turn on the projectors and watch Mom's jaw drop, got it?"

Sheppard rolled his eyes. "I WAS the one who came up with all this, I'm sure I can remember a simple idea I thought of," he muttered.

Jay just chuckled, knowing his father was being snappy because of his nervousness. "Good luck, pops… and breathe! You don't look as good blue."

"Right."

Jason turned around, waving back as he walked to the door, waiting for Elizabeth to arrive. Noah and Anika, also dressed up to the max, waited along side him, eager to carry out Colonel Sheppard's plan. Finally they heard her walking down the hall. Noah was the first to walk outside, and then Ani, having her wait as Jason gave John the word. "Hit the lights!" he ordered his father.

John hit the power button of the remote and suddenly the room came alive, the lights darkening, leaving only small dots of light from the ceiling and the light projecting onto the walls, videos John had found of the life he'd once had with Elizabeth. Elizabeth walked in slowly, wearing a beautiful red dress that took John's breath away. Sheppard stared in shock as she looked around, looking just as amazed. "Wha?" she spoke under her breath, staring at the various videos. On her left wall was a video of her wedding with John. She hadn't even known John had the video. Right in front of her in the large room was a video of her and John at a anniversary party… their first. Rodney and Carson had thrown it for them. She and John were slowly dancing to the music, staring at each other and no one else. The last video, located to her right was one of John's old favorites. When they'd been together he'd always played it. They were all on the mainland, the children playing and enjoying themselves. She was sitting under a tree, John right behind her, holding her to him. Elizabeth's eyes finally settled on John. "You did this?"

"Well I had a little help," he told her, walking slowly to her. Finally when he got over to her, he stood still, staring down at her with something like love in his eyes. He extended the rose, his face serious as he stared back at her. "I went to my bed alone… and woke up with a wife, a family, and a screwed up future, Elizabeth. Help me make it right."

Elizabeth shook her head, realizing what all of it was, knowing he was still trying to push her. "I'm marrying Simon, John… it's too late for us."

John wouldn't let her go though; he quickly grabbed her arms, dropping the rose between them. "Elizabeth! Don't! Don't go! You HAVE to listen to me, Elizabeth. No more excuses, nor more explanations. It's just you and me, Elizabeth, just give me a chance!"

Tears fell down Elizabeth's face as she struggled to break free of him, but of course neither her heart nor her body to escape. "No John! Why can't you just accept it! We're over! It didn't work out! Why do you keep pushing this!"

John held her tighter, moving his face close to hers, his eyes seeing into her soul. "I can't let go, Elizabeth. You may be able to let go of me, but I can't let go of you! God dammit, Elizabeth! The moment I met you… I knew you'd change me… make me better, but I never imaged this! I never imaged us! I can't accept defeat because I've fallen in love with you, and I don't know how to stop! You've been pulling me in from the moment we met, and now you have the most important part of me, and if you really don't want me than give it back!"

"Give WHAT back!" she asked, screaming.

"MY HEART! GIVE ME BACK MY HEART!" he shouted.

Suddenly Elizabeth stopped struggling, staring into his eyes, surprised not even covering her feelings now. Slowly John let go of her, looking away, but not fast enough to hide the tears in his eyes.

"God, in my timeline I don't even HAVE you… and I already can't let go." John wiped his eyes, and turned back to look at her. "Since the moment we met I've been trying to pretend… trying to tell myself that you're no more different than any other woman I've ever known, but the fact of the matter is… I can't deny a thing here. I… NEED… YOU."

Elizabeth sighed, closing her eyes to stop her own tears from falling. "I heard you, John," she finally told him.

John stared back at her in confusing. "Heard me? When?"

"When you were talking to Rodney… in the gym… before Chaya kissed you. I heard you," she explained.

FLASHBACK

"Before I left… after she defended her people… we shared something. It's like nothing I'd ever felt before… something deeper than words. It was like we were one… like she was a part of me and I was a part of her. I've never shared so much of myself with any other woman… not even Elizabeth."

Elizabeth watched as McKay took another sip of his water, unable to leave. "Do you love Chaya?"

"I don't know… I don't know anything anymore. What Chaya and I shared was special, but I love my wife! Elizabeth is my world, but… I just… what happened between me and Chaya… I can't forget the past, Rodney; I can't just forget what we shared," John whispered. Elizabeth's eyes widened, unable to process the confusion in his face. How could he be so unsure of his feelings for Chaya if Elizabeth was supposed to be his world? It didn't make sense.

"No one is asking you to."

"Rodney, what if what I'm feeling really is love? What if I do still have feelings for Chaya? Where does that put me and Elizabeth?" She couldn't take anymore, unable to hear what she feared to be true. Before John could say another word she was gone.

END FLASHBACK

To Be Continued…

A/N: I have about maybe one or two chapters left, guys! I decided to give you a little extra this time… but once again I've torched you with a cliffhanger… sorry guys! Just don't kill me! I have a story to finish:D