Elizabeth sank against the wall in her quarters. She sat on the floor and drew her legs up to her chin contemplating what she had done. She had left before he had woken, closing her eyes she shook her head 'who does that?'

Checking the time, she realized he would be awake by now; know that she had left him. Just this thought made her cringe and tears started running down her face. What had she done? This was just going to make things even harder than they were before. She knew by staying with him last night John would have hope, hope that she would change her mind. She wanted to, god how she did but she wouldn't, couldn't.

Elizabeth blinked back the tears as she got up and moved to the bathroom to clean herself up. She couldn't kid herself that she hadn't wanted it. She had wanted to know that he was alright, show him how she felt even if she couldn't tell him. She didn't regret it but now she didn't know how to face him, that's why she had left early. She had left because she had known that had she woken in John's arms he would insist on talking, something she wasn't ready for. Elizabeth finished washing her face and quickly changed her clothes before the mission briefing.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

John walked into the briefing room to find only Rodney seated. Moving over to the table he chose a seat further down the table. Rodney glanced at him questioning his action.

"What?" John asked coyly.

"Why move? That's your seat. You never let anyone sit there!" Rodney pointed out.

"I need a change." he replied. Rodney just shrugged and returned to his papers.

He'd chosen "his" seat because it was opposite Elizabeth's, simple as that. After last night, he did not think that he could sit there without doing or saying something he'd regret later.

"Gentleman."

The sound of her voice echoed throughout the room and John's head snapped up. He looked straight at her, trying to catch her eyes. He watched as the mask come down over her face and her eyes bored into his. John shook his head; this wasn't going to be easy.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

"The Bedans are willing to trade food for information on how to refine their agricultural techniques," Teyla informed the briefing.

"Is that all?" Elizabeth enquired.

"They also wish to learn more about basic medical techniques," Teyla continued.

"Such as?"

"Sutchering and diagnosing. Basic things like that," Carson informed Elizabeth.

"Is that it?" she questioned.

"No…Not exactly," Rodney edged in.

"Well?" the word came out a little harsh and Elizabeth knew that she sounded a little hard.

"We located ruins...Ancient Ruins," Rodney started.

"They look promising, only they need to be translated. I thought of you." Rodney pointed to Elizabeth.

John had been unusually quiet during the briefing but when he heard Rodney his head snapped up.

"No!" he stated fiercely.

"Colonel, Elizabeth is the foremost expert on Ancient. We need her there." Rodney retaliated.

"She's needed here," John argued.

Elizabeth stood from her chair and glared at John.

"Colonel, I am needed where ever my abilities are. Where ever I can help further this expedition. Is that understood?" She had emphasized his rank to make sure he knew she was serious.

He glared back at her defiantly, not saying a word. She knew he would bring this up with her after the meeting, something she was not looking forward too.

"I'm going!" Elizabeth finished.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

The briefing had finished 10 minutes ago and John had yet to leave his seat.

Elizabeth walked over to where he was sitting and sat down next to him.

"Why?" he questioned softly.

He turned to look at her a confused look in his eyes.

She knew it was her that had made him so unsure of things and she wished in someway she could reverse it.

"John, you need to understand that I am doing what is best for us, for Atlantis." she whispered hoping he would understand the double meaning behind her words.

"You can't go off world Elizabeth, I won't let you!" he stated.

"Why?"

"Because we can't have the leader of Atlantis away from the city for too long." he floundered trying to come up with a reason.

"John, I was away from Atlantis for a month!" She claimed remembering the trip back from Earth on the Daedalous.

He could see he wasn't going to win so he tried to make a compromise

"Okay. I will back down if you agree to a security detail with you at all times."

"Okay." she nodded.

Elizabeth went to stand up but John grabbed her arm and turned her to face him.

"About last night…" He started.

"John…"

"I can't just forget."

"I know…but its complicated," she stammered.

He raised his hand to touch her cheek and unconsciously she leant into it.

"Just be careful. I'll be in your security team." He whispered.

She smirked knowing that he was going to say that.

"I'll see you later."

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

John looked around the embarkation room as everyone geared up. He watched her slip on the back pack and knew that this trip was going to be good for her. He had his reservations but as long as he was guarding her, he'd make sure nothing would happen to her. It couldn't, he closed his eyes against the thought of something happening to her and knew that nothing would while he was watching her.