Disclaimer: I don't own Atlantis and I'm making absolutely nothing off of this story. Nothing, Nada, Zilch.

Summary: When the team finds an Ancient ruin on the mainland, Elizabeth joins them in an attempt to unlock its secrets.

I started writing this story shortly after "Intruder" aired, so it takes place in between that episode and...umm...probably"Instinct."

A/N: So this is my first venture into lengthy story land. I hope you enjoy it!


She could feel another headache coming on, the kind that wouldn't be quickly alleviated by a couple of Tylenol. No, this headache demanded a rare cure, one that couldn't be obtained easily: A full night's sleep. She rubbed her temples gently in an attempt to ease the pain, but it was to no avail. The words on her laptop's screen kept running together as she tried, for the umpteenth time, to read through one of the team's mission reports. At this point and time she couldn't even remember whose it was. A sharp rap at the door provided a welcome interruption.

"Come in!" she called.

The door opened to reveal an annoyingly bright-eyed John Sheppard. "Good morning Dr. Weir," he said, producing a cup of steaming hot coffee from behind his back.

Elizabeth started a little and glanced at the clock. It was 0800 hours which meant…"I'm late for the briefing!" She exclaimed in horror.

If there was one thing Dr. Elizabeth Weir never was, it was tardy.

"I volunteered to come get you." John offered her the coffee.

She took the proffered mug with a grateful smile and followed him out into the hall.

"Well," she grimaced as they were walking, "This is embarrassing."

John turned and looked at her, "What, you mean being late? Don't worry about it Elizabeth, you're only human," then he added teasingly, "At least I think you are"

Tired as she was Elizabeth couldn't come up with something witty to say in reply, so she just smiled and shook her head as they entered the briefing room. The scene that greeted them was close to chaotic. Ronon had McKay's laptop and was threatening to smash it into the wall. Rodney, never tactful, was alternating between pleading for his computer's life and hurling abuse at the physically domineering Dex. Teyla had assumed the role of peacemaker and was standing between the two men, a restraining hand on Ronon's arm.

"Gentlemen!" Elizabeth barked at the same time Sheppard said, "Knock it off!"

Ronon and McKay immediately stopped bickering and turned to face Atlantis' leaders. Dex had the good grace to look properly penitent. Rodney wasn't in possession of good grace. "He started it!" the scientist whined, perfectly emulating a five year old.

Elizabeth heaved a deep sigh; this was not what she needed right now. John must have heard the message behind the sudden expulsion of breath. "I don't care who started it," he said, easily taking control of the situation, "In fact, I don't even want to know how your little spat started, unless it's something besides McKay being obnoxious, or Ronon being a bully, or any variation on those two excuses."

Elizabeth thought she and Teyla were doing an admirable job keeping their amusement to themselves, though she could see the very corners of the Athosian woman's mouth beginning to turn up. This was obviously not the first time such a scenario had played itself out amongst Atlantis' flagship team. "Now," John continued, "Let's act like civilized adults and take our seats."

Soon, although McKay was grumbling and Ronon set the laptop down with a little more force than was necessary, the team was seated. Elizabeth shot John her second grateful look of the day and gracefully took her seat. "Now then," she began smoothly, "I understand an interesting discovery was made on the mainland and you'd like to check it out?"

McKay lost his sulking look and replaced it with one of excitement. "Yes," the astrophysicist said, rubbing his hands together in delight. Elizabeth was briefly reminded of a child on Christmas morning. "Yesterday, when we were picking Teyla up from the mainland she told us that a hunting party had stumbled upon a large ruin while they were traipsing through the forest."

John continued from there, "So on our way home Rodney convinced me to take a little detour and fly over the location where they found it, and our scans…."

"Yes, yes, yes," Rodney interrupted, "Our scans picked up massive energy readings coming from the site."

"Any idea what might be there?" Elizabeth inquired.

"No, I'm not really sure," McKay answered, "but that's what we're hoping to find out."

"All right then," Elizabeth said as she rose, "Good luck. You'll embark at 1300 hours." Elizabeth found herself thankful that the briefing had been so short; she wouldn't have trusted her eyes to stay open had it been of the grueling hour long variety.

When the team had taken their leave, she allowed herself to sink back into the chair she had so recently vacated. Folding her arms into a makeshift pillow, she rested her head on the table. Just a few minutes, she thought, A few minutes where I can relax and not think of the dozens of things I should be doing. But when her mind wasn't otherwise occupied, memories she's managed to repress were pushed to the forefront of her mind. Simon's apologetic face as he told her the three words that were exactly the opposite of those she'd wanted to hear.

"Elizabeth?" Her head shot up. "Are you okay?" John was at her side, tentatively touching her shoulder.

He must have been waiting for her outside the door and when she failed to emerge, had come back into the briefing room to check on her. "Yes, I'm fine," she said confidently, and to prove it, stood up and promptly fainted.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

"How much sleep have you been getting?" Carson asked, narrowing his eyes at his errant patient.

Elizabeth wouldn't look at him, instead focusing on her hands. "Enough to function," she answered.

Somehow the doctor wasn't convinced. "Oh really?" he said, raising an eyebrow, "then perhaps you would like to explain why Colonel Sheppard had to carry you into my infirmary a few minutes ago?"

She shook her head. Carson rubbed his face, "Look lass, I don't mean to come across like I'm mothering you, but you really need to be getting more rest."

"Carson, it's not like I wouldn't enjoy getting a full night's sleep more often, but I can't. There's just too much to do around here," she protested.

"Nobody is going to begrudge you a few hours sleep every night," he argued.

But they would; she knew. There was a city to be run. Paperwork wouldn't magically get done and problems wouldn't disappear while she was in the land of dreams. "I'm ordering you to take a vacation," the Scot said, pulling out his trump card. As the city's CMO he outranked her when it came to matters of health.

Still, Elizabeth was shocked enough to argue, "Carson, I can't do that! I have responsibilities! And besides, I just took a vacation."

Dr. Beckett sighed, "If you're referring to the trip to Earth I happen to know that you spent most of our visit in meetings or behind a desk, so that hardly qualified as a vacation. Not to mention the fact that our return on the Daedalus was over three months ago, and you've been running yourself ragged ever since."

Elizabeth was slightly taken aback. Had it really been that long? She sighed, the count was Carson: 1, Elizabeth: 0. Suddenly she smiled; she could still best him. "All right Carson," she said in mock defeat, "You win; but tell me, where exactly am I going to go for this little break?"

She saw Beckett's eyed narrow as he mulled over this unexpected flaw in his plan. He knew as well as she did that if she were to stay in the city, work would inevitably find its way to her, whether by her will or not. On the other hand, their few SGA teams were all scheduled for missions, so no one would be able to escort her on an offworld trip, if they could even find a place suitable. He was about to concede her point when John, who up until then had been silently watching their exchange, spoke from his position by the doorway, "My team's heading to the mainland in a few hours if you'd like to come with us. I'm sure the Athosians would love to see you Elizabeth."

She glared at him, but he simply shrugged innocently. Glancing over at Carson, she saw the doctor's face alight with triumph. I was time to bow out gracefully. "All right," she said, the defeat in her voice genuine this time, "the mainland it is."

"Good," Dr. Beckett sounded satisfied, "And don't worry love, the city will still be here when you get back. I'm sure Colonel Caldwell will keep everything running smoothly."

"Colonel Caldwell?" Elizabeth tried to keep the concern out of her voice, but she must not have succeeded because John raised an eyebrow and Carson shot her a questioning look.

"Aye, I know the two of you don't always get along, but he is the most qualified to run the city in your absence," the doctor placated.

Elizabeth kept her voice neutral, "Yes, I'm sure he'll do a fine job."

And he probably would, being the incredibly competent man he was; that wasn't her concern Ever since she had pushed for John to become Atlantis' military commander, Caldwell had been considerably less friendly toward both her and Sheppard; and she might be paranoid, but she got the feeling the Colonel was watching her, looking for any sign that she was unfit for her position. Because of this, she was being even more careful than usual not to show anything that might be construed as a hint of weakness. Elizabeth was pretty sure that needing Caldwell to baby-sit the city while she was on a vacation she had been ordered to take because she'd fainted from a combination of stress and exhaustion and sleep depravation would be construed as a hint of weakness. "All right then Elizabeth; I'm ordering you to take five days off."

"But," she interjected weakly.

"No buts," Carson said firmly, "Five days Dr. Weir, you need it."

Part of her wanted to fight him, but her subconscious knew the doctor was right. "I guess I'll go pack then," she said, giving in.

"Oh, and Elizabeth?" Carson stopped her as she was leaving, "Try to eat more, you've lost a bit of weight,"

"I'll try," she replied, then smiled, "And thanks Carson."

"For what?" He asked, confused.

"For caring enough to make me do this. I may not like it, but I know it's probably for my own good."

He chuckled, "Anytime lass."

As she passed John she gave him a look of mock disapproval. "As for you Colonel Sheppard, later on we'll have a talk about aiding and abetting the enemy."

John gave her a lopsided smile and a sloppy salute, "Yes ma'am." Then his expression turned serious. "I was really worried when you collapsed back there Elizabeth."

She touched his arm reassuringly, "I know, I'm really sorry."

"Well just don't do it again," John teased, perfectly emulating Carson's inflection and tone from earlier.

Elizabeth grinned as the doctor called from the back, "I heard that!"

"I'll try not to," she replied, "and thanks John, for everything."

His eyes met hers. "Anytime," he said softly, and this time his voice held no trace of Beckett's accent.