Rinoax - Oh I know. I can see the evil smile, too. Well the hand on the thigh was meant to be innocent. LOL Then again, who knows what's really on her mind?

Sparklyshimmer2010 - Oh I know, trust me. Having to eat nothing but the softest foods isn't all that wonderful, either. :S If you liked the last chapter, I think you'll really like this one. I know you'd love 'Soul Reaper', a two-parter update for my other story. I'm not sure when I'll be posting it, but I love how it turned out, soooo....

Oursonguimauve - Well they're all supposed to be pretty much unrelated, so I wasn't planning on having them admit it. But I do try to point out they both know it's there. Glad you enjoy it. :)

Charlie Blue - I'd suggest turning it off and mailing support for help. That way people won't message you and wonder why you're not getting back to them. Yeah, I was hoping people wouldn't think I did two chapters just focusing on his legs, and I'm pleased to see people enoyed it. I noticed that about him. Joe Flanigan aka John Sheppard is so well formed, all over. Everything is long and lean, and in proportion.

I'm sorry to hear about your week and hope next week goes better.

The scene where Elizabeth went to Relax was inspired by Hills of Myst by Within Temptation. It's an absolutely stunning song and I'd recommend it to everyone.

Some of the lines are taken from Prodigal (?) and instead of Woolsey saying them, John is. :P

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I am so clever. I thought with a grin as I snuck past a couple of marines who were speaking to John. Glancing at him, he had his head down and didn't look up from some paperwork they handed him as I walked past, quickly and quietly. As soon as I was out of sight of the control room, and the countless reports that had to be filed, I walked briskly down the hall, to the nearest transporter.

Yeah, yeah, I know. This is exactly the kind of thing I'd berate my officers for. After three days straight of filing reports with little to no distractions, I felt like I was about to go insane, and I knew I definitely needed a break.

My ear piece beeped, and I heard John's voice.

"Elizabeth?"

I raised my hand automatically to tap it, but froze with my finger about an inch above the button, frowning and stepping into the transporter.

"Elizabeth, can you hear me?"

I hit my destination on the panel beside me and grinned to myself as the transporter lit up just as John rounded the corner and shot me a confused look. Everything turned blindingly bright, and when it cleared I was standing in a newly excavated section of Atlantis. One only myself, John and his team knew about. As I stepped out of the transporter, I took a deep breath and felt the stress flow off my shoulders a the salt in the air made it's presence known.

"Elizabeth!"

I tapped my ear piece and sighed. "Yes, John?" I knew it was useless to ignore him, he'd seen me and was likely to gather a search team if I didn't respond. Stepping forward, I walked down a hall filled with debris, stepping over fallen beams and rusted panels. The hall itself was nothing special, but where it led to…

"Where are you?" I could hear the stern edge in John's voice, and the hint of scolding. "And why didn't you answer me before??"

I raised an eyebrow as I turned the corner and continued down another hall. I knew no one would come looking for me here, because the place hadn't been cleared yet and was technically off limits. It was safe, we all knew that, but until it was cleaned up, only myself, John's team, and whoever John chose as the cleaning crew were allowed here, and even then, anyone else was supposed to come to me, first.

"I'm fine, John." I sighed in exasperation. "I got tired of reports, so I'm taking a break." I stopped at a four way split and looked around.

"That doesn't answer my first question. Where are you?"

I grinned to myself, having cleared the memory bank from the transporter. John would need Radek or Rodney's help to get it back, and that would mean informing them he lost me, which John's pride would never allow unless he thought I was in danger. "I'm safe."

One hall ended at a dead end, having collapsed from the time spent under water. If it wasn't for the shield, there would probably still be water along the floor. Another turned a few feet down, and I knew it connected with the next passage and a few empty rooms. Taking the last one, I headed down the straight hall to my destination and sighed with a smile.

"Elizabeth…" I could hear John on the verge of growling.

"Look, I just need a little time to relax. I'll be back in a while, ok? Elizabeth out." Tapping my radio into the off position, I sat down on another fallen pillar and stared out at the breathtaking sight before me.

It was dusk and the sun was just beginning to set on the horizon. There were occasional clouds in the sky, and the sun had painted them, along with the ocean, in hues of orange, red, and purple. The way the sun was now, it was hidden behind the spires of Atlantis, but it's rays painted them in dusk colors and the whole city seemed to glow with an unnatural beauty. Not that it didn't have that, already.

Where I sat, the hall ended in a gentle slope leading into the frigid waters of the ocean, and there was some grass growing along the edges of it. What was truly amazing were the flowers. They were absolutely breathtaking, made of a crystalline substance and shimmering violets and blues. As the sun lowered more, they began to open up, releasing brightly glowing balls of light into the sky to float around gently on the breeze.

Closing my eyes, I listened to the wind blowing in crevices of Atlantis, whistling and almost humming softly. If I concentrated, it sounded like Atlantis was singing, and I could almost feel the city's… I don't know how to explain it. A presence…?

My eyes shot open and I felt my entire body stiffen, realizing that this 'presence' wasn't Atlantis. Someone else was there with me. Jumping up, I spun around and gasped in surprise when my eyes locked on slightly startled green ones. "John!"

He stared at me a moment before his eyes slid past me to the scene. They were wider than normal and filled with awe. "This…. This is….." He just stared out over the colourful scene before chuckling a little. "God, this is amazing!" He moved over and sat down beside me on the beam before patting it for me to resume sitting.

I did so, still staring at him, a little irritated that he got the drop on me and that he even found me to begin with, and a little confused as to his reaction. Surely he'd come here before, himself. "What?" I asked, when he raised an eyebrow and looked at me.

"I could say the same thing. Here I am, thinking you've lost your mind, and you're enjoying a…" He turned out to the sunset, his eyes on the glittering balls of light that seemed to hover over us, in the humming air. "Gorgeous sunset…?" Suddenly he frowned and looked at me. "You poached my private spot!"

I blinked a little, startled by his exclamation. Then I started to laugh. "Excuse me??"

He seemed to realize how that sounded and blushed. In the fading light, he grinned and turned to the crystalline flowers. "I mean, you found my private spot."

I raised an eyebrow and stared at him pointedly. That didn't sound any better.

His blush deepened, he groaned and slapped his forehead, and he grinned a little to himself. Chuckling, he shook his head. "This is where I come…" He sighed. "when I need to relax, too."

Nodding a little, and ignoring all the innuendo my mind helpfully picked out of that little conversation, I turned out to the sights. "So you have been here before?"

"Yeah, of course."

"Why did you seem so surprised by it?" I turned to see him looking at me in confusion, before a look of realization appeared on his face.

"I usually come out here during the day." He pointed to the flowers. "Those aren't there." He pointed to the orbs of light. "Those aren't there… Are you sure those are safe to be around?" He shook his head. "It was just…startling."

I nodded and turned back out to the now almost set sun, watching as the glowing orbs lowered to the flowers and seemed to dance over them, highlighting the already glowing crystal. "Yes, it most certainly was to me, too, when I first came out here. Which brings me to my next question." Turning to John, I noted how he watched the flowers intently. "How did you know where to find me."

"I thought like you."

I raised an eyebrow. I most certainly hope not! "Really? How's that?"

"If I wanted to get away from everyone for a little while, I'd go to a place that wasn't open to the public, so to speak. A place few people knew about, but one where I really could relax." He turned to me and smiled a surprisingly warm smile. "That and I had Radek trace your last transport."

Smacking his arm a little, I couldn't help but smile as I nodded. "Ahh, I see." He must have been worried, then. "So… You gonna take me back?" I gave him a pout and hopeful look. "I'm being good, really."

He chuckled and shook his head before leaning against me a little. "Nah, I'm gonna stay here with you. That way I know you're safe…" He tapped his ear. "At least one of us has a radio on." He raised an eyebrow as I tapped mine back on. "And I can enjoy the scene, too."

We sat in companionable silence for a while. Once the sun had set fully, the flowing orbs gently flew back down to the flowers and settled into the centers of them. Then the crystalline walls closed over them and they darkened.

"It doesn't last long, does it?" John's voice was unusually soft and quiet.

Turning to him, as I hadn't expected his quiet question, I noticed his eyes were unusually soft as he took in the now dark flowers. "No, it's a sunrise and sunset thing." I watched as he nodded and sighed before closing his eyes and leaning his forehead on my shoulder a moment. Part of me wanted to question that, but he raised his head and stared out over the water, the entire glowing city of Atlantis acting like one big nightlight for us.

Not to mention, both moons were out and full.

Shivering a little, I became aware I was out here in my t-shirt, and the air was starting to get cold. I was about to open my mouth to say something to John about heading back, but I felt a warmth wrap around my waist and turned to find John's arm there. There was a slight tug, and I was tucked up against his side. Instantly, I felt his body heat seeping into me, and I sighed, feeling content.

"You still have reports to do." He stated in almost a whisper.

I grinned to myself and shook my head before leaning it on John's shoulder. "Tomorrow."

We sat quietly watching the star-filled sky twinkle above the ocean. The cool air seemed to hum, still, and I closed my eyes and relaxed against John.

I may be clever, but apparently, so is John.

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Hills of Myst always brings tears to my eyes. It's so relaxing and absolutely gorgeous. :)

Hope you like it.

Written November 18, 2008

R+R please

Thank you

Tenshi