The spanner bounced off the jumper, landing on the floor just past Carson's head. Cursing as he jumped out of the way, the Scot glared up at the roof of the jumper where the spanner had started its descent. "Watch it," he called up.

"Sorry, I forgot you were down there," Rodney snipped from his perch on the roof. "You've been so quiet."

Carson tossed the spanner politely back up at the other man and sighed with his hands on his hips. "What's the trouble Rodney?"

"Nothing..." he lied without attempt to hide it, "...nothing at all. What could possibly be wrong with the fact that you, who I've worked with for two and a half years, you whom I consider one of my closest friends..."

"...you wanted me to tell you Elizabeth was pregnant," Carson interjected into Rodney's rant. Ducking into the jumper out of the way of anymore falling tools, he climbed the step ladder to activate one of the internal circuits.

Sparks cascaded down from the roof with the hissing sound of released energy. Rodney's voice followed a moment later. "They're both my friends and colleagues. I think something like that would fall into the realm of things I should know," he explained; his frustration palpable in his voice.

"Didn't ye see the look on her face?" Carson pointed out firmly. "She had no idea until I told her. She's been symptomatic since before we even left Earth and she had no bloody idea until the jumper came on."

Rodney's feet appeared over the edge of the hatch, followed by his legs and a thud as he dropped to the floor of the bay. "It still doesn't mean you couldn't have warned me, I can be discrete. I mean...wait...you knew then?" he realized suddenly. "Back on Earth?" he continued with begrudging amazement.

"No Rodney, I didn't know," Carson offered, dropping his hands out of his work and taking a step down the ladder. "I had a hunch when she went a wee bit green on the ride to the restaurant," he explained calmly. Taking the last step down to the floor of the jumper, he met Rodney's confusion with calm. "I think it might have been a bit easier on the poor lass if she'd have let me tell her in private."

"She's never been one to do anything the easy way," Rodney added with a slight shake of his head.

"I think it's a prerequisite to join the expedition," Carson chuckled softly. "I wouldn't worry too much. They're certainly not the first, or last couple to be surprised with a baby."

"A baby..." Rodney echoed softly. "I remember finding out my sister was pregnant. I thought she was absolutely insane to give up her life to be home with the kid." He sank to the bench in the jumper, toying with the spanner as he sorted his thoughts. "Do you think they'll go back to Earth?"

Carson's eyebrows narrowed darkly, but then he smiled as light-heartedly as he could. "Ask me if I think any of us will make it back to Earth anytime soon," he replied without much conviction. He joined Rodney on the bench of the jumper, clasping his hands and resting them on his knees. "I can't see either of them leaving Atlantis. It wouldn't be the same without Colonel Sheppard dragging his team into my infirmary," he said as he began to smile. "Or without Elizabeth yelling at him to prove how much she missed him."

"You noticed that too, huh?" Rodney joined his smile. "Do you think they'll be..." his hands gestured nervously, fluttering together finally to land on his lap. "...together for awhile?"

Carson's laughter echoed through the bay. "I don't know if you've noticed Rodney, but they've been a couple for some time now. I think this 'little development' might make it easier for them to admit it to their selves."

"But everything's okay?" Rodney wondered as his concern played across his face. "You're sure Elizabeth and it..." he paused and corrected himself, "...the baby, I mean...I guess...are okay?"

"I haven't examined her yet," Carson protested as he shook his head. "But, Elizabeth's in good health, and provided we all survive the next few months, I know the baby will be too."

Rodney nodded once. Standing up slowly, he stared off into the other side of the bay in thought. "Are we supposed to do something?" he asked innocently. "Get them a gift or a party or something?"

"Probably," Carson grinned easily. "Why don't we rescue the General first and worry about the rest of it later."

"Yeah, right," Rodney agreed quickly as he headed back to the roof of the jumper. "Rescue the general."

He was supposed to say something. It nagged at the back of John's mind, gnawing at him. Elizabeth's head was still buried in his chest. He hadn't seen her face since the crying started. Having her in his arms was one of his favorite ways to spend his time. This felt like cheating, as if he hadn't earned her being there.

He touched her shoulder, running his hand down her back. "You okay?" he wondered shyly, keeping his voice soft enough that she could ignore him if she wanted.

She stiffened in response, sitting up and pulling away from his chest. The dampness was still there on his shirt, nearly invisible on the black. She shouldn't have given in; Elizabeth chided herself as she wiped her eyes fiercely with her hands. "No," she straightened up next to him, pulling herself together, "Not at all, but it's all right."

"You're always all right," John offered softly as he allowed her to pull back. "I wish once in awhile you'd tell me that you weren't."

"What good would that do?" she asked quickly, trying to smile enough to convince him to leave her alone. Elizabeth wasn't sure that she wanted him to leave, being alone was more terrifying. "Really John, what do you want from me?" Watching his flinch back from her tone, she softened. "I'm..."

"Hey," John cut her off quickly, throwing his hands up in defense. "No pressure, I'm not trying to get anything from you. I'm just here because..." he paused and fell into thought, "I..."

Shaking her head slowly, Elizabeth sighed and lowered it to his shoulder. "Have to be?" she wondered bitterly.

"No," he corrected firmly as he squeezed her shoulders tighter, "I don't have to be. Well, maybe I do..." he rolled his eyes at himself, "...I do. And I want to be. I like being with you."

Starting to laugh slightly, she relaxed into his arm. "That's good," she replied softly, her laughter fading as she grew serious again. "You're going to have a hard time being rid of me. This..." she stopped, sitting up again and rubbing her temples."

"Headache?" John wondered, slipping his hands over hers and taking over the motion. "Crying gives me the nastiest headaches," he admitted softly; finding the tightness in the muscles in the back of her head with his thumbs.

"You don't cry," she corrected as she let him work the tension out of her head.

"I do," he insisted, "There have been a select few Super Bowls that just destroyed me."

Her laughter helped relax the tiny muscles. "Someday you'll have to tell me which ones," Elizabeth baited, reaching up to pull his hands down to her lap. "Thank you."

John squeezed back, freeing one of his hands to wave around the room. Besides the couch, there were two huge windows filled with ocean and a view of the city, a door that promised to lead to a balcony, and a bedroom with one of the few larger beds they'd found. "What do you think?" he quietly changed the subject.

"It's bigger than my last room," her eyes flew around it quickly; she'd barely looked at it before.

"I've been fixing rooms," John explained nervously. "Had everyone else pick one out, but you were so busy I thought..."

"It's lovely," she interrupted.

"I want to move in with you," John finished abruptly; hoping he'd get it out before he lost his nerve. "I've never lived with anyone before, but I'm pretty quiet. I like to read my book. I pick up my socks."

"John..." she stopped, trying to calm herself before she started again. "Isn't this a little quick?"

"We've having a baby," he corrected; sliding off the couch to sit in front of her on the floor. Taking her hand back, he held them tightly in his own, staring up at her expectantly. "I've been thinking about asking anyway. Picked out this room because it's the nicest I've found, came up with a bunch of different ways to ask you."

His hands were warm and heavy on her knees, but the distraction of his suggestion was welcome after the shock she'd had. "John, I don't know," she shook her head, staring over his head with narrowed eyebrows.

"Say yes," he suggested; getting up to his knees to reach her face. "I've come home to an empty place for all of my adult life. I always thought someday I'd meet someone who could put up with me. I've met more people, but it got less and less likely," he let his hand fall back to her lap. "When I met you I couldn't imagine why you'd want me on your team. Couldn't think of a reason to say yes because I'd only end up pissing you off once you realized what an ass I can be.

"But you kept me. You let me in and you made me part of something I lost a long time ago. Until a few weeks ago, I counted you as family. But Rodney, Teyla, Carson, Ronan; they're my family. You're something different," he paused, realizing how foolish he sounded.

"Because I'm pregnant?" Elizabeth wondered harshly. She'd seen his sense of duty before; knew how devoted he was to the people around him. "I don't want you to feel..."

"I don't feel," John snapped back desperately. "I mean, I'm not doing anything. I..." Closing his eyes for a second, he caught up with his racing heartbeat. "...I want you. I want to be here when you wake up in the morning; when you go to bed. I want Elizabeth, not Doctor Weir." Stopping nervously, John fought with his mind. Wishing he could somehow just take everything from his mind and lay it out in front of her, he cupped her face when she tried to look away.

"It's too fast," she whispered. Her hands covered his, feeling the strength in his slender fingers. "All of this is too fast. I used to wonder if I'd have children someday, but I put it out of my mind entirely when I came to Atlantis. I haven't even been on a date in more than a year. Now I'm..."

Her lips were still moving when he kissed her. John felt her gasp before he released her. Meeting her eyes long enough to calm her, he kissed her again. This time she melted into him, leaning forward as he stretched up to meet her. "Let me live with you," he begged softly. "Would it really be that bad?"

"I'm going to be sick. I'm going to be tired. I'm not going to be the best roommate," Elizabeth rationalized as she left the sofa to stare out into the deep blue abyss. "How can you propose this?"

John mouthed the word 'propose' to himself, wondering quietly at her word choice. He studied her back, marveling at the lines of her figure. "I know what I want," he replied simply. "I don't care if you're sick all the time, or if you come home and snap at me every night." Sneaking up behind her, John wished he could wrap his arms around her. "I know how much you work. How much time you spend protecting and caring for everyone else."

"I'm not good at this," she explained without looking away from the window. "I don't even feel like this is happening to me. It feels..." The tears threatened her eyes again, driving the stinging pain of her headache back into her mind. "I came here to save the city. I couldn't let it be destroyed, not when so much has happened here. I never meant to... I'm not supposed too..." Tears glittered in her eyelashes as she turned around, "...I don't know what to tell you."

"I thought you were good at talking," John teased as he reached for her cheek. Stopping just before her skin, he waited; hand in the air as he wondered if he was being too forward.

Elizabeth wiped her own cheek; fighting her desire to just let him take over. "Nuclear weapons are easy," she explained lightly. "Countries are just like people. They have wants, desires, and secrets they are desperately afraid to have brought to life."

"What are you afraid of?" John wondered as he brought his hands back to his pockets.

"Afraid of...?" she trailed off with a shake of her head, "...everything. You, me, never getting the city working again..."

"...being pregnant," John interrupted firmly. "I think I'm, well, I don't really know what I'm expected to do, but I know you. I know what I see in your eyes." He shuffled closer to her, remembering the touch of her skin against his and the taste of the sweat on her neck. "I can help you," he reached out, catching her shoulder, "But you kinda have to let me. At some point you're going to need me."

Shivering slightly with exhaustion, Elizabeth sighed heavily. "I already need you," she whispered finally. "You're my second-in-command, you help me run in the city in so many small ways I could never count them all."

"Colonel Sheppard is your second-in-command," John corrected firmly as he held her a little tighter. "Sometimes you have to just let me be John."

"How can you be sure this is what you want?" she demanded, resolve creeping into her voice. "You don't even know me." Hurt blossomed on his face, surprising her more than she wanted to admit.

"Then teach me," John offered softly, "let me teach you." He released her shoulders, smiling at her with unbridled caring. "After all, it was you that taught me that the unconventional can be exactly what you need sometimes. Right now, I'm what you need. Kids like me." His charming smile and the wink that accompanied it broke through her reserve.

Elizabeth fought her tears again and only partially succeeded. "John," she began, "It's not going to be easy."

"Not if you keep looking at it that way," he insisted as he gently attacked the tears on her cheek with his thumbs, "come here." Drawing her to his chest, he folded her into his arms. Elizabeth remained rigid for a moment, and then her hands dug so tightly into his back that John nearly forgot to breath. "It's okay," he whispered. "You, me, the city, Rodney...We'll all be okay."

"I'll believe you," Elizabeth promised shyly, keeping her head buried in his chest.

"Damn right," John encouraged as lightly as he could. "And about time." He laughed at himself, chuckling softly as he tried to figure out what insanity had led him there.

"I never told you what she told me," Elizabeth began when she turned her head out from his chest, eyes still closed.

"Who?" John asked patiently, rubbing his hand across her back. He waited for her to take a breath before he moved them back to the couch. He was tired, and he guessed she must be exhausted.

"Me," Elizabeth explained, smiling and nodding to him as he sat her down, "The other me, the one we found in the city. She said I needed to be here, right now, that I should stop worrying so much."

"I think she's smarter than you," John teased lightly, offering her the hem of his shirt to dry her face.

Smiling wryly as she wiped her eyes with the edge of his black t-shirt, Elizabeth felt her stomach start to ease. "She has ten thousand years of life experience up on me," she rebutted as she sat awkwardly back on the sofa. John's arm was at her side until she pulled it up over her shoulders. "I think you're allowed," she teased back, grinning a little brighter when his cheeks pinked for a moment. "It seems like there's so much to worry about, especially now, God John, can you really imagine..." trailing off, Elizabeth took his free hand and put it gently over her stomach.

John jerked reflexively, not entirely used to her proximity. He forced his hand to relax and felt the warmth of her body through her identical black t-shirt. "No, I really can't," he offered as he sighed his fear out of his chest. "I wanted, I mean, want kids, I really do like them. I thought I'd be more..." he paused, unable to finish what he meant to say, "Something more at least."

"It doesn't feel any different, does it?" Elizabeth asked him as they shared a nod. "I thought I'd feel something. Ever since Carson..."

"...pointed it out to us," John interjected with a quick grin. "How long do you think he knew?"

Elizabeth's eyes widened in mortification. Sighing as she toyed with John's hand on her stomach, she gazed down as if she'd just discovered her body existed. "Probably longer than he'll ever admit," she decided as her eyes slipped closed again. "It should have been so obvious. I'm not usually so fragile. I was starting to wonder if my body was even on my side anymore."

John held her a little tighter to his side, reminding himself that he'd been all but given her formal consent. "You okay?" he asked as he turned his hand to squeeze the one over it.

"My head's a little fuzzy," she admitted without opening her eyes. "Suppose I should have held it together better. Kept myself from breaking down into a blubbering mess on your shoulder." Her tone belied her annoyance at herself, but the tightening of her eyebrows spoke only of her exhaustion.

"I think that was one of the sweetest things you've done," John argued, completely turning her thoughts around as he continued, "You proved you were human."

"I didn't," Elizabeth replied with mock surprise. "I'm going to have to be more careful. Can't let you know I'm human after all."

"That would really take the fun out of it, wouldn't it?" John joked back as he thought about playing with her hair. He liked it longer, it brought a softness to her face. "Doctor Weir is always serious and most definitely not human," he explained with his voice entirely devoid of emotion.

To his delight she laughed slightly, moving closer to him. "Definitely," she agreed, still laughing to herself. "Most definitely."

The ocean was dark outside the windows of the gate room. Rodney held his cup in his hand. The steel cup was half full of the last of their coffee because he'd insisted that water just wasn't festive enough. Behind him the brilliant blue rippling surface evaporated with a whoosh as their test run shut down. He took a long drink of his water and beamed at his team from his place on the steps. "Here's to a long time before it goes dark again," he toasted proudly.

John clinked his cup against Teyla's and Ronan's and grinned along. "Just say no to electromagnetic pulses and I think we'll be fine," he added to the toast as Carson joined him in a wink.

"Aye, I think I can die happy if I never have to deal with one of those damn crystals again," Carson tacked on as he drank along with the rest of them.

Elizabeth swirled her coffee slowly and realized it would probably be the last anyone let her see of it for quite some time.

Teyla caught her pensive stare and touched her shoulder. "Is something wrong?" she wondered politely. "You look as if your coffee has offended you."

"I was just thinking I'm going to miss it," Elizabeth replied softly, still staring at her cup. "Carson said I need to give it up."

"And you are," John interrupted, swooping suddenly in to take her cup. "In fact, you're giving it up right now."

Elizabeth couldn't come up with a response. She watched him dump the contents of her cup into his and refill hers with water. John pressed it back into her hands without so much as an apology. She hated feeling helpless, and hated the way everyone seemed to have license to treat her as a child.

"It is probably a good idea, since you are pregnant," Teyla affirmed as she finished the last of her own drink. As the look of surprise flashed across Elizabeth's face she smiled, "Rodney informed Ronan and I. We are both pleased for you, though I must admit to being rather surprised."

Choking slightly on her coffee, Elizabeth finished coughing before she could speak. "You're not alone. I...I mean, John and I were a little..."

"...shocked," Teyla finished for her, "Rodney also mentioned that. He said that you were rendered speechless, something he claims to have never seen before."

Elizabeth shot a glare over to her chief scientist. He obliviously returned her annoyance with a brilliant smile and a wave of his cup. She finished the last of the bitter coffee and closed her eyes for a moment. "It's been a strange day," she sighed; her dizziness made her head feel disconnected from her body and an odd feeling of warmth seeped into her skull.

Teyla watched the color drained from her face and forced her down to the steps with strong arms. "Are you all right?"

"Dizzy," Elizabeth explained as her hand slipped to her forehead. "I'll be gone in a moment."

The simple act of sitting down caught both John and Carson's attention so rapidly that they attacked like vultures before Teyla had the chance to inquire further.

"Are you okay?" John pressed anxiously as he settled down next to her on the stairs. They brought the light with them, setting the lantern by her feet.

Carson caught her wrist, taking her pulse with his fingertips. "It's going a little fast love. Maybe you'd let me examine you?" he suggested firmly.

John nodded quickly, pointing towards the doctor. "Definitely let him examine you," he insisted.

Elizabeth let Carson keep his hold on her wrist, but she shot John a glare of annoyance. "I'm fine," she countered, taking her hand back as soon as it was released. "We're all tired."

"Infirmary," Carson insisted, getting up and dragging her to her feet. "If ye come up fine there, you can yell at me for being wrong then."

John caught her arm, standing beside her and refusing to let go as she stood on her own. Teyla stood back a moment, quiet amusement dancing in her soft brown eyes.

Ronan summed it up, "You're all crazy," he announced. "If she's anything like my sister she'll be miserable every day she's pregnant." He shot Elizabeth an apologetic glance as he stole the last of the coffee from the pot in the center of the room. "Best to stop worrying about it now."

Elizabeth's eyes narrowed, but she returned Ronan's smile sardonically. "He's right you two," she began, hating what she was about to say, "I'm probably just one of those really unlucky women."

"You're not going to quit your job?" Rodney interrupted suddenly, "Are you? Because we'd all, miss you, and well, the next commander will probably not be nearly as understanding as you are, and all the scientists would much rather we didn't have a military commander, and you know that's who they'd want to send." He clutched his cup nervously, looking down at the floor when John turned on him. "I just wanted to know," Rodney added defensively, "I think it's a valid question. My sister, who you've met, gave up years of research to have a child. Though the kid is really cute, she should have kept up with her field."

"I'm not leaving Rodney," Elizabeth said as she shook herself free from Carson and John. "I don't intend to quit anything, and if the IOA have any ideas to that effect, they'll have to get through me first."

"Thank you," Rodney said sincerely as the tension slipped from his shoulders. "We...I...appreciate that."

"All right Carson, let's go down to the infirmary and get it over with," Elizabeth finished with a conciliatory smile.

Ronan pushed the lantern towards them with his foot. "You take this, Teyla and I can just bring Rodney along to the Athosian settlement. We're getting some real food..."

Rodney brightened immediately, cheered by the thought of real food. "We'll be fine. See you when they're done with you," he called as bounced up towards the control room to dial the Athosian world. He paused halfway up the steps and turned back, returning to Elizabeth's side to add, "Elizabeth? I really hope you're okay."

Elizabeth squeezed his shoulder before slapping it lightly. "I am fine Rodney," she informed him with an exhausted smile, "Now stop worrying. That goes for all of you."

Ronan chuckled and nudged Rodney towards the hallway. "My sister survived four babies, I have faith in your ability to handle one," he explained as he shared a private smile with Teyla.

"It is the colonel we worry about," Teyla continued, losing the battle to hide her smile. "I doubt he was prepared."

"Oh I'm not," John volunteered immediately, "I am entirely not prepared for this. I don't even know where to start."

"I believe you wanted to start by dragging me to the infirmary," Elizabeth reminded him coyly, "Though I have to admit, it's not terrible romantic if you bring Carson along..."

"Oh..." Rodney winced suddenly, shaking his head in disgust, "You are totally not allowed to joke about that. I just got over the part where I learned you were pregnant; I'm entirely not ready to get into the how. That's just not right..."

"Just think, once you've gotten pregnant, you really don't need to worry about getting pregnant again," Ronan's eyes flashed wickedly as he leaned closer to Rodney. "They can do whatever they want."

"Ewww..." Rodney squeaked as from the control room. "I really didn't need to think about that. I still don't need to think about that..." Ronan bounced up the stairs after him, standing behind him at the controls and leaning in occasionally to whisper something else that only drew more disgusted noises from the scientist.

Teyla gave the three of them a nod before following. "We will see you when we return," she said simply, "I hope your examination goes well."

Awhile later, once they reached the infirmary, Elizabeth slid up on the tan examination table and waited patiently with her hands folded in her lap. "Well, you've got me, now what?"

Setting the lantern on the table so it lit the dark infirmary as best as it could, Carson started with the blood pressure cuff; sliding it up over her short black sleeve. "I'm afraid there isn't much I can do with the medical supplies we have, I'm starting with your blood pressure."

"Okay," Elizabeth allowed gently, watching the needle rise as she felt the cuff tighten around her arm. "Are you going to let John in?" she asked as she glanced across to the door, "He's just going to pace in the hallway."

"I was going to leave that up to you, Love," Carson replied as he listened to her heartbeat thud firmly in his ears. "I assume you worked something out?"

"I'm...he's moving in with me," Elizabeth admitted as she felt the blush erupt across her cheeks. She looked away, watching the smooth light of the battery powered lantern and wishing oddly that it had a flame. The blue-white light just wasn't as comforting as it could be.

"Well that's a way, I suppose," Carson teased as he pulled the stethoscope from his ears and hung it around his neck. "I'll go fetch him, that way he can stop eavesdropping outside my infirmary."

John rolled around the corner, looking rather sheepish. "Sorry," he said without any real remorse. Shuffling up to her side, he gave Carson his full attention. "How's she doing?"

Elizabeth found his hand, pulling it into her lap as she waited for Carson's prognosis.

"I'm going to poke around at your abdomen for a bit, just snap at me when it hurts," Carson teased as he laid her back on the bed.

"Have you noticed how he pulls out the good bedside manner for me?" Elizabeth snapped back as she tried to ignore his hands pressing into her stomach. Staring straight up at the darkened ceiling helped keep her mind at bay.

John jumped when she squeezed his hand suddenly. He leaned down, stopping close enough to her head that he could smell the traces of combat issue shampoo in her hair. "You okay?" he wondered, feeling the sweat of her hand dampen his fingers.

"It's a little uncomfortable," she said as her grip whitened around his. Uncomfortable was an understatement; Carson's hands bordered on painful as he felt his way around her abdomen.

"I am sorry," Carson offered as he paused for a moment, "You have to understand, there's not a lot I can do without power that isn't a little invasive."

Biting her lip let Elizabeth kept her control. John felt his chest tighten in sympathy; he was about to tell Carson to stop when the doctor pulled back his hands.

"All right," he said gently as he helped her sit up. "I'm done. When we get the power back on I'd like to do an internal exam, but for now I can tell that you're between eight and ten weeks pregnant..."

"Guess we had a little more fun on that mission to Ceol than we thought," John said chagrined as she released his hand. He stuffed them back into his pockets, feeling the weight of his new responsibilities settle like lead onto his shoulders.

Elizabeth blushed along with him, wiping her hands against her thighs. "At least my lack of a social life makes me sure you're the father..." she stopped immediately when Carson and John's expressions both turned entirely scandalized. "I'm kidding," she promised as she slid off the table.

Carson managed to smile, but John still struggled with her joke. He shook his head, trying to shed the feeling of betrayal along with it. "That's not funny," he insisted seriously as discomfort softening his expression.

"How are your symptoms?" Carson inquired, professionally inserting himself between the other two. "Are ye still nauseated?"

"Not really..." Elizabeth started. Quickly looking away from either of them before they read the lie in her eyes.

"...yes" John finished for her. His eyebrows narrowed as he struggled with a new sense of duty heavy in his stomach. "And dizzy, and her head hurts."

"I'm fine Carson," Elizabeth insisted over his objections as she glared at John. "He's just being overprotective."

"She's just being stoic," John argued, raising his voice enough to cover hers. His hands emerged from his pockets, and he pointed at her. "She's exhausted."

Crossing her arms over her chest, Elizabeth studied him with a careful eye. "John Sheppard, I had no idea you were such a tattletale." Somewhere within her, deeper than she cared to admit, she was touched by his concern. Her iron control of her expression faded.

"Just be careful, know your limits. You aren't going to be able to push yourself like you are used to," Carson cautioned firmly. "You'll tire faster and recover slower, and the more you push yourself the worse you'll feel." He paused, reaching for her shoulder. "I want ye to take me seriously now, and know I'm not trying to frighten ye," he stopped again, concern softening his eyes. "The first trimester carries the highest risk of miscarriage. Take care of yourself, and let John help you for that matter."

Elizabeth started to speak, clinging to her indignation instead of giving in.

Carson hushed her with a wave of his hand, "I care about ye both, and I don't want to be giving ye any bad news." Rubbing her shoulder to comfort her, he smiled. "So be good," he cautioned, "Don't over do it, give yourself some time to adapt. Don't be lifting heavy things, skipping meals, or getting yourself knocked around by the bad guys."

Elizabeth couldn't look at John, his concern was frighteningly vivid on his face and only made the ice in the pit of her stomach worse. "It's okay now?" she prayed softly. Despair painted a terrible picture of his disappointment. She'd make a mistake, push herself too hard and destroy everything. She'd be the one who ripped his heart out.

"You're just fine," Carson promised as he released her shoulder. "I'll keep an eye on you, and I'm sure John will help me."

John nodded firmly, filing every caution away in his mind.

"Between the two of us, you'll be fine, Love," Carson finished, packing his things away, and handing John the lantern as he sealed his medical kit. The shadows moved against the wall, making them feel small in the empty corridor.

"I don't think I want to know what else is lying in wait for me," Elizabeth complained petulantly as she followed John and the light back towards the cafeteria. The sound of their feet echoed in the empty city, and she pulled her jacket tighter around herself against the chill in the air. It was infinitely colder than it had been before the exam.

"Ye haven't fainted yet, have ye?" Carson threatened with a shake of his finger as he brought up the rear. Her silence made him chuckle as he hurried along after them. "Aye, I didn't think so."

"Doctor Beckett, are you resorting to scare tactics?" she wondered as she tried to rub heat into her arms. It was hard to joke about it. Elizabeth zipped her jacket up to her chin, wishing the flack jacket was a little more insulated.

John waited a step, letting her catch up to him. Switching the lantern to his far hand, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. He moved slowly, not entirely sure what her reaction was going to be. It was a pleasant surprise when Elizabeth smiled and let it remain. Slowing his stride enough to let her keep up, he felt his heart quicken. It had been a long time since he'd had a crush that made his heart beat faster. He watched her smile creep into her green eyes, knowing she'd been worth waiting for and he'd never let her go.