Title : Love Cant Hide

Date : 11th May 2007

Author : ElaineDex

Chapter : 3 of ?

Rating : M

Pairing : Lt. Cl. John Sheppard/Lyssa Hunter, Ronon Dex/Dr. Ellie Harrison-Dex

Archiving : None

Warning : Some sexual content, possible swearing.

Spoilers : This storey follows on from Love After Love.

Feedback : Yes

Disclaimer : Only Ellie is mine, Stargate/Atlantis and all their characters are not. Lyssa Hunter belongs to Kazavid.

Summary : Following her second reunion with Ronon, Lyssa realises that maybe he wasnt her one true love after all.

Lyssa was in a foul mood. She wanted to be alone. She didn't want to see anyone or make polite chit-chat, she just wanted to sit in silence and grieve.

Grieve for the family that had been taken so cruelly from her on this day so many years ago.

She made her way to one of the highest points on Atlantis and went out onto the outer walk-way, the cool breeze hitting her in the face as soon as she stepped out.

She breathed in deeply, the fresh air soothing her soul.

She thought about her father and how she missed telling him things. A girl needed her father to rely upon. She missed having someone to rely on. It had been so long since she had been able to trust anyone but herself. Her time with Ronon had been cut short twice now and whilst she knew he was still her friend, she realised he now had other priorities.

She felt alone, utterly alone. As she thought of her mother and younger brother, tears pooled in her eyes and she couldn't help the sobs that escaped her.

Lyssa was not normally a tearful person but today she had decided she wanted to be, she wanted to wallow in her own sorrow and not have to make excuses to anyone for doing so. She was always so strong. But not today.

ooOoo

Down in the gate room, Major Lorne looked at Ellie and Captain Jones. They were waiting to go off-world and Dr Weir was getting agitated because they were holding up the gate schedule.

"You two have any idea where Lyssa could be?".

Both of them shook their heads.

Lorne tapped his ear-piece.

"Lyssa come in? Lyssa this is Lorne. Can you hear me?"

Nothing.

Just then Sheppard appeared at the top of the steps.

"What's the problem Major?", he asked and they all turned to look up at him.

"Lyssa's gone AWOL", Lorne replied and Sheppard nodded.

"Ok, well, it's your call. Go without her if you want. I'll go look for her".

Lorne shook his head and looked to the gate controller.

"Stand us down", he said and then looking at Sheppard added, "We'll all look for her".

As Lorne moved to go and speak quietly with Sheppard, Jones turned to Ellie.

"This is ridiculous, we should just go without her".

"We're supposed to be a team", Ellie replied, frowning when Jones made a derisive noise before moving away.

Ellie shook her head at the Captain's back as she headed toward Lorne.

The search for Lyssa began and Sheppard headed off on his own. He had an idea where she might be. She had mentioned that she liked the view from the highest point of the city and he wondered if she was there now and if she was, what the matter was.

Eventually he reached the view point and saw through the glass that Lyssa was indeed there and she looked upset. He tapped his ear-piece and spoke quietly.

"Lorne, Sheppard here. I've got Lyssa...if you feel you can do without her get the rest of your team and get on your way, i'll see you later".

"Yes Sir", Lorne's reply came back.

Slowly Sheppard stepped out onto the balcony.

"Hey", he said softly and Lyssa spun to face him, surprised at hearing someone's voice and when she saw it was him she turned away quickly, groaning inwardly at the fact that of all the people on Atlantis, he should be the one to find her like this.

"Are you ok?", Sheppard asked and Lyssa didn't answer immediately as she was trying to get her voice under control.

"Lyssa? What's going on?", Sheppard asked, becoming quite concerned now.

"Nothing's going on, i'm fine", Lyssa eventually managed, turning her head to one side when he moved to stand next to her.

"Well standing up here all alone and not showing up on time for an off-world mission with your team doesn't seem like nothing to me", Sheppard said gently.

"Oh, god, the mission. Am I in trouble with Lorne?", Lyssa asked, momentarily forgetting her tear-stained face as she turned to look at him.

"No...but you could be in trouble with me if you don't tell me what's wrong", Sheppard replied going to touch her but she moved away, further along the balcony.

Frowning Sheppard followed her.

"Lyssa?", he pushed, his eyes widening as she suddenly rounded on him.

"It's the anniversary of my families' deaths ok? My entire family were slaughtered by the Wraith on this day exactly nine years ago and i've been pretty much alone ever since. Is that a good enough reason for you?", she said hotly, swiping at fresh tears as they spilled out onto her flushed cheeks.

"Lyssa...i'm sorry. I had no idea", Sheppard said, reaching out for her once more but again she evaded his touch.

"Well, you wouldn't would you. It's not something you just drop into conversation", Lyssa replied, calming slightly as she took in the look of distress on his face.

"I'm tired of being alone", she admitted, taking a leap of faith.

"You'll never be alone as long as i'm around", Sheppard said stepping toward her slowly, as though almost afraid she'd move away again.

When she didn't he reached a hand out and cupped her face, his thumb smoothing over a tear-track. He watched, enthralled, as Lyssa rubbed her cheek against the palm of his hand as though seeking comfort.

He stepped closer and pulled her head to his shoulder and they just stood there for a moment before he wrapped his arms around her. She wasn't quite as tall as him and he rested his cheek against her forhead, loving the feel of her in his arms...finally.

After a few minues Lyssa raised her head and looked at him.

"Thank you", she said and Sheppard regarded her.

"For what?", he asked and she smiled.

"For just holding me and not trying anything else", she replied and Sheppard suddenly looked uncomfortable.

"Let me guess", she said, "you were thinking about it?".

Sheppard squirmed visibly and Lyssa touched his face before he started to waffle.

"Kiss me John", she said and he looked at her for a second or two before his mouth met hers.

From behind the glass Ronon turned away and headed back down the stairs. He had heard Lyssa was missing and he'd known why. It seemed Sheppard had found her first though. He felt hurt that Lyssa hadn't felt she could tell him that Sheppard was her mystery man and as for Sheppard, why hadn't he been man enough to just come straight out and tell him?

End of Chapter 3