Things from that moment went from bad to worse….

First, they almost lost Atlantis to a power hungry psycho who used a pheromone to nearly take over Atlantis. And then they alerted another enemy to their presence, the Asurans were a real threat that nearly killed her- then John got captured by their old 'friend' Kolya and was fed upon by the wraith….

Elizabeth thanked the stars every day that the Wraith could give back life and John was returned safe and sound and in Rodney's opinion a little younger to Atlantis, but that wasn't where the bad luck stopped.

The very next crisis was when Rodney and his sister ripped a hole in another universe-but thanks to the help of 'Rod' they averted that catastrophe but then her flagship team was caught on a planet and nearly all killed themselves. Then they found an ancient ship travelling between the void of their two galaxies and they rescued them and found that there were real live ancients on board.

Elizabeth thought that this would be a good thing, but it wasn't. The ancients took Atlantis away from them, and then when the Asurans attacked, she helped John, Rodney and Carson steal a jumper to save Woolsey, O'Neill and Atlantis. How they pulled that one off, Elizabeth wasn't sure but it wasn't without sacrifice. All the ancients had been killed by the Asurans and Elizabeth knew then and there that although they had gotten Atlantis back- her luck had finally run out.

Elizabeth wasn't really surprised at the news however, even though she was expecting it, the fact that it was really happening still shocked her to her core and as she sat at her desk with her head in her hands she vehemently wished that she could do something about it.

And that was how John found Elizabeth, her head resting on her clasped hands and her arms resting on her desk. John paused in her open door way and just stared at her for a couple moments realising that something was really, really wrong and as stomach twisted in fear he saw her raise her head and smile sadly at him.

"John," She whispered quietly. "I'm glad you're here." Elizabeth paused and watched as John walked forward with a furrowed brow and concern in his eyes. "We need to talk."

"What is it?" He asked worriedly as he took his customary place on the left corner of her desk. "What's happened?" John watched as Elizabeth closed her eyes ad took a deep breath to regain her composure and when she opened her eyes again he saw tears glistening in them.

"John," Elizabeth began slowly, as though by not admitting this she could make it go away. "I've just received news from the SGC."

'What kind of news?' John wanted to asked, but in his heart he was afraid to ask- so he merely nodded to Elizabeth, indicating to her that she should continue.

"In the data burst that we got from them, I got an encrypted message from the IOA." Elizabeth continued, her voice wavering with emotion. "They have finished their review of my leadership her in Atlantis and…." Elizabeth looked down, her voice breaking with emotion.

"Elizabeth?" John asked worriedly sinking from the corner of her desk to the chair across from her. "Elizabeth what is it?"

"John," Elizabeth began, visibly upset at what she was going to tell him. "They've decided that my leadership skills are lacking and that due to the increased threat of the Asurans they are militarizing Atlantis and I am being recalled to Earth."

"What?" John exclaimed in shock, his blood boiling with fury. "How could they do that- after all you've done-"

"That's exactly it John," Elizabeth interrupted. "They are doing this because of all I've done. And you have to admit John, I have made some pretty huge mistakes in the past couple of months."

"Oh, like the SGC hasn't made an equal number of mistakes-" John retorted sarcastically. "More, actually seeing how they've been around about eight years longer than we have."

"Yes," Elizabeth agreed with a small smile. "But they were never under such scrutiny before- they are now, and they've pulled up their socks. We didn't."

John didn't reply to that, he was to shocked to do anything but lean back into the chair. And in the stunned silence that followed, his mind finally comprehended what was going on, and that Elizabeth- his Elizabeth – was really going to leave Atlantis, possibly forever.

"So…" John began slowly realizing what this meant. "You're leaving."

"Yes." Elizabeth nodded with a frown. "I am."

"What-"

"Does this mean for Atlantis?" Elizabeth finished looking at John. 'For us?' Was her unasked question, "I don't know." She answered honestly. "I do know that with the increased military presence many of the scientists will have to go…"

"Rodney?"

"No." Elizabeth shook her head. "No, the IOA and Caldwell both agreed that Rodney and Zelenka need to stay here."

"Caldwell?" John asked not understanding what Caldwell would have to do with anything.

"He's replacing me."

"He's-?" John could barely get the words out. "How could he-"

"I know."

"I mean- if any one should-" John choked on the fury that was building up in him. "I should…..but Caldwell?"

"Never knew you wanted my chair John," Elizabeth stated softly evoking a strangled and strained laugh from John.

"You know that's not what I meant." John said seriously looking Elizabeth in her eyes.

"I know." Elizabeth replied quietly.

"Does anyone else have to leave?" John asked after a few moments of awkward silence, wondering if Teyla and Ronan will be asked to leave.

"Don't worry John," Elizabeth promised. "The IOA and Caldwell agreed that both Ronan and Teyla have invaluable information about the Wraith, and the Asurans"

"I see……"

They sat in silence for another couple of awkward moments till Elizabeth brought herself to attention and broke the silence telling John that she now needed to go around to Atlantis and break the news to everyone that she was leaving. John merely nodded, understanding that this was something that she would have to do on her own- all the while wishing vehemently that she didn't have to do it at all.

A/N- I know that I said I wans't going to update for a while- but I did. Here it is, Chapter 2, Horrid Developments. Chapter 3 will be up relatively soon- but when, I have no idea- this story isn't my priority right now, but I wanted to upload it. Hope you enjoyed, please review...I love my reviews