Something To Talk About

Summary: Gossip turns up about a relationship, and Sam Carter asks John Sheppard to take care of it. It leads to guitar playing and a relationship blooming . . . Set in Season Four, includes Jack/Sam romance . . . Well, we're obligated to keep it going, they're the pair that started all this!!!

Genres: Fluff and Slush, General, Humor, Other/Misc, Romance

Warnings: None

Rating: PG

Chapter Title: Chapter 5 - "Reactions"

Author's Notes: Everyone finds out about the newest relationships on Atlantis. Some are pleased, while others are somewhat disconcerted.

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"What's wrong?" Elizabeth asked as John Sheppard entered the administrator's office.

"Well, I fixed the cameras, but just as Sam and the general stepped out of her quarters -- hand in hand --" he informed her, raising his eyebrows as she slightly smiled, "well, that was the moment that McKay decided to round the corner and almost run into them."

Elizabeth raised a hand to her head, then lowered it as she processed the rest of John's story. "Wait, that means he didn't see them?"

John stood on his toes and looked down, quietly muttering, "No."

"But?" she continued, crossing her arms and walking closer to him.

"I told him there was an explosion in the control room so he'd run back to the transporter. I called him back and told him never mind, but now he's pacing around Atlantis, asking everyone he meets if they've heard anything about an explosion."

Elizabeth sighed. "That was close. Honestly, I don't know how long we're going to be able to keep this relationship under wraps."

"Which one -- ours or theirs?" He sighed and sat down in one of the chairs. "I'm starting to think that this was a bad idea," he mentioned, running his hands down his face.

Elizabeth took the seat next to him. "I think it might be time."

He inhaled and looked from the desk out the window and back to her. "Whatcha mean?"

"I think it's time to bring the relationship out in the open."

"The real one or the 'real' one?" he asked.

"Ours," she stated, looking intently at him.

John smiled, and then glanced around. "Wait, you're serious?"

"I think that aside from casting a diversion, it might be a welcome thing for everyone to know. I'm starting to wonder why people haven't brought it up before."

"Oh, they have. Just not to our faces."

"True," Elizabeth replied, drawing a smile from her face. "So, what are you planning in that regard? Will your team be ready?"

"If that happens, yeah, of course we will! It's my team," he said, standing up and walking past a rather befuddled Jack O'Neill. "General, excuse me," he whispered, leaving the room.

"Elizabeth."

"Jack."

"What is going on around here? First, I get McGeek coming up to me and asking me about an explosion and then you two completely change the conversation to something you apparently know nothing about."

"I'm sorry, I don't catch your drift."

"First," Jack said, closing the door, "it's me. I look stupid, but I'm not. Completely. We'll get back to McKay later. What's going on?"

"John and I have been quietly dating for the past two months."

Jack nearly took a step back. "Ya know, I was actually expecting a lie. Thanks for letting me know. Name a kid after me, will you?" he replied, smirking.

Elizabeth motioned for him to sit down. She narrowed her eyes, explaining, "The explosion was a cover. You see, John and I know about you and Sam. And just as you were leaving her quarters this morning, Rodney was about to stumble upon you, so John told him there had been an explosion to get him away from the area."

"No wonder Carter started talking gibberish when we were walking. Geeks and nerds must produce some force or something. Go fig."

"John and I have been mercilessly teasing Rodney with private PDAs to try and divert his -- and everyone else's -- attention. We're covering for you, even though our butts are on the line."

"No, they're not. You're not in command and not in the military. No problem as I see it."

"True, but the IOA tends to not share your viewpoint."

"Ahh. They certainly make life interesting and painful, don't they?"

"Consider this a special trip for the two of you. John is planning to go public with our relationship, possibly before you leave." Elizabeth shook her head. "Honestly, this is crazy. We shouldn't have to live under a rule that some relationships aren't allowed. If people love each other, they should be with each other."

Jack leaned forward. "I've been telling myself that for nearly ten years. That is the only thing that got me through."

* * * * *

John was strolling rather leisurely through the outer corridors of Atlantis as he came upon Sam, her hair pulled back in a pony tail and her gaze intently on a report in her hand. He grabbed her elbow and steered her off to a balcony.

"Colonel, we need to talk."

Sam sighed sharply. "Yes, we do."

"Okay, cause I -- what?"

"There's something that I haven't told anybody since I arrived on Atlantis, and with Jack being here, it doesn't help things."

"I know about you two, and so does Elizabeth," John admitted quietly, looking out at the ocean. "McKay came close to finding out, but I told him a little lie about an explosion so he'd high-tail it out of there."

Sam nodded, and then smiled. "You have any idea what a relief it is for someone to know? The only people that know are Daniel and Teal'c and now you two also. It does feel like a relief," she thought aloud.

"So, um, how long have you two been dating?"

Sam turned to look at him, arms crossed. "John, we're not dating."

"Okay, now I'm confused -- wait, you don't mean--!"

"Jack and I have been married just over two years now."

"Holy cow. Holy cow."

"What, are you Hindu now?" Sam asked, a quirky little smile on her lips.

"Well, this is certainly a surprise. But a happy one."

"So how long have you and Elizabeth been seeing each other?"

"Every day for four years."

"Okay, rephrase. How long have you been dating?"

"Roughly the last two months. And we haven't told anyone yet, either."

Sam nodded, and then Chuck's voice buzzed in their earpieces. "Control to Carter and Sheppard."

"Go ahead," they both replied.

"Your presence is requested in the 'Gate room."

They looked at each other. "Understood," John replied as they both started walking to the 'Gate room.

* * * * *

Jack was pacing around the room, waiting on Sam to show up. He needed people to know. Honestly, he was ready. And if they didn't accept it or tried to use it to discredit him, he could simply say that he and Carter were under an alien influence. Like you see you prove that!

Sam and John Sheppard emerged from the side door. "Sir, what's going on?"

"Something that's been going on for far too long. Sam, I love you." He cupped her cheeks and kissed her soft and long, a round of cheers and a thump erupting from the control room.

Chuck ran out. "Sir, sir, ma'am, ma'am, Dr. McKay just fainted!"

"Aw, let him be." John turned to Elizabeth. "It's too bad, though."

"Why is that, Colonel?"

"He'll miss a double performance," he replied, smiling teasingly at her, as he tipped her chin and kissed her.

The cheers amplified and Jack and Sam, having finished their show, turned around and laughed and grinned as she snuggled under his tight arms. John and Elizabeth broke it and smiled, and as the noise calmed down they heard a voice say, "Oh, my God!" and another thump on the floor.

Chuck ran out again. "He woke up and saw you, then fainted again."

Jack smiled darkly. "I have an idea . . ."

* * * * *

Rodney McKay awoke with a headache and a faint recollection of not only General O'Neill and Sam, but of Sheppard and Elizabeth kissing in the 'Gate room. He wished it was all a dream, looking around for any evidence that an alien had tampered with his memory, or that he was lying in the infirmary, just having recovered from a deadly case of delirium.

But considering that wherever he was, the room was pitch black. He groaned, "Computer, bring up the lights 20%. 40%. Oh dear God!"

He barely uttered the last word as he slumped again, realizing that he'd awakened in a room full of what appeared to be lemons.