Title: WHEN TRUE LOVE COUNTS


Authors: RALF – the collective name for the GateWorld Zelenka/Weir thread participants in round robin fanfiction.

RALF Authors - Allestian, Fififolle, Reefgirl, Rosehawk with HyperCaz

Disclaimers: The Stargate Atlantis characters, as presented on the series, belong to MGM, Sci Fi, and other registered copyright holders. No copyright infringement is meant or intended by the writing and posting of this material. This is a piece of fanfiction that does not earn profit, but is purely intended as harmless enjoyment of the show. Please do not repost this fiction, in whole or in part, anywhere, without the express written permission of the authors.

Spoilers: Season 2 setting, but really none.

A/N: The first round robin fanfiction creation from the GateWorld Zelenka/Weir thread. Set in motion by Rosehawk, and RALF Proboard created by HyperCaz. I'm sure you can guess what RALF stands for… Radek and Liz Forever!

Story: Dr. Weir stood alone on the balcony. Holding her arms around herself as the cool breeze blew gently across her face, she was deep in thought, wondering why the recent off world team had not reported in.

They should have gated in at least an hour ago. Not even a message had come through the gate from them. She sighed. Her concern wouldn't be as great if her two chief scientists weren't part of the missing team, but they'd both been so adamant. The new and strange power source that Major Lorne's team had found on PX2-448 had been the perfect lure.

She hadn't wanted to let Radek go. Rodney could have gone and not returned – that would hardly raise this reaction from her. Her head scientist had been grating on her nerves lately, complaining about everything from the natives on the last planet where they'd been wanting him to marry their princess; to the water in his room being too hot. Radek, on the other hand, helped keep her sanity intact.

The two shared many quiet times together, occasionally with the aid of a chess match. As Elizabeth thought of the times that she spent with Radek she clenched her hands anxiously on the railing.

Why hadn't they reported in? What had stopped them? Had there been an accident?

She had to shake her head to stop herself following that train of thought, trying to block out images of an injured Radek. It would break her heart if anything happened to him.

Drawing a deep breath and smelling the salt spray in the air, Elizabeth recalled the last time she had stood here, fearful for Radek as he lay injured in the infirmary. Lieutenant Ford had laid him out cold, and bleeding. The sight of him being carried past on a stretcher had chilled her heart, sending her to this very place. She hadn't been able to bring herself to visit him in the infirmary then.

Instead she had just stood there and worried. Now she was doing the same thing, knuckles whitening as she tightened her grip on the balcony rail.

Only this time there weren't going to be any warnings or sudden power cuts that had occurred during the besiegement of Atlantis. Anything could happen this time. The Wraith could have captured him…no, no, no…the team could have been caught. Or he – they – could be bleeding in a Genii prison.

The ticking of her watch seemed to throb, the second hand dragging along with time. Elizabeth didn't know what to do. She could play solitaire, but it would remind her of how Radek always competed with her in card games or when he conquered her high score while she wrote up reports.

But what if her computer crashed? Then she would need him even more. She wished she smoked, she wished she had a drink in her hand, anything to take her mind off him. Maybe a trip to the gym would help, work off a little of her nervous energy and keep her mind occupied.

She had barely walked two steps inside when she heard it, the alarm that brought her back to reality. Could it be – yes, the Stargate was dialing an incoming. Was it them – was it him? She took a deep breath to gather her composure. No one could know that she had feelings for one under her command – she was on duty, she had to be strong.

Taking another deep breath, she walked briskly into the Control room.

It was just a trading team coming back from a mission to a planet that produced a coffee-like bean. Elizabeth held back the scream of frustration building in her throat.

She asked as casually as she could, "Is there…any word from Colonel Sheppard's team yet?"

"Not yet, ma'am," Chuck shook his head.

Elizabeth's mask slipped and a look of worry passed across her face. She commanded unsteadily, "See if you can contact them by radio."

Chuck immediately started to dial the gate. She clenched her fists at how slowly he seemed to be doing it. She reached over impatiently and finished the sequence. To her horror the gate failed to lock. Elizabeth tried to breathe as panic threatened to erupt from deep inside.

"What do you mean it hasn't locked?" demanded Elizabeth, ignoring the startled expression on Chuck's face.

The technician explained tensely, "The final chevron won't lock. It would appear the other gate is gone, ma'am."

Elizabeth crossed her arms to keep them from shaking. Radek – the team – was now stranded on some planet with no way of getting home. What had happened to the gate? What could have destroyed it?

"Dr Weir, wait," Chuck said, eyes narrowing, "It might not be gone." He leaned forward onto the console, checking all of the crystals and readouts.

Elizabeth moved forward in an attempt to see what he saw. She set her lips at a thin line, inquiring, "What do you mean?"

"They might be dialing into another gate; a busy signal, so to speak."

She smiled in relief and relaxed her arms, hope returning warmth to her heart. But why would they be gating to another planet? Something wasn't right. She patted Chuck on the shoulder and ordered calmly, "Keep trying."

She turned away and took several deep breaths, trying to keep herself from shivering. She mustn't give herself away. She could almost hear the whispers of those who thought she was worried about John Sheppard. She was almost glad of these rumours and nurtured them herself, diverting everyone from guessing where her true feelings lay.

"Connection established, ma'am," Chuck announced, blue light drifting over his face from the wormhole, "But I can't reach Colonel Sheppard and his team. I think they're gone."