Chapter 4
Even though it was late, the selection was still good and the kitchen staff was so pleased to see them both that a few items, not on the menu, miraculously appeared on their trays.
John steered her over to a far table by the window where they could have a little privacy. They talked and joked and laughed as they ate and slowly Elizabeth felt that hard, tightly wound part inside her start to ease.
"Now aren't you glad you came?" he asked as he came back to the table balancing two cups of coffee and a plate of chocolate chip cookies.
"Yes," she sighed as she settled back into her chair and looked out at the view. "I hadn't realized how much I needed this." Turning her attention back to him she smiled. "Thank you."
He grinned in return as he poured a little cream into her coffee and then pushed it across the table into her hands. "But something is still bothering you, right?"
She closed her eyes briefly as she warmed her hands around her mug. "Have you ever felt something was too good to be true?" She raised her eyes to look into his.
"Well, let's see…" He started counting off on his fingers. "Thanks to the Lantean Council, we're all back in Atlantis… we have a fully charged ZPM and the knowledge to make more…we have a Lantean battleship twice the size of the Daedalus that brought another control chair and a cargo bay of drones…the Lanteans are sharing their knowledge and technology with us…we're embarking on a mission of exploration with them in the Pegasus Galaxy…and not only is the IOA off our backs, they're courting our favor." He shrugged and grinned at her. "Yeah, I can see how you'd think that."
"I'm serious, John," she sighed. "At times I'm afraid this isn't real…that it's just something I've wanted so badly that I'm dreaming it into existence."
John reached across the table and took one of her hands. "When we were tricked into thinking we were back on Earth…despite how real it seemed…deep down inside, somehow, you knew it wasn't right. And when the nanites took over your body and made you think you were back on Earth again, you were still able to hang onto your belief that something was wrong." He gently stoked his thumb over the back of her hand. "Whatever it was then, that guided you…listen to it now."
Letting go of her mug, she covered his hand with hers. She'd never told him that both times, he'd been the touchstone that had grounded her. But as she looked into his eyes, a part of her wondered if, on some level, he already knew.
"I'm so glad you're here, John," she said simply, basking in the warmth of the smile her words brought to his face.
Suddenly mindful of their surroundings, she reluctantly slid her hands from his and wrapped them around her mug again.
Sensing the change in mood, John pulled away as well, clearing his throat self-consciously. "Well, life-sucking Wraith aside, I'm glad to be here too," he said, picking up his cup. "And I have you to blame for that," he teased.
"Oh really? And I thought your decision was made purely by chance."
He smirked and lounged back in his chair. "Oh, the coin toss thing?"
She nodded, her wide eyes watching him over the rim of her mug as she took a sip.
"I lost."
"What?"
His smirk widened.
"I lost the coin toss. But I came anyway."
"But…why?"
"It's that leadership mojo you got goin'."
The corners of her mouth twitched as she tried not to smile. "Leadership mojo? Is this a technical term?"
John waved a hand expansively. "You inspire people to follow you. Even Ronon acknowledges it – and you know how he is about taking orders from anyone non-military. McKay sees you as a leader…well, as much as he pays attention to anyone other than himself…and it's obvious that Caldwell respects you too…grudgingly, perhaps, but its there…
"John…"
"And Doc admires you…although I'm wondering…he seems a little too eager to do your physicals lately…"
"…!"
"Then there's Lorne and Zelenka…wait a minute," he muttered. "Those are more like crushes…"
"John!"
"Hmm…I'm seeing a pattern here…I think I need to get the Head of Security to institute a Stalker Law on your behalf. Wait…that's Lorne and he's one of the main offenders!"
"John Sheppard!!"
He ducked as part of her cookie flew at his head then turned around as a startled yelp sounded behind him.
"Hey Miko!" he grinned. "You look nice…new haircut and contacts?"
The tiny woman smiled shyly, dark eyes peering back up at him from under thick black bangs. "Thank you, Colonel…er, I mean…?"
"Commander."
"Ah, yes, thank you Commander." She gingerly held out a chunk of cookie with two fingers as she brushed crumbs from the chest of her lab coat. "I believe this is yours?"
"Oh…sorry 'bout that." He took the cookie and started to eat it.
"John!"
"What?" He stopped mid-bite and turned to Miko. "Did it hit the floor or did you catch it?"
"I caught it, Commander," she replied proudly, still fussing over a spot of chocolate on her pristine coat.
"There ya' go…better than the five second rule!" He grinned as he finished it off.
Ignoring him, Elizabeth turned her attention to Dr. Kusanagi who was fishing a small data pad out of her pocket.
"What can I do for you, Miko?" she asked kindly.
"Forgive me for interrupting your meal," she began, bowing her head slightly to Elizabeth and then John. "I need your signature on these procedures." She handed her data pad over and stood with her hands clasped, waiting patiently as Elizabeth looked over the request.
"So are you and Dr. Z keeping busy in the 'jumper bay?" John asked, leaning back as he studied her. He smiled to himself as he watched her hands fidget and a slow blush creep up her neck.
"Yes, the Lantean engineers have been most helpful to us." She pointedly ignored the man's amused gaze, keeping her eyes on the pad Elizabeth was signing.
"There you go, "Elizabeth returned the pad. "Will we see you at the party this evening?"
"Yes, we'll be there." Still avoiding John's eyes, she ducked her head and with a hurried 'Thank you' skittered off.
Turning to John, Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. "What subtext of that conversation did I just miss?"
Her companion grinned. "New haircut? Contacts? A bit of lipstick? You're a woman…do the math."
Elizabeth's other eyebrow rose. "Ah…the 'we' she spoke of…and I have a sneaking suspicion you know who that is?"
John smirked. "Evidently, a passion for puddle jumpers isn't the only thing she and Zelenka share."
Her eyes widened in surprise. "Are you sure?"
"McKay said when he called Zelenka and told him we were going to restaff Atlantis…bingo…the next day they both showed up at SGC with suitcases and applications in hand."
"That could just be a coincidence."
"And Zelenka's shaving now."
"Oh."
"Exactly!"
He frowned as a thought occurred to him. "Hmmm…I guess that means I can cross him off the Stalkers List now."
"Oh, John, for heaven's sake! Would you please …" she paused as two men walked into the mess.
Seeing her reaction, John swiveled around, following her gaze.
"Who's the guy with the bad hair walking in with Doc?"
"Oh. That's Simon … Dr. Wallace." She slanted a glance at John. "You remember…I told you about him. He's on temporary assignment, doing genetic research with Carson."
John grunted. He also remembered that this was Elizabeth's ex. She'd never talked about what had happened but he'd gotten the impression that it hadn't ended well. It was a thought that brought up unexpected feelings of protectiveness and a twinge of jealousy that he quickly tamped down.
He watched the two men fix cups of coffee and tea, hoping they would take their conversation to another table but no such luck.
"Elizabeth! John!" Carson beamed at the sight of his two friends. "Can we join you?"
"Actually, we were just leaving," John said, scraping his chair back as he started to stand.
"Don't let us keep you then," Simon said, sitting down next to Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth didn't move, John slowly eased himself back down.
Carson smiled to himself, amused by John's reluctance to leave.
"John," he said brightly. "I don't believe you've officially met Dr. Wallace yet."
"No. But I've heard about you," he said. "John Sheppard," he nodded curtly.
"Simon Wallace." They stared at each other for a moment and then Simon turned his attention to Elizabeth. "I've been here for two days but somehow we seem to keep missing each other."
John frowned slightly as he watched Simon give Elizabeth a friendly smile. "She's Governor of this city. She's got a few things on her plate," he said pointedly.
Elizabeth glanced across the table at John, surprised at his tone. "Yes, I have been busy," she agreed. Turning to Simon she smiled apologetically. "There is a great deal to do to get this new expedition ready."
Simon nodded in understanding. "I didn't mean to assume otherwise." Sitting back, he quietly listened to Elizabeth and Carson talk about the clinic the doctor wanted to establish on the mainland.
But as he stirred his coffee, his sharp eyes watched John look over and noticing Elizabeth's empty cup, pour a little cream into his own black coffee and push it toward her. And as he observed Elizabeth flash John a smile of thanks, and accept the cup without missing a beat in her conversation with Carson, Simon smiled ruefully to himself and wondered if it had ever been that easy between them.
"Well, if you'll excuse me," he began as he rose to his feet. "I think I'll go check on how the staff is setting up my lab."
"We'll see you at the party tonight?" she asked.
He frowned. "I'd like to, but I don't think I know my way around well enough to find the big ballroom everyone is talking about."
"It's not hard to get to…"
"Well, how about if I stop by your quarters and we can walk over together?"
There was an awkward pause.
"I'm not sure when I'll be free to go," Elizabeth began evasively. She looked over and tried to catch Carson's attention. "Perhaps some of the medical staff is going over together?" she asked hopefully.
"Aye!" Carson's head shot up as John kicked his foot under the table. "Aye, we are…going together that is…and you're welcome to come along."
"Great!" She nodded at Simon as she stood. "Well, gentlemen…I need to get back to my office."
"I'll walk with you," Simon offered.
Carson watched John's gaze follow the two out of the mess, noticing how his hands tightened around his coffee cup. Taking a sip of tea, he eyed the younger man speculatively. He knew that John hated to discuss personal things but his dear friend Elizabeth's happiness was at stake as well. Taking a deep breath, he set down his tea.
"I know you'll be thinking this is none of my business, son…" He held up a hand as John started to agree. "Just let me just say my piece and I'll never bring it up again." He waited for John's reluctant nod and then continued.
"I don't doubt that it's been easy for you, where women are concerned, but Elizabeth's different. She's not some easy chippy."
"I never thought she was!" John said defensively.
"I was fair certain you didn't." Carson nodded. "But you have to realize your reputation might not put you in the best light, as it were."
John grimaced. Every since Rodney had stuck the 'Kirk' tag on him he hadn't been able to shake it – despite the fact that he'd been totally, frustratingly celibate since Teer.
"So what is it you want to say to me?" he asked with a small sigh of resignation.
"Just two things – first, make up your bloody mind. If you're serious about her, stop all that confounded eye-sex and make a move, lad!"
John raised an eyebrow in surprise. "And second?"
Carson leveled a stern gaze at him. "Don't muck it up. If you hurt her, you'll have me to answer to!" He thought for a moment and then added, "That is, if Ronon and Rodney don't beat me to you."
-tbc-