Elizabeth was silent for a moment before she looked at Carson and asked, "Does this seem like a plausible explanation for what happened to John?"
Carson nodded, "It would explain what caused his condition without leaving a mark on his body."
Elizabeth nodded, that was the conclusion she had also drawn. She looked around the room and asked, "Do any of you know who John loves, because if we're going to need to bring them through the Stargate we're going to need clearance."
The remaining three members of SGA1 all shook their heads; John had always been quiet about his life on Earth and would always change the subject when someone asked him about it.
Rachel watched as Elizabeth's face dropped slightly. She spoke again in a quiet voice, "It is said that the one who sleeps, awaiting their loves kiss, can reach out with their mind and find their hearts desire and then bring them to their side."
The gentle sound of John's voice calling her increased in volume in her head at Rachel's words.
Elizabeth tried to ignore it, there was no way it was real, and concentrated on what Rachel was saying. "If John had indeed fallen under the influence of the forest spirit then whoever he holds dear in his heart should be hearing his voice."
"If they're on Earth," Carson said, "Then they may well be playing it off as missing him and we'll never find them."
The voice in Elizabeth's head increased in volume yet again and was now shouting her name. Elizabeth closed her eyes and squeezed the bridge of her nose in an attempt to stop the headache the voice was creating and hissed, "Shut up."
The voice cut off and Elizabeth opened her eyes to find that everyone was watching her. Carson gave her a concerned look, "Are you ok love?"
Elizabeth nodded, "It's just a headache."
She didn't know why she didn't tell them the truth but she was still trying to talk herself out of the conclusion that she had come to after hearing, and digesting, Rachel's story. John couldn't love her, the same as she couldn't love him, she was his boss and it wouldn't be right.
The voice came back, more gently this time, and Elizabeth heard John's voice say, I do love you Elizabeth, have for a while. There's nothing anywhere saying that we can't love each other, you're not military so regulations don't really apply.
Elizabeth shook her head slightly. She was aware that everyone in the room was watching her as she replied in her mind, I know that John, but I only recently realised that I do have feelings for you, let alone that they're returned. John was silent and Elizabeth heard someone clear their throat lightly. She looked up and saw that everyone was watching her closely with mildly concerned looks. It looked like Carson had been the one to clear his throat. Elizabeth gave him a small nod before looking at Rachel. "Is the link between John and whoever permanent?" she questioned, hoping that the answer was no, she didn't really fancy John in her head for the rest of time.
She was mildly disappointed when Rachel nodded, "On our planet, when one falls in love it opens their mind to their partner," Rachel paused then added, "Although I am not sure if any of this will apply to your people, if you will be effected in the same way."
Elizabeth sighed and nodded, "Well half the legend is right at least, John can communicate with the one he loves."
Realisation dawned on the faces around her, all apart from Rodney's. "How do you know that?" he asked.
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow at him, but seeing his still blank expression she sighed once more. "Because I can hear him Rodney. That's who I was telling to shut up earlier, not Carson."