Chapter 4: Ignition

It was like coming home. Lizzie gave a surprised yelp and grabbed his wrists at first, but any resistance melted away after a few moments as she relaxed against him. When his tongue sneaked out, her lips opened voluntarily and she lost herself in that taste and scent and the rush of feeling that was John Sheppard. Soon, her hands were in his hair and his wandered down her back to the hem of her t-shirt, as the kiss grew more passionate and needy by the second. She hadn't even realized that he was backing her against the railing until her bare skin, where her t-shirt had ridden up under John's assault, touched the cold metal.

The sensation brought her back to reality. Against the screaming protest of her own body, she moved her hands to his chest and pushed him away gently.

"John, this isn't the answer."

His lips were still parted breathlessly as he studied her face. "I don't know, it seemed pretty eloquent to me."

She smiled sadly. "Certainly more honest than we have been with each other in the past week."

John became serious and bit his lip. Without releasing her from his embrace, he looked directly, intensely into her eyes and the butterflies in her stomach gave an angry flutter.

"Oh God," she thought. There was something about the way she reacted to him. It never failed to surprise her how easily he could make her become so totally absorbed in him, his body, his touches, even the looks they shared. The whole world slipped away and it was just them. When he touched her, she always felt like her entire being wanted in on what was happening. But there was more at stake here.

"I am many things Lizzie, but I'm not an idiot." John interrupted her thoughts. He spoke slowly, pronouncing every word carefully, as if to measure whether it was good enough for the occasion. "I neither have, nor ever had the intention of running off anywhere with anyone. If I can have you, why should I settle for anything less? Now –" he put a finger on her lips when she opened her mouth to protest, "- I am by no means saying there isn't a chance it won't work out. There always is, but… I'll be here as long as you'll have me. That I can promise you."

Lizzie's expression was unreadable for a moment and in the span of those few seconds, cold dread washed over him. But then she softly kissed the tip of his finger and her face split into a broad smile. His heart jumped.

"That's good, because I don't intend to let you go in the near future!"

He grinned back and his thumb started caressing her cheek. "Despite the stubbornness, the miscommunication, the jealousy…"

"I thought that was quite cute, actually."

He feigned a hurt look. "Cute?! Ah, the death sentence to manliness. Why don't you just take a knife and stab me through the heart, Lizzie, or better yet, cut off my…"

"Hush," she silenced him with a saucy grin that he bet no one in Atlantis but he had ever seen. "I have better uses for that."

His adorable crooked smile appeared again, and he suddenly slid one of his hands around the nape of her neck, drew her closer and put his mouth on hers. It started out gentle again, with him just teasing her lips with his, then touching the tip of his tongue to her mouth until she opened and took it inside, sliding her own tongue around his in welcome. He uttered a soft little moan, which cut right through her – and there went her higher brain functions. Helplessly, Lizzie put her arms around him and kissed him back whole-heartedly.

After that, there was nothing gentle about this anymore. She could feel his whole body trembling against hers and his fingers massaging her neck, then his left hand dropped down onto her breasts and he just stroked her there through the fabric of her shirt. Another appreciative moan from him. Lizzie thought disjointedly that if he moaned like that again, he could have her do anything he liked, right here on the balcony with the fully staffed control room only an unlocked door away.

She realized that her own hands had found a way beneath his shirt and were alternately pressing into his skin and raking teasingly over his abdomen. From there, they moved back up, to his shoulders, his arms. Lizzie broke the kiss to throw back her head, trying at the same time to arch into and away from his touch. He used that opportunity to kiss his way down her throat, softly licking and sucking all the way, until she moaned softly and squirmed even more.

That was when, with a sound somewhere between a growl and a purr, John practiacally ripped himself away from her to stop her.

"Lizzie," he said, his hoarse voice making her shudder all over again. "Either we stop right here or I swear to God we'll pull this through, no matter who or what comes through that door." With a nod of his head, he indicated towards the control room.

Lizzie's glazed eyes cleared a little when the meaning of his words made it from her ears to her brain. He had a point; they'd been out here for a while and it was only a matter of time until someone, probably Rodney, wouldn't bear the suspense anymore and come to check on them.

"Yes," she said breathlessly, letting her hands fall to her sides, although it hurt her almost physically to stop touching him. "I mean no – no, not here, not… like this."

John pressed his lips together into a fine line and summoned all his willpower to let go of her, to take a step away. For a moment, they looked everywhere but at each other, each searching desperately for some composure. John froze, when he heard her say "Soon, though."

That's when he looked up and into her smiling face. And in that moment, for the first time, he knew they were definitely and absolutely going to be okay. He thought he must be grinning like an idiot.

"Yes, soon." he said. Then something hit him and his expression changed. "In fact, I give you an hour. In my quarters. No -" He raised a hand when she tried to say something. "- one hour. And loose the comm, I don't care what excuse you make up. If you're not there, Lizzie, so help me I'll be there and I'll make good on a little fantasy of mine."

She put her hands on her hips and gave him a defiant look. "Oh? And what exactly would that entail?"

His voice was dangerously calm. "Coming to your office and having my wicked way with you there - right on top of your desk."

She actually blushed a little, but he didn't miss the slight flash of excitement in her eyes, which made his groin ache just that little bit more.

"You wouldn't."

"Try me."

And as she took in the look in his eyes, all dark and dangerous and sexy, his flushed face and the swollen lips, she could just picture that he would. Much too well.

"I'll be there." she whispered. They looked at each other for another moment, before she broke the eye contact and cleared her throat. "I should probably go in first, give you a few minutes to… you know, sort yourself out."

He laughed and for the first time in weeks, she saw it light up his eyes, too. "Yeah, but you should do something about the hair and the shirt, too. You look like a woman who's just been in a thorough make-out session."

She actually blushed again and began to smooth down her clothes and hair, while he walked to the railing and took a few deep breaths.

"True, no need to fuel the rumor mill any further. God, I don't even want to imagine the kind of talk our little scene has caused."

"Just don't show any weakness when you go back in there. And if anyone asks, we had a misunderstanding and I will recall that transfer request ASAP."

There was a short pause. "Were you really leaving?"

He snickered and was actually glad she didn't see his face. "No. I filed it with General O'Neill. He'd have probably handed me over to the Wraith personally before approving it."

She actually laughed. "You cunning son of a…." A deep sigh. "Right," Her voice was steady and every bit the expedition leader again. He didn't have to turn around to know she looked it again, too. "I'll be off then."

He just nodded, without looking at her. "Off you go. And Lizzie?"

"Yes?"

"One hour."

It wasn't as bad as she feared. The control room staff actually had the decency to keep the staring and the murmurs to a minimum. Still, Elizabeth made a beeline for her office and was glad that she didn't have to speak to anyone. Once there, she sank into her chair and closed her eyes.

One hour. Oh boy.

No, she wouldn't allow all those events and the accompanying emotions to overwhelm her now. She still had to come up with an excuse for vanishing shortly, preferably one that explained why she had all but scratched her military commander's eyes out earlier. Time to remember her strengths. After all, she wasn't a highly trained negotiator because she was incapable of spinning a line of bull.

Smiling, Elizabeth tapped her earpiece and called Teyla to her office, while already checking her emails for any pressing matters. She was halfway through answering Caldwell that the whole Sheppard-affair had obviously been a misunderstanding and reassignment wasn't an issue, when she heard Teyla's polite voice.

"Dr Weir?"

Okay, time for a performance. She looked up and smiled openly at the Athosian woman. "Teyla, yes, have a seat please."

Teyla nodded and did as she was told. Elizabeth felt her smile freeze as she faced her expectant gaze.

"Is there something wrong, Elizabeth?" The question and the honest concern were not unexpected, which gave the lie an even bitterer aftertaste.

"You probably heard about the little… altercation between John and myself earlier today?"

Teyla actually lowered her eyes. "I confess I have, but I was not sure whether I should believe it. It seemed most… unlike you."

Elizabeth could help but chuckle. "Yes, but I'm afraid it's no less true for that. There was a misunderstanding and I overreacted grossly. That's why I called you here. I need you to have an eye on operations for an hour or two." An hour or two?, a little voice inside of her questioned, You're giving him a lot of credit, dear. "I've been having bad headaches for a few days now, and instead of heeding Carson's advice and taking some rest, I allowed them to develop into a full blown migraine." There, not very original but believable. Solid excuse.

"And you believe this is why you lost your temper with Col. Sheppard?"

She actually had to restrain herself not to nod crazily and give herself away. "Yes, it might have been. The bright side is, though, that it made me realize that I'm no good to anyone in this condition. So, belatedly, I think I am going to listen to the good doctor."

Teyla smiled at her reassuringly and Elizabeth's guilty conscience gave her gut another twist. "You definitely should. As calm as matters are at the moment, I believe you might actually take your time."

"Thank you Teyla. I'm just going to finish up a few things here."

"Don't mention it. However…" She paused for a second. "I also heard that Col. Sheppard was going to leave Atlantis. I thought this part of the story was even more ridiculous than the rest, but now, I feel compelled to ask…"

Elizabeth smiled. "Don't worry, that was part of the misunderstanding. John is staying right where he belongs." With me. she added mentally. Then she thought of something. "I will be leaving my earpiece off, so no one can wake me accidentally. If there is an emergency, contact Col. Sheppard, I'll let him know where to find me."

"I will. It is good to hear that the two of you have reconciled." Teyla got up from her seat. "I hope you feel better soon, Elizabeth."

Another twang of guilt shot through her, quickly followed by excitement. "Thank you, Teyla."

It was done, she thought as she watched the other woman go. Shit. What now?

Lizzie felt like a sixteen year old, as she stood nervously in front of his quarters.

Get a grip on yourself, Beth, it's only John, after all! This wasn't even their first time. No, the first time had been like a natural evolution of things. On her couch, snuggling up over a movie and after a bottle of wine, it had been so natural when his lips had found hers and things had gradually become more heated until she had completely surrendered to his touches and kiss.

But the fact that she was here now, during work hours (quiet though they may be), without her communicator and with her hands wringing nervously, that was new. This might not be the first time Lizzie was going to be with John, but it was definitely the first time the leader of the Atlantis expedition took an hour off to screw her military commander senseless.

And if she had any say in the matter, it would also be the last – at least during work hours. But then, if John continued to have that effect on her, she was well aware that she wouldn't have a say in the matter.

She needed to work on that.

The doors slid open and she winced when she saw him standing in the doorway. How a man could look so hot (yes, hot, even her overeducated brain couldn't come up with any word that was more fitting to the sight in front of her) in simple cargo pants and a black t-shirt was beyond her. His smile was casual.

"Oh, you're here. I was just coming to see you!"

Lizzie was very proud that she managed to prevent her jaw from dropping at the implications and resulting images this simple sentence conjured. She was a strong, confident, highly articulate woman, damnit, and she refused to be reduced to a stammering girlie by a cocky, rakish… oh, never mind.

"No you weren't." she said, going for defiance. "You knew I'd be here. After all, there is something I want from you."

The smile slowly turned into a grin. "In that case, you should come in."

Come into my lair, said the spider to the fly. . .

He only moved to the side, so she had to walk right past him. No sooner had the doors slid closed than he grabbed her waist and pushed her back against them. Instinctively, her eyes closed and her hands went around his neck, trusting him infinitely. Lightning flashed behind her closed lids as his mouth crashed down on hers and anything that could be classified as doubt, or indeed, thought was washed away. Within moments, hands and lips were roaming, scratching, ripping at clothing, trying to reach as much bare skin as possible.

Tumbling, they crossed the short distance to the bed and she dimly realized that John turned them around. He then tipped her backwards onto the mattress, sweeping "War and Peace" onto the floor where it landed, pages all crumbled and forgotten.

"Don't doubt me, ever again Lizzie." he said in the deadliest, softest voice she had ever heard come out of his mouth. It went through her like a lightning bolt.

"I wont," she all but breathed, "I promise."

"Show me."

Later, she wrapped her arms around his sweaty body and he rested his damp head, hair sticking up at even wilder angles than usual, on her heaving chest. And again, in the same heart-squeezing soft voice, he said "Lizzie - don't ever scare me like that again – don't ever go."

She dragged her fingers through his hair and kissed his forehead. "John - I won't go - I can't live without you. God help me."

"God help us both," he said after a bit, and broke into a soft laugh.

She joined him after a brief, startled moment. They ended up laughing so hard that they rolled onto the floor and lay there in a tangle of naked limbs, her clothes and the ruined bed linens. Leaning back against the bed, he pulled her in his arms and kissed her hair. She snuggled comfortably into his embrace.

"I'm sorry."

She lifted her head and smiled at him with heavy-lidded eyes. The expression on his face was warm and open, devoid of he usual sarcastic twist.

"So am I." she whispered. And as she put her head back against his chest, breathing in his scent and feeling the strong arms that held her, she realized that whatever happened, she would and could never stop loving this man.

"What?" he asked tenderly, sensing her shift slightly.

"Nothing. Just that we need to set some rules about the how and when to do this in the future."

"God, Lizzie, just enjoy the moment, will ya?"

She smiled into his chest and said nothing. Now, she really was home.

Meanwhile in a corridor near the control room...

"Dr Beckett!"

"Teyla, how are you my dear?" He smiled at her brightly.

"I'm fine, thank you. Have you been checking on Elizabeth?"

The doctor frowned, as concerned as he was confused. "Elizabeth? No, why, what is wrong with her?"

Teyla angled her head in surprise. "Her migraine. I was under the impression that you ordered her to rest?"

Carson shook his head determinedly. "I'm sure I did no such thing, love; Dr Weir hasn't come to see me since her last check up. Not that resting isn't always a good idea for her. What made you think that?"

"She did." Teyla frowned. "Earlier today she told me to keep an eye on operations so she could lie down, as you ordered her. She was, in fact, afraid that her headaches might cause more irrational behaviour if she didn't – like screaming at Col. Sheppard earlier."

He nodded thoughtfully. "Aye, I heard about that. Rumours are flying around the city like bloody vultures. They make a little more sense if she has a migraine, though."

"Whatever it might have been," Teyla answered diplomatically, "it seems they have settled their disagreement. Elizabeth left instructions to contact John in order to reach her in case of an emergency…"

It was a testament to Carson's analytical mind that two and two equalled four to him only moments after Teyla, who was a little more informed about the actual goings on than he was. They both froze and turned to look at each other simultaneously.

"You don't think…" Carson began, his face muscles straining to contain the grin that threatened to break through. Teyla hesitated for a long moment; then shook her head decidedly.

"No, Elizabeth would never…"

"John on the other hand, most definitely would."

"But to persuade her to that…"

"Oh, I believe the lad can be quite persuasive if he has his heart set on something."

"That he most definitely can." Teyla smiled, remembering one particular incident from two years ago. "Still, I'm not convinced."

The mischievous look on Carson's face gave him the look of a three year old in a candy store, when he pointed at his earpiece. "Well, dear, there is one way to find out."

Teyla bit her lip, torn between protecting her friends' privacy and sheer female curiosity. "Are you sure that's wise?"

Carson's raised eyebrows told her that he was well aware that she was just as curious as he was. Guiltily, she squeezed her eyes shut as she nodded quickly. "Just… don't mention my name."

Carson tapped on the comm. "Sheppard this is Beckett."

They looked at each other and he waited, but there was nothing but static on the line. Shaking his head, he tried again. "Col. Sheppard this is Dr Beckett, come in please."

This time, the static crackled a bit and Carson raised a hand in indication to Teyla that something was happening. A moment later, a rather breathless Sheppard spoke into his ear.

"Read you Doc, what's wrong?" There were noises in the background, a sure sign that Sheppard wasn't actually wearing his earpiece, but merely holding it to his face. Carson grinned and nodded towards Teyla, whose face broke into a broad, happy smile. But he wasn't done yet.

"Colonel, I can't seem to get a hold of Dr Weir, she's not in her quarters like she's supposed to." Teyla was astounded at Carson's natural delivery.

A pause, more rumbling. "What... uh, makes you think I know where she is?"

Bingo, Beckett thought. So the good Doctor didn't take the time to inform the Colonel of the excuses she made up? Interesting concept.

"I was told to contact you, son; I just need to check up on her. Teyla said her headaches are getting worse."

A slap on the arm from Teyla at the mention of her name, but Carson just shrugged. He couldn't have helped it.

"Listen Doc, this is…yelp… not a good time right now. I don't think Dr Weir needs anything but re-est at the... uh, moment."

It was all Carson could do not to laugh out loud at John's obvious struggles. He had by now no doubt whatsoever of their nature. But before he could even reply, all of the sudden, Teyla went rigid and her face fell. He didn't even have time to register that the comm link had gone silent, he just watched Teyla pale and put her hands on her face and the doctor in him took over.

"Are you alright lass?" he asked worriedly and walked over to her. But she just lifted one hand to bid him wait. After a few moments, she nodded slowly.

"Of course I will. Right away. Most definitely."

Carson blinked a few times. "Teyla?"

She took a deep breath and tried to say something, but as soon as she opened her mouth, a small giggle escaped her. Carson had hardly the time to wonder at the unusual sound from this strong, stoic woman, when the giggle turned into all out laughter until she almost doubled over.

"Teyla? Are you alright? What is it?"

With that, she looked at him and finally calmed down enough to speak. "That was Dr Weir on John's communicator, telling me to stop interrupting, to mind my own business and get back to work, as well as to remind you to do the same."

Carson actually blushed a little. Served him right for wanting to be reckless for once. "Bloody hell. Why on earth were you laughing, then?"

Teyla giggled again. "With her last sentence, she also told me to pass on to you that you'll probably be happy to hear that she plans on spending much more time in bed in the future."

Carson actually choked, which had Teyla start laughing all over again. But after a few moments he joined in, genuinely happy for their friends. When they started walking towards the transporter, Carson added "You know, as much as I want to believe it, I sort of doubt that this means she'll finally get eight hours of uninterrupted rest."

"No Carson, I think it might take bigger things than that to ensure this."

Fade out and credits roll to the tune of Amanda Marshall's "This Could Take All Night"…

FIN