We, the Sparky Army, decree 2008 to be the Year of the Spark. We pledge to post a new sparky story or chapter of a sparky story every day from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008. Though the Powers that Be have removed Elizabeth Weir from the regular cast of Stargate Atlantis, we feel that she remains an integral part of the show, and that the relationship between her and John Sheppard is too obvious to be ignored. We hope that you, and anyone might happen to read these works, agree.

And if that isn't official enough for you, we don't know what is. Seriously, guys, we're just trying to have some fun--and show TPTB that Sparky is the way to go. So sit back and enjoy the 366 stories coming your way!

Fate

By Hannah554

Chapter 3

"No" Talis said adamantly, she'd known the idea wouldn't go down well but what choice did they have? She didn't like it either. She'd have to face people she'd allowed to believe were dead.

"Dr. Weir, I am not so certain this is a good idea, right now nobody knows were alive, never mind where we are" Demal stated a little more diplomatically than Talis's flat out rejection of the idea. "To do this would require revealing that information".

"We don't have a choice, we can't stay hidden forever and this base has no protection without the shield" Elizabeth replied, she knew she was right, there was no other way, she would suggest something else if she thought otherwise.

"I don't think your opinion is entirely impartial in this matter" Talis continued with her protest. "We are all aware how much you want to return to your people".

"That's not what this is about" Elizabeth told her firmly, an undertone of anger escaping into her voice, "This is about our new base and the shield we need to protect it".

"Dr. Weir is right Talis, we need those shields and this is the only way to get them" Demal said. The other replicators in the room had kept quiet but Elizabeth turned to them now, "Agreed?" she questioned after a moment and after several exchanged glances they agreed.

All she had to do now was work up the courage to contact Atlantis, how the hell was she going to face John now.

It was time, now or never; if she didn't do it now then she was never going to. The inner battles she was having would drive her crazy if she didn't get this over with soon. Not that you'd be able to tell from the outside, to everyone else she looked calm.

"Dial Atlantis," she ordered and watched as the gate in front of her dialled the address they had managed to get a hold of several months ago but had never used. Only a few of the crew, herself among them had known the new gate co-ordinates of Atlantis, they had limited those privy to the information to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands. It had been pure luck that they had happened come across one of Atlantis allies, people they traded with on a regular basis. They recognised Elizabeth, thought she was still part of the Atlantis team, she'd only asked them for the co-ordinates, they'd been confused but hadn't hesitated to share them. She wasn't even sure why she asked, the smart thing would have been to leave well enough alone and she hadn't even intended to ever use them, part of her had just wanted to know. When it was done, when the event horizon was taunting her she opened a channel and waited for a response.

The screen finally came to life, Samantha Carter and John Sheppard stood in the control room of Atlantis. She could see exactly where they were standing, new the spot, she'd stood in it enough times to know. Their faces changed the second they saw her, Carter just looked shocked, John had that same look but there was something else there too that she had to force herself to ignore.

"John," she greeted "Colonel Carter."

"Elizabeth?" John questioned disbelievingly, there was pain in his voice that sent a stab of guilt through her.

"It's me, the real me," she replied, waiting for a response. She could barely talk anyway; it felt like her throat was closing in on itself. Memories of John's face as he was forced to leave her behind flooded her mind again and as always she had to push them away.

"Dr Weir, we thought you were dead," Carter responded when it became evident than John wasn't going to.

"I know, I'm sorry for that but it was safer for everybody," she stated hoping that they wouldn't hate her for it. She'd done what she had to, she'd do it again if it was necessary but that didn't mean anybody had to like it, not even her. "I need your help," she told them, getting to the point before she lost the ability to speak entirely.

"With what?" Carter asked.

"It's a long story, we're in an abandoned Ancient base but we can't access all the systems because none of us have the ancient gene," she told them honestly, there had been enough lies.

"Who's us?" Carter questioned.

"I'm with a group of Asurans, kind of a resistance movement," she replied "I can send you the co-ordinates of the base."

Carter was obviously thinking it through, John was still stood there looking stunned but Elizabeth was well aware that he hadn't taken his eyes of her since she had appeared on the screen, he'd barely even blinked.

"Alright, give us the co-ordinates and we'll send a team through," Carter told her.

Elizabeth already knew who the team would be; John wouldn't have it any other way. "Thank you."