"You did what?"

"Are you serious?"

John would have given anything to have a camera onhand to capture Ronan's and Teyla's confused/shocked/thrilled expressions.

"Yes, we got married. The IOA is not aware of this, that is why we're only telling a few that we can trust to keep it quiet," Elizabeth confirmed to her friends, and John noticed out of the corner of his eye as she ran a hand over her dress, smoothing it out as though he was getting ready for an interview.

Teyla found her composure first. As usual. "I am very happy for the both of you. I offer my sincere congratulations," she happily replied, a soft smile filling her face as she opened her arms and Elizabeth gladly accepted the hug.

Ronan glanced to McKay, standing next to him. "Is he for real?"

"Yep."

"Huh. Well, I guess, congratulations from me too." He extended a hand to John and he gladly shook it, relief filling him as he knew that their secret would stay safe among their friends.

"Among my people, it is customary to take a leave for a month, perhaps longer, so as to privately become better acquainted," Teyla mentioned, glancing between the newlyweds.

"We have a similar custom," Elizabeth replied with a nod. "It's called a honeymoon, normally about a week or so."

"However, since it would seem a little odd for us to completely disappear - together - for a week, Elizabeth and I are gonna postpone the honeymoon and just settle down, get back to work."

Teyla exchanged a worried glance with Elizabeth. "Do you mean, right now?"

"No, tomorrow!" John abruptly threw in, a little too quickly.

McKay rolled his eyes. Ronan smirked, then pushed himself off the desk he was leaning on for support.

Elizabeth nodded. "We did come back a day early. I'm sure Major Lorne can handle the city for one more night."

"Agreed," John said immediately in approval.

Teyla nodded. "Very well. Then we will see you in the morning. Have a pleasant night, John, Elizabeth."

Ronan nodded to them with a telltale smile on his face as he passed them.

Rodney stopped in front of them as the doors closed after the two natives had left. "Ya know, if you want a few extra days, I'm sure I-"

"Rodney?"

"Hmm?"

"The answer is no."

He pouted, then mumbled, "Good night," as he walked out of the conference room.

The couple followed slowly after him. "I should, uh, probably go unpack. Got a lot to catch up on," John suggested, chucking a finger down towards the lift.

His wife - he grinned like crazy on the inside every time he referred to her as such - glanced around and seconded his motion. "Me too. We'll catch up later?"

"Sounds good," John's voice echoed in the control room as he left her.

Elizabeth barely had time to ensure her door was shut and locked before John descended on her, eagerly grabbing her lips with his. She sighed comfortably and in anticipation as he put his hands to her face, holding her still.

"You okay?"

"I'm fine," she mustered through the jelly that was forming in her legs. "It's just - it's so surreal."

He held her by the shoulders. "I know. If you wanna - well, put this off, I would und-"

Elizabeth's lips answered him.

"Don't hurt me for saying this."

"What's that?"

"You make a very comfortable pillow," Elizabeth chuckled, laying her head against his chest, softly rising and falling with each of his breaths.

The sun had faded at least an hour ago, but for most of the evening, she had been perfectly content to lay next to him, using his shoulder as a support as she took in their situation.

They were married.

She was in bed with her husband.

She was laying in bed with John Sheppard.

Her head started to spin ever so slightly as she raised it, gaining eye contact again.

John's eyes raked over her carefully, seeming to note the emotions running through her face. "Ya okay?"

"Never better," she replied with absolute confidence. She moved enough to plant a gentle yet firm kiss on his lips, and she withdrew slowly as he moaned in contentment. "How are you?"

"Great," he replied drowsily. "I don't want this to end."

"Well, fortunately for you, there is a ring in my possession, and in yours, that ensures it won't." She touched his dog tags laying on his naked chest, moving one aside to see the silver band that he had connected to the chain before leaving the SGC.

He smirked. "Good," he said in approval, kissing the top of her soft curls. He groaned into her hair.

This startled Elizabeth, prompting her to support herself on her elbows as she regarded her husband. "What's wrong?"

"I don't wanna go to work tomorrow," he whined.

This elicited a small grin from her. "Me neither," she agreed. "But soon, when things settle down, we can find a way to take a week off. Without soliciting any undue attention from anyone. All right? Can you hold on a little longer?"

"Um-hmm," he hummed atop her head.

"Ya got a second?" John greeted as he entered her office.

"Not really, so keep it quick," his wife replied curtly.

She probably hasn't even eaten anything today, he remarked to himself. He'd rectify that later. "Lieutenant Thornberg found a planet while running some scans. Thought I might take a week off to check it out."

"A week? John, that seems a lit-" Awareness and disbelief rose in her face, and she quickly sighed before looking back to him. "Uninhabited?"

"Beach. And yes."

She leaned back in her chair. "It's been four months, John."

He smirked. "You keeping track?"

"No, my ranking military officer sent me a memo this morning, saying, 'It's been four months'."

His face relaxed in understanding. "Ya know, I was beginning to wonder if you had gotten that or not."

"Message received. Get your team together, and take a jumper through the 'Gate. If it seems as perfect as it is, I'll give serious consideration to your week off."

John nearly jumped up out of his seat, face plastered with a boyish grin. "You got it!"

As Elizabeth turned back to her game of Solitaire, she heard John talking into his earpiece. "McKay, Teyla, Ronan. We're shipping out in fifteen minutes. Meet me in the jumper bay in ten. Sheppard out."

Before she even completed two moves, a whiny arrogant voice came through her earpiece. "Elizabeth, please tell me you're gonna take Sheppard on a vacation. Otherwise I'm gonna blow something up and make it look like an accident."

Without dropping her concentration on the screen, she touched her earpiece. "Noted, Doctor. Weir out."