Author's note: So, this is out of order, because...I forgot I'd written it? Sorry. This should come between The Tower and Inferno.

Also, I'm not supposed to reply to comments within the story, apparently, so I'll be PMing responses from now on. Anyone who doesn't want a response, let me know...no hard feelings.

The Long Goodbye

Carson released John back to his quarters late the day after Thalen's consciousness had faded. John was just as glad to go; he was tired and sore from the chase around Atlantis, and Elizabeth's obvious unease was infectious.

Alice was sitting at his desk; his computer was on, but it powered down when he came in. "Good evening."

"Tell me you weren't helping Thalen." He dropped onto the bed, face down.

"I wasn't helping Thalen," she said obediently.

"Really?" He rolled over enough to see her.

"Really. He wasn't you. I was trying to help Lorne, but Phebus really messed up the door. I couldn't get his attention long enough to walk him through fixing it."

"Did you know about them? About their war?"

"Not until afterwards. I didn't recognize the pod design. Their war is much more recent, anyway; they were at peace when the People left." She got up from the desk, sitting on the side of his bed. "I thought of appearing to him, leading him astray."

"No, you were right not to." He sat up, moving around her to the desk.

"You're supposed to be resting," Alice reminded him. "Not working."

"Who's working? I just wanna see what Caldwell's saying about me. Can you get his report for me?"

Alice folded her arms, looking prim. "I don't believe you have clearance for his reports, John."

"Can you get it or not?"

The report appeared on his screen, and he grinned. "Great. Thanks. Where's Elizabeth?"

"In her quarters. Dr Beckett released her a little after you." She glanced away. "She hasn't looked at the report yet."

John glanced up from the screen, frowning at her tone. "She ok?"

"I think she's very angry with herself."

"She didn't have a chance. Phebus had her before we even knew what was going on. I, on the other hand, handed myself over."

"On Elizabeth's word."

"Phebus."

"No." Alice shook her head. "You were following Elizabeth. She knows that."

John nodded slowly, turning back to his screen. "Yeah. I guess."

"I know."

He turned, glaring at her. "Are you reading her diary again?"

"It's not my fault she keeps it on the computer! It's under privacy lock. A lot of your people keep their diaries on the computers. I locked all of them."

"I hope so." He glanced sidewise at his terminal.

"John, you don't even keep your mission reports on that one, never mind anything personal."

"And if I did?"

Alice shrugged, looking away. "If you did, I'd know. And I'd lock it. I can't not know what's in my memory, John."

"No. I guess you can't." He switched his terminal off. "Good thing I don't keep one."

She smiled suddenly, rising to her feet. "You're not that deep, John. I don't need to see what you'd write."

"Hey!"