AN- Next installment, hope you enjoy my lovelies and thank's for reading and reviewing.

He sat her down and held her close before telling her the terrible news.

John Sheppard tapped his earpiece and ended the call. He sat at his report covered desk and sighed. Why him? Why had the Galaxy given him the job of telling her? He sat and thought of all the ways he could tell her, but none seemed right. He knew he had been given the job to soften the blow, plus no one else had the guts. Making his way through the corridors he saw people look at him as if he was making his way to his imminent death. News traveled fast in the city, especially bad news.

Standing outside her office he knocked and stepped in, stealing himself as he entered. He stuffed his hands in his pockets as he walked over to the small couch and sat down. Taking one hand out his pocket he looked up and patted the seat next to him. He saw her stand up and come to join him on the couch. He stood up as she approached, still trying to work out what he was going to say sitting. He sat her down and held her close before telling her the terrible news.

"Elizabeth, you know how we were flooded even with the shield up. Well, it turns out the city's supply of coffee was in one of the flooded rooms, it's all gone. We have no way of getting any soon, so we have to wait it out till either we get some sent with the supplies or we find some somewhere." Finally stopping so she could absorb his words.

"Let the withdrawal begin." Was all she could think of saying as she buried her face in his chest.

Are you kidding me? We're not "fine".

"Are you kidding me? We're not "fine". We haven't been fine since Koyla and the wraith and the damn nanites. We can't go on like this Elizabeth, we can't just shut it all out hoping it will go away. People are noticing the difference, they keep asking me if you're okay. " Taking a step closer to her as she stood and looked out at the glistening water.

"John don't do this, don't push for something we can't have." Not taking her eyes off the ocean.

"Elizabeth, look at me," closing the gap between them till he was at her side. "Why can't we? You're civilian, not military. The city is still standing and so are it people. We have done this side by side until now and it's never got in the way. If anything it's made us stronger, more able to cope. I am sick of ignoring it, sick of fighting it." Lifting his hand and placing it over hers on the balcony rail.

John was right, she was sick and tired of facing each day alone. Wondering if the next battle would be won or lost, if he would be lost in whatever battle he faced. Feeling his hand on hers, she was about to pull it away but didn't, instead turning it over and letting her fingers slip through his. She was surprised how normal, how natural it felt as she took his hand in hers. Looking between there now joined hands she looked up and smiled, seeing him smile at the sight of their joined hands.

"Is this a yes?" Lifting their joined hands up and hovering them just in front of his mouth.

"Yes," Elizabeth whispered as she turned to face him. "Let's give it a go." Not being able to help the shiver that ran down her spine when she felt his lips on the back of her hand.

Using their joined hands as leverage he pulled her close so he could finally bring her into his chest and take her in his arms. Letting go of her hand he held her close as he whispered in her ear.

"One day at a time, we will get through this together."

"Perhaps you'll take me out one day, or do I have to make an appointment?"

Weeks of round the clock repairs and trying to get supplies from their allies was hard work. They had hardly stopped since the Koyla incident. The odd wraith had even popped up to keep things in balance. Now as he sat in the commissary looking at his lunch he was sure he caught sight of a flash of red out the corner of his eye. There was only one person who wore that shade of red, and sure enough after scanning the room he saw who he was looking for. Leaving his tray, he stood up and picked his cup up, heading over to where Elizabeth was filling up her cup. Coming to stand beside her he couldn't help smile.

"Wow, this is a rare sight. Elizabeth Weir, out of her office and no tablet in hand. I haven't seen this in a while. You desk finally gave out under all that paperwork of did you finally delegate and share it around?" Seeing one of her rare smiles start at the corner of her mouth.

"Well you're on top form today aren't you. Someone slip something in you coffee or you finally beat Ronon's ass in the gym?" The smile growing as she spoke.

"Neither, you want to join me for lunch? I got mine already." Seeing her eye up his cup.

"Lead the way, saves going back to my office." Falling in step beside him as he led the way to where his abounded tray sat

They sat eating in silence for a few minutes, letting the hum and buzz of the chatter in the commissary wash over them. Sitting opposite each other John finally got a good look at Elizabeth, his first in at least three days that he knew of. He had hardly seen her over the past few weeks. Between fighting wraith and getting supplies, he had hardly been in the city. She seemed lost in her own world, staring off out the open window looking out at the ocean. He couldn't help but notice how tired she looked, the dark circles around her eyes giving away how little she had been sleeping.

"So what's your plans for the rest of today? You going to disappear back in that office and under that paperwork again.?" Seeing her drag her gaze away from the sea and look at him.

"Probably, needs doing at some point. Not like I have a pressing engagement or some exciting first contact to make. What about you? You're not due off world for a few days, you finally got some down time." Pushing her half full plate of food away.

"Well, I was thinking of maybe asking a beautiful lady I know out for dinner. Maybe a nice meal and some down time would help her relax and maybe just maybe help her get some sleep. She's been working way to hard recently and could use a break. " Not hiding the smirk that was on his face.

"She sounds like a lucky lady, she must be special for you to go all that trouble to look after her." Not being able to stop herself from responding to that grin on his face.

"Oh, she is. She is all I ever wanted, she just doesn't know it yet. I try to tell her in the little things I do, but I am not sure she fully understands. I know she pushes herself to hard and never lets up. She goes above and beyond her duty to her people, more so when they're in danger. She frets when her people are away and she won't rest till there all back in the fold. She never thinks what she does is enough and feels she always has to prove herself. What she doesn't see is how other people see her. She doesn't see the way people look up to her and admire her for her strength and compassion. How they all see what looking after them all does to her and how much that weight is starting to weigh her down. They try not to burden her and show her they have been taught well and can manage just fine. Most of all we all love her in one-way shape or form." Finally reaching across the table and taking her hand in his.

Elizabeth was speechless, she could feel the shimmer of tears in her eyes, but she held fast. She wasn't sure if it was the enormity of his words or the fact she was indeed bone tired. Between looking after the city and the nightmares, she was only getting a couple of hours sleep a night if she was lucky. She was still just staring at John when he broke the silence.

"Now I am pleased I managed that, Elizabeth Weir speechless. So since you have stopped eating and now seem speechless how about we go and clear away some of that paperwork together. Then we can see about arranging dinner and if I can manage it, I may get you into bed to sleep at a sensible time." Making sure he added sleep in the sentence so there was no room for misinterpreting his words.

"Now there is an offer I can't refuse. John Sheppard offering to do paperwork, I will never say no to that. As for the rest, we will see, not that I am saying no to either. Come on, let's go before you change your mind." Standing from the table and picking up her tray and coffee cup.

John smiled at he made his way out the commissary, Elizabeth by his side like always. They settled into a doing the paperwork and he was pleased to see they were making good progress. He was so caught up in the files in front of him he didn't releases he was being handed a steady surplus of coffee by Chuck. It wasn't till his bladder protest at how full it was did he look at the time. He had been sat for four hours with Elizabeth working steadily through the reports. Finishing the file he had open he placed it in the pile to be filed away and put the last few he hadn't done back on the desk. Looking at Elizabeth he smirked at the way her face was scrunched in concentration, the thin lines between her eyebrows and the way they furrowed when she was deep in thought.

Standing up he stretched his back out, his arms reaching up to the ceiling. Twisting his back at the waist he managed to get it to crack a couple of times to work out the kinks. Elizabeth looked up at the sound and grimaced at the pain in her neck. Rotating her shoulders and moving her head from side to side to help shift the stiffness. John felt her eyes on him as he turned to look at her.

"Bathroom, I think I need to move before I fall asleep." Seeing her nod as she returned her gaze to the report she had been reading before he stood up.

Exiting her office quickly, he made a beeline for the bathroom before he did anything else. When he was done he stood in the corridor and weighed up his options. Tapping his earpiece he had a quick conversation with one of the commissary staff before stopping at his quarters. Picking up what he needed he dashed down to the commissary and picked up the food he had asked for earlier before quickly transporting back to the gate room. He took the stairs to the control room so he came out on the side of Elizabeth's office. Making his way to the door he opened it with his elbow as both hands were full. Elizabeth looked up and had to smile at the man stood juggling a basket of food, some blankets, and a flask. He saw Elizabeth stand up but made his way passed her to the balcony.

Setting out the blankets he placed the basket and flask down before turning to see Elizabeth at the door watching him.

"Dinner is served. Enough work for today, we can do the rest tomorrow." Holding his hand out to her as she approached him.

Taking his hand he got her to sit and he was surprised how quickly she relaxed. They ate, talked and laughed, enjoying both the meal and the company they had. It was now dark, the stars shone down on them and they could hear the water lapping on the city's piers. It was only when he saw Elizabeth shiver did John feel how cold it had gotten. They were both busy enjoying themselves they hadn't noticed.

"Here, sit here and we can warm you up. You should have said you were cold." Moving so his back was against the wall and he had a blanket around his shoulders and his legs opened so she could sit between them.

Looking around Elizabeth gave herself a shake before moving to sit between John's legs. She could feel the heat radiating off him before she even got close to him. Turning so her back was resting against his chest she felt as he pulled the blanket tight around them both, tucking them in against the cold sea breeze. She smirked at her fact he wasn't sure where to rest his arms. Bringing her arms up she helped him by taking his hands in hers and resting both sets or arms around her waist. Letting herself relax she settled against John's chest and felt the warmth from his body seeping into her back and warming her. John took a chance and rested his chin on her shoulder as he pulled her in closer so she was flush with him from her shoulders to her ass, which he noticed fit perfectly against his groin. She knew she was tired when her mind started to wander down the path of how good looking her 2IC was. After hearing his speech earlier she had to say her walls were in tatters, he had crumpled them to dust with his speech.

She couldn't help it as she let out a huge yawn, her body so warm and relaxed she couldn't help it. John felt and heard her yawn as she seemed to slump against him. He had mentioned about getting her to sleep, but he hadn't expected her to literally fall asleep on him after dinner. Looking around he was pleased to see he had cleared away after they were done eating. Careful he moved them both till he had got them lying down on the blanket, Elizabeth still tucked against him as he moved. He didn't bother moving to much until he felt Elizabeth move in his arms. He thought he was doomed, she had woke and she would want to go to her quarters. He was surprised when she didn't move away but turned and faced him, burying her face in his chest, her hand moving under his t-shirt to rest on his back.

Feeling her warm soft Palm resting on his skin sent shivers through him, his spine-tingling at the contact. Feeling her so content he tucked his face in her hair, smelling her shampoo and letting the smell take over his senses. He couldn't have asked for a better turn of events to the day, well maybe one. He was just settling down when a thought entered his head.

"Perhaps you'll take me out one day, or do I have to make an appointment?" Feeling her shift as he spoke.

He was just drifting off to sleep when he heard her mumble a response.

"I would clear my schedule just for you." Placing a kiss to his t-shirt clad chest as she fell asleep again.