AN- Another instalment all ready for you. This episode/episodes (The Eye, The Storm) provoked so many feels it's hard not to use it on many different levels. Here's another take on the event. As always please read and review.
It was just for one night.
Koyla was gone, she had both felt and saw John shoot him. He fell through the event horizon of the wormhole as he stumbled backwards from the impact. Her eyes were still locked with John's as she stumbled away down the ramp. She was safe and so was he, until the storm hit that was. Still in her sopping wet uniform she ran with John to get the shield up and protect the city. Taking her jacket off as she worked they got the shield up and running just in time to save the city and themselves from total destruction.
Once the imminent danger had passed it was time to check on the city and the rest of its residents. Everyone that John and Elizabeth passed on their rounds looked either dead on there feet of not far of it. John seemed to be fairing better than Elizabeth when they reached the infirmary on their last stop. Carson Beckett greeted the city leaders with a tired and weary half-smile as they approached his desk. They had no idea how long he had been up and by the look at the occupied beds around him he wasn't going anywhere soon.
Going around the room he gave John and Elizabeth a brief description of each patient's injuries and how long he expected there recovery to take. He had just finished with his last patient when he looked at Elizabeth, only now seeing she was standing in her wet BDU pants and the red top she had on was wet around the collar and shoulders.
"Elizabeth, why haven't you been and got changed?" Reaching out as he spoke to place a hand on her arm.
As his hand rested on the skin of her arm he felt how cold she was and looked at John in surprise. Normally the cities 2IC would have had Elizabeth all cleaned up and not in the state she was in now. When John saw the way Carson was looking at him he turned and looked at Elizabeth, only now really looking her over since he shot Koyla. Her skin was paler than normal and he was sure there was a tinge of blue to her lips. With everything that had happened he had been running on pure adrenaline and was only now starting to slow down and take stock again.
Carson let his hand drop away from Elizabeth as John reached out and placed his hand on her other arm. He was shocked to feel how cold she was, he wasn't even sure if she knew.
"Elizabeth, you're freezing. Why didn't you say something?" Running his hand up and down the small piece of skin he could between her wrist and elbow.
Elizabeth had been focused on Carson and her duties up until she felt the warm hand come to rest on her arm. Her subconscious knew whose hand was on her arm and it was probably that that brought her back to some sort of level of awareness. She had been so focused on the city and the people in it, she hadn't taken any notice of herself. Only then when the rush of adrenaline had started to ebb away did she release just how cold and wet she was. Her body started to take over from there and she involuntarily started to shiver. It was John who moved first towards the nearest empty bed and pulled off the top blanket. Bring it over to where she was standing he stood in front of her and after reaching around, he draped the blanket over her shoulders and pulled it around to cover her.
"You need to take a nice warm shower and put on some warm, dry clothes before hypothermia kicks in," Carson said as he looked at Elizabeth then to John.
Elizabeth still seemed a little dazed but did nod her head before looking at John.
"Let's go Elizabeth." Taking Elizabeth by the elbow and leading her towards the door.
"If you need anything just give me a call," Carson called out as he watched his friends leave.
John raised his hand as an acknowledgment that he had heard Carson before steering Elizabeth towards the transporter. Once inside he pressed the panel behind them and they were whisked through the city to the corridor containing their separate quarters. When the doors opened he guided Elizabeth out and after a quick look around he brought his hand up and rested it gently on the small of Elizabeth's back. Even though the blanket he could still feel how cold she was and how badly was now shaking.
Reaching her quarters she stood and waited for her to open the door before easing her in and letting the door shut behind him. He couldn't be bothered to use any effort so instead used his mind to set the lights. Next he guided Elizabeth towards the small bathroom and inside, again using his mind to get the city to not only switch the lights on but switch the shower on as well. He had no idea how hot or cold she normally had her shower so he hoped by asking the city to set it to 'Elizabeth's normal temperature' it would be enough. Taking the blanket from around her he threw it behind him into the main room. Boots were a safe bet so he knelt down and started to undo the laces. There was water dripping out of them as he unknotted them and even more water from her boot as he pulled it off. Taking her sock between his fingers he tried to pull it off, unsuccessful due to the fact the water had them stuck to her feet. He had to use both hands to take a grip of them from her just above her ankle and peel them away from her skin.
When he had finally got both boots and socks off he stood back up and looked her over. She was still shivering, but the steam that was now filling the room seemed to be warming her a little.
"Elizabeth, you get a shower and I will get some food and a hot drink for you. I will be back before you get out the shower. You want me to fetch you some clothes before I go?" Seeing her look up at him as he spoke.
"It's okay, I can manage," Elizabeth replied shakily through chattering teeth.
John turned and shut the door, listening to make sure she was actually moving and not just stood still. Looking around her room he went over to her bed and pulled the covers back so she could climb in and get warm when she got out the shower. Turning to leave he stopped at the bathroom door and listens for any sound. He could hear the water running and he could make out the sound of movement so he headed for the door and through the city to find food and hot drinks to keep them going.
He made it to the commissary easily enough and was in the middle of picking food for them both when he was stopped by different people asking how Elizabeth was. He answered as honest as he could and said she was fine. He was a little amused when he no one asked about himself or the city, just Elizabeth. Picking up a very large or chocolate and a cup of coffee he finally managed to make his way back out and headed towards the transporter.
Approaching Elizabeth's door, he let the city open the door as his hands were both full. Stepping inside he glanced around the room looking for Elizabeth. He saw the bathroom door was open now and there was a towel in the middle of the floor. Walking to her desk he placed the tray down and turned to look at the bathroom.
"Elizabeth, I have food and a nice hot drink. You nearly done in there?" Watching for any sign of movement.
When he didn't get a response he walked slowly to the door and stopped just short of entering.
He now had a sudden image of one very naked Elizabeth which did nothing for his blood pressure.
"Elizabeth, you decent? Am coming in now." His voice shaking a little as he stepped forward and stood to look into the small bathroom.
What he saw sent a knife straight to his heart. Elizabeth was sat hunched over, knees tucked up with her arms wrapped tight around her legs. She had a little more colour, but she was still shaking and shivering. She had managed to pull on a pair of pyjama pants and a top, the problem being they were more for summer and she needed warming up. Dropping down in front of her he placed his hands on her arms and stood up, pulling her to her feet as he stood. He waited a couple of seconds for her to get her bearings before he stood at her side and without hesitation pulled her to his side. Walking with her tucked against him he made his way to her bed and got her to sit on it.
"Elizabeth we need to get you warm, you look worse than you did before. You gotta help me here, let's get you tucked under these covers and I will get your drink." Reaching over and lifting her legs as she moved her body to sit back.
Pulling the covers over her he stepped away and picked up the cup of hot chocolate which he was pleased was still hot. Turning he sat on the edge of the bed and passed her the cup. He watched as she reached out and took it, still shivering and shaking. He so wanted to reach and pull her to him, wrap her up in his arms and hold her to him. After thinking she was dead, his resolve was failing and he need to know she was okay. He sat and watched as she took a few sips of the drink, not really taking in what she was doing. Standing back up he reached for his drink and sat back beside her, this time a little closer. Watching her out the corner of his eye as she drank he saw her cheeks were now a healthy colour and she seemed to have stopped shivering as much.
Now he was sat with her he didn't feel hungry anymore. He finished his coffee and placed the cup on the nightstand. Watching Elizabeth he knew he should just tuck her in and walk away, yet seeing her look so un-Elizabeth like he couldn't do.
"Elizabeth, you're still freezing let me help warm you up." Reaching for her now empty cup and placing it beside his.
"John, I will be okay. You need your rest as well." Elizabeth said through chattering teeth.
"I am not going anywhere, I thought you were dead today and now you're not. Let me help please." Seeing Elizabeth move a little in the bed.
"John if I let you in I may not let go." Looking at John as she started to shiver again.
"Let's get you warm and we can take it from there." Standing up to pull his jacket off.
Quickly pulling his jacket and shirt off he undid his boots and threw them out the way. His pants and t-shirt would have to do.
"Lie down and face out over." Moving the covers so she could shuffle down the bed and do as he asked.
When she was lying facing the window he toed his socks off and climbed in the end behind her. Tucking them both in he slid over so he was lying flush against her back. Now was the test as he hooked his arm over her stomach and wrapped his body around hers. He felt her stiffen at his contact and knew he should move, but the sensible part of his brain had left him.
"Relax Elizabeth, you will warm up quicker if you relax." Taking one of her hands in his as he felt her slowly relax into his body.
He lay still holding her as close as she would let him. Letting his body transfer as much heat as he could. Feeling her finally mould her back to his chest he slipped his legs through hers and brought her even closer. He could feel how cold she was and he was at a loss to how he could warm her quicker. Well, he knew the answer but he wasn't sure they should really go there, not when it involved them being so close and underdressed. He was thinking of asking her when she moved and turned to face him.
"John this is not working, I am still freezing." Elizabeth chattered out trying to keep her teeth from knocking together as she spoke.
"Lizabeth, you know the answer to this. You were given survival training in Antarctic so you know the best way to get warm again. You willing to go that way or you want to get Carson to help with blankets and stuff in the infirmary?" Giving her the choice.
"I am not going back to the infirmary, hypothermia is more appealing." Trying to brush off the fact she was about to get nearly naked with her 2IC.
"You need any help or can you manage to...well undress?" Closing his eyes and shaking his head at how bad that actually sounded.
"As long as I don't have to get out of bed." Moving back a little so there was a space between John and herself.
John gave her one last look before he moved and got out the bed. When he stood up he watched as Elizabeth moved around her the covers, tugging her top off and out the covers first closely followed by her pants. Undoing his button and zipper, he let his pants fall to the floor before stepping out of them. His t-shirt was pulled off and threw with his pants before a thought hit him. He wasn't sure what, if anything, Elizabeth was wearing under the covers. Yes, she covered herself up but it only now dawned on him that he didn't know if underwear was included in that. It was too late to back out now, she was shivering badly again and he was just standing there. Taking a deep breath, he lifted the edge of the covers and climbed back into bed. Lying on his side he got comfortable before he reached across for Elizabeth. As soon as his hand touched her skin he knew he was doomed. He had been aiming for her waist and had landed on her hip. Her naked, uncovered by underwear hip. Sucking in a deep breath he cursed under his breath, this may not have been such a good idea.
As soon as she felt his hand on her hip she knew he hadn't been expecting her completely naked. She heard his breath hitch at the contact and mumble something. This was so unfair on both of them. She knew how she felt about him, even if it was forbidden. She also knew how he felt about her yet they were still just colleagues and best friends. Shivering uncontrollably now she gave in and shuffled over so was chest to chest with him, her legs weaving their way through his. She felt him literally stop breathing as her breasts rested against his chest and her head come to meet his shoulder. She snuggled as close to him as she could, leaving no room for air pockets between them. The heat radiating off him not only warming her but scorching her skin in all the wrong places.
John for his part held his body still letting her come to him first. He wasn't sure how she wanted to play this so he was both relieved and intrigued when her whole body moulded to his. With every exhale her breasts brushed his chest and he could feel his skin burning at the contact, he need to think of something else and fast before other parts of his body reacted to her very close, very close and very naked proximity. He waited till she was more relaxed before he moved and placed his arm further around her and up her back, his palm resting where her bra strap should have been. He now knew he was in a cross between heaven and a living hell. He had the woman he wanted, needed, most in the world naked in his arms and she still wants his. Closing his eyes, he focused his concentration on to how cold she was and how she needed his body heat more than she needed his sexual advances.
Gradually he felt her warming up, her skin warming more where he had his hands, arms and legs resting. Her breathing seems to be easing and settling which he hoped was a good sign, he hoped it meant she was falling asleep. Sure enough when he managed to look down at her he saw she was indeed sound asleep tucked tightly against his chest, their bodies tangled together tightly. Letting out a deep breath he watched as it ruffled the top of her head, her hair moving with the small waft of air. After the day they had both had it was for the best, she was safe, she was asleep, but most importantly she was in his arms, even if it was just for one night.