Disclaimer: Not mine
It hadn't taken long for Rodney to bounce up to Elizabeth office with the radio transmissions. He handed Elizabeth a data stick, which contained the messages.
"The ones on here are all for you. Four in total. One from Landry, One from General O'Neill, one from Dr Jackson and...one from...Simon"
Elizabeth nodded slowly when she heard that last name.
"Thank you."
Rodney nodded and left her alone. Elizabeth plugged in the data device into her laptop and selected General Landry's transmission first
"Dr Weir. I hope you and your team are well. I tried to convince Jack to leave you alone but he decided to send a message anyway. If you haven't heard it yet you're in for a treat.
So anyway, on to what I have to tell you. I'm going to guess you haven't heard Dr Jackson's message yet. The Stargate project, as been...it's been shut down as a gesture of goodwill. I don't know how long for but it could be indefinitely.
I'm sorry to tell you this and Dr Jackson goes into more detail but I just wanted to let you know that we all think you're doing a great job out there. Elizabeth you and your team have got something to decide. The governments who are involved have requested that you and your team have to return to Earth. Elizabeth I'm not going to order you back but if you don't you and your team, especially the Military personal could face some serious problems when you come back, if you ever come back. I want you and your team to decide. You have 72 hours from when we activated the Stargate to decide. All the best Dr Weir, to you and your team."
Elizabeth sat reeling from what she had just heard. Quickly she selected Daniel's message which outline what had happened,
"Relations broke down during a meeting. The American Military took a pretty good beating and the other governments decided that the Stargate programme should be shut down until we can sort it out but my guess is that unless one of them get the Stargate, the programme will be shut down forever. We're currently negotiating with the British government, if we can win them over we might stand a shot, but Elizabeth I won't lie to you, it's not going well. I could use your help."
Elizabeth stopped Daniel's message. He sounded so desperate for her help. She knew he didn't want to lose the Stargate programme, it was his life's work. It was his whole life. Elizabeth played the rest of the message before selecting Jack's.
"Hey Doc, how are you? Hope Sheppard's not giving you a hard time, although I did warn you. I've been thinking a lot lately. When I heard that the programme was going to be shut down, I thought about you and the team. Elizabeth, the work you're doing out there is good. It's more than good and I don't think it's right that a bunch of stiffs in an office, people who have never once stepped foot through the damn Stargate think they can decide what's right. We're trying to get the Brits on side and one of their diplomats, a friend of yours Carrie Malone, is helping us. I think she just has a thing for Daniel and wants to look good in front of him. So anyway where was I...oh yeah the stiffs in the office, so anyway they are pulling the strings Elizabeth they are requesting you come back, I'm guessing you are reluctant to do that. Don't come back if you don't want to, I'll protect you and your people as best I can. I hold a lot of power in these parts now. Good luck Doc"
Elizabeth smiled at Jack's support. He really believed in the Stargate project and the Atlantis expedition. Her eyes than scanned across the computer screen and saw Simon's name. She froze. She didn't know whether she wanted to hear it. After what happened the last time she was on Earth she was reluctant but she decided that he did deserve her time. Slowly she selected the message and listened.
"Elizabeth, it's Simon. Obviously. Elizabeth, what can I say? I don't know exactly what's going on but I do know that you have a choice to come back home and I hope to God you take it. I miss you Elizabeth, I know I made a mistake but I miss you so much. I do I was an absolute idiot to do what I did but I still love you and ..."
"Hey what's that?"
Elizabeth quickly switched off the message as she heard Ronon's voice. She couldn't let him hear the message. He already had issues about John, if he knew about Simon things could get worse.
"Nothing. It was just...We've received a message from Earth. We've been told that the project...the Stargate project on Earth has been...suspended."
Ronon sat opposite her
"Suspended? Do you mean they're...?"
Elizabeth nodded
"Our governments are closing the Stargate project down and the expedition team are being ordered back to Earth."
Ronon closed his eyes and looked at her.
"Are you going?"
Elizabeth shrugged slightly and shook her head
"I don't know. I'm still trying to work though this myself."
Elizabeth was snippier than usual. She didn't mean too but it just slipped out.
"I'm sorry I snapped. From what I've been told, if we don't return to Earth we could face some...problems if they ever get in contact with us again. I received three messages from high level people on Earth, they all say...don't come back"
Ronon looked slightly confused
"Are you and your people that bad?"
Elizabeth shook her head, understanding what it must have sounded like
"I don't mean it like that, what I mean is that they want the Atlantis expedition to continue. Jack O'Neill, he helped me get the government to allow the Atlantis expedition. Without him, we wouldn't be here, he said that he will try to protect us if we don't come back but I don't know how much he can do without endangering his own life, his career"
Ronon nodded and smiled
"I wouldn't mind meeting that guy, O'Neill, after all, he's the only reason you're here."
Elizabeth smiled back, and rubbed the back of her neck before changing the subject back to the matter at hand.
"As I was saying, I have just under 72 hours to decide. I'm going to wait until as long as I can until I tell the city. I don't know who would decide to leave but I can't really afford to lose any of the team, even Kavanagh as his uses"
Ronon nodded slowly, than thought.
"What about you? Are you going, Elizabeth? I need to know"
Elizabeth sighed again. She didn't know what to do, she was afraid of what would happen if she didn't go back but she was also afraid of what would happen if she did
"I don't know Ronon. Like I said, I'm trying to work through it. I've got one more message to listen to though"
Ronon understood her unsaid meaning and stood up
"I'll leave you too it"
Elizabeth nodded slowly
"Go get some rest, I doubt you've slept"
Ronon nodded and left her office. Elizabeth watched him go before turning the message back on
..."But I still love you and I want you to come home to me. We all miss you. I've tried explaining to your Dad but he keeps forgetting your not here and keeps asking where you are. He misses you; he thinks you're not going to visit because he's not your real Dad. I've tried explaining that you love him and it doesn't matter but he just keeps wondering why his little girl won't come and see him. Come home Elizabeth, please."
Elizabeth had tears in her eyes by the time the message ended. Elizabeth opened her desk draw, took out a hand held recorder, and turned it on.
"Dad... Daddy. I'm know I'm not there with you but..."
Elizabeth put down the recorder and wiped her eyes clear of tears. Her Dad deserved more than that. But she didn't want to go back to Earth, she didn't want to leave Atlantis or Ronon. Elizabeth closed her eyes for a moment but before she could realise it was happening, she was already falling asleep.
Elizabeth shut her eyes tight against the light as someone gently shook her shoulder
"Dr Weir"
Elizabeth knew the voice
"Teyla?"
Elizabeth opened her eyes and saw the young woman standing next to her. Elizabeth rubbed her eyes
"I must have fallen asleep"
Teyla lent against Elizabeth's desk and sighed
"I am not surprised. From what Rodney and Carson have told me, you have not been sleeping well the last week. Would you like to talk about it?"
Elizabeth shrugged
"There is nothing really to talk about. I just haven't been sleeping that's all"
Teyla nodded slightly. She and Elizabeth had been working on their friendship and it seemed to be as solid as it was before the whole situation with Ronon.
Teyla was certain she knew why Elizabeth wasn't sleeping but was reluctant to suggest it herself, so instead she changed the subject
"I have just talked to Rodney. He told me about the transmission. Is it important?"
Elizabeth nodded slowly and looked down.
"It is, in fact I need to make an announcement"
Elizabeth stood up and walked out of her office, followed by Teyla, to where Chuck was still sat
"Can you put me city wide Sergeant?"
Chuck nodded and after a moment he turned to Elizabeth and nodded
"You're on"
Elizabeth nodded slowly and cleared her throat before beginning.
"This is Dr Weir. I'm sure some of you already know that several hours ago we were contacted by Earth. I won't lie to you about what was in the message. I've been informed that due to various reasons the Stargate project on Earth is to be shut down. For this reason, we are all being recalled to Earth...We do have an option though; we could stay here. I won't make it an order either way, if you go there is no chance you could come back, if you stay you'll be cut off from Earth indefinitely and if they ever did come to get us we could face legal action, especially the Military personal. We have only 65 hours to decide, for those of you who want to return to Earth make sure you are in the 'Gate room about least 15 minutes before the departure time. I know this is a hard decision but I trust you all know what is right for yourself. Good luck, whatever you decide."
Elizabeth nodded at Chuck who turned off the citywide radio and turned back to her.
"Ma'am?"
"Yes"
Chuck stood up and smiled
"Are you staying?"
Elizabeth shook her head
"I'm not sure"
With that Elizabeth walked back into her office and played the last bit of Simon's message again
"I've tried explaining to your Dad but he keeps forgetting your not here and keeps asking where you are. He misses you, he thinks you're not going to visit because he's not your real Dad. I've tried explaining that you love him and it doesn't matter but he just keeps wondering why his little girl won't come and see him."
She knew if she returned home it only would be because of her Dad, she wouldn't be going back to Simon. She would make sure of that. But then returning home would also mean leaving Ronon and she wasn't sure she wanted to do that either. She knew he wouldn't come to Earth with her, he would hate it.
Elizabeth sighed and started to go over some more reports, making sure they were in order in case anyone did decide to return home, she knew they'd need reports and documents to hand over to the SGC.
As she worked through them Carson came up to her office, slightly out of breath as if he'd run all the way from the infirmary to her office.
"Dr Weir?"
Elizabeth turned to him and smiled
"Carson, I trust you heard the announcement?"
Carson nodded
"Yes I did, but Elizabeth that's not why I'm here."
Elizabeth looked at him slightly confused, her head tilted to one side.
"What's wrong Carson?"
"John's awoke"
Elizabeth was out of her office and walking down to the infirmary before Carson knew what she was doing. She rushed into the infirmary and saw John laying down on the bed where he'd been laying for the past month. She froze when he saw him, she could tell he was awake, she could see his lips moving as he talked to the nurse. Carson came up behind Elizabeth and put his hand on her shoulder.
"Elizabeth?"
Elizabeth just kept staring at John. She was taking in everything about him. She wasn't even sure if he wanted to see her, after all she was the reason he was like this.
"Elizabeth he asked to see you. Don't worry"
Elizabeth turned to Carson and smiled before taking a deep breath and walking over to John. Her heels clicked on the floor causing John to turn round. The corners of his lips bent up into a smile. Elizabeth felt much more relaxed when she saw his smile
"You finally decided to wake up then?"
John smiled wider at her joke.
"Yeah, I thought it was time to get off my ass and get back to work"
Elizabeth put her hand on his and grasped it.
"When did you wake up?"
John shrugged
"A few hours ago, Carson wanted to run some checks before he let anyone see me. By the way, I heard the announcement. Are you serious?"
Elizabeth nodded slowly.
"I have the messages in my office. One from Landry, One from General O'Neill and one from Daniel Jackson all explaining what's going on."
John nodded and shifted slightly
"I'll tell you right now, I'm not looking to leave Atlantis, nothing to go back to"
Elizabeth nodded and smiled
"I'm reluctant to leave myself but I'm not going to tell anyone that. I don't want them to stay out of loyalty. They should only stay if they want to"
Elizabeth closed her eyes and thought for a second.
"I'm sorry"
John looked at her with utter confusion.
"Sorry for what?"
Elizabeth looked at him in disbelief. How could he not know
"Sorry for being the reason you were tortured. Sorry for being the reason you've been in a coma for the last month"
John shook his head, closing his own eyes, hating the fact that she blamed herself.
"You can't blame yourself. I...I wasn't about to let you get killed. I did what I had to do"
Elizabeth rubbed a hand across her forehead and sighed
"Still, you took a hell of a chance for me. For that I need to thank you"
Elizabeth bent down and kissed John on the forehead tenderly, avoiding his wounds.
"Thank you John"
John lifted his hand and cupped Elizabeth's cheek. He drew a finger down her cheek and smiled
"No problem"
Elizabeth was still close to John's lips, which turned out to be very uncomfortable, especially when Ronon, Teyla and Rodney walked into the room.
When Rodney saw them, he quickly cleared his throat to try and warn Elizabeth before Ronon saw them but he wasn't quick enough and Ronon saw. Ronon, tried to keep a clear head and not get jealous, what helped was Elizabeth moving away from John and smiling at Ronon in her usual loving way.
Ronon came and stood next to Elizabeth; he placed his hand on her back and looked at John.
"Good to see you awoke Sheppard"
John wondered whether that was true or not, he knew Ronon would never want him dead but he also knew that Ronon was still a tiny bit insecure and was still wondering whether Elizabeth would go back to John.
The hand, which was one placed on Elizabeth's back seemed to be saying, 'She's mine, back off', and John knew that. So he just smiled and nodded at the taller and stronger man.
"Thanks Ronon, It's good to be back in the loop."
Ronon nodded back at him, his hand still on Elizabeth's back in a protective manner. Teyla and Ronon walked over to one side, where Teyla bent down and kissed John gently on the cheek. John smiled at her
"I should go into comas more often. I haven't got so much love in...ages"
Teyla chuckled and stood up
"Well don't get used to it. It won't be happening again"
John pouted playfully
"Mean"
John then looked up at Rodney and smiled
"Glad to see you haven't blown up the city while I saw asleep."
Rodney was about to protest when he thought his excellence was being attacked but instead he brushed it off knowing John was joking.
"Well, unless you're around I've got no one else to blame it on."
John tilted his head slightly and smiled at Rodney, silently giving him a point to put on his scorecard.
Elizabeth was happy to see the team where getting on so well, even after all the upset they'd had over the last six months.
The team stayed with John a little while longer until Carson ordered them to leave.
Rodney pulled Elizabeth to one side once they were out of the infirmary and turned to her
"Recalled?"
Elizabeth nodded and lent against the wall, sighing.
"I know, I can't believe it myself. What are you doing?"
Rodney sighed and shrugged
"Teyla's not said anything yet, but I can see she doesn't want me to go and that's...difficult"
Elizabeth looked at him shocked as she took a guess at what he meant by that.
"Do you want to go back to Earth?"
Rodney shrugged and shook his head
"I don't know. I never wanted to make a life here, but...I didn't have much as a personal life on Earth."
Elizabeth rubbed her tired eyes and sighed
"I feel the same way. I don't know whether to go back to Earth or not. Part of me wants too but another part can't stand to leave."
"Ronon?"
Elizabeth nodded slowly
"Yeah that's one of the reasons. My main reason is that I can't stand to leave this city, all the hard work we've put in, everything we have left to discover."
Rodney nodded, knowing what she meant and understanding. He felt a similar way; Atlantis held so many secrets and all the work he'd done before coming to Atlantis couldn't equal this.
Rodney placed his hand on Elizabeth's shoulder and sighed.
"We've both got a big decision. Professional and personal."
Elizabeth nodded in agreement, she knew it would be difficult for a lot of people on Atlantis, some had developed relationships with the Athosians and some had developed relationships with some people off world. People had rooted themselves here. Elizabeth pushed herself off the wall and sighed
"I know"
Elizabeth placed her hand on Rodney's shoulder as she walked past him. Rodney walked off in an opposite direction towards his lab. When he entered his lab he saw Teyla sitting there waiting for him, in the unusually quiet lab. Rodney walked forward and sat next to her.
"Will you leave for Earth? Tell me honestly"
Rodney put down the pen he'd just picked up and sighed. He looked at Teyla, her face was raw and honest, she wanted a definite answer.
"I'm not sure Teyla, it's a big decision. I have family on Earth, people I care about but Atlantis is my home now..." He paused in thought for a second and looked at Teyla. "...you're my home"
Teyla stood up and walked the distance between them, kissing him.
Elizabeth couldn't think as she sat in her office. She couldn't make a decision. She had under 48 hours left to decide. Sighing Elizabeth closed her laptop and walked around Atlantis for a while. She ended up outside the gym where Ronon, Lorne, Bates and a few more Marines were training. Elizabeth guessed that the people currently in the gym, since they were not packing, were staying on Atlantis.
Elizabeth leant against the doorframe and watched them for a few moments. Ronon was kicking their asses in a serious way and Elizabeth smiled at it. She'd been with Ronon for about three months now but if felt like longer, she knew they'd been close before that and maybe that's why it felt like longer but she couldn't imagine what it would be like without him. When Ronon saw her, he smirked and flipped Lorne over one shoulder, knocking him into Bates. A couple of the Marines sniggered as Lorne and Bates stood up and immediately rubbed their bruises.
"Perhaps she could teach you two a few things"
Ronon motioned over to Elizabeth who was still stood over by the doorway. She gave Lorne and Bates a smirk and a small wave. Ronon picked up two sparring sticks and threw them over to Elizabeth. Elizabeth sighed, took off her jacket and dropped it near the window. She stepped onto the mats and faced Ronon who already had two sparring sticks in his own hands. The two circled each other, spinning the the sticks in their hands. Lorne, Bates and the other Marines stood at the side of the room and watched the two lovers as they attacked each other. Lorne had to admit, Elizabeth was damn good. He could see she'd been taught well and guessed that it must have been Ronon who taught her because they both had the same style but with their own personal edge.
The Marines continued to watch as Ronon and Elizabeth got wrapped up in what they were doing. Elizabeth was not as good as Ronon, she knew that but she knew that she was getting there, after all, quite amazingly she'd kicked Teyla's ass a few weeks earlier which Rodney had found quite unbelievable.
Ronon was impressed by some of Elizabeth's moves, moves he recognised as his own but she did it in her own way. He smacked her on her thigh with a sparring stick and he twisted around her body to her back. Elizabeth spun round and lifted her sticks above her head as she saw him about to hit her from above. His stick connected with hers and Elizabeth pushed them away from her. Ronon stepped back from her and stared her down as she twisted one of the sticks in her hand. Ronon lunged at her, trying to hit her hip. Elizabeth deflected one of the sticks down and pushed away Ronon's sticks. Elizabeth aimed for Ronon's stomach causing him to spin around the stick and aim for Elizabeth's head as he faced her again. Elizabeth ducked down and spun herself away from him with grace. The two faced each other, their sticks connected as they walked in a circle, changing their positions in the room. Ronon moved away from her and brought his stick down slightly. Elizabeth thought he was about to stop and let her guard down, big mistake. When Ronon saw that her guard was down he slipped one of the sticks down and slid it under her feet. Elizabeth lost her footing and could feel herself going down, quickly she grabbed Ronon's hand which was close to her and pulled him down with her. He landed on her with a thump, slightly concerned that she hadn't whimpered due to the pain in her ribs. He put his hands either side of her and pushed himself off her. He stood up and grabbed her hand as he did, he pulled her to her feet and pulled her into his side, keeping hold of her hand and placing one of his hands on her hip.
"Are you okay, that must have hurt"
Elizabeth shook her head
"I've just had my pain medication. I can't feel a thing"
Lorne smirked as he saw Ronon's hand stay on Elizabeth's hip. He knew well that there was something was going on between Ronon and Elizabeth so this not really a surprise. Bates cleared his throat causing Elizabeth to jump back slightly from Ronon's grip and dropped his hand. Bates was another one who knew everything, he was just happy that Elizabeth was no longer favouring the military commander, that gave him a shot to get in some of his own ideas which Elizabeth hadn't been receptive to.
"Ma'am, I believe you have a security meeting with myself and my team in about twenty minutes"
Elizabeth nodded slowly and smiled at him
"Of course. I'll meet you up there"
Bates nodded and left the room, dragging Lorne and the other Marines with him. Elizabeth turned back to Ronon and smiled
"I'm okay. I promise"
Elizabeth moved over to the window to pick up her jacket, she was about to head out of the gym to go for a shower when she stopped.
"My Dad doesn't remember me."
Ronon stopped, not knowing what she was talking about.
"What do you mean?"
Elizabeth turned round and faced him, she wasn't sure whether it was the medication which was making her so open or whether she just needed to talk to him about it.
"One of the messages I received was from a man called Simon. He was my...he was a close friend of mine from Earth. He told me that my Dad doesn't thinks that I don't love him because I haven't been to see him."
Elizabeth walked over to the bench near the window and sat down.
"You see he's not my real father. My Dad died when my Mum was pregnant with me. When I was four she remarried and I always thought of him as my real father. You see he's getting old, his memory's not what it used to be and he thinks the reason I haven't been to see him is because he isn't my real father."
Ronon sat down next to her.
"You want to go to Earth don't you. Too see him"
Elizabeth nodded slowly; a few tears fell down her cheek
"He's my Dad, I can't let him think that I don't love him"
Ronon bit the inside of his lip. He knew where this was going, he knew she was about to tell him that she had decided to go back to Earth. He didn't want to hear it.
Ronon stood up and walked to the door.
"Whatever you decide, you have my support"
Elizabeth looked over at him and was about to say something when Ronon left the room.
24 hours later
Elizabeth turned off the camcorder, which sat in front of her. The last time she'd done this Aiden Ford had been there. Elizabeth rubbed her forehead and sighed as she uploaded the data she'd just recorded to her laptop and saved it with the others she'd just made. She was going to get Rodney to compress them later, after she knew what she was going to do. She hadn't really spoken to Ronon since the time in the gym, he seemed to be avoiding her and she didn't like that. She just wanted to speak to him. Slowly Elizabeth left the room she was in and walked through the corridors until she reached his quarters. She knocked on the door before entering her security code. Ronon was laying on his bed, looking up at the ceiling. When she walked into the room he looked at her and smiled. He gestured for her to go to him. When she did he took her hand and guided her next to him. Elizabeth laid down next to him, she placed her head on his chest and wrapped her arm around his waist. Ronon wrapped one of his arms around her and played with the hair which laid on her neck and extended down her back. Elizabeth snuggled her head into his chest. Ronon let his hand leave her hair and tickle it's way down her back. When his hand reached the hem of her top his fingers slid underneath and touched the soft skin. Ronon was reluctant to talk about Elizabeth going back to Earth, he knew she wanted to see her father but he also knew that if she went to Earth she would end up regretting it. He'd been thinking about the possibility of going back to Earth with her but he knew it was going to be one heck of a move, especially if things didn't work out between them. He'd been stuck there with no way of returning back to his galaxy, his home. He didn't want to lose her but they'd only been together for about three months and he was just wondering if three months was too short a time. Maybe that was a reason people said that John should be with Elizabeth. Maybe because he could follow her easily wherever she went.
Elizabeth placed a kiss to Ronon's chest and sighed.
"I'm not going to Earth. It's...there's things there which I don't want to go back to. Things I can't go back too. There's this guy...we were in a relationship. I left Earth without even telling him where I was going. I left him a message. I didn't tell him in person because I know he would have done all in his power to stop me from going"
Ronon shrugged
"Smart man."
Elizabeth shook her head, took her head of his chest and looked up at him.
"He's possessive. He sent me a message from Earth, he told me he loved me and wanted me back. If I went back to Earth...I know he'd try and get me back and I'd let him. I don't want to go back to that"
Ronon tensed
"If you really want to go back to Earth...I'll come with you."
Elizabeth eyes widened as he said he'd go with her. She could see in his eyes that he meant it, he would sacrifice everything for her.
"Ronon...I could never ask you to do that. This is your home..."
Ronon shook his head and cut him
"I had a home. It was destroyed. I would go to Earth with you."
Elizabeth swallowed hard and looked down.
"I couldn't...I don't..."
Ronon slipped two fingers under her chin and lifted her face. Ronon leant in and kissed her hard, Elizabeth kissed him back gently.
"You're not asking me to go, I want to go."
12 hours later
It hadn't taken long for it to spread that Elizabeth was returning to Earth and Ronon was going with her. Some people refused to believe it, saying Elizabeth loved the city too much to leave, some said that Ronon wouldn't go with her, that he'd back out at the last minute. Elizabeth heard these rumours and had to admit they held some considerable weight.
Ronon knew there was some truth in them as well, part of him was worried about returning to Earth. He didn't know what to expect.
Some had told him about Earth but none of it sounded particularly appealing to him, except the fact that Elizabeth would be there.
John had asked Ronon to go see him in the infirmary, he figured John had heard what was going on and wanted to give him a warning.
Ronon headed down into the infirmary and saw John laying on the bed. Waiting. Ronon walked over to John and nodded
"Sheppard. What can I do for you?"
John sat up and offered Ronon a seat which he took. He slid into the chair and sighed. John waited for a moment before he began.
"I heard Elizabeth's going back to Earth"
Ronon nodded slowly, he'd heard.
"Yeah, she is"
John took a breath before starting again.
"I heard you're going with her. Is that true?"
Ronon nodded again,
"That's true"
John closed his eyes and rubbed his hand across his forehead
"You better take care of her. I mean it, look after her and treat her right. On Earth you will meet some women. And these women will do everything in their power to get you away from Elizabeth, because they'll be jealous of her. If you cheat on her I will come to Earth and kick your ass, don't think I won't."
Ronon shook her head
"I'm not going to hurt her. And I won't make the same mistake you did. I'm not that stupid"
John took a deep breath but let the comment pass.
"Make sure you don't"
Ronon nodded and left the infirmary.
6 hours later
When Elizabeth listened to Simon's message again she realised that it didn't matter if Ronon went with her to Earth. Simon would do everything to get her back, the tone of his voice told her that. It worried her because she didn't want to go back to him, the only reason she was returning to Earth was because of her father and she wondered if that was a good enough reason to uproot herself and Ronon. She was wondering if Ronon actually wanted to leave. She'd talked to him a few times in the last six hours and he seemed to be getting worried about the move, not that he'd ever tell her directly. She only had six hours left to decided.
She'd talked to Rodney who had informed her that he was staying on Atlantis, he didn't say he was staying for Teyla but it was implied. Not that he resented that but she could tell that he was worried about the choice he was making.
She already knew John was staying, part of her wondered if she could deal with not seeing John everyday. He was such a big part of her life, even after everything. He was special to her, so special.
Carson had informed her earlier that he would be staying on Atlantis, he told her that he wouldn't leave his patients. Out of all those which Elizabeth had spoken too, none of them had said that they were returning to Earth. One person she knew was going back to Earth was Kavanagh, he didn't want to risk getting in trouble.
Elizabeth sighed and closed her laptop again, she had something to do before she left. Something she had to tell John. Slowly she left her office and walked through the corridors to the infirmary, when she got there she felt more and more scared about telling John something she'd kept from him for so long. She hadn't told Ronon either but she knew that it was more important John heard this now. There would come a time when she told Ronon, but now wasn't the time.
Elizabeth stepped into the infirmary and walked over to where John was laying on his bed reading War and Peace. He smiled and put now his book when he saw her approach.
"Hey, I thought you'd be packing"
Elizabeth nodded and laughed nervously
"I'm nearly done, just a few more things"
John nodded and then placed the book and the table next to him.
"Are you sure you want to go?"
Elizabeth shook her head honestly and sighed
"No. I'm not."
John closed his eyes and sighed, he was about to say something but Elizabeth cut in
"There's something I want you to know John. The baby...when I lost the baby..."
Elizabeth sat down and buried her head in her hands, this was more difficult then she thought it would be. Slowly she raised her head from her hands.
"...John I knew it might happen. I had an accident when I was younger, the accident...the doctor said the chances of me ever carrying a child full term would be...low...very low"
John sat shocked for a moment. He couldn't quite comprehend when she had told him. Elizabeth stood up and turned round, she was about to walk to the door when he stopped her.
"Wait"
Elizabeth turned round. She couldn't make out the look on his face, he still looked shocked.
"Why are you telling me now?"
Elizabeth closed her eyes
"I wanted you to know, before I left. I know you blamed yourself when it first happened but I thought you had a right to know that it wasn't your fault. It was nobody's fault."
John nodded slowly, and rubbed the stubble on his chin.
"What kind of accident was it?"
Elizabeth became very quiet and looked away
"I don't want to talk about it. It doesn't matter anymore"
John nodded and held out his hand. Elizabeth put her hand in it and John pulled her forward, forcing her to sit on the bed. John placed his other hand on the top of her leg. Their eyes met and eventually locked.
"Take care of yourself Elizabeth. Please do that for me so I don't have to worry about you as much"
Elizabeth nodded slowly and squeezed his hand
"Only if you do the same"
John nodded and Elizabeth smiled at him. She leant in and kissed him on the cheek. John let his lips graze across Elizabeth's cheek, his head rubbing against hers.
They pulled away from each other and Elizabeth stood up. She looked at him one last time before walking out of the infirmary.
7 hours later
Earth, SGC
Only twenty five members of the Atlantis crew had stepped through the Stargate from Atlantis. The SGC personal had to admit that it was surprising, they didn't think near that many would return back.
The twenty five were all being debriefed separately. Then they were going to be called as a group. Kavanagh had been debriefed by Jack and he had used all his strength not to punch the scientist out. Especially now when he was whining about some key members of the Atlantis team.
"I personally think that she is the reason so many have stayed. I think if anyone should be punished it should be her. Weir is not a leader. She played favourites and I know she had an affair with Sheppard, as a result, and you won't find this in any report, she got pregnant. A few months after she lost the baby she got together with an Alien called Ronon Dex. She's incompetent."
Jack rubbed his eyes and sighed
"Well that doesn't matter anymore and do you know why? Because she stayed on Atlantis. She's there, we're here and there is no way we can punish her. Plus she the foremost expert in international and now, interplanetary, relations."
Kavanagh looked pretty confused by what Jack was telling him
"What does that matter? She refused a direct order"
Jack nodded
"It doesn't matter and yeah she did. But I won't let her be punished for doing the right thing. I won't let any of them be punished."
Kavanagh stood up and left the room without being given permission. Jack shook his head and relaxed back into his chair as Walter came into the room with a data disk.
"General, I have a message for you from Dr Weir"
Walter passed Jack a data disk and then left the room. Jack plugged the device into his laptop and selected the video message which was there. On the screen Elizabeth appeared and smiled.
"General, if you're seeing this, I've decided not to return to Earth. I want you to know I appreciate your support as do the team but Jack I can't ask you to put your career on the line for us. We all know what we're getting ourselves into. Don't worry about us. Do me a favour and get Carrie, the British Diplomat you've got working with you, to contact Daniel. He said he needed some help and she is the best.
One more thing Jack, I have a message for my father. I could get Simon to give it to him but...I'm not sure whether he would give it to him. Will you make sure he gets it? Please it's important
Give my best to Daniel and Rodney wants me to say 'hi' to Carter for him.
All the best Jack
Earth, Chicago
Jack had found all of the contact details for Elizabeth's father. He was in a Nursing Home in the suburbs of Chicago.
Jack went to visit him, not really knowing what to say to the man. He didn't really know anything about Elizabeth beyond her professional work and the fact that she had a big heart. He talked to the man for a few moments when he dropped off the tape but got the idea that he was just as uncomfortable about talking with him. Jack knew he hadn't needed to visit him but he felt he had to, just to try and explain why his daughter couldn't be there.
When Jack left Elizabeth's father put the video Jack had given him into the pressed play.
He smiled as he saw his little girl appear on screen.
"Hey Dad. I know it's been a long time and I'm sorry. I wish I could be there to talk to you in person, but this will have to do. Daddy, I love you so much and I miss you. I know you don't know where I am but it's classified but I want you to know that I'm happy and there isn't a day that goes by when I don't think about you. I know you think I haven't been to see you because you think I don't love you because you're not my biological father but I don't want you to think that. You are my father, you always have been. I'll never stop loving you Daddy. Please know that"
Her father paused the video, he had tears in his eyes much like his daughter on the screen. Both their eyes were filled to the brim and he let several tears fall down his eyes as he played the rest of the video.
"I had the chance to come home but what I'm doing here is so important and I know you'd be proud to me. There's someone here, in my life. I don't know where it's going but...I think you'd like him. Once you get though the tough outside...he's so sweet. He's caring and he loves me...I think"
Elizabeth smiled on the screen and shuddered slightly
"You'll meet him, eventually I promise you. So, I have to go now but...I'll contact you as soon as I can. I love you Dad."
The old man smiled at the video, happy to see his girl smiling. Picking up the remote he re-winded video and watched it again.
TBC…