As much as John wished it was possible, running Atlantis from the infirmary didn't work, only allowing him a few hours a day to sit with Elizabeth. Debriefings needed to be completed. Reports needed to be written up. Scientific arguments needed to be settled. There was so much to do that he still had no idea how Elizabeth managed it and not kill someone in the process.
Two days after the mission to bring everyone home the database finally kicked back everything it knew. Rodney's thrilled excitement as he burst into Elizabeth's office was tempered by John's growled "it couldn't have done this a week ago?" Between them they read through the data, the final pieces falling into place. The 'creatures' they discovered were called the Niigruvite and had contacted the Ancient's shortly after the City had been built. Their technology had rivalled their own. The ability to effect speed with a simple frequency pulse that could be refined to a single molecule or to whole room had fascinated them. Even more so the way they could open up doorways through space that could link distant galaxies. Rodney couldn't contain his excitement when the specifications appeared at the bottom of the reports, quickly bounding out of the room to study them in more detail, leaving John alone with his thoughts and the final few reports.
One thing the Ancients had discovered was the Niigruvite's immense life span. It had led to arguments within city. They had only just discovered the ability to ascend and for those unwilling to attempt the process, discovering the Niigruvite's secret to eternal life had seemed a thrilling and easier alternative. It was there that direct and factual reports seemed to end, the details going more into suspicions and guessing. Arguments within the Ancient society had reached a boiling point with a small group deciding to break away and leave during the night. The 'gate address they went to was never recorded. John could only guess they had travelled to Gishcar.
Finally closing his laptop, John stared at the walls unsure what to make of it all. He wanted so much to go and show Elizabeth, to get her views on the entire thing but Carson had threatened him not to push her too hard, especially since he'd sat there for three hours explaining everything that had happened. Looking at the clock he decided to get some sleep. They were sending the people they'd lost back to Earth tomorrow.
The service was small. The coffins of everyone they'd lost lined up in front of the Stargate, each draped with their countries flag. John hated giving speeches so in the end decided not to, instead standing solemnly as Taps was played, followed by the Last Post. Slowly the coffins were passed through the gate to the SGC. When the 'gate finally shut down the congregation dispersed and returned to duty leaving John feeling hollow, the space next to him standing empty, Elizabeth still in the infirmary. Now it was time to try and get back to normal, the latest disaster at an end leaving only his demons to exorcise.
Carson refused to let her out of the infirmary for a week, adamant she need bed rest and time to heal, convinced that the moment he let her out she would go straight to her office and move back in. In the end she begged him, desperate to be away from the four walls of the infirmary and the quiet, yet incessantly beeping machines that she was sure were slowly sending her round the bend. John had been sat by her side every day, for as long as he could manage, when the city didn't demand his attention.
She was sure that their secret must be out by now, but then again Rodney, Teyla, Ronon and other members of the expedition had been keeping her company too. She'd been incredibly surprised at the outpouring of friendship she'd received while being cooped up in bed. More than once, Carson had been forced to kick people out, especially when Rodney and Zalenka had begun discussing, arguing, the finer points of the translation matrix with her.
Now with her own clothes on instead of a hospital gown, Elizabeth felt like she was getting back to normal. Her stomach still pulled and at time hurt more than she cared to admit but Carson assured her it was healing well and it was unlikely to leave a scar, something for which she was immensely grateful. Sliding off the bed, she was relieved to find her legs strong underneath her, her mind flicking back to how weak she'd felt just after she'd woken up.
Looking over to the room where Lt. Shann was resting, Elizabeth had a moment of indecision. She hadn't seen the lieutenant since they'd been brought home, in fact Elizabeth had been convinced that the young woman had died at first. She'd seen Carson shoo Major Lorne and his team out a few hours ago, the three men had been taking turn sitting vigil by her bedside for the past week. The need to check on her grew, Elizabeth felt she owed her that much, after all, she'd done her very best to protect her from the creatures.
Her feet were moving before her mind had consciously agreed, quickly stepping through the door. Jen was lying on her side, her left arm and hand almost completely bandaged up, only the tips of her fingers visible. A drip still hung above her head and there was the continuous beeping of the monitors behind her. A defibrillator and ventilator still hiding in the corners of the room, evidence of how close a call it had been. Elizabeth stood there for a moment, watching the steady rhythm of her heartbeats on the monitor, listening to her quiet breaths as she slept. Having seen her was enough, Elizabeth was content to let her sleep for now. There would be time for conversation later.
The halls of Atlantis were quiet and when she looked out of the windows the sky had darkened. It was only then that Elizabeth realised how late it was and how tired she still felt, her own bed calling to her despite how much she wanted to check in with the control room. Slowly making her way down the corridors of Atlantis, Elizabeth opened the door to her quarters, quickly changing and climbing into bed. More tired than she'd realised she fell asleep quickly.
Only hours later, she woke up startled by a noise in her room. At first her mind jumped to the last time she'd been woken up, her heart beginning to thump wildly in her chest. A moment later there was a weight on the bed behind her and her heart rate dropped. John's warm arms slid around her shoulders, his chest pressing flat against her back. Instantly she leaned into him, tucking her head under his chin, her hands wrapping around his wrists, his hold on her making her feel safe and secure despite the darkness that was in her mind.
"I've missed this," he murmured into her ear, his voice soft and warm, his breath ruffling her hair a little.
"Me too." John's warmth helped ease her mind, his warm, comforting presence letting her fall asleep in his arms, safe in the knowledge that everything was just fine.
This a short one just to tie it up a little, building in a bit of the backstory I had. I've decided I'm going to write up that chapter on Jen too. Thanks for reading.
