"Did you see Zelenka!" John asked grinning as he moved into the room. Elizabeth didn't look up from her spot at the desk.

"No," she replied softly.

"You should take a quick look before he washes his face off, the kids did a real number on him!" grinned Sheppard as he perched himself on the edge of her desk.

"I asked Carson to give everyone on the base a full exam…if Caldwell could have a goa'uld in him, any of us could."

"There's creepy thought."

"Yes it is…I crossed a line…today John…with Kavanagh."

"You did what you had to do. The good news was, he wasn't hurt."

"Here we are, gloating about the in-fighting among the Wraith. How are we any different?" she shook her head and sighed.

John sat in her office for a few more minutes, reaching out he gripped her hand, "it'll get easier…" he wished he had wiser words for her.

Elizabeth sighed as she slowly stepped into the small lab, Rodney sat at his desk, sipping his coffee, for the first time he really looked relaxed, he was wearing a dark navy blue hoody and black jeans, he looked amazing, but that was really the furthest thing from Elizabeth's mind.

He was tipping his coffee cup back when he spotted her, taking a quick gulp, he sat the cup back down and offered her a warm smile, "to what do I owe this wonderful pleasure?"

"I wanted to apologize," she whispered as she stepped up to his desk.

He looked at her, confusion in his eyes and cocked his head to side, "I honestly have no idea what you're apologizing about…usually I'm the one with the apologizing to do. What's wrong?" He asked sweetly as he eyed her.

"For everything…I treated you so terribly after…your screw up with the solar system…thing, and here I am…practically in the same damn boat," she whispered.

"Hey, come here," he reached out for her hand, and pulled her around to standing front of him, he took her hands in his and eyed them for a moment, "there isn't a person on this base…that in your shoes would have wanted to do something to Kavanagh. So you made a mistake, the trick is to get past it. Most people will forgive you…"

"See, this just proves your better than me," she suddenly felt tears filling her eyes.

"What?" Rodney asked shaking his head, "no way Elizabeth…."

"I didn't even forgive you, I let you almost die…and then I pull this stupid thing with Kavanagh and you're so quick to forgive…" she shook her head.

Rodney sighed as he stood and pressed a kiss to her forehead, "I'm your best friend, and I'll always forgive you, until the day I die…Elizabeth you made a mistake, we're human, and it happens. As I said most people on this base would have done the same thing in your place. It's not like we actually caused him physical harm," he whispered.

"I'm just so sorry for hurting you…"

"Forgiven, come on, you can't dwell on this," he whispered as he pulled her close, gently rubbing her back. She sighed, resting her head against his shoulder and shook her head.

"How will anyone trust me after this?"

"Elizabeth, people respect and trust you, they wouldn't be here if they didn't. Making one simple mistake isn't going to change that, we'll always stand behind you, and even if the rest of Atlantis didn't, John, Teyla, Ronan, Carson, Cadman, Zelenka, Lorne and I would stand behind you more than a hundred percent. Now, wanna catch a movie? I hear Love Actually is playing is the rec room tonight, and I know it will make you feel better," Rodney said grinning.

"I'd like that," she replied taking his offered arm.

He smiled, pressing a kiss to her temple as they headed out of the room.

Love Actually was far worth going to, Carson and Laura were curled up on one edge of the couch, Teyla sat next to John on the floor and Elizabeth sat with Rodney's arm around her shoulders.

As it came to an end, Elizabeth took a deep breath, unprepared to far another day. Carson offered to walk Laura back to her quarters, John headed off to his own, and Teyla left to her quarters in no mood to talk after the death of her dearest friend.

Elizabeth sighed as she sat there for a moment, "you okay?" Rodney finally managed as he pulled her further into his arms so she was resting against his chest.

"He's right…" she whimpered.

"Who?"

"Kavanagh…he said I do everything based on feelings…" she shook her head. "He's right, I'm going to get us all killed because I'm too blind to see the truth."

Rodney watched her for a moment then sighed, "For someone so smart, I've never seen you act so stupid." He pulled her around so he could look into her beautiful green eyes, "you are, without a doubt…the best leader I've ever seen. There is nothing about you that cries emotional….except this little break down. Elizabeth you know how to separate yourself from things, and you know when to be emotionally involved."

"Rodney, I've screwed up…."

"So what!" Rodney demanded suddenly, "Elizabeth we've all screwed up, just because Kavanagh is too self obsessed to see his many near death screw ups doesn't mean he's perfect. If he wants respect he needs to earn it, because I don't know anyone in Atlantis that respects anything he does."

"How do I get past this Rodney? I've just…I've crossed that line, I'm making my way down that slippery slope…"

"I'm standing here at the edge Liz, we all are, and we'll hold each other up. When you go down we'll go with you and find a way to pull you up. We're all going to go down that slope, the difference is who will stay at the bottom and who is willing to try and find their way back up to the top."

"I feel so…lost."

"Well…I know this may not be the best time, but seeing as we're alone and there's no chance of someone interrupting us, and you look like you could use some cheer, here," he handed her a small velvet box. "It's a little earlier, but happy birthday."

She flipped it open and smiled, it was a small ring, simple really, her birth stone in between two smaller diamonds, "It's beautiful…thank you, you know how to brighten my days," she smiled as she pressed a kiss to his cheek.

"You have nothing to be ashamed of Liz, you did what you had to do…he wasn't hurt, and now the people of Atlantis know that you will protect your people at all costs."

"But is the price too much?" she whispered.

Rodney sighed, "that's not for anyone but yourself to decide. If they don't see your desire to protect us, then they probably shouldn't be here."

"I'm sorry," she mumbled again.

"Don't be, it wasn't as bad as it feels…would you like me to walk you back to your quarters?" he said beginning to move.

Suddenly Elizabeth grabbed his wrist, effectively stopping him, "no, can…could we stay here for a few more minutes…for the first time my feelings don't have to be in check and I'm not ready to go to sleep and face tomorrow…at least here I won't feel judged," she whispered.

"We can stay here for as long as you'd like," he wrapped his arms around her again, and flicked another movie on quickly. He pressed a kiss to her head and smiled, "you're safe."

"Thank you," she sighed and leaned her head against his shoulder, her eyes watching the new Star Wars movie, her thoughts however, on Rodney as she looked at the ring on her finger. She had been correct, with Rodney she wasn't being judged, although Carson, John, Laura or Teyla weren't judging her either. Maybe Rodney was right, she'd made a mistake but tomorrow was another day, and if she wanted to continue being an effective leader, she had to let go of today first.