Elizabeth groaned as she slowly opened her eyes, "good morning!" an all too cheerful voice awakened her further. She opened her eyes further, pausing then suddenly looked over at John, who never even glanced at her. She suddenly felt her face flush, she was mortified.

"Morning," she mumbled a reply as she closed her eyes against the waves of embarrassment, had she really kissed him. 'Oh God, Rodney must know by now…Rodney…oh I shot him!' she realized.

"What's-her-name sure hung around for awhile," Sheppard offered before Elizabeth could think another word.

"When did she…um?

"Sometime in the middle of the night, kicking and screaming from what I hear," he replied.

She glanced over at him again, he was still working on his little blackberry. "Yeah, well, that was…the strangest feeling, you know? The entire time I was shouting at everyone, but nothing I wanted would come out of my mouth," she whispered in reply. She hated the feeling of being out of control, it was so natural for her to have everything under her control when the time was called for…this had been one of those times that she should have been in control.

"I know, it was a real nightmare…especially when you shot Ronan."

"Oh God…But I wasn't…" she closed her eyes, feeling tears beginning to well up all too quickly, she'd shot Ronan, and Rodney who else was there…she couldn't remember

"I know. I know. It was her," John offered.

"How is he?" she whispered her eyes still closed.

"He's fine. Teyla and Rodney just went to see him in post-op."

"Did they believe you were…you?"

"To be honest I think the only people who believe one hundred percent are Beckett…and…."

"Me," a voice interrupted them.

Elizabeth instantly opened her eyes to see Caldwell strolling in he smiled gently at both at them. He came over to Elizabeth's side, reaching down he squeezed her hand softly, "In fact, I can safely say I know how you feel," he smiled sadly.

"Yes sir!" John said with enthusiasm, glad they weren't the only ones dying of embarrassment. Although, he had a fairly good feeling there were two other people on this base who understood what it was like to not be in control of your body.

"Thank you, Colonel – for keeping a potentially explosive situation under control!" Elizabeth spoke looking at him, they had become friends over such a short period of time, she suddenly wasn't sure what she'd do without him, granted he could be as annoying as anyone, but he was a blessing as well at times.

"Yeah well, it was a lot closer than I would like to admit," Caldwell reasoned shrugging.

"For what it's worth, Rodney says you did a good job," John offered smiling at his friend. While Caldwell might not show it, like everyone else, he appreciated a compliment when it came from said source, especially since they tended to be few and far between.

"Did he…well maybe there's hope for me yet," chuckled Caldwell.

"Oh God! No, please don't believe anything she said," mumbled Elizabeth again as she covered her face.

Caldwell chuckled and gently removed her hands from her face, "I'm kidding Elizabeth; don't give it another thought. Well, if you'll excuse me, I'm sure you'll both agree that the paperwork on this one is going to be a nightmare…especially that kiss."

"Yes sir," muttered John.

"Actually Colonel…could you possibly leave that part out…"

"I think most people already believe you and John are up to something, don't worry I won't tell a soul…Well, try not to kill each other while I'm gone," with that the Colonel left them alone.

Elizabeth cast a glance at Elizabeth, before her cheeks began to burn again, she slid down in the bed and turned on her side away from him, suddenly feeling unable to face him every again.

She awoke to silence, however she felt a gentle hand running through her hair, and something lying at her side. She was stunned when she woke up to see Lauryn curled up in her arms, sucking her thumb, and Rodney leaning over them both, gently running his hands through Elizabeth's soft hair.

"How long have I been out?" she mumbled as she looked down at the beautiful angelic face.

"Few hours…not too long…Sheppard was released about twenty minutes ago after Carson did another check over him…Carson said as soon as you woke up he'd do the same for you," Rodney smiled gently.

"Oh god, I shot you…I shot Ronan too," she closed her eyes again.

"Hey, you stunned me…and you were not in possession of your faculties at the time, consider it forgiven, as for shooting Ronan…I think he almost finds it an honor to be taken out by you…kinda creepy actually. Elizabeth don't worry, no one is mad," he said smiling as he pressed a kiss to her temple.

"Can't I just hide out somewhere for awhile?" she whimpered.

"Well you're welcome to hide out in my room for as long as you'd like, that would probably stop the rumors about you and the Colonel," grinned Rodney.

"Oh this is a nightmare," Elizabeth mumbled as she suddenly pulled the sheet above her head.

"Eliza, sweetheart, stop it," Rodney said pulling the sheet back down, as though he was talking to his daughter instead of his best friend, "no one cares, okay it's was a bad situation…so what, it's over you have to get up and get over it. How many times have you told me that, huh?"

"Several," she replied in a mutter as she gently began to run her own hand through little Lauryn's hair.

"Then trust me," he whispered.

"I don't want to go yet Rodney, please…" she whispered.

"You might be Carson's first patient that begged to stay. Come here," he gently helped Elizabeth move over to the other side of the infirmary bed, while they were small, they were slightly larger than the usual beds, perfect for this. Kicking off his shoes and losing his jacket, Rodney pulled the sheets back and slipped between them, so that they cradled each side of their little girl, "I love you," Rodney whispered as he looked at Elizabeth.

"How can you not be angry?" she muttered.

"Because truthfully there will be a day when I have far more energy to waste on arguing with you about far more important matters, this, my love, is not one of them. Now go to sleep, you need the rest, I'll be here when you wake."

"I love you too…I just feel like I total screw up right now."

"Believe me Elizabeth, I completely understand how you feel, in the being possessed manner, and the screw up manner…close your eyes, and sleep."

Elizabeth did as she was told, falling asleep beside the two people she loved more than anything in the entire world. They would worry later about how to solve any problems that came up, for now her world was reduced to two single people, Lauryn and Rodney, the man who had willingly allowed her to adopt this little girl as theirs instead of his.

It was a week later when Elizabeth, John, Teyla, Ronan, Carson, Rodney and Caldwell all gathered in the briefing room, the doors were sealed, and everyone had a serious look on their faces.

Ronan was still looking a little under the weather, but he seemed to be hanging in there. Carson looked sure of himself, while Teyla looked embarrassed, John wasn't in his usual position beside her or Elizabeth, in fact he was sitting beside Caldwell and Carson. Rodney however, sat between the two women, as though stating he trusted Elizabeth with everything he had, which was probably true.

"First off…I'd like to make this statement clear and concise…I apologize for…everything I did while under the influence of Phebus, you have to believe me when I say I was screaming the entire time…however that's not why we're here… Rodney has devised a way…so that no single person can any longer control the entire city…I think it's the best precaution…also, I'd like it to be known that from this point on when we decide to resuscitate people from stasis…that there be at least four armed guards at each entrance and exit from the room, that is to shoot any person on sight who attempts to leave, only to harm, not to kill, but still. I also think it's important that from now on when we do decide to wake them…we have them hooked up to an IV or something that can pump a type of sedation into their veins…we can't afford to do this again…I think you all agree," she spoke looking around.

Somehow she felt stronger when Rodney placed his hand against her thigh, she was pleased when everyone nodded around the table. "Also…Colonel Caldwell, I appreciate your immediate command of this situation, more than you know…" Caldwell smiled for a moment, but it was instantly shattered by her next words, "however…I still cannot deny the fact that this city isn't your jurisdiction, I'm not saying you were wrong…so this is how we're going to set this up, if for any reason Major Sheppard or I are compromised again, Dr. McKay and Teyla will take immediate control over the system and divide the duties from there."

"Now wait a damn…" Caldwell began to argue, but was rapidly cut off by her again.

"I'm sorry Colonel, but you have to understand this, you were host to a gou'ld, we hosted aliens, it's going to take a while for any trust to be regained. The truth is, that under pervious rules before you ever arrived here, that was one rule agreed upon and implemented a long time ago. I am in charge, followed by John then Rodney and Teyla, finally landing on Carson and Ronan. We do this diplomatically, just because you come in here with guns blazing doesn't give you the right to immediately take over, and I would also like to make this part one hundred percent clear: what Dr. McKay or Dr. Beckett say from here on out…goes, end of story. They are my foremost experts in their area, if Rodney says he's fixing it and that it will take time, you are not to bother him until he says other wise, you are not to push him around or threaten him in anyway, nor Carson. If that falls to anyone then it can fall to Ronan or Teyla, it's not your place Caldwell."

"So your basically saying nice job...but your way out of your league?" Caldwell said in sudden anger.

"No, I'm saying you did well, and should the need arise again, you and the Daedalus are welcome to help, but only under the direction of Teyla or Rodney. I don't expect anything like this to ever be a problem again however."

"Fine," Caldwell replied like a spoilt child with his arms crossed in front of his chest.

"Good…therefore I have one final request, Rodney, Carson based on your opinion do you see it fit and in our best interest to remove the gas?"

Carson smiled softly, "I think we can find another way to put out fires…aye without killing everyone."

"I agree, I already have Zelenka and Miko working on finding anything in the Ancient Archives."

"Very well, in that case, Rodney I'd like you take immediate action to have it safely removed from the system and taken some where it won't harm anyone."

"Done," Rodney complied.

"Excellent, John…according to Carson, we're back to active duty…I'm reinstating you," she said as she stood up, walking over to him she handed him his 9mm.

"Thanks, I guess I can reinstate you too," he replied, standing up her pulled her into a quick hug, "I'm sorry," he whispered softly.

"I do not believe Colonel Caldwell was very pleased," Teyla spoke through a puff of air as she swung at John's feet with the sticks.

"No…he certainly didn't seem too happy…Teyla, stop for a minute," he whispered.

"Are you all right?" she asked suddenly worried.

"I'm fine…come here," he gently grabbed her hand, then swung his other hand past the controls for the door, closing it. Drawing her over to the seat by the window he gently sat her down, "look…a lot of things have happened in the past…well few weeks that have started me really thinking."

"John…I am sorry…" she looked down suddenly.

"Sorry about what?" John asked, lost as to what she could possibly be apologizing for.

"I almost shot you," she replied softly. She was surprised when she felt a soft hand under her chin. Her face was lifted to meet his and he smiled softly at her, stroking her cheek with his thumb.

"There was very little that Thalen said…that could be considered true…however there was one thing he did mention, that is absolutely true. He was right, Teyla I do care for you a very great deal…more than you may ever know or understand."

"Colonel…"

"John," he whispered as he smiled softly at her.

"John…we should not…I…" she sighed, then met his beautiful hazel eyes again, "I care for you…but is there not some type of rule about this?"

"Probably…but I've never been a big on rules personally," without hesitation John leaned in, and suddenly found his lips meeting hers. His other hand slipped up to her cheek, pulling her close, and he was surprised when her hands wrapped around the back of his head.

Teyla smiled as she finally drew away, her hands gently stroking his stubbled cheek, "I also care for you a great deal…so much perhaps…John I could not have killed you…I cherish every moment I spend with you."

"I…I love you," he whispered softly as he leaned in again and stole another kiss from her soft lips.

"And I you," she replied when they parted, offering him a gentle smile.