Hello, Stargatelovers!

First, thank you for all your thoughts. I'm glad the new arrivals are enjoying this story.

Here you go, a new chapter, even though is a little one.

Chapter 21: Episode 4x12

Breakfast time.

A pain for the last week since her eyes always landed on John Sheppard. Didn't he had any missions now?

"Atlantis to Alex."

"Sorry. What?" Alexandra's eyes landed on Evan Lorne who was having breakfast with her that morning.

Major Lorne smiled at his friend distracted state.

"I was asking about the planet we are going today. But…"

"But I was distracted. I'm sorry..." Alexandra sighed. "I've been doing all these late night sessions with McKay and I'm not at my best today."

"You should really go back to partnering with Col. Sheppard's team. It would help with McKay. At least." Evan immediately said as the spiteful look his friend sent his way.

"Evan, I'm not going back to SGA-1. My team is your team. I was just was just abducted from time to time."

"Why can't you stop being stubborn?" Lorne mentioned, rolling his eyes at her choice of words. The look Alexandra gave him had the ability to turn him into pulp. He was very sure of that. "You know you don't scare me with that look."

"That's because you are a good man." She ended up saying with a smile as she continued to eat her breakfast.

At the entrance of the mess hall, John's eyes scanned the room landing on Lorne's and Alexandra's table. He noticed the smile and pleasant talk they were apparently having.

"Major Lorne." John looked from one to the other as he approached them. "Morning, doc."

"Sir." Evan stood, looking at his commanding officer.

"Colonel." Alexandra didn't stood, briefly glancing at John.

"I need your team ready to accompany mine in 30 minutes. Only the military today."

"Yes, sir."

John nodded and his eyes fell on her, but still she didn't acknowledge him, so he left quietly.

"Our trip has to be postponed then." Evan took his tray, not sitting back down again.

"It's okay. Next time." Alexandra shrugged. "Maybe I can finish my reports and update some files for Daniel. You better go. Col. Sheppard wouldn't want you to be late."

"You better get some rest too. Okay, doc?" He poked her shoulder before leaving.

"I make no promises." She offered him a smile and watched him go.

"So, a he?" Alexandra had heard about the cloaning facility from Teyla and the gender of her baby as well. "I'm sure he's going to as strong as his mother."

"Thank you, Alex." There was this sadness to the athosian tone.

"I have full belief we'll find your people, Teyla. Trust me."

"I know. I just wish that Kanaan was here." The athosian felt emotional and Alexandra wrapped her arms around her even if briefly as John and Ronon entered the common room.

"Hello, ladies..." John trailed off at the disapproving look Teyla sent his way.

"Well, I have to go. Early wake up call. Have a goodnight, Teyla." Alexandra smiled quickly and stood, leaving the room. "Gentleman."

"Goodnight, doc." Ronon nodded as he sat down on one of the sofas.

John was about to do the same when Teyla waved her hand, signaling him to go after Alexandra.

"Doc, wait up!" He saw her pick up the pace towards the transports. "Alex!"

"I'm tired, Colonel." Her eyes barely glanced at him as he caught up to her.

"We are having a movie night. If you want..." He continued even though her cold tone told him to tread carefully.

"I can't." She interrupted him. "Early offworld mission."

"C'mon. You need a night off as much as anyone. Probably more by the looks..." John stepped closer as they stopped and waited for the elevator.

"No." Alexandra's brown eyes struck him. He could see she was still upset with him. Her walls were solid steel.

"If I knew you were going to ML-507, I could have put it on my schedule." He tried a different strategy.

"It was scheduled while you were off world and Major Stevens was available. And I have worked with him before." Alexandra said, stepping into the elevator.

"Alex..." John sighed, placing his hand on the door frame. "Just tell me what I can do to make it up to you. How can I get your trust back?"

Her lips were a thin line as she stared at the pilot. An ache went through her, a sudden shock of electricity that was trying to tell her something.

"Time. You can give me time." Alexandra's voice almost faltered as the doors closed once John took his hand from the frame upon her words.

Standing there, staring at closed doors in the silent hallway, John pondered her words and the way she had said them. Their pain went through him in a way, that instead of going back to his friends, his feet took him back to his private quarters.

Ps: Thoughts?