Hello, Stargate Lovers!

I'm sorry for the biggest delay on this new chapter!

Got an health scare in April, shortly after posting the last chapter. And between getting better, staying in the hospital, and losing inspiration to review this story, since the chapters were already written, it was hard get back to it. However, the story is not dead. Promise!

For those that are eagerly waiting this chapter, thank you for still being on that side and supporting this story! Also for being patient. Things are going to become better and the characters will come to an understanding.

So, here is a big one!

Enjoy!

Chapter 48: Original Episode 0.12

"Offworld activation. It's Atlantis, sir."

"Thank you, Walter." General Landry said as he approached the controls, his eyes glancing at Alexandra that was checking something in the computer. "Lower the iris."

And, as soon as the order was given, the iris was lowered and John Sheppard appeared from the other side.

Glancing briefly, Alexandra stopped what she was doing the minute she realized who was in the gateroom and was looking up at the control room with a smile.

Hazel eyes immediately fell on brown ones after nodding at General Landry.

"What is he…?"

"The I.O.A wants a briefing of what happened with the new United Coalition of Planets, Dr. O'Neill."

"Right." Alexandra nodded at the explanation. She had read that report. By the corner of her eyes, she saw John enter the control room.

"General. Dr. O'Neill."

"Glad to see you, Colonel. The I.O.A dignitaries will arrive shortly if you like to take a moment to yourself."

"Thank you, sir." His eyes fell on Alexandra that was gathering her things. "How are you, doc?"

"I'm well. Thank you, Colonel." Alexandra glanced briefly at him, before turning to the General. "I'll be in my office getting things ready for my trip, sir. If you need anything…"

"I'll know where to find you, doctor." The General offered a smile, sensing the sudden tension in the room.

Quickly but steady, Alexandra left. Of course, if she was honest, it was to hide in her office. She was not afraid of facing John. But, only after four weeks, she was not ready to talk to him. And, again, if she was being honest, she felt guilty for not saying goodbye to him.

"Sheppard!"

"Mitchell." John greeted the other man as he entered the mess hall after a long day of debriefing the I.O.A. members that wanted to clear everything after what happened.

"Good to be back on Earth?" Cameron Mitchell asked, signaling John to sit with him.

"Always. But I did become attached to Atlantis." The Colonel sat with his own tray of food.

"Understandable." The other Colonel nodded. "How is it going with the I.O.A? Not giving you too much trouble, are they?"

"No. I'm already used to it." The pilot shrugged. "Woolsey has been surprising me."

"He surprises everyone. Every now and then. Perhaps, Alex should be in there with you. She has a way with them that turns them into mush. You should see it."

"I can imagine." It was the only thing John could say without being too forward.

However, Cameron Mitchell was smart.

"She's better, you know? After everything that happened in Atlantis, that made her return to Earth."

"Good." John nodded as he ate. "She needed a break. I think Pegasus was too much for her."

"Perhaps. I've never seen her overwhelmed… Well, at least not like when she returned. She was more… tired, exhausted. That Kal did a number on her."

"He did. Michael too." John looked up, only to see the other man watching him. "I'm not dumb, Mitchell. Is there anything you would like to ask?"

For a moment, both stared at each other.

"No. Not at the moment." Cameron bit into his apple, ending the subject for the time being.

He heard laughter. He didn't know why he had decided to wander around the base. Maybe it was the change in scenery. Maybe it was the fact that he couldn't sleep without talking to her first.

And as soon as he approached her office, he understood the laughter.

"Ah, Col. Sheppard, glad to see you again." Vala Mal Doran said as soon as she saw his figure by the entrance. "Come on in, please."

The moment Vala said his name, he saw how Alexandra sobered up, spite her flushed cheeks staying bright.

"I was just passing by." He merely said, knowing his company was not desired.

"Oh, c'mon. Perhaps you can persuade Alex to leave her office for one night. You people in Atlantis made her boring. All she does is research. And research. And research." The woman mocked with a roll of her eyes, poking at her friend.

"I do not!"

"You do! It's the truth."

Alexandra rolled her eyes at Vala's dramatic stance.

"Well, then, I must tell you, she did the same thing back in the city." John countered.

"Really? I wonder…"

"Don't you have a date with Daniel, Vala? You'll be late again..." Alexandra smirked, pushing her friend off her table.

"Right! And I still have to…" Vala hugged Alexandra and was at the door in a matter of seconds. "See you tomorrow! Bye, Sheppard."

The scientist snorted, her smile not leaving her lips until her eyes and John's met.

"It's good." He said, still by the door, not wanting to disturb her space. "Hear you laugh. I didn't realized I hadn't heard it in months." He explained after seeing her look.

"Well, things happen… what can I do for you, Colonel?"

"Don't." With a slight frown in his forehead, John stepped further into the office. "I'm not upset, if you're wondering."

"I wasn't. I left Atlantis because I needed to."

"I know. And part of it was my fault. So, I understand why you didn't say goodbye."

Alexandra stared at him for a second and nodded.

"The I.O.A. giving you trouble? I've read Woolsey report about what happened…"

"No. They're being understandable, actually."

"Good. If you need something…"

"I know where to find you."

Alexandra nodded, a faint smile on her lips.

"Well, I have to go. Early wake up call."

John was expecting to have more time with her, but he understood her side now.

"Have a goodnight, doc." He said as they found themselves outside of her office.

"You too, John." Alexandra said going her own way. However, before turning the corner, she turned to him, that was still planted to his spot. "Two days. I'll take you out to dinner when I get back."

"Sure." John smiled, seeing her nod and leave his sight.

"Hey! Sheppard!" Mitchell stopped in his tracks once he saw the other man. Vala, that had been talking about the location they were about to visit, closed her mouth.

"What's up, Mitchell?" The pilot looked at a geared up Cameron Mitchell.

"You've been too long underground. Do you want to accompany us on a field trip?"

"Won't that be a problem?"

"Naaah. Go gear up. I'll talk with Landry."

John nodded, eager to leave the base since his meetings with I.O.A had finished three days ago and Alexandra hadn't come back from wherever she was and the Daedalus would only depart in five days.

"What are you doing, Cam?" Vala asked him as they headed to the gate room.

"Proving a theory."

Vala looked at her friend, curious about his actions.

"There she is." Mitchell said as the group approached a working site and saw who he was looking for.

At those words, John's eyes followed Mitchell's gaze and found Alexandra talking with a man. They looked friendly.

"Alex!" Vala called, immediately walking towards her friend.

The moment Alexandra heard Vala, she spotted them and, even behind her sunglasses, John could see her body become a tension rod. But not like before. It was a more of caught out of guard tension.

"What are you guys doing here? I was going back tomorrow." She said with a quick smile.

"We know. But we wanted to come see what all the fuss was about." Mitchell said as they approached with a smirk. "Where's Jackson?"

"Somewhere inside the ruins."

"Treasures?" Vala perkep up with a big grin.

"Perhaps. Go annoy him." Alexandra chuckled, seeing the woman go with a quick step.

"I better go with her." Cameron said, not waiting for an answer.

"Oh! Jonas Quinn meet Colonel John Sheppard." Alexandra stated, upon seeing John lost in the middle of that whole exchange.

The man he had been concerned about opened a smile at the introduction.

"Pleasure, Colonel. Heard good things about you and your team in the lost city." Jonas held up his hand and took the other man's hand to shake. "Wish I was there."

"The pleasure is mine, Mr. Quinn. I've read a few of your reports."

"Please, Jonas is just fine." The scientist was friendlier than most.

"Then, John it is."

The two men nodded.

"Mitchell dragged you here?" Alexandra interrupted the silence as she looked between them.

"Sort of. My I.O.A meetings ended a couple of days ago. And the Daedalus departs in five days, so had no better things to do."

"Yeah. I'm sorry I didn't meet you when I said. We got a few problems at the excavation."

"It's fine, Alex." John offered a soft smile.

"Dr. O'Neill, a word." A scientist appeared with something in her hands for Alexandra to look upon.

"Be right back. Jonas, could you…" She pointed towards John.

"Of course." Jonas smiled briefly. Then looked at the other man. "So, John, would you like a tour?"

"Sure." Hazel eyes turned from the woman to the scientist he had read and heard about.

It was already dark when the various groups of people working at the site, on Jonas Quinn home planet Langara, gathered around for dinner, listening to stories and exchange experiences with the locals.

John watched Daniel and Vala close together. Mitchell was nowhere to be found and Jonas had left him to find food.

"I hope you're not too bored." Alexandra approached, handing him a bowl of food and sat down with her own.

"No. It's not too different from what I do back in Pegasus."

"True. This actually reminds me of the time you took me to meet Keras."

"That's right. It was a good day." The pilot smiled.

"It was." She offered a fond smile at the sweet memory. "Jonas gave you the tour?"

"He did. He's funny. And humble. Keeps talking about the weather."

"Yeah. When he was part of SG-1, his favorite channel was the weather channel. It was funny to watch him divulge temperatures and weather changes throughout the day when we were cooped up at the SGC."

"I bet." There was a tone to his words, almost self-deprecating.

Alexandra noticed it and turned to him.

"Spill it, Sheppard. C'mon."

"What?" John looked at her, confused.

"You've been holding it back since the other day in my office."

"I have not been holding anything back."

"I know you. And I know what I did. So, please, get it out. Let me hear it."

Thoughtful, John's eyes fell on the food while gathering his thoughts, the right words.

"You left. I know I messed up." His hazel eyes found hers. "You could have said goodbye and I wouldn't have stopped you from leaving." Then, he sighed. "I know that leaving was the best thing for you. I can see that clearly."

"It really was, John." Alexandra was silent for a second. "Do you still feel…"

"No." He felt it was a lie. Because laying his eyes on her smiling at another man still made him feel other things.

"Good. That's good, John." She wanted to touch him, but her hands only grabbed her bowl of food tighter. "It means Kal's influence has left you."

The pilot merely nodded, letting his eyes fall from her face to the bowl in his hands. The silence fell over them.

"Alex? Would you care to tell us a story?" Jonas asked, approaching them.

"Not tonight, Jonas. Why don't you? Tell them about Abydos."

The scientist nodded, his eyes bright at the suggestion. And she smiled at his eagerness.

"Did you two… you know?" John asked after the other man left to take his position in front of the group. He was actually curious about it, after the day spent with the man.

"Me and Jonas? No… well, not exactly."

"What's that supposed to mean?" John turned to her more fully at her words as his curiosity peeked.

"Mm…" Alexandra thought, looking from the pilot to the scientist. "Jonas was there for me at a time I didn't know I needed support. When Daniel died, it was difficult, even though he was not truly dead. I wanted to give up on everything. My degree, the military… But when you have powers that you can't explain and are bounded to the greater good SG-1 professed, you can't just give up. And Jonas was fascinated by what I could do, especially after I tried to heal Daniel. But I was not strong enough. I could barely heal myself at the time."

"Right. You were with him at the facility." John nodded, knowing about that particular situation.

"I was. And it was horrible. I couldn't do anything to help those people. It was the first time I panicked."

"You... Panicked?" John raised his brow.

"Yeah. I was rooted to the spot as I saw Daniel put his life in danger. And, in the end, Oma helped him ascend."

"And Jonas?"

"He was uprooted from his planet, trying to help SG-1 made him a traitor at his people's eyes. And I think he was feeling the same way I did when I found out about my powers. So, as I helped him, he helped me get through my grief."

John nodded, understanding what she was saying.

"And you two never…"

She smirked at his insistence, not feeling uncomfortable like before.

"A girl never tells."

And he laughed. He had missed these carefree conversations with her.

"Now, I know something happened." He bumped her shoulder.

"Shush, Sheppard. Do you want me to ask about you and Teyla?" She asked, mischieveously.

"Nothing ever happened."

"Uh-uh. What about a kiss?"

"That was the iratus bug taking over." He complained.

"Mhmm… Iratus bug that makes Wraith, that act on their desires and instincts." She looked at him, knowingly.

"Oh, shut up, O'Neill." John rolled his eyes.

Alexandra chuckled.

Then, stopped.

"I am sorry." She eventually said after a moment of silence. She looked at him and he was already looking at her. "I could have said something about leaving. But I was too angry with you and tired of our arguments. And I thought you wouldn't let me go without another fight."

John looked away, remembering those days.

"I'm sorry I made you feel that way, Alex."

A quick and reassuring smile appeared on her lips.

"It's not your fault. I am not the most forthcoming person. There's a lot I haven't told you." She looked at the Colonel, who was just expectatingly waiting her words. "Maybe one day…"

Suddenly, all hell broke loose. Gunshots were heard in the distance, breaking the relaxed evening.

Immediately, both John and Alexandra stood, holding their P90 and handgun, respectively.

"Go find Mitchell!" She started, running towards a different direction as a set of screams broke through the night. "I'll go look for..." However, Alexandra was interrupted as a painful scream came out of her throat and suddenly she was on the ground, uncouscious.

"Alex!"

As the pilot run towards her, a stun gun shot came out from the confusion and John fell heavy to the ground.

"Careful… zat stun gun is quite painful."

Hazel eyes locked on brown ones as he winced. They were worried as John looked up. His head was on her lap.

"Are you okay?" His hand found hers on his chest.

"I am." Alexandra assured. "I think they used the highest frequency on you too."

"Yeah… I can feel it." John tried to joke about it but he could see the smile she gave him didn't reach her eyes. "I am okay, Alex."

"You might have internal injuries. And... I can't fix that. And I don't know why."

"Don't waste your energy on me." Slowly, John sat up next to her.

"Why wouldn't I? You're hurt and I can help."

"Do you know who took us?" The pilot changed the subject as he looked around what was supposed to be a cell.

"The Lucian Alliance, most likely."

"Very good, Dr. O'Neill." A voice came from the entrance.

Alexandra looked towards the cell door and stood, placing herself in front of John. Her body in defense mode.

"You! So that's where you deserted to? Figures!"

A tall, slim and dust blonde man, around his late thirties and clean shaven, looked towards the colonel after a quick assessment on the woman.

"We haven't been formally introduced, Col. Sheppard. I am Vincent Carmichael. An old friend of Alexandra."

"Old weasel is more like it. What do you want from us, Carmichael?"

There was a wicked smile in the strange man's lips.

"I've been measuring your energy since you arrived here." He merely said.

"So?" Alexandra crossed her arms, defiantly.

"It's higher. Much higher than it was before we took you. Your powers are growing again, Alexandra?" Vincent looked at her and smiled. "You already knew, of course. But did the Colonel knew?"

"Of course I knew." John frowned, not understanding their exchange.

Looking between the two, Vincent green eyes gleaned as he took a step towards Alexandra.

"Leave him out of this, Carmichael."

"What if I say no?" Vincent stepped closer to her, staring her down from his height. "What are you going to do? Use your powers on me?"

"I don't need my powers to kick your ass. Or have you forgotten I've done that already at the academy?"

A snort came from John. And Vincent squinted his eyes. Then, a scream came out of her throat and she fell to her knees, breathing hard.

"What are you doing to her?!" John pulled himself up to face the man as he held onto his painful side.

Walking around her, Carmichael showed them a switch in his hand.

"Do you know what this is, Colonel? Something to keep an ascended being in check. Or, at least, someone with their powers." The man smiled when he saw John close his hands in a fist. "And this was merely a warning." Then, he turned back to Alexandra that had stood once again. "Your big mouth won't do you any good, my dear Alexandra. Or else, Col. Sheppard will suffer the consequences as well. You will be transferred to a Lucian Alliance vessel later today. Behave, or we will take the Colonel with us too." With one last look towards the other man, the new enemy left.

After a moment of complete silence, her breathing coming out ragged, Alexandra sat against the wall, quietly.

"Talk to me." John's hazel eyes kept watching her from his spot as he sat down not far from her. She looked hurt, defeated. "Alex? Why did he mention your energy?"

"I don't know. Maybe he wants to use it for something, like Michael wanted. There's endless possibilities with the right machines. With the Lucian Alliance."

She wasn't looking at him and that troubled him. All he wanted was to comfort her.

"If they knew what it costs to have these powers, they wouldn't want them. It hurts, it's tiring. It was a relief not having them. I felt empty, lost, but I could feel normal again. I almost left the SGC, you know? Why would they need me if I had nothing to offer them? But then the Asgards needed my uncle and Elizabeth convinced me to stay and work on the Antartica project."

"And you met me." John mentioned with a soft smile.

Alexandra finally looked up at him. She smiled back.

"Come here." Wincing slightly, he held his arm up.

After a moment, being certain she would not move from her spot, Alexandra slid next to him.

"What was that device?" The pilot asked softly.

"It disrupts my energy. Similar to the ones we used on the Ori priors. But the Lucian Alliance got hold of it, through Carmichael. Now I know why I couldn't use my powers back at the settlement. Or even now." She looked up at him. "I'm sorry for this. This shouldn't have happened."

"It's fine." He wanted to do more for her. He needed to stay awake. For her. But he felt so tired.

"Sleep, John." She was afraid of his pale colours, reminding her of her vision of the future.

"I already told you I would go with you, Vincent!"

John was awaken by Alexandra's voice and his body being jostled from the ground.

"So noble of you. But what guarantees me you'll do whatever the Lucian Alliance wants if he's not with us?"

"Alex?" John's eyes fell on her. She was being manhandled by two men as they walked through a corridor.

Alexandra looked behind her, then at Vincent.

"Leave him here! Please!"

"It's so cute. First, Col. Mitchell." Then, Carmichael smirked mischieveously. "Now Col. Sheppard. Tsk, tsk. What a list of suitors, Dr. O'Neill."

They walked into a room. It was lit by a few screens.

"What...?" Her voice came out in a haze of wonder and fear as she saw an ancient chair in the center of the room. "Where did you find that?"

"It took a lot of coercing and bribery."

Then, her brown eyes followed the wires connecting the chair to the computers that were projecting holograms. "No! Vincent, you can't." The feeling of dread was taking over her.

"The Lucian Alliance are the next in line to take over the galaxy after the Goa'uld, Dr. O'Neill." The former scientist pressed a few buttons as he looked towards the screens.

"There are millions of people in Dakara. You know what the city means to the galaxy. I don't believe that the Lucian Alliance..."

She was interrupted by a heavy body falling hard on the floor not far from her and Vincent nodding to one of the men handling John.

Suddenly, the pilot felt a kick in the ribs.

"We'll keep going until you do our bidding, Dr. O'Neill."

However, as John's groans of pain echoed inside of her, her anger started boiling. And everything came to her. What Kal had done, to her, to John, his manipulation, Michael's abduction, the Ancients orders. Her powers growing.

The two men holding her in place felt their palms get burned as her skin grew hot.

As Vincent turned to them, the device in his hand burst into tiny pieces.

"How did you…?" The man felt an energy blast burst out of her, knocking him and his men down, destroying electronics, cracking the walls.

In a moment of awareness, Alexandra ran to John, placing half of her body on top of his.

"John? Talk to me..."

"Wha… happened?" The pilot looked up at her. There was a glow surrounding her, like in Michael's ship.

"Do you trust me?" Her eyes were embers.

"Of course." He said with no hesitation. There was a determination in her eyes that spiked his attraction.

"Close your eyes."

At that request, she leaned forward, wrapping her arms around his neck. Her energy flowed through him and he could feel the warmth of her skin when she pressed her forehead onto his.

As the light pressed his eyelids, the energy flowed around them and his arms wrapped around her, his lips finding her warm skin.

He didn't know how long had been but when John felt her body lean back, he opened his eyes. Her face was staring down at him. One of his hands came to rest on her cheeks, taking her hair out of the way, making sure she was okay.

"What…?"

"My shield." Fear was still making her hold onto him.

The close proximity was felt by both and all John wanted was to kiss her, make both forget the past hours. His lips ghosted over hers before daylight came upon them.

"Alex! Sheppard!" Mitchell's voice was heard.

"Here!" Alexandra looked up. "Sheppard needs medical assistance."

"Working as fast as we can."

"Not fast enough." Alexandra mumbled as she closed her eyes, making her shield move over the debries from the fallen building, light engulfing them.

For a moment, John and Alexandra shared a look, before she pulled back and was helped out by Cameron, while two officers went into the hole.

"How did you find us?" John heard her ask as he was pulled out.

"Your subcatenous pointer. And energy readings. After what happened in the settlement and realized you were missing, Sam put her tracker to use. We realized the Lucian Alliance took you when we found Netan in his ship, not far from the planet. We're actually not far from the settlement or Kelowna."

"And what does Netan have to say?"

"That his new ally double crossed him…"

"Right... He's probably dead, anyway." Her eyes swiping across the destruction. "Cam, Vincent Carmichael wanted to destroy the temple at Dakara."

"Geez! Really?" Daniel came out of nowhere with Vala right behind him.

"We need to warn them. Teal'C is there." The woman said, with a concerned look.

Alexandra sighed and looked towards John, seeing him already getting medical attention.

In a split of a second, spite his tiredness, the pilot looked around and frowned. The building... destroyed. It had been her. Just her. And, as he listened to them, John felt himself drift off to sleep.

"Not scared yet?" Alexandra asked John as she arrived in the infirmary next morning and saw him awake. She had been right about the internal injuries.

"Very little things scare me, doc." He replied with his usual smile, even if his eyes seemed brighter.

"I wonder what those are." She approached him.

"Can't divulge all of my secrets, can I?" He offered a playful wink.

"Weaknesses, more like it." The scientist smiled. She would be lying if she said she didn't miss his antics. "Becoming a mystery man now, Sheppard?" She raised a brow, playfully.

"Need to leave the ladies wondering, right?" As he said it, Carolyn Lam snorted and both looked at her.

"Well, a cracked rib and a few bruises are not matters to trifle with." The medical doctor finished writing her assessement in her tablet. "But since you got a lot worse over the years, I'll give you a pass this time, Colonel."

"Thank you, doc."

Dr. Lam nodded and, with a fond smile towards Alexandra, left the two alone.

"How are you feeling?" The scientist leaned against his bed, frowning.

"Much better."

"Well, with all the pampering you're getting…. You charmed every nurse. And doctor, apparently."

"Mm… jealous, doc?" John raised his brow, watching her.

"You wish, Sheppard." Suddenly, Alexandra placed her hand on her com. "Sorry. I have to go. Gen. Landry wants to see me."

He merely nodded as he saw her go. He had enjoyed their banter.

"Jonas okay, as well as the settlement."

"Good." Alexandra said, relieved, while working on her computer.

"You were lucky, you know?"

Looking up, Alexandra caught Cameron Mitchell step into her office, mentioning the report on the building only by his tone and concerned look.

"Apparently. If you had gotten there later we could have been buried. Permanently."

"No, you wouldn't. You were holding on." Cameron sat on a chair next to her. "For him."

"For both of us." She rolled her eyes.

The SG-1 leader had his blue eyes on her, looking through her facade.

"C'mon, Alex. I saw the way you were looking at him. I've... experiencied it. Remember? And he does the same thing, if you haven't noticed."

"John does that, you know? Coming from him, it's nothing, Cam."

"It's not nothing, Alex. You like him. And he likes you." He spinned her chair so she would face him. "Does he know you left Atlantis to protect him?" He saw her frown. "Does he?"

"I left Atlantis because I was tired. Don't throw whatever I confided in you at me now, Cam." Alexandra said in a tone of warning. "Whatever he felt, it was because of Kal. Nothing more. Besides, he said it himself that he doesn't feel anything anymore."

"Well, he's a liar then. Alex, it's his life… If the Ancients…"

"Dammit, Cameron!" She backed away form him, standing. "Don't you think that I don't know that? I'm trying to keep him away from all of it."

"Your powers are growing. He's a smart man. Don't you think he won't figure it out why? I thought you, better than anyone, wouldn't underestimate him. Everyone else has. Don't be one more."

Rubbing her neck, imagining the headache she would have later, Alexandra sighed as she sat back down.

"There's only silence coming from them, Cam." She sounded tired.

"Maybe if you tell him…"

"Out of the question." She was up once again and walking from one side to the other of her office.

"Alex, you can't keep running." Cameron stood as well. One of his hands finding her waist in a reassuring pressure. "You should tell him and find out if what he feels is true or not. Because the way I saw him look at you…" He gave her a meaningful look.

Alexandra only gave him a little smile, thankful.

"Alex? There's…" John appeared the moment they stepped away from each other. And he couldn't help but notice how close they had been.

"Sheppard. Already out and about, I see." Cameron joked, placing his hands inside his pockets.

"Yes. Dr. Lam told me to walk and since there were news of Gen. O'Neill arriving at the base I thought I would come to inform Alex."

"My uncle?" She frowned.

"I only know one Gen. O'Neill."

"Right. Hum... There was nothing in the schedule." The scientist approached John. "Feeling okay?"

"Yeah. Still sore. That's all." The pilot shrugged.

Alexandra nodded. Then looked back at Cameron that was watching them.

"Better find out what my uncle wants."

"Yeah. Must not be good." Cameron stepped out of her office and went in front of her. "See you in Landry's office."

"Okay." She turned back to John. "Do you want company to go somewhere?"

"No. I'll be fine. Go ahead."

"Sure?" Now, Alexandra was worried. There was an almost shy look to him.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm sure Gen. O'Neill only wants to see if you're okay after what happened."

"Maybe." She nodded. "Dinner later, okay?"

"Sure, doc." The pilot gave her a quick smile, seeing her walk away in direction of the elevators.

What he had seen was stuck in his brain. Was she and Mitchell back together? No. And upon their little moment after she had saved them, he believed he had a chance to prove that what he felt was true. And that's what he would do.

A few days later, Cameron entered the locker room to get his gear for another mission only to find the other pilot there.

"Hey, Sheppard." The two pilots looked at each other. "Eager to get back?"

"Yeah." John was tying his boots. "Do you think Alex is too angry?"

"Angry, no. Upset? Yes. But if Gen. O'Neill wants her in Atlantis, there must be a reason and she will abide to it. Besides, she loves it there. Whatever happened…" Cameron glanced at the other man. "She got through it by now."

John nodded as he gathered his things.

"Can I ask you something, Mitchell?"

"Sure." The other Colonel frowned, curious.

"What happened for you and Alex to break up?"

Cameron stopped zipping his vest, caught by surprise. He looked at John, considering telling him the truth.

"She should be the one to tell you." Cameron saw the other pilot get back to his own gear in silence after nodding. The Colonel sighed, almost regretting his next words. "Listen, what happened to us was bad and made her question everything she knew up until that point. Enlightenment and such, her powers, who she is and her place in this world. Even in this Universe. And she lost more than what she felt for me. Or I for her."

"What do you mean?" John frowned at Cameron's choice of words.

"Ask her."

"Sheppard?" Alexandra's voice was heard from out of the locker rooms. "Are you ready? We have to go."

"One minute!"

"I'll be in the gate room."

Rolling his eyes, John finished gearing up and headed for the door.

"Listen." Cameron stopped him and hazel eyes focused on him. "If you truly care about her, not just as a friend, if what you feel about her feels real, don't let the Ancients come between. Because she certaintly will."

"What do you mean?" John was more and more confused.

"Trust me. Those bastards do everything to test her. And she will push you away. And she will do that to protect you. Most of all, she will do it because she cares and doesn't want you in the middle of a war between her and them. And… well, my advice? Be as stubborn as she will be."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"You're a good man, Sheppard. And she's been hurt long enough."

Considering his words, and with a last nod towards the other man, John left.

PS: Thoughts?