Hello, Stargate Lovers!

This one is a little chapter, not much happening, since I didn't want Alexandra to be present while Jennifer had her mind swap with Neeva Casol. It's a strange episode, almost as if the writers didn't know what to write anymore, since it's the last episode before the end of the season and of the show. So, I think I absorbed that "not knowing what to write" vibe.

But I do hope you enjoy it.

Next chapter will be better. Promise!

Chapter 54: Episode 5x18

John stopped right before he crashed onto Alexandra who was reading something on her tablet as she left her lab. He hadn't seen her in the infirmary after the hive ship crashed into the ocean.

And that was five days ago.

"Wow! Hey, doc!" He chuckled, his hands going for her arms to steady her as she looked up at him, first with a frown, then with a smile.

"Hey, flyboy. Feeling better?"

"Much better. You?"

"I barely felt the crash. Personal shield, remember?" She made a movement to surpass him.

"Right." He blocked her way once more, even if his hands were no longer on her.

"So Jennifer didn't made me stay in the infirmary."

"Well, you could have visited." He stopped her from leaving his sights.

She gave him a frowned look as he blocked her path again, not understanding his actions.

"John..." She sighed. "I have been in the crash site. Been helping Zelenka with the ship since Rodney was in the infirmary."

The pilot nodded. His hazel eyes went over her for a quick moment. At first sight, she seemed okay. Her powers didn't even drained her enough to stay in bed or off work. However, he hitched to know if she was really okay, especially after their moment aboard the hive ship.

"I heard what you did for Todd."

Pulled away from his thoughts and the sudden idea he just had, John shrugged.

"A debt is a debt. And I don't like owing anyone."

"Keep telling yourself that." She offered a smile, knowing full well how kind his heart was. "Is there anything I can help you with, Sheppard? I have to go gear up. Need to check on a site Lt. Rodriguez found."

"Yeah... Come here." He grabbed her arm softly and pulled her inside the lab, his free hand going for the controls, closing the door.

"What...?" Alexandra frowned as he took her tablet off her hands and placed it on the table. "John...?"

The scientist didn't get to finish the question as his lips found hers and he pulled her closer. For a moment, she fell into his spell until she pushed him away slightly.

"What the hell…? John, we talked about this…" Her breath came out ragged, even if soft.

"It doesn't make sense, but I needed to make sure you were alright." His hands stayed still on her waist, his eyes not leaving her face.

"With a kiss?" She snorted, not understanding his reasoning. "Isn't seeing me enough?"

"No. Not when I haven't seen you in five days, when you didn't come to visit…" He let go of her and moved his body so he would crowd her, but not overwhelm her, finding her brown eyes guarded, even if she didn't flinch back like she had done many times before. "It's like… I had this need to touch you, to be sure. When the ship crashed and I asked you to make that shield... I thought..."

Alexandra watched him as he talked, his eyes bright, staring at her as if he wanted to say something he didn't know he needed, his hands closing into fists, perhaps to not touch her again.

"John…"

"I need to…" As he took a step towards her, his hands came softly to her waist once again, pulling her closer.

And she let him. After her talk with Ganos Lal, she knew the truth and that he needed that reassurance. And she would be lying if she didn't need the same either.

She had seen him be strong that entire day, his argument with Todd where she thought she would have to intervene had her power tingle all over her body, and seeing him uncouscious after the crash it had wrenched her heart, even if she knew he was alive and relatively well, considering the trials of the mission.

"You keep telling me this is wrong, that my feelings are being manipulated, but I don't feel that. Alex…"

Her lips met his, her hands grabbing the collar of his uniform shirt and pulled him down, closer. She felt his hands immediately wrap around her as they walked backwards. She felt the high table on her back and he pulled her on top.

When she felt one of his hands cup the back of her neck, deepening the kiss, the vision came to life. And she pushed him away slightly, her fingers mindlessly touching the scars that lingered there from the wraith that attacked him.

As they stared at each other. Both were breathing hard, their cheeks flushed. For a moment, John closed his eyes, leaning his forehead onto hers.

"I know… I'm sorry. I shouldn't have..." He whispered.

"My fault this time." She whispered back, keeping the sadness at bay to not prickle his curiosity and make him ask questions she couldn't answer. If everything was true, then why did she still kept him at a distance? Alexandra couldn't take her eyes of him, especially when he opened his eyes, slightly amused. "I'm gonna fix this, John. I promise. And you won't ever see me again."

There was a flash of something in his hazel eyes.

"Don't say that. Don't... You're my friend, Alex. Of course, I want to see you." With great willing force, John stepped back, eyes always on her. He could see she was surprised at his decision. And because of it, he had to fight harder to just not continue their make out session. "I just want you to tell me when it's over."

"I... will." She took a deep breath as she jumped off the table and took her tablet, disappearing from his sight.

John frowned at her quick escape, not the usual one. There was hesitancy in it. Which was unusual.

And before he could go after her as he walked out the door, John got interrupted by his radio.

Days later

Her eyes opened and she found herself in an Ancient plain of existence. How did she got there? Last thing she remembered was falling asleep.

"Alexandra."

Immediately, she turned and found Ganos Lal staring at her.

"I'm not ready."

"I know. This is the only way I have to warn you."

"About what?" The human frowned.

"A task is coming."

"I didn't agree with anything." Frustration bubbled inside of her.

"You know your powers growing is related to your feelings towards John Sheppard. And his for you. This is not coming from us, Alexandra." There was an annoyed tone coming from the ancient.

"Then, who?"

"We don't know. Someone left a message long ago. And we received it. A warning for you. "

Alexandra stared at the ancient. She had a concerned look and she believed her. Her shoulders slumped, defeated, since she would have to endure whatever was coming for her, one way or the other. Might as well accept it.

"Whatever it is, I'll be ready."

"I know." Ganos Lal emphasized the 'I'.

A look was shared between the two women and then Alexandra's vision blurred and his body was in her arms to slowly fade away to be replaced by ships flying by, shots being fired, and a white light engulfing her and exploding.

"Something is coming... Everyone can feel it."

Once again, Alexandra woke up, with ragged breath and her eyes stared at the ceiling.

What the hell was that?!

She knew she wouldn't be able to go back to sleep now.

So, she stood, put on her gym clothes and went for a run.

Atlantis was still very much awake during the night and she greeted some of the military personnel that kept watch.

"Hey, doc!"

"Ronon!" The scientist stopped next to the satedan that looked like had just left the gym area. "What are you doing up?"

"Couldn't sleep. Went to check on Jennifer and then found Amelia and we spared until now."

"It's three in the morning..." looking at her watch, Alexandra commented, surprised, but at the same time knowingly.

Ronon didn't know what to say, merely scratching the back of his neck and she could swear there was a blush on his cheeks.

"How is Jennifer anyway?" The whole debacle with the ancient communication device and the mind swap between Dr. Keller and Neeva Casol, had been while Alexandra was out of the city, on a mission.

"She's alright. Suppose to leave the infirmary tomorrow."

"Oh, good. She's a tough one. But those devices..." She remembered what it had been like with Daniel and Vala and that they almost didn't make it out alive. Not to mention the whole Ori situation that came out of it. A tremor went through Alexandra, remembering Adria's request and Ganos Lal warning.

"That she is."

"Ronon..." The scientist couldn't help but start, even if stopping in the middle of her thought process.

"Yes?" The satedan frowned when she didn't continue.

"Why did you let Rodney win? I mean, for a moment, I honestly thought that you and Jennifer would be together."

"Hm." Ronon turned his dark eyes towards her. It was rare having these moments with the Earth woman. "So did I. It was Jennifer that decided. She didn't want me. She wanted McKay."

"Oh. I'm sorry, Ronon." There was a sadness in her tone.

He merely nodded, with a soft smile.

"What about you and Sheppard?" He asked after a moment as they walked over Atlantis halls.

"There's nothing going on between me and Sheppard." Which was a half truth.

"You two have been too polite, like McKay usually says."

"We're just... dealing with it in a civil manner. Which is what reasonable adults do. And being polite is our way of trying not to ruin our friendship, or our work together."

Ronon chuckled, throwing her an equally knowing look in her direction, like she had done earlier with him about Amelia.

"Sheppard is going to explode one day, you know that, right?"

"Hm..." The scientist knew, especially if she kept lying to him.

"I need to go, doc. Need some sleep."

"Sure, Ronon. Have a good night." Alexandra offered a smile and saw him leave her side.

Minutes later, she found herself in one of Atlantis many balconies, staring at the night sky, wondering what she should do.

Ps: Thoughts?