Hello, Stargate Lovers!

Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays!

I thought I wouldn't be able to post this new chapter, but couldn't stop writing it.

Answers will come!

I hope you have a very nice, joyful, relaxed time in the next few days.

Chapter 63: Original Chapter 0.20

It had been a week since she had been back and for the first time, at breakfast hour, John found her in their usual table.

Between missions and getting to know this version of Alexandra, John was becoming frustrated because she still didn't recognized any of them. Or know what had happened for her to become human again. And the last time he had spoken with Woolsey about it, the Atlantis leader was pondering sending her back to Earth. Which he still did not agreed.

Now, however, seeing her sitting in the table they usually shared, made him smile and hope.

"Morning." He looked down at her, seeing her flinch for a moment then smile when she recognized him. However, it still wasn't the smile he knew.

"Col… John, good morning. You're up early."

"Just got back from a mission, actually. And wanted something to eat before catching on some sleep." The pilot shrugged. "Want company?"

"Sure. Please, sit."

Placing his tray on the table, he sat and took a gulp of coffee, before focusing his eyes on her. It seemed their encounter in her quarters were forgotten, so he relaxed.

"How have you been? Sleeping okay?"

"Wonderful."

"Good. That's good..."

"There's no memories. Yet." Her brown eyes were soft and sad as she said so.

"I… wasn't…"

She chuckled, taking another sip of her tea. Then, saw the way the pilot looked at her drink.

"I tried the coffee…"

"It was never your drink."

"Right." She lowered her eyes, picking up her toast.

John frowned, seeing how she moved and how suddenly she turned serious looking at her food.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Then, she sighed and looked back at him. "Well… those are the small things that I should remember, right?"

The pilot's hand dropped and his fingers touched her hand resting on the table, next to her own tray. His brow furrowed when she slid it away from his reach and leaned back on the chair, her eyes finding the horizon. His jaw ticked at the frustration he felt all of a sudden.

"Alex, it's normal."

"I know. I know... Dr. Beckett has been examining me and testing me. Apparently, I can still read all the languages in my files, the ones you mentioned, write them and interpret various types of texts previously translated by me. Even Ancient and Ori, just like you said." Her tone was light, not noticing how his eyes followed her.

"That's pretty good. See? You'll get them back."

"Yeah. Today, he'll be testing my physical skills."

"Really?" John raised his brow, taking a gulp of his coffee.

"He said he's going to choose an worthy opponent. Whatever that means..." There was a smile on her lips.

"Well..."

Alexandra's brown eyes turned curious at his playful smirk.

"What? Should I know what that means?"

"You used to train with Ronon. And make him run for his money. With Teyla too."

"I see." There was a worried look in her eyes. "Ronon, uh? But he's so..."

"Big? Bulky?"

"Exactly!" Then, she chuckled and John smiled at her reaction.

"You can take him. But I can intercede for you. I can ask Carson to choose someone easy." Looking at her, an idea came to his mind. He leaned back onto his chair.

"And who would you choose?" She was curious now.

"I could be the one to test you."

"Oh. Really?"

"Yeah."

"It's just that..."

"What?" Now it was hazel eyes that turned curious.

"Hum... it seems you're not the fighting type of man. Not that you're not, I'm sure you are, with your rank and the loyalty of this base." She quickly said, seeing his thoughtful look. "But... is there a reason you would like to test me?"

"Well, you were military once. And we used to train together too. I could go easy on you. At first." He had a teasing tone in his voice.

Alexandra raised a brow as she crossed her arms and leaned onto the table.

"I didn't make you... how did you put it, run for your money?"

And that look took him aback as it was one she often used to tease him, either to get a rise out of him, or to just be playful.

"Oh, you did." John leaned onto the table, little distance between the two now. "You always won."

"So, go easy at first, what is that suppose to mean?"

"Well..." His hazel eyes were focused on her, enjoying the little moment. "You might not remember your fighting skills."

"That is no excuse. I am physically recovered, don't get me wrong, Colonel." The teasing tone was still there and his eyes fell to her lips for just a moment. "Dr. Beckett says it is mostly muscle memory and just wants to make sure I'm... able to go on missions, since the knowledge of my education apparently is not completely lost."

"So, Woolsey is making you stay? And on missions." Now, it was John's turn to raise his brow at her nod. "Would you like that?"

"I'm not sure. Was it something I enjoyed doing before?"

"Yes. Either in the Milky Way, or in the Pegasus galaxy. You are a great fighter, soldier. And you are really empathetic towards others, either human or not." He could see a soft twinkle in her eyes. "Besides, you were even able to control a Puddle Jumper. Which is good here."

"Oh, yeah! The small Ancient ships. Major Lorne already gave me some instructions about those. While you were on mission."

"Good. Have you flown one?"

"Not yet."

"Do you want to do it?"

"What? Right now?" There was excitemente in her voice.

"Sure!"

"Aren't you tired? You just said..."

"I know what I said. But it could be something that could jostle your memory." John shrugged. Now that they were getting somewhere, his tiredness was slipping away into nothing.

"I'm not sure..." Hesitation was new on her.

"Alex..." He was so close that his fingers touched her hand once again as they had come closer during the exchange. "I..."

"Col. Sheppard. Dr. O'Neill."

In a second, both leaned away from each other. John's jaw ticked at the interruption as he looked up.

"Dr. Beckett. What can we do for you?"

"I'm glad you're back. I was actually going to test Dr. O'Neill fighting skills today." Carson looked between the two with a little smirk on his lips, knowing full well what he had done by the murderous look John was giving him.

"Yes. She told me."

"I was thinking of asking Ronon or Teyla..."

"Use me." The pilot made up his mind.

"What?"

"I used to train with her." Hazel eyes flickered towards Alexandra who was watching the exchange quietly. "And I'm more than qualified, since I would be her commanding officer anyway, if she still had her rank."

"Col. Sheppard, I don't think..."

"Use me, Carson." The tone was definite.

Once again, the medical doctor looked between the two, thoughtful and curious about what he had just interrupted. Eventually, he nodded.

"Very well. I know you just got back from your mission, so..."

"Why don't we do it now?" John's eyes went from Carson to Alexandra.

"Aren't you tired, Colonel?" The scientist spoke with a tone of worry in her voice.

"Not one bit." His tone sounded like a challenge.

There was something about confronting Alexandra.

He had always enjoyed it, even if he always lost. But the mere sight of watching her in front of him, hair in a loose ponytail now, leggings that hugged her legs and a top that would leave nothing to the imagination in just a few moments made him want to pummel himself. She was still recovering and she didn't remember him. So, he had to focus. He was there to test her. If memories came back, good. If not, at least he was sure that Woolsey wouldn't send her back to Earth just because she couldn't handle herself in the field of battle. She would stay and, maybe, regain her memories among her friends. With him.

"Okay. It's just like a training session." Carson began, standing still by the big window of the gym with Teyla, Ronon, Rodney, Jennifer and Woolsey right next to him, watching, patiently. As soon as they heard what John was going to do, they had left their quarters and rest to come support them.

"Are you sure, you're up to doing this? You just arrived from a mission, Colonel." Woolsey spoke from his spot.

"I'm sure, Mr. Woolsey. Do not worry."

"I'm not comfortable with this." Teyla whispered as Ronon bumped her shoulder.

"He's doing it on purpose." The satedan had a smirk on his lips. "They trained together. He knows where to hit and what to do."

"She's going to kill him. Her latest physical exams shows she's in excellent form." Rodney mentioned, Jennifer agreeing as they had studied everything from Alexandra over the past week to make sure she was healthy.

"Can we start, doc?" Tired of hearing the mumbling amongst his friends, John stepped on top of the training mattress and Alexandra mimicked him.

"Yes. Please. Hum... go!" Carson annouced.

"I'll go easy on you, O'Neill." The pilot said, knowing it would get a rise out of her.

"I'm not sure of the strength I'll have..." Alexandra started only to step aside as soon as he went for her.

"Don't worry." John attacked her again. "Your reflexes look good. For now."

Alexandra nodded as her instincts kicked in.

In just few seconds, everything started to go faster.

He attacked, she dodged. She attacked, he dodged.

Then, John punched the air and as she leaned down, her fist connected with his face.

"Oh, my... John, I'm so sorry!" Alexandra stopped, stepping closer to him.

"It's alright." Then, he smirked and swipped at her legs, with him falling on top of her.

Air came out of her lungs as she fell back onto the mattress, his body trapping her there.

"That is not fair. I was worried."

"Nothing is fair in the field, Alex." Then, he chuckled, looking down at her. "But, I know. Don't worry. That's why we are testing you."

"Right..." Her hands went from her sides to his, even if not sure on what to do. She's was just doing what her instincts were telling her to do. "A fighting man, after all, Colonel." She ended up teasing.

He could feel her touch as hazel met brown and there was something in them. Something familiar. Something that made his body connect with hers and wanting more. If she regained her memories... He would drag her back to his quarters and they wouldn't leave for a very long time.

Then, in a fast movement, John was on his back and she on top, a smirk on her lips.

"Do I win this round, Sheppard?" And for a moment it was like having her back.

"Veredict. Dr. O'Neill is ready as anyone can be to go back on offworld missions and be part of a team, if necessary. Although, I would advise on smaller ones just to start."

Hours later, Carson Beckett was sitting with Alexandra, Woolsey and the SGA-1 team on the conference room table.

"But what about my memory?"

"You passed all the tests. Small details and knowing your coworkers is going to come. I'm sure of it, Alex." The medical doctor offered.

"She's right, Carson. How can she go offworld if she doesn't know small details?" Teyla started, looking softly at her friend that was sitting right next to her.

"I believe it's her defense mechanism that is doing that." The scottish man said.

"What do you mean?" Woolsey asked, leaning over the table, his fingers crossed.

"Well, she was here to protect us." Carson continued. "She came to us when Adria attacked Atlantis. I believe that when she became human, to protect whatever information she had regarding the Ori, she blocked those memories."

"It seems like Jackson. When he became human again, he lost all of the Ancient knowledge they had passed onto him." Rodney explained.

"Somewhat, yes."

John turned to Alexandra that had a thinking look on her face.

"So, something happened with Adria up there. And she's blocking that information to protect us?"

"Or herself." Carson admitted.

"But what? What did I say when I came here?" Alexandra looked around, seeing worried looks from her new friends. Or old friends. She felt confused.

"We don't know." Ronon spoke.

"You never actually said." Teyla continued, a sadness in her eyes. "You were interrupted by Adria before you could say something."

"Hm..." Alexandra looked down at her hands.

Not being able to process whatever she was feeling, she stood and left the room.

"I'll..." With his heart beating fast, John stood and followed her.

He found her in the balcony just outside the conference room. She was walking back and forth, just like when her energy levels were high and kept messing with her.

"Alex..."

"I need to be alone."

Crossing his arms, John sighed and leaned against the wall, watching her.

"I can't do that. You know me..."

"No, I don't. I don't remember. Remember?"

"Alex..."

"I need to find a way to talk with the Ancients."

"There's no way. Only you knew how to do that. And if you don't remember..."

Alexandra stopped and brown eyes found him.

"How can I not remember?"

"Like Carson said, maybe you're trying to protect yourself. Whatever happened while you were ascended... Whatever Adria said it must be the answer. You fought against her, Alex. All of Atlantis saw you. You..." John stood straight, something in his eyes made Alexandra straighten herself too. "You fell. We all thought you were dead. You always said that Adria was stronger than you, even when you were at your strongest."

"And no one knows where she is."

"We have contacts keeping an eye out."

"But I should remember, John." The tone was so familiar, desperate to find answers, helpless to the unknown.

"Alex..." He stepped closer and had the intent of pulling her into his arms, when she stepped away, looking at him, confused.

John's heart broke a little. She was not the Alexandra he knew at the moment. And because of what Carson said, he didn't know if he would have her back.

"We'll find a way to get your memories back. Or, at least, to get answers. I promise you." His hands fell to his sides.

"Thank you."

"It's the least I can do."

She nodded, not sure of what to say, not sure how to respond to the sad expression that he had now on his face.

Ps: Thoughts?