FIC: Atlantis Eve
Title: Atlantis Eve
Author: chiarahhue
Rating: PG-13 for a bit of bad language
Pairings: John/Elizabeth, Lorne/OC, various friendships
Disclaimer: I do not own Stargate: Atlantis or any of the characters. If I did, I would’ve taken better care of all of them.
Summary: Just because John could’ve been Mensa doesn’t mean he can’t be clueless.
Author’s Note: My usual fluff with a bit of angst for vickysg1 who requested "All people want is someone to listen." (Hugh Elliott). With thanks to my sis Ivy who spent her Christmas vacation being my beta and helping make this story better.
~**~*~*~*~**~
It was early morning and the mess was bustling with activity from the recent shift change. There was also a frisson of excitement in the air because when the Daedalus arrived later, in addition to the usual supplies, there would be special packages from friends and family back on Earth for the celebration of Atlantis Eve.
“Who’s the dark haired man with Teyla?” Elizabeth asked, looking over John’s shoulder as they stood in line. “I can’t quite see his face from here.”
John turned and craned his neck, trying to get a look at the back of the queue.
“Oh. That’s Harrison from Botany.” John raised an eyebrow. “I’d offer to introduce you but since you hired him…”
Elizabeth flashed him a warning glare which he ignored and countered with his usual smirk.
“Of course I know Mitch Harrison,” she responded tartly. “He’s one of the original expedition members.” Her eyes drifted back toward the scientist who was now laughing at something Teyla was saying. “I just didn’t recognize him at first in that Athosian shirt.”
John shrugged. “He’s off duty. Besides,” he added, gently nudging her forward in line, “those shirts are really comfortable. I traded two chocolate bars for mine.”
Elizabeth murmured noncommittally, thinking of the growing number of Athosian garments in her own closet. Turning her attention to the array of breakfast items, she selected a bowl of cereal and a plate of fresh fruit. She opened her mouth to protest as John slid a dish with a rasher of bacon onto her tray. But when he pleadingly caught her eye she remembered the strict BACON RATIONING MEMO that Chef had sent out earlier (in all caps, no less!) and just mouthed You owe me before she turned to look for a table.
“Over there,” John said, lightly bumping her shoulder with his to direct her toward a table by the window.
She smiled as Carson saw them approaching and promptly elbowed Rodney to scoot his chair over to make room.
“Good morning, my dear!” Carson said cheerfully as he waved them over. “And you too, Colonel!”
Elizabeth sat down and shot the doctor an amused look. “You’re certainly chipper for someone who’s been up most of the night. I take it the infirmary inventory went smoothly?”
“Like clockwork, thanks to Jenna.”
“Caldwell’s daughter?” John asked as he dug into his breakfast. “So she’s working out well?”
Carson nodded and sighed happily. “Besides being a fine doctor, that lass is a brilliant organizer! She set up the entire thing, supervised the staff and then used my laptop to set up a …eh…hmm…” he paused and looked at Rodney.
“Spreadsheet?”
“Aye, that’s it! A spreadsheet so I can keep track of things.” He leaned toward Elizabeth. “And she color coded it,” he added smugly.
“Oh, wow.” Rodney drawled sarcastically as he twirled his fork around in the air. “Is there a little paper clip Office Assistant on the screen to help you…hey!” He suddenly pointed his fork at John’s tray. “How did you get two servings of bacon?” He stared longingly at the crispy strips. “I love bacon, and this is the first time we’ve had it in months. Are you going to eat all of them?”
“Don’t even think about it, McKay.” John stopped buttering his toast and waved his knife at him. “They’re mine.”
“But I’m your best friend!” He tried to take a stab at the bacon, but John quickly parried the move with his butter knife causing Rodney to start whining.
“Would you two stop it?” Carson grumbled as he slapped Rodney’s hand away from John’s tray. “You’ve worse table manners than Radek’s nephew!”
But Rodney was undeterred. “I know how he got extra bacon.” He pointed his fork at John accusingly. “You’re boinking one of the cooks!”
“No, I’m not!” John sputtered, nearly choking on his toast. Suddenly he scrunched his face up and looked at Rodney in disbelief. “Did you just say ‘boink’? What are you…like in 3rd grade?”
“I dare say these days, 3rd graders don’t even say ‘boink’,” Carson muttered under his breath as he tried to ignore the two and eat his oatmeal.
“So how did you get extra bacon?” Rodney demanded. He caught John and Elizabeth exchange a glance and suddenly his face contorted in horror. “You’re boinking Elizabeth for bacon??”
This time it was Elizabeth who nearly choked.
“Rodney! No one is doing anything to anyone!” She leveled a stern look at him, but the corners of her mouth quivered as she added, “Least of all for bacon.”
As John and Carson snickered, Rodney grabbed his tray and stood up stiffly.
“Well,” he huffed indignantly. “You may all have time to sit around and make stupid jokes, but some of us have important work to do.”
As they watched the scientist stalk off, Carson shook his head. “Brilliant lad, but no sense of humor.”
“He’ll get over it,” John said as he finished off his breakfast. “He always does.”
“Aye, he doesn’t hold a grudge, I’ll give him that.”
“And it’s a good thing,” Elizabeth added. “I’d hate to have him moping around the party tonight.”
“A party for which we have our Fearless Leader to thank.” John held up his mug in salute. “Here’s to our first ever, Atlantis Eve!”
“Here, here!” Carson added, lifting his own drink. “Brilliant idea to make a holiday that everyone can celebrate, regardless of what country - or galaxy - they’re from.”
Elizabeth blushed and tried to wave off their praise. “I can’t take credit for the idea. It was a suggestion from Girl’s Poker Night. We were all explaining the different religious and ethnic holidays to Teyla. She was the one who noticed that the one event every culture had in common with hers was noting the passing of the old year and welcoming the new one.”
“And thus was born, Atlantis Eve,” Carson finished with a smile.
As John finished his coffee, he noticed Elizabeth’s empty cup. “Refill?” he gestured with his cup. When she smiled in thanks, he picked up her cup and with a nod at Carson, left the table.
“That reminds me,” she glanced over at the dwindling breakfast line. “I should check with Chef about the buffet tonight. Teyla said there are a number of her people who’d like to bring Athosian dishes.”
“And Steven wanted me to remind you that his chef and kitchen staff plan to help with all the traditional Earth dishes,” Carson added.
“Perfect!” Elizabeth nodded. “I’m glad that he and his whole crew will be able to join us. Did he tell you that the Daedalus will be staying on for a few days?”
“Yes, about that,” the doctor leaned across the table confidingly. “You know Steven and I have become good friends? Well, there’s something he’d like to ask but wanted me to kind of…er…test the waters first, as it were.”
Seeing the concern on her face, he reached out to pat her hand. “Don’t worry lass, it’s not the IOA or anything even work related. Steven’s request is actually something of a more…ahem…personal nature.”
“Personal?”
“Aye.” The doctor colored slightly as he cleared his throat. “As in pertaining to the likelihood of a possible romantic situation.”
~**~*~*~*~**~
Nearing the table, John stopped in his tracks, coffee mugs in hand.
Whoa. Did I just hear Carson pimping for Caldwell?!
Without thinking, he started backing away. Elizabeth and Carson were so engrossed in their conversation, they hadn’t noticed him approach. With a cold knot in his stomach, he turned and walked back to the coffee dispenser.
It’s not like he didn’t know she and the colonel had been friends for a long time. It’s just that…he glanced back at the table…dammit she was smiling now and Carson was looking relieved.
Why should he be surprised? Now that he really thought about it, he could see how it happened.
They always have dinner together when the Daedalus is docked. She says it’s to talk about business, but what if it was more like… a date?
As he thought about it further, he remembered that last month, the Daedalus stayed on Atlantis for a couple of days for some repairs. He’d been off world at the time but now he recalled Lorne telling him that he’d taken Elizabeth and Caldwell to the mainland for the day.
Probably for another date…away from the prying eyes on Atlantis, he thought glumly.
John swallowed, a hard lump in his throat as his thoughts drifted to their last visit to Earth. The President had thrown a big party for them, and Elizabeth had been in her element that night. It was mesmerizing to watch her mingling easily with the various ambassadors and politicians, and even dancing with the President himself. He’d admired her poise then, but now he recognized how smoothly she fit into that life.
And of course Caldwell was there. He hadn’t thought about it at the time, but when Elizabeth couldn’t cajole him to dance with her Caldwell had been ready and willing to sweep her out onto the dance floor. And as if that full bird dress uniform weren’t enough, John thought grimly,the chest candy of ribbons and medals was damn impressive.
John sighed as he poured fresh mugs of coffee and put cream into Elizabeth’s. That night still bothered him and he could admit now, that it was a wake-up call. No wonder McKay initially assumed he might be romancing one of the cooks. Why would he think a stray dog like John could even stand a chance with someone like Elizabeth?
Straightening his shoulders and taking a deep breath, John headed back to the table.
~**~*~*~*~**~
“So it’s okay?”
Carson nodded in amusement. “Aye, my friend. I have it on good authority that it’s all but a done deal, as they say.”
Caldwell let out a sigh of relief as he ran a hand over his balding head. “You have no idea of how nerve wracking this whole thing is!” At his friend’s skeptical look, he shrugged his shoulders in embarrassment. “I just don’t want to make a mistake and screw it all up.”
“Och, don’t be such an idiot.” Carson sat back in his office chair and pulled open a bottom drawer. He lifted out a tin of his mother’s shortbread and set it on his desk. “After fighting the Wraith, the Ori, and dealing with the IOA, I can’t believe that something like this would put your knickers in a knot.”
Caldwell snorted. “Yeah, well the universe ain’t fair.”
“But love just makes it a safer place.” Carson pushed the open tin toward Caldwell.
“I like that,” the older man nodded as he took a piece. “One of your Scottish poets?”
“Nae, some singer that young Lt. Ford listened to all the time.” Carson pursed his lips in thought. “Fellow with the odd name of Iced Tea.”
“Huh. Kids.”
Carson chuckled. “Speaking of which, you’ve got yourself a fine daughter there, Steven.”
“I can’t disagree with you,” Caldwell smiled proudly. “It sounds like she’s enjoying it here and making a lot of friends.”
“Aye, she is indeed! Quite the popular lass.”
The colonel nodded and then asked casually. “Ah…I’ve been wondering…she’s mentioned Major Lorne a number of times in her last couple of emails…” he raised an eyebrow in inquiry.
“Eh…well.” Carson fidgeted and picked at his piece of shortbread. “Not that it’s my place to gossip, mind you…”
“Of course not.”
“But you being her father and all…”
“It’s the only reason I’m even asking.”
“Well, according to Sgt. Campbell, they’ve recently started seeing each other exclusively.”
“Hmm. I thought as much.”
“Evan’s a good lad,” Carson added defensively. “He’s Sheppard’s second, a fine officer, and a true gentleman!”
“I’d expect nothing less of Jenna,” Caldwell said gruffly. He took a bite of his shortbread and then smirked. “And it certainly explains why every time I run into Lorne he looks like he’s going to piss in his BDUs.”
Carson chuckled. “Can you blame the poor sod? Its hard enough having a girlfriend who could pull rank on you - imagine having one whose father is captain of a fully armed interstellar battle cruiser!”
“Well, Jenna can more than hold her own - she’s used to giving orders.”
“Bossy, is she?” Carson asked curiously as he swept some crumbs off his lab coat.
“Gets it from her mother.”
“And Mrs. Caldwell was…?”
“That would be General Caldwell.”
“Oh. That explains a lot.”
The colonel raised an eyebrow.
“Face it, Steven. You’re a sucker for bossy women!”
Carson grinned and barely leaned back in time to miss the punch thrown at his shoulder.
~**~*~*~*~**~
The party took off from the start and with each shift change, it was as if the party started anew. By unspoken agreement, no one was in uniform and the bright colors of native Earth clothing mingled with festive Athosian outfits.
There were buffet tables set up throughout the mess with an astounding array of delicious smelling dishes made from long missed ingredients brought from Earth via the Daedalus. There was also native Athosian fare as well a number of dishes that seemed to be a unique combination of both.
The Botany department had spent the afternoon putting up greenery and setting out fresh flowering plants. Then Teyla and her friends added the finishing touches with creamy white handmade candles that burned with a clean, woodsy scent.
John had thought more than once of trying to avoid the party, but the thought of spending the night alone was just too pathetic. Besides, he reasoned, even if he couldn’t be with Elizabeth at the party, he could be with his friends. And that was more that he’d had on many other holidays. So putting on his game face, he pushed open the doors of the mess and walked into the party.
Spotting Carson, he waded through the boisterous crowd and over to the drink station where the doctor stood ladling out a lemony looking drink. “Any hope the punch is spiked?”
“Nae, we thought it best not to with all the Athosian children here. But if you wish,” Carson patted his back pocket. “I brought a wee bit of something.”
At John’s nod, the doctor discreetly took out a hip flask and splashed a little into the colonel’s drink. “So have you and Major Lorne finished ferrying everyone from New Athos?”
John smiled his thanks and took a sip. “Yeah, we just made the last trip.” He turned to scan the crowded room. “On the way back from the Jumper Bay, I ran into Chuck and he said everyone from the Daedalus is here.”
“Even Hermiod,” a familiar voice chimed in behind him.
“Elizabeth!” Carson beamed and handed her a drink. “May I say how lovely you look tonight, my dear?”
“Thank you.” She took the drink in one hand and smoothed the dark red fabric of her dress with the other. “I had it made the last time I went to the mainland to visit Teyla. I thought it would be nice to wear something special tonight.”
“It reminds me of that red dress you wore when we were on Earth, but better,” John said, unable to stop staring at the way the soft fabric hugged her slim curves.
Elizabeth chuckled. “If I’d known how much you’d like this one, I wouldn’t have spent a small fortune on that other one.”
“I liked that other one,” a deep voice added. “But then I think red is your color, Elizabeth.”
John suppressed a flash of resentment as Caldwell joined the group and greeted everyone. He gave the colonel a polite nod, but mentally he was frantically trying to figure out how to excuse himself. It’s one thing to put on your game face, but there’s no need to be masochistic about it.
Luckily, a shouting match between Rodney and Radek erupted over the dessert table. With an apologetic shrug, John hastily made good on his exit.
“Was it something I said?” Caldwell asked half-jokingly as John nearly ran off.
Elizabeth shook her head. “No, he’s just been acting strange all day.” Her eyes followed him across the room. “I wish I knew what was bothering him,” she murmured to herself.
“So, Steven…have you…?” Carson asked, sidling up and giving him a hopeful look.
“Not yet.”
“Dash it, man! What are you waiting for?” he hissed, his voice low.
“I know, I know!” Caldwell took a deep breath and turning to Elizabeth he held out his hand. “Would you like to dance?”
~**~*~*~*~**~
John quickly quelled the argument before it escalated into a food fight and sent the two scientists on their way.
“What were they arguing about?” Teyla asked as she walked over, a small smile on her face. “Or do I even want to know?”
John snorted. “They’re McKay and Zelenka - do they need a reason to argue?”
Teyla laughed and shook her head. “I am glad that you were able to keep this evening peaceful.” She looked around at the crowd and her smile broadened. “The way everyone is dressed, it is difficult to know who is from Earth and who is Athosian. Oh, look!” she exclaimed pointing to the area by the balconies that had been turned into a dance floor. “It is Major Lorne and Dr. Jenna! Do they not make a fine couple?”
The attractive pair was hard to miss - Lorne, neatly handsome in his dark brown tunic and Jenna radiant in a pale green Athosian dress. But John’s eye was caught by the flash of deep red swirling by and his jaw tightened reflexively. He’d barely been able to distract himself from the thought of Elizabeth with Caldwell and now, here he was watching them dance together. Again.
It was a painful reminder of that party on Earth when he’d been too self-conscious to allow Elizabeth to drag him onto the dance floor. Even though she had pleaded and even tugged on his hand, he hadn’t budged. He knew she’d been puzzled - it was seldom he outright refused her anything - but he’d suddenly felt awkward and out of place in the elegant ballroom.
Here in Atlantis, he knew his worth and for the first time in his life, he felt important and needed. Back on Earth, he was just a maverick - a stubborn, low-level, fuck-up who’d still be in Antarctica if it weren’t for the fact he had the ATA gene like nobody’s business.
But Elizabeth had changed that, just as she’d changed everything in his life. If he was a better man now, it was because that’s what she brought out in him.
But sometimes the better man isn’t the best man.
Giving himself a mental shake, John found his eyes back on Elizabeth and Caldwell. They seemed to be talking seriously about something as they moved around the floor. Or rather Elizabeth was doing the talking and Caldwell was nodding.
Then they bumped into Lorne and Jenna, and John couldn’t help but smile as Lorne practically snapped to attention. There was an awkward moment during which Jenna resolutely held onto Lorne’s hand as Elizabeth patted Caldwell’s arm. Eventually, Caldwell gave a tight smile and nodded, Lorne relaxed and the couples returned to dancing.
“Whew, that was close,” John snickered.
“I still do not understand why Steven is so protective of Jenna - she is a grown woman, is she not?”
John started to answer but stopped and turned to stare at Teyla. Did she just call him ‘Steven?’
“Elizabeth said it is in part due to the fact that Jenna is his only daughter,” Teyla continued, oblivious to John’s shock. “Which is another human idea I do not understand.” She turned and looked up at him. “Why have only one child?”
“Er…I don’t know, Teyla. That kind of thing is a private issue.”
“Yes, that is what Steven said when Halling asked him about it.”
John blinked in confusion and wondered if the punch he was drinking was causing him to hallucinate.
“When did Halling ask Caldwell about…?” he left the question hanging as it seemed too impossible to repeat.
“When Steven came to visit last month.” Teyla’s eyes widened. “Oh, I forgot to tell you! You were off-world so I asked Major Lorne to bring Elizabeth and Steven to the mainland for dinner so that he could meet Halling and my extended family.” She tilted her head in amusement. “You looked surprised.”
“Seriously. You and Caldwell?” John asked in disbelief. Teyla gave him a small smile and nodded.
“I’m thinking that whoever had the Teyla/Caldwell bet is going to be rich because that hookup was a bazillion to one!” His face broke out into a wide grin as she reached out and slapped his arm.
“Do not say anything to anyone,” she said sternly. “We have only had tea together a few times. And although the dinner last month went well, Steven has yet to officially engage in courtship.”
“But the dinner with Halling and the rest was a biggie, right?” John pressed, his gaze holding hers intently.
“It was an important step, yes,” Teyla agreed cautiously. John’s behavior was puzzling and she wondered if as her commanding officer and close friend, she should have apprised him of her interest in Steven. But her friends at Girls’ Poker Night had been unanimous in their agreement that men were not interested in hearing about that kind of thing.
~**~*~*~*~**~
“I think that went well,” Caldwell said generously.
Elizabeth lifted an eyebrow at him as they moved across the dance floor. “True. You didn’t bite his head off.”
Caldwell smirked. “He stood his ground; I’ll give him credit for that.” He looked over Elizabeth’s shoulder at Jenna and Lorne, now smiling and talking quietly to each other. “They seem well suited,” he observed, his voice oddly gruff.
“I always thought they’d make a good couple.” Elizabeth poked him in the chest. “Speaking of which…”
Caldwell stopped dancing. “I don’t know why I’m so nervous about this,” he admitted quietly.
“You’ll be fine,” Elizabeth assured him, patting his arm. “I’ve told you everything I’ve said to Teyla on your behalf. You already know that Halling and her extended family approve of you. So, now the ball is in your court.”
“Okay then.” He smoothed his hands nervously down the front of his sweater and looked around. “Ah, there she is - over by the dessert table with Sheppard.” Holding out his arm, he tilted his head toward her. “Shall we?”
~**~*~*~*~**~
“Heads up,” John warned. “Incoming at 3:00.”
He and Teyla turned just as Caldwell walked up with Elizabeth on his arm.
“Ready for dessert, colonel?” John asked with a cheeky grin.
“I honestly don’t know how you put up with his insubordination, Elizabeth,” Caldwell drawled.
“Oh, you don’t know the half of it, Steven.” Elizabeth’s tone was grave but her eyes sparkled mischievously. “Only this morning he tricked me into doing an end run around our Chef’s Bacon Memo.”
Caldwell snorted and leveled a mock glare at John. “I’d watch it Sheppard. You never want to piss off the person who handles your food.”
“Yes, sir,” John answered smartly.
“And if you can manage to conduct yourself in a way that won’t embarrass this fine lady here,” Caldwell took Elizabeth’s hand from his arm and held it out to John. “She tells me that you owe her a dance.”
John nearly stumbled over his own feet, but he was quick to capture Elizabeth’s hand in his own. Tucking it into the crook of his arm, he moved to the dance area, hardly able to believe this turn of events.
“John,” Elizabeth squeezed his arm. “Are you feeling alright?”
“I am now,” he murmured as he pulled her into his arms.
She settled against him softly, and as they swayed to the slow music, he marveled at how comfortable she felt in his arms. A perfect fit…
Somehow, he knew she would be. The way they connected…the way they always knew what the other was thinking…somewhere along the line, she’d become an integral part of him without him even realizing it.
“John Sheppard, you’ve been holding out on me!” Elizabeth said teasingly, breaking into his thoughts.
“Oh?” He grinned and whirled her around, much to her delight.
“You know how to dance!” she accused, laughingly.
He slowed their pace and looked away, licking his lips nervously. “I just didn’t feel like I should dance with you…then.”
She reached up and caught his chin, turning his face to hers. The vulnerability she saw reflected in his eyes made her suddenly realize the insecurity he could hide so well under his cocky facade.
“C’mon,” she said, grabbing his hand and pulling him out onto a nearby balcony.
As the doors slid shut behind them, Elizabeth turned and faced him, her arms crossed over her chest. “I thought you knew me well enough, but it seems that I need to clarify something.”
“I’m the same person here on Atlantis that I am on Earth,” she poked him sharply in his chest, “and so are you!”
John shook his head. “I don’t belong at those kinds of parties. If you hadn’t invited me…”
“Exactly,” she cut in. “I could’ve invited anyone, but I invited you.”
He stubbornly shook his head again. “But I…”
“John, I would be proud to dance with you - be with you - in any galaxy.”
Still unconvinced, John opened his mouth to protest. But with a huff of exasperation, Elizabeth stepped up, grabbed his face, and kissed him hard, effectively cutting short the argument.
It took only a split second for John’s dazed brain to catch up with his hands, which to his credit had already pulled her close. But before he could take advantage of the situation, Elizabeth leaned her head back and looked up into his surprised face.
“Am I coming through loud and clear, colonel?” she asked softly, her lips curving into a warm smile.
“Yes, ma’am!” John grinned widely. “Crystal!” He slid his arms around her waist and slowly they began to move to the faint music coming from inside.
They danced in comfortable silence for a few moments until Elizabeth turned her face into John’s neck and nuzzled a small kiss there. “So, are you going to tell me what’s been bothering you today?”
John stiffened and stopped moving. Pulling back, Elizabeth studied his face curiously. Although the light was dim, it wasn’t hard to see the flush of color flaming his cheeks or the way his eyes slid away from her gaze.
“John?”
He ducked his head and shuffled his feet awkwardly. She leaned in when he started to mumble, frowning in puzzlement when she caught Caldwell’s name.
“Steven? What does he have to do with this?”
“It’s just that you two seemed to be spending a lot of time together.” John looked up and shrugged in embarrassment. “I thought that maybe you and he were…you know…” His voice trailed off as Elizabeth’s eyes grew wide.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, John! I was just helping Carson play matchmaker for him and Teyla!” she said, her eyes sparkling in amusement as she realized why he’d been out of sorts all day.
“Yeah, well, I never saw that one coming,” he griped, shaking his head.
“Really?”
“Honestly, that combination was probably lowest in the betting pool.”
She raised an eyebrow in disbelief. “Below Kavanagh?”
“Well,” John amended, “Kavanagh and anyone was just too impossible to even put odds on.”
“Mmm, I see your point.”
“But still…you gotta admit they’re an unlikely pair.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “Actually, they have a lot in common. They both are warriors and know the burden of leadership; they also value family and have a love of children. But most importantly, they listen to each other.”
At John’s questioning look, she smiled. “A very wise man once said, ‘All people want is someone to listen.’ And we do, you know?” She closed the distance between them and slid her arms around his waist. “Even Kavanagh.”
John grunted. “The problem with him is, that he doesn’t want to listen to anyone in return.”
“Well,” she admitted with a chuckle, “It works best when the listening thing goes both ways.”
“Like with Teyla and Caldwell.”
“Mm-huh.”
“And you and me?” he asked tentatively.
Elizabeth quirked a smile. “Most times.” She raised her hands to his neck, idly smoothing the collar of his dark blue tunic. “The rest of the time, I feel like we’re already on the same wavelength.”
John pulled her back into his embrace, smiling as she dropped her head onto his shoulder with a happy little sigh. There was a sense of peace…of belonging that suddenly filled him and looking out over an alien ocean under a starry alien sky, he never felt more at home.
~**~*~*~*~**~
“Rodney, where are you going?” Carson asked as the scientist barreled by him. “We haven’t even started the countdown for Atlantis Eve.”
“I have to go lie down,” Rodney gasped, a hand over his heart.
“Rodney?” Carson grabbed him by the arm and pulled him up short. “What’s wrong?” he asked anxiously, his eyes searching his face.
“I’m going into shock.” He put both hands over his eyes. “I have to lie down in a dark room to recover.” He staggered over to a nearby chair and flopped into it, his arm thrown across his eyes.
Carson drew his brows together and was about to suggest that they go to the infirmary when Gail Biro and Miko Kusanagi walked by.
“Still carrying on, I see,” Gail commented, pursing her lips.
Carson looked from Gail to Miko who had a small hand over her mouth and was obviously laughing behind it.
“Is there something you know about this?” he asked as Rodney continued to moan.
The two women looked at each other, and then back to Carson. “Rodney was looking for Teyla,” Gail began. “He caught a glimpse of her out on one of the balconies and charged right out.”
“We tried to stop him,” Miko continued. “Because we knew she had gone out there with Colonel Caldwell to…talk.” She blushed and looked down.
Cason grinned. “Aye, I’m sure they had a lot to…talk about.”
“So this one,” Gail rolled her eyes over toward Rodney, “evidently walked right in on them as they were …”
“No!” Rodney wailed. “Don’t even say it!” He rubbed his eyes furiously. “I’ll never be able to get the image off my retinas!”
“Och, for the love of all that’s holy, how bad could that have been?” Carson snapped, giving the other man a quelling look.
“Oh, it gets better,” Gail said, a wide grin splitting her face. “Rodney runs off screaming like a girl…”
“I did not! It was a manly yell…”
“Whatever.” Gail rolled her eyes again. “And goes looking for Elizabeth.”
“Who was on the other balcony with Colonel Sheppard,” Miko supplied.
“Ah,” Carson nodded. “And were they…?” He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
Miko nodded and giggled behind her hand.
“Oooo, it was more than I could stand,” Rodney wailed piteously. “It was like catching your parents, necking!” He made a retching noise.
Gail shook her head. “How old is he?”
Carson gave a long suffering sigh. “Third grade?”
“Sounds about right.”
“So where are you two ladies off to? Certainly you’re not leaving before the fireworks? I hear Lt. Cadman and the Daedalus crew have set up quite a show on the North Pier.”
The women grinned. “We’re looking for Sergeant Campbell. We’ve got a lot of money to collect.”
Carson frowned in puzzlement and then smiled brightly. “I take it you two were the winners of the Teyla/Caldwell pool?”
In answer, the two friends turned and high-fived each other.
“It was a long shot,” Gail said, bouncing on feet.
“But it paid off,” Miko crowed.
“Well, congratulations and Happy Atlantis Eve to you both!” Carson called out as they bustled off.
Turning back to Rodney he sighed. “C’mon lad, buck up.”
“But Carson…”
“I hear Chef has made a banana cream pie,” he said, giving Rodney a nudge.
“Oh…I don’t think I can…”
“With real bananas from Earth.”
“Well, okay.” He pushed himself to his feet. “Maybe I’ll go.”
“That’s a sport,” the doctor smiled and patted him encouragingly on his back.
They walked in companionable silence for a few minutes then Rodney slanted a glance over at his friend.
“You aren’t…you know…with anyone, are you?” he asked suspiciously. “I mean, you’d tell me, right?”
Carson laughed and clapped him on the shoulder. “You’d be the first to know, lad.”
“Okay. That’s cool.” Rodney nodded. “I don’t like being the last to know stuff like that. Besides, I don’t think I could stand the shock of walking in on you when you were…”
“Quite so,” Carson interjected hurriedly. “The feeling is mutual, I assure you.”
“Good. I was worried ‘cause no one ever tells me about…hey!” He stopped in his tracks and pointed at the dessert table. “Dammit! Someone’s eaten all the meringue mushrooms off the Bûche de Noël!” He looked around and then muttered, “I bet it was Zelenka! That sneaky little son of a…”
Carson shook his head as Rodney took off. “It’s not that no one ever tells you anything my friend, it’s just that you’re too busy being Rodney to listen.”
The End
Author: chiarahhue
Rating: PG-13 for a bit of bad language
Pairings: John/Elizabeth, Lorne/OC, various friendships
Disclaimer: I do not own Stargate: Atlantis or any of the characters. If I did, I would’ve taken better care of all of them.
Summary: Just because John could’ve been Mensa doesn’t mean he can’t be clueless.
Author’s Note: My usual fluff with a bit of angst for vickysg1 who requested "All people want is someone to listen." (Hugh Elliott). With thanks to my sis Ivy who spent her Christmas vacation being my beta and helping make this story better.
~**~*~*~*~**~
It was early morning and the mess was bustling with activity from the recent shift change. There was also a frisson of excitement in the air because when the Daedalus arrived later, in addition to the usual supplies, there would be special packages from friends and family back on Earth for the celebration of Atlantis Eve.
“Who’s the dark haired man with Teyla?” Elizabeth asked, looking over John’s shoulder as they stood in line. “I can’t quite see his face from here.”
John turned and craned his neck, trying to get a look at the back of the queue.
“Oh. That’s Harrison from Botany.” John raised an eyebrow. “I’d offer to introduce you but since you hired him…”
Elizabeth flashed him a warning glare which he ignored and countered with his usual smirk.
“Of course I know Mitch Harrison,” she responded tartly. “He’s one of the original expedition members.” Her eyes drifted back toward the scientist who was now laughing at something Teyla was saying. “I just didn’t recognize him at first in that Athosian shirt.”
John shrugged. “He’s off duty. Besides,” he added, gently nudging her forward in line, “those shirts are really comfortable. I traded two chocolate bars for mine.”
Elizabeth murmured noncommittally, thinking of the growing number of Athosian garments in her own closet. Turning her attention to the array of breakfast items, she selected a bowl of cereal and a plate of fresh fruit. She opened her mouth to protest as John slid a dish with a rasher of bacon onto her tray. But when he pleadingly caught her eye she remembered the strict BACON RATIONING MEMO that Chef had sent out earlier (in all caps, no less!) and just mouthed You owe me before she turned to look for a table.
“Over there,” John said, lightly bumping her shoulder with his to direct her toward a table by the window.
She smiled as Carson saw them approaching and promptly elbowed Rodney to scoot his chair over to make room.
“Good morning, my dear!” Carson said cheerfully as he waved them over. “And you too, Colonel!”
Elizabeth sat down and shot the doctor an amused look. “You’re certainly chipper for someone who’s been up most of the night. I take it the infirmary inventory went smoothly?”
“Like clockwork, thanks to Jenna.”
“Caldwell’s daughter?” John asked as he dug into his breakfast. “So she’s working out well?”
Carson nodded and sighed happily. “Besides being a fine doctor, that lass is a brilliant organizer! She set up the entire thing, supervised the staff and then used my laptop to set up a …eh…hmm…” he paused and looked at Rodney.
“Spreadsheet?”
“Aye, that’s it! A spreadsheet so I can keep track of things.” He leaned toward Elizabeth. “And she color coded it,” he added smugly.
“Oh, wow.” Rodney drawled sarcastically as he twirled his fork around in the air. “Is there a little paper clip Office Assistant on the screen to help you…hey!” He suddenly pointed his fork at John’s tray. “How did you get two servings of bacon?” He stared longingly at the crispy strips. “I love bacon, and this is the first time we’ve had it in months. Are you going to eat all of them?”
“Don’t even think about it, McKay.” John stopped buttering his toast and waved his knife at him. “They’re mine.”
“But I’m your best friend!” He tried to take a stab at the bacon, but John quickly parried the move with his butter knife causing Rodney to start whining.
“Would you two stop it?” Carson grumbled as he slapped Rodney’s hand away from John’s tray. “You’ve worse table manners than Radek’s nephew!”
But Rodney was undeterred. “I know how he got extra bacon.” He pointed his fork at John accusingly. “You’re boinking one of the cooks!”
“No, I’m not!” John sputtered, nearly choking on his toast. Suddenly he scrunched his face up and looked at Rodney in disbelief. “Did you just say ‘boink’? What are you…like in 3rd grade?”
“I dare say these days, 3rd graders don’t even say ‘boink’,” Carson muttered under his breath as he tried to ignore the two and eat his oatmeal.
“So how did you get extra bacon?” Rodney demanded. He caught John and Elizabeth exchange a glance and suddenly his face contorted in horror. “You’re boinking Elizabeth for bacon??”
This time it was Elizabeth who nearly choked.
“Rodney! No one is doing anything to anyone!” She leveled a stern look at him, but the corners of her mouth quivered as she added, “Least of all for bacon.”
As John and Carson snickered, Rodney grabbed his tray and stood up stiffly.
“Well,” he huffed indignantly. “You may all have time to sit around and make stupid jokes, but some of us have important work to do.”
As they watched the scientist stalk off, Carson shook his head. “Brilliant lad, but no sense of humor.”
“He’ll get over it,” John said as he finished off his breakfast. “He always does.”
“Aye, he doesn’t hold a grudge, I’ll give him that.”
“And it’s a good thing,” Elizabeth added. “I’d hate to have him moping around the party tonight.”
“A party for which we have our Fearless Leader to thank.” John held up his mug in salute. “Here’s to our first ever, Atlantis Eve!”
“Here, here!” Carson added, lifting his own drink. “Brilliant idea to make a holiday that everyone can celebrate, regardless of what country - or galaxy - they’re from.”
Elizabeth blushed and tried to wave off their praise. “I can’t take credit for the idea. It was a suggestion from Girl’s Poker Night. We were all explaining the different religious and ethnic holidays to Teyla. She was the one who noticed that the one event every culture had in common with hers was noting the passing of the old year and welcoming the new one.”
“And thus was born, Atlantis Eve,” Carson finished with a smile.
As John finished his coffee, he noticed Elizabeth’s empty cup. “Refill?” he gestured with his cup. When she smiled in thanks, he picked up her cup and with a nod at Carson, left the table.
“That reminds me,” she glanced over at the dwindling breakfast line. “I should check with Chef about the buffet tonight. Teyla said there are a number of her people who’d like to bring Athosian dishes.”
“And Steven wanted me to remind you that his chef and kitchen staff plan to help with all the traditional Earth dishes,” Carson added.
“Perfect!” Elizabeth nodded. “I’m glad that he and his whole crew will be able to join us. Did he tell you that the Daedalus will be staying on for a few days?”
“Yes, about that,” the doctor leaned across the table confidingly. “You know Steven and I have become good friends? Well, there’s something he’d like to ask but wanted me to kind of…er…test the waters first, as it were.”
Seeing the concern on her face, he reached out to pat her hand. “Don’t worry lass, it’s not the IOA or anything even work related. Steven’s request is actually something of a more…ahem…personal nature.”
“Personal?”
“Aye.” The doctor colored slightly as he cleared his throat. “As in pertaining to the likelihood of a possible romantic situation.”
~**~*~*~*~**~
Nearing the table, John stopped in his tracks, coffee mugs in hand.
Whoa. Did I just hear Carson pimping for Caldwell?!
Without thinking, he started backing away. Elizabeth and Carson were so engrossed in their conversation, they hadn’t noticed him approach. With a cold knot in his stomach, he turned and walked back to the coffee dispenser.
It’s not like he didn’t know she and the colonel had been friends for a long time. It’s just that…he glanced back at the table…dammit she was smiling now and Carson was looking relieved.
Why should he be surprised? Now that he really thought about it, he could see how it happened.
They always have dinner together when the Daedalus is docked. She says it’s to talk about business, but what if it was more like… a date?
As he thought about it further, he remembered that last month, the Daedalus stayed on Atlantis for a couple of days for some repairs. He’d been off world at the time but now he recalled Lorne telling him that he’d taken Elizabeth and Caldwell to the mainland for the day.
Probably for another date…away from the prying eyes on Atlantis, he thought glumly.
John swallowed, a hard lump in his throat as his thoughts drifted to their last visit to Earth. The President had thrown a big party for them, and Elizabeth had been in her element that night. It was mesmerizing to watch her mingling easily with the various ambassadors and politicians, and even dancing with the President himself. He’d admired her poise then, but now he recognized how smoothly she fit into that life.
And of course Caldwell was there. He hadn’t thought about it at the time, but when Elizabeth couldn’t cajole him to dance with her Caldwell had been ready and willing to sweep her out onto the dance floor. And as if that full bird dress uniform weren’t enough, John thought grimly,the chest candy of ribbons and medals was damn impressive.
John sighed as he poured fresh mugs of coffee and put cream into Elizabeth’s. That night still bothered him and he could admit now, that it was a wake-up call. No wonder McKay initially assumed he might be romancing one of the cooks. Why would he think a stray dog like John could even stand a chance with someone like Elizabeth?
Straightening his shoulders and taking a deep breath, John headed back to the table.
~**~*~*~*~**~
“So it’s okay?”
Carson nodded in amusement. “Aye, my friend. I have it on good authority that it’s all but a done deal, as they say.”
Caldwell let out a sigh of relief as he ran a hand over his balding head. “You have no idea of how nerve wracking this whole thing is!” At his friend’s skeptical look, he shrugged his shoulders in embarrassment. “I just don’t want to make a mistake and screw it all up.”
“Och, don’t be such an idiot.” Carson sat back in his office chair and pulled open a bottom drawer. He lifted out a tin of his mother’s shortbread and set it on his desk. “After fighting the Wraith, the Ori, and dealing with the IOA, I can’t believe that something like this would put your knickers in a knot.”
Caldwell snorted. “Yeah, well the universe ain’t fair.”
“But love just makes it a safer place.” Carson pushed the open tin toward Caldwell.
“I like that,” the older man nodded as he took a piece. “One of your Scottish poets?”
“Nae, some singer that young Lt. Ford listened to all the time.” Carson pursed his lips in thought. “Fellow with the odd name of Iced Tea.”
“Huh. Kids.”
Carson chuckled. “Speaking of which, you’ve got yourself a fine daughter there, Steven.”
“I can’t disagree with you,” Caldwell smiled proudly. “It sounds like she’s enjoying it here and making a lot of friends.”
“Aye, she is indeed! Quite the popular lass.”
The colonel nodded and then asked casually. “Ah…I’ve been wondering…she’s mentioned Major Lorne a number of times in her last couple of emails…” he raised an eyebrow in inquiry.
“Eh…well.” Carson fidgeted and picked at his piece of shortbread. “Not that it’s my place to gossip, mind you…”
“Of course not.”
“But you being her father and all…”
“It’s the only reason I’m even asking.”
“Well, according to Sgt. Campbell, they’ve recently started seeing each other exclusively.”
“Hmm. I thought as much.”
“Evan’s a good lad,” Carson added defensively. “He’s Sheppard’s second, a fine officer, and a true gentleman!”
“I’d expect nothing less of Jenna,” Caldwell said gruffly. He took a bite of his shortbread and then smirked. “And it certainly explains why every time I run into Lorne he looks like he’s going to piss in his BDUs.”
Carson chuckled. “Can you blame the poor sod? Its hard enough having a girlfriend who could pull rank on you - imagine having one whose father is captain of a fully armed interstellar battle cruiser!”
“Well, Jenna can more than hold her own - she’s used to giving orders.”
“Bossy, is she?” Carson asked curiously as he swept some crumbs off his lab coat.
“Gets it from her mother.”
“And Mrs. Caldwell was…?”
“That would be General Caldwell.”
“Oh. That explains a lot.”
The colonel raised an eyebrow.
“Face it, Steven. You’re a sucker for bossy women!”
Carson grinned and barely leaned back in time to miss the punch thrown at his shoulder.
~**~*~*~*~**~
The party took off from the start and with each shift change, it was as if the party started anew. By unspoken agreement, no one was in uniform and the bright colors of native Earth clothing mingled with festive Athosian outfits.
There were buffet tables set up throughout the mess with an astounding array of delicious smelling dishes made from long missed ingredients brought from Earth via the Daedalus. There was also native Athosian fare as well a number of dishes that seemed to be a unique combination of both.
The Botany department had spent the afternoon putting up greenery and setting out fresh flowering plants. Then Teyla and her friends added the finishing touches with creamy white handmade candles that burned with a clean, woodsy scent.
John had thought more than once of trying to avoid the party, but the thought of spending the night alone was just too pathetic. Besides, he reasoned, even if he couldn’t be with Elizabeth at the party, he could be with his friends. And that was more that he’d had on many other holidays. So putting on his game face, he pushed open the doors of the mess and walked into the party.
Spotting Carson, he waded through the boisterous crowd and over to the drink station where the doctor stood ladling out a lemony looking drink. “Any hope the punch is spiked?”
“Nae, we thought it best not to with all the Athosian children here. But if you wish,” Carson patted his back pocket. “I brought a wee bit of something.”
At John’s nod, the doctor discreetly took out a hip flask and splashed a little into the colonel’s drink. “So have you and Major Lorne finished ferrying everyone from New Athos?”
John smiled his thanks and took a sip. “Yeah, we just made the last trip.” He turned to scan the crowded room. “On the way back from the Jumper Bay, I ran into Chuck and he said everyone from the Daedalus is here.”
“Even Hermiod,” a familiar voice chimed in behind him.
“Elizabeth!” Carson beamed and handed her a drink. “May I say how lovely you look tonight, my dear?”
“Thank you.” She took the drink in one hand and smoothed the dark red fabric of her dress with the other. “I had it made the last time I went to the mainland to visit Teyla. I thought it would be nice to wear something special tonight.”
“It reminds me of that red dress you wore when we were on Earth, but better,” John said, unable to stop staring at the way the soft fabric hugged her slim curves.
Elizabeth chuckled. “If I’d known how much you’d like this one, I wouldn’t have spent a small fortune on that other one.”
“I liked that other one,” a deep voice added. “But then I think red is your color, Elizabeth.”
John suppressed a flash of resentment as Caldwell joined the group and greeted everyone. He gave the colonel a polite nod, but mentally he was frantically trying to figure out how to excuse himself. It’s one thing to put on your game face, but there’s no need to be masochistic about it.
Luckily, a shouting match between Rodney and Radek erupted over the dessert table. With an apologetic shrug, John hastily made good on his exit.
“Was it something I said?” Caldwell asked half-jokingly as John nearly ran off.
Elizabeth shook her head. “No, he’s just been acting strange all day.” Her eyes followed him across the room. “I wish I knew what was bothering him,” she murmured to herself.
“So, Steven…have you…?” Carson asked, sidling up and giving him a hopeful look.
“Not yet.”
“Dash it, man! What are you waiting for?” he hissed, his voice low.
“I know, I know!” Caldwell took a deep breath and turning to Elizabeth he held out his hand. “Would you like to dance?”
~**~*~*~*~**~
John quickly quelled the argument before it escalated into a food fight and sent the two scientists on their way.
“What were they arguing about?” Teyla asked as she walked over, a small smile on her face. “Or do I even want to know?”
John snorted. “They’re McKay and Zelenka - do they need a reason to argue?”
Teyla laughed and shook her head. “I am glad that you were able to keep this evening peaceful.” She looked around at the crowd and her smile broadened. “The way everyone is dressed, it is difficult to know who is from Earth and who is Athosian. Oh, look!” she exclaimed pointing to the area by the balconies that had been turned into a dance floor. “It is Major Lorne and Dr. Jenna! Do they not make a fine couple?”
The attractive pair was hard to miss - Lorne, neatly handsome in his dark brown tunic and Jenna radiant in a pale green Athosian dress. But John’s eye was caught by the flash of deep red swirling by and his jaw tightened reflexively. He’d barely been able to distract himself from the thought of Elizabeth with Caldwell and now, here he was watching them dance together. Again.
It was a painful reminder of that party on Earth when he’d been too self-conscious to allow Elizabeth to drag him onto the dance floor. Even though she had pleaded and even tugged on his hand, he hadn’t budged. He knew she’d been puzzled - it was seldom he outright refused her anything - but he’d suddenly felt awkward and out of place in the elegant ballroom.
Here in Atlantis, he knew his worth and for the first time in his life, he felt important and needed. Back on Earth, he was just a maverick - a stubborn, low-level, fuck-up who’d still be in Antarctica if it weren’t for the fact he had the ATA gene like nobody’s business.
But Elizabeth had changed that, just as she’d changed everything in his life. If he was a better man now, it was because that’s what she brought out in him.
But sometimes the better man isn’t the best man.
Giving himself a mental shake, John found his eyes back on Elizabeth and Caldwell. They seemed to be talking seriously about something as they moved around the floor. Or rather Elizabeth was doing the talking and Caldwell was nodding.
Then they bumped into Lorne and Jenna, and John couldn’t help but smile as Lorne practically snapped to attention. There was an awkward moment during which Jenna resolutely held onto Lorne’s hand as Elizabeth patted Caldwell’s arm. Eventually, Caldwell gave a tight smile and nodded, Lorne relaxed and the couples returned to dancing.
“Whew, that was close,” John snickered.
“I still do not understand why Steven is so protective of Jenna - she is a grown woman, is she not?”
John started to answer but stopped and turned to stare at Teyla. Did she just call him ‘Steven?’
“Elizabeth said it is in part due to the fact that Jenna is his only daughter,” Teyla continued, oblivious to John’s shock. “Which is another human idea I do not understand.” She turned and looked up at him. “Why have only one child?”
“Er…I don’t know, Teyla. That kind of thing is a private issue.”
“Yes, that is what Steven said when Halling asked him about it.”
John blinked in confusion and wondered if the punch he was drinking was causing him to hallucinate.
“When did Halling ask Caldwell about…?” he left the question hanging as it seemed too impossible to repeat.
“When Steven came to visit last month.” Teyla’s eyes widened. “Oh, I forgot to tell you! You were off-world so I asked Major Lorne to bring Elizabeth and Steven to the mainland for dinner so that he could meet Halling and my extended family.” She tilted her head in amusement. “You looked surprised.”
“Seriously. You and Caldwell?” John asked in disbelief. Teyla gave him a small smile and nodded.
“I’m thinking that whoever had the Teyla/Caldwell bet is going to be rich because that hookup was a bazillion to one!” His face broke out into a wide grin as she reached out and slapped his arm.
“Do not say anything to anyone,” she said sternly. “We have only had tea together a few times. And although the dinner last month went well, Steven has yet to officially engage in courtship.”
“But the dinner with Halling and the rest was a biggie, right?” John pressed, his gaze holding hers intently.
“It was an important step, yes,” Teyla agreed cautiously. John’s behavior was puzzling and she wondered if as her commanding officer and close friend, she should have apprised him of her interest in Steven. But her friends at Girls’ Poker Night had been unanimous in their agreement that men were not interested in hearing about that kind of thing.
~**~*~*~*~**~
“I think that went well,” Caldwell said generously.
Elizabeth lifted an eyebrow at him as they moved across the dance floor. “True. You didn’t bite his head off.”
Caldwell smirked. “He stood his ground; I’ll give him credit for that.” He looked over Elizabeth’s shoulder at Jenna and Lorne, now smiling and talking quietly to each other. “They seem well suited,” he observed, his voice oddly gruff.
“I always thought they’d make a good couple.” Elizabeth poked him in the chest. “Speaking of which…”
Caldwell stopped dancing. “I don’t know why I’m so nervous about this,” he admitted quietly.
“You’ll be fine,” Elizabeth assured him, patting his arm. “I’ve told you everything I’ve said to Teyla on your behalf. You already know that Halling and her extended family approve of you. So, now the ball is in your court.”
“Okay then.” He smoothed his hands nervously down the front of his sweater and looked around. “Ah, there she is - over by the dessert table with Sheppard.” Holding out his arm, he tilted his head toward her. “Shall we?”
~**~*~*~*~**~
“Heads up,” John warned. “Incoming at 3:00.”
He and Teyla turned just as Caldwell walked up with Elizabeth on his arm.
“Ready for dessert, colonel?” John asked with a cheeky grin.
“I honestly don’t know how you put up with his insubordination, Elizabeth,” Caldwell drawled.
“Oh, you don’t know the half of it, Steven.” Elizabeth’s tone was grave but her eyes sparkled mischievously. “Only this morning he tricked me into doing an end run around our Chef’s Bacon Memo.”
Caldwell snorted and leveled a mock glare at John. “I’d watch it Sheppard. You never want to piss off the person who handles your food.”
“Yes, sir,” John answered smartly.
“And if you can manage to conduct yourself in a way that won’t embarrass this fine lady here,” Caldwell took Elizabeth’s hand from his arm and held it out to John. “She tells me that you owe her a dance.”
John nearly stumbled over his own feet, but he was quick to capture Elizabeth’s hand in his own. Tucking it into the crook of his arm, he moved to the dance area, hardly able to believe this turn of events.
“John,” Elizabeth squeezed his arm. “Are you feeling alright?”
“I am now,” he murmured as he pulled her into his arms.
She settled against him softly, and as they swayed to the slow music, he marveled at how comfortable she felt in his arms. A perfect fit…
Somehow, he knew she would be. The way they connected…the way they always knew what the other was thinking…somewhere along the line, she’d become an integral part of him without him even realizing it.
“John Sheppard, you’ve been holding out on me!” Elizabeth said teasingly, breaking into his thoughts.
“Oh?” He grinned and whirled her around, much to her delight.
“You know how to dance!” she accused, laughingly.
He slowed their pace and looked away, licking his lips nervously. “I just didn’t feel like I should dance with you…then.”
She reached up and caught his chin, turning his face to hers. The vulnerability she saw reflected in his eyes made her suddenly realize the insecurity he could hide so well under his cocky facade.
“C’mon,” she said, grabbing his hand and pulling him out onto a nearby balcony.
As the doors slid shut behind them, Elizabeth turned and faced him, her arms crossed over her chest. “I thought you knew me well enough, but it seems that I need to clarify something.”
“I’m the same person here on Atlantis that I am on Earth,” she poked him sharply in his chest, “and so are you!”
John shook his head. “I don’t belong at those kinds of parties. If you hadn’t invited me…”
“Exactly,” she cut in. “I could’ve invited anyone, but I invited you.”
He stubbornly shook his head again. “But I…”
“John, I would be proud to dance with you - be with you - in any galaxy.”
Still unconvinced, John opened his mouth to protest. But with a huff of exasperation, Elizabeth stepped up, grabbed his face, and kissed him hard, effectively cutting short the argument.
It took only a split second for John’s dazed brain to catch up with his hands, which to his credit had already pulled her close. But before he could take advantage of the situation, Elizabeth leaned her head back and looked up into his surprised face.
“Am I coming through loud and clear, colonel?” she asked softly, her lips curving into a warm smile.
“Yes, ma’am!” John grinned widely. “Crystal!” He slid his arms around her waist and slowly they began to move to the faint music coming from inside.
They danced in comfortable silence for a few moments until Elizabeth turned her face into John’s neck and nuzzled a small kiss there. “So, are you going to tell me what’s been bothering you today?”
John stiffened and stopped moving. Pulling back, Elizabeth studied his face curiously. Although the light was dim, it wasn’t hard to see the flush of color flaming his cheeks or the way his eyes slid away from her gaze.
“John?”
He ducked his head and shuffled his feet awkwardly. She leaned in when he started to mumble, frowning in puzzlement when she caught Caldwell’s name.
“Steven? What does he have to do with this?”
“It’s just that you two seemed to be spending a lot of time together.” John looked up and shrugged in embarrassment. “I thought that maybe you and he were…you know…” His voice trailed off as Elizabeth’s eyes grew wide.
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, John! I was just helping Carson play matchmaker for him and Teyla!” she said, her eyes sparkling in amusement as she realized why he’d been out of sorts all day.
“Yeah, well, I never saw that one coming,” he griped, shaking his head.
“Really?”
“Honestly, that combination was probably lowest in the betting pool.”
She raised an eyebrow in disbelief. “Below Kavanagh?”
“Well,” John amended, “Kavanagh and anyone was just too impossible to even put odds on.”
“Mmm, I see your point.”
“But still…you gotta admit they’re an unlikely pair.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “Actually, they have a lot in common. They both are warriors and know the burden of leadership; they also value family and have a love of children. But most importantly, they listen to each other.”
At John’s questioning look, she smiled. “A very wise man once said, ‘All people want is someone to listen.’ And we do, you know?” She closed the distance between them and slid her arms around his waist. “Even Kavanagh.”
John grunted. “The problem with him is, that he doesn’t want to listen to anyone in return.”
“Well,” she admitted with a chuckle, “It works best when the listening thing goes both ways.”
“Like with Teyla and Caldwell.”
“Mm-huh.”
“And you and me?” he asked tentatively.
Elizabeth quirked a smile. “Most times.” She raised her hands to his neck, idly smoothing the collar of his dark blue tunic. “The rest of the time, I feel like we’re already on the same wavelength.”
John pulled her back into his embrace, smiling as she dropped her head onto his shoulder with a happy little sigh. There was a sense of peace…of belonging that suddenly filled him and looking out over an alien ocean under a starry alien sky, he never felt more at home.
~**~*~*~*~**~
“Rodney, where are you going?” Carson asked as the scientist barreled by him. “We haven’t even started the countdown for Atlantis Eve.”
“I have to go lie down,” Rodney gasped, a hand over his heart.
“Rodney?” Carson grabbed him by the arm and pulled him up short. “What’s wrong?” he asked anxiously, his eyes searching his face.
“I’m going into shock.” He put both hands over his eyes. “I have to lie down in a dark room to recover.” He staggered over to a nearby chair and flopped into it, his arm thrown across his eyes.
Carson drew his brows together and was about to suggest that they go to the infirmary when Gail Biro and Miko Kusanagi walked by.
“Still carrying on, I see,” Gail commented, pursing her lips.
Carson looked from Gail to Miko who had a small hand over her mouth and was obviously laughing behind it.
“Is there something you know about this?” he asked as Rodney continued to moan.
The two women looked at each other, and then back to Carson. “Rodney was looking for Teyla,” Gail began. “He caught a glimpse of her out on one of the balconies and charged right out.”
“We tried to stop him,” Miko continued. “Because we knew she had gone out there with Colonel Caldwell to…talk.” She blushed and looked down.
Cason grinned. “Aye, I’m sure they had a lot to…talk about.”
“So this one,” Gail rolled her eyes over toward Rodney, “evidently walked right in on them as they were …”
“No!” Rodney wailed. “Don’t even say it!” He rubbed his eyes furiously. “I’ll never be able to get the image off my retinas!”
“Och, for the love of all that’s holy, how bad could that have been?” Carson snapped, giving the other man a quelling look.
“Oh, it gets better,” Gail said, a wide grin splitting her face. “Rodney runs off screaming like a girl…”
“I did not! It was a manly yell…”
“Whatever.” Gail rolled her eyes again. “And goes looking for Elizabeth.”
“Who was on the other balcony with Colonel Sheppard,” Miko supplied.
“Ah,” Carson nodded. “And were they…?” He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
Miko nodded and giggled behind her hand.
“Oooo, it was more than I could stand,” Rodney wailed piteously. “It was like catching your parents, necking!” He made a retching noise.
Gail shook her head. “How old is he?”
Carson gave a long suffering sigh. “Third grade?”
“Sounds about right.”
“So where are you two ladies off to? Certainly you’re not leaving before the fireworks? I hear Lt. Cadman and the Daedalus crew have set up quite a show on the North Pier.”
The women grinned. “We’re looking for Sergeant Campbell. We’ve got a lot of money to collect.”
Carson frowned in puzzlement and then smiled brightly. “I take it you two were the winners of the Teyla/Caldwell pool?”
In answer, the two friends turned and high-fived each other.
“It was a long shot,” Gail said, bouncing on feet.
“But it paid off,” Miko crowed.
“Well, congratulations and Happy Atlantis Eve to you both!” Carson called out as they bustled off.
Turning back to Rodney he sighed. “C’mon lad, buck up.”
“But Carson…”
“I hear Chef has made a banana cream pie,” he said, giving Rodney a nudge.
“Oh…I don’t think I can…”
“With real bananas from Earth.”
“Well, okay.” He pushed himself to his feet. “Maybe I’ll go.”
“That’s a sport,” the doctor smiled and patted him encouragingly on his back.
They walked in companionable silence for a few minutes then Rodney slanted a glance over at his friend.
“You aren’t…you know…with anyone, are you?” he asked suspiciously. “I mean, you’d tell me, right?”
Carson laughed and clapped him on the shoulder. “You’d be the first to know, lad.”
“Okay. That’s cool.” Rodney nodded. “I don’t like being the last to know stuff like that. Besides, I don’t think I could stand the shock of walking in on you when you were…”
“Quite so,” Carson interjected hurriedly. “The feeling is mutual, I assure you.”
“Good. I was worried ‘cause no one ever tells me about…hey!” He stopped in his tracks and pointed at the dessert table. “Dammit! Someone’s eaten all the meringue mushrooms off the Bûche de Noël!” He looked around and then muttered, “I bet it was Zelenka! That sneaky little son of a…”
Carson shook his head as Rodney took off. “It’s not that no one ever tells you anything my friend, it’s just that you’re too busy being Rodney to listen.”
The End