how much effort are you willing to put into a relationship?
There are days -- like today, actually, feet in Nathan's lap, a book she could probably recite backwards in front of her and soothing as ever -- where Elizabeth is half-convinced being here with him is the easiest thing in the world. The chill weight of a hand on her ankle is pleasant; even aside from how she's become accustomed to the dropped temperature of him, it's a warm day and she doesn't feel like moving enough to get ice. It's kind of like rolling a cold bottle of water over her skin when it gets too hot, except...for the obvious differences. It's peaceful, which is frankly marvel enough on its own.
Even without considering the path that led here, with half-truths and stubbornness and no promises.
"The table is ready, so lay your cards," she murmurs mostly to herself, and then laughs when that cold hand (really, what else could he be but doctor, with those hands) slides up to the back of her knee and she's pulled bodily closer. "And if they should augur p--ain," skin against fabric and a lazy sort of smile meets her idle recitation, "I'll tender you ever my kind regards and run for the fastest train."
The next few lines come out mostly murmured against the side of his neck, his collarbone; "I haven't the will to be spent and sad; my heart's to be gay and true--then either you don't or you do, my lad. Either you don't, or you do."
Later she remembers she'd forgot the entire first stanza, but she feels it worked out for the best anyway.
Patient Name: Elizabeth Weir
Fandom: Stargate: Atlantis (AU)
Word Count: 267
Patient's Partner: Nathan Scaevola (X-Men movieverse)