Fluffy Sparky chapter 2

[southernred2]

This is chapter 2 of I Do?.



“I’m telling you, it doesn’t fit.” John pulled at the seat of his pants for the tenth time, and Elizabeth tightened her hold on his arm.

“It fits fine, John. Now stop fidgeting. You look...”

“Ridiculous.”

“I was going to say ‘dashing’.” Delicious. Stunning, in a Prince Charming meets the Three Musketeers sort of way.

John’s outfit had turned out to be a deep emerald green. The dark color brought out the green in his eyes and, with a slightly more austere cut and style than the suits provided for Ronon and Rodney, was not quite as big an insult to his masculinity. Instead of lace, the shirtfront was pintucked, and while trimmed with an abundance of gold braid, the coat fit his body snuggly, ending at fingertip length. The pants were also a bit snug and showed off his muscular calves to advantage.

As with all the other women, Elizabeth and Teyla were less colorful than the men. Teyla’s grey gown was deep cut in the neckline and trimmed with stones that looked similar to opals. The colors ingrained in the gems flashed and swirled in the light, complementing her dusky skin.

Elizabeth’s gown was the deepest of rich blacks and trimmed with an abundance of what appeared to be emeralds, almost a perfect match for the color of John’s suit. It hugged her trim figure and swirled about her legs when she moved, making her feel feminine and powerful.

She hadn’t failed to notice John’s appreciative look when she first emerged, thinking he must either be a very good actor or truly impressed with how she had turned out.

“You clean up pretty good,” he whispered when she brushed past him with a sideways glance.

Now, as they entered the banquet hall and took their place at the head table, he stopped fidgeting and seated her with a flourish and a lingering look.

Dish after dish arrived, carried by identically dressed servants, each more elaborate than the one before: soups, salads with fruit and small bits of cheese, vegetables of unknown origin cooked in rich, creamy sauces, meat dishes consisting of whole birds with the feathers reattached after roasting, succulent roasts from some large animal complete with bowls of gravy, entire fish stuffed with breadcrumbs and small tender bits of another kind of seafood, and finally, a parade of desserts ending with an elaborately decorated cake that had to be carried in by four muscular young men.

“Wonder who’s gonna jump out of that?” Rodney muttered under his breath, earning a warning look from Teyla.

By this time, even Ronon was leaning back in his chair and rubbing his stomach. Used to just this sort of feast back in her diplomat days, Elizabeth had thought to pace herself, eating only a tiny bit of each dish, but she gave the others a sympathetic look and a tiny smile.

Her reverie was interrupted when John appeared at her side, having come around the table from his seat across from her.

She looked up at him expectantly, and he must have sensed that she was momentarily distracted because he leaned and whispered close to her ear, “They want us to cut the cake.”

Smiling, she nodded and rose to take his arm and accompany him to the center of the room where K’Raxan and Avera were already waiting.

When the clinking of silverware and the low murmur of voices had stopped, K’Raxan raised his voice.

“It has been our great pleasure to welcome our new friends to Kletavl with a traditional banquet of celebration.”

There was a pause for cheers and loud applause. Then K’Raxan, who appeared to be just getting warmed up, continued, “But we have more to celebrate than just our new alliance, for the two leaders of their city of Atlantis, home of the Ancients and guardian of us all, are also allied with each other in the everlasting bond of marriage.”

More cheers and appreciative shouts of approval. John grinned sheepishly and looked at Elizabeth, who took a step closer and slipped her hand in his. Interpreting the squeeze he gave her hand as reassurance, Elizabeth tightened her hold, waiting for the public attention to be over.

“We have a lifelong tradition here on Kletavl of honoring the vows of matrimony, when a couple is first presented to the city, by repeating them before the assemblage.”

Elizabeth was certain that John’s tightened hold had broken at least one finger, but she didn’t loosen her grasp on his hand. Is he saying what I think he is saying?

“Colonel John Sheppard and Doctor Elizabeth Weir of the planet Earth and the city of Atlantis...”

I think I am going to be sick.

“As you stand before these assembled inhabitants of the city of Kletavla and the representatives of your people, do you declare that you are well and truly joined?”

John looked at Elizabeth, and Elizabeth looked at John, who licked his lips. Knowing that, in keeping with the custom of the planet, the man was expected to answer first, she gave him a little nudge with her hip.

“I do?” It came out sounding like a question, but seemed to satisfy K’Raxan, who turned a smiling face toward Elizabeth and waited for her reply.

John looked a little nervous, when she hesitated. Catching the little thumbs up that Rodney was giving them, Elizabeth took a deep breath and added her “I do.”

“Then I declare that you are joined as one for now and all time!” K’Raxan thundered, trying to be heard over the uproar of shouting and foot stomping.

--/--

Son of a bitch.

John wasn’t sure what to do or say or feel at this particular time, but luckily nothing much was expected of him past this point, but to cover Elizabeth’s hand with his and help her wield the big knife they were given with which to cut the cake.

A band, of sorts, began to play and while the cake was being passed out they were besieged by well-wishers from the Kletavlian council who all seemed to want to bow to them and clasp their hands. One slightly inebriated elder gave Elizabeth a smack on the cheek, which earned him a glare from John. By the time they were allowed to regain their seats, dancers had appeared and more wine was being poured.

“Aren’t you supposed to kiss the bride?” Rodney shouted from further down the table, almost spilling his brimming glass of red wine.

“Is that a custom among your people?” Avera inquired.

“Indeed it is. No wedding is complete without a kiss.”

Rodney is always so very helpful.

Elizabeth made a move to rise from her seat, which had now been relocated next to her husband, but John’s arm around her shoulders prevented her from standing.

Feeling a number of eyes turn his way, John leaned in and whispered, “No escape, too late to run.” Sometimes a plan just comes together.

To his surprise, Elizabeth leaned closer and lifted her face to his. His mouth touched hers in a brief post-nuptial kiss that would have passed inspection at any wedding on Earth. Too short but better than nothing.

Just for a moment, his palm cupped her face, and the sound of the crowd faded away before the whistles and cheers brought them both back to awareness.

K’Raxan and Avera were standing together and beckoning for them to come and join the other dancers. Several couples had participated in a beautifully choreographed dance to the accompaniment of a small band whose musical instruments consisted mostly of strings and some sort of muffled drum that gave the music a vaguely Celtic sound.

Seeing now what was required of them, John stood and held out a hand to Elizabeth. “May I have this dance?” he said formally, and she rose to accept his offer.

Hand in hand they walked to the small dance floor as the musicians began to play. John noticed that the Kletavlians only held each other’s fingertips when they danced, but he chose to show them how it was done on Earth.

Taking his cue, Elizabeth placed her hand on his shoulder and squared her body to his, ready to follow his lead.

How did they get her hair all piled up like that? And are those strings of emeralds holding it up?

For a few moments he led her in a surprisingly expert waltz that fit the music perfectly and drew sighs of approval from the crowd. But when the music began to pulse and build, he pulled her closer, and his hands skimmed over her, barely touching the skin left bare by the deep back of her gown.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen the back of her neck before. I hope this isn’t the last time.

Eyes never leaving hers, he pulled her into a sensuous swaying series of steps that soon slowed with the music and ended with a nerve-tingling brush of his hips against hers.

“You are just full of surprises.” Elizabeth’s voice sounded a bit breathless.

Not loosening his hold on her, even though the music had stopped and the crowd was cheering once again, John raised an eyebrow and replied, “There are a number of things you don’t know about me.” And a number of things I’d like to find out about you.

“I can see that.”

The rest of the evening was a blur of different dance partners, as everybody seemed to be intent on dancing with either John or Elizabeth. Rodney, Ronon and Teyla also had their share of partners, which, in Ronon’s case, didn’t go on for long before he chose to opt out of the dancing and join a group of young men who appeared to be having a drinking contest. In her usual diplomatic way, Teyla charmed even the most serious Kletavlian, and a series of ladies, young and old, lined up to steer Rodney around the floor.

Finishing his second dance with Tolone, John suggested that liquid refreshments were badly needed and led the vivacious young woman over toward a table of drinks. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Elizabeth standing talking with Teyla and darting glances in his direction.

He had barely been able to avoid Tolone’s wandering hands while trying to keep a discrete distance from her when they were dancing. She had insisted that he show her the dance steps that he had done with Elizabeth, saying she wanted to learn more about his culture. John had tried to explain that some things had to remain private, but she hadn’t appeared to grasp his meaning.

Steering her off the dance floor, John noticed her brother, K’Biron, standing by the refreshment table holding a glass of wine and watching the dancers.

“Colonel Sheppard,” K’Biron said jovially as they approached. “Please join me in a bit of refreshment.”

John accepted a glass of wine and took a big swallow. “Thanks, it’s a bit warm out there.”

Nodding to his sister, K’Biron said, “Leave us, Tolone. I wish to speak with the Colonel.”

Tolone made a hasty retreat.

Wincing a bit at the cavalier treatment of the women that seemed to be common on this planet, John took another sip of wine and decided to keep his mouth shut.

“My sister seems quite taken with you.”

John almost choked. “Excuse me?”

“Tolone. She has spent quite a lot of time getting to know you.”

“Uh, yes, she is a...ah...very nice young lady.” John was clueless as to how to properly handle the situation.

“Perhaps we can negotiate an arrangement?” K’Biron smiled broadly and straightened to his full height, which fell considerably short of John’s.

“An arrangement? I’m afraid I don’t understand.”

“Tolone is young and healthy, and considering that you and your lady wife have yet to produce offspring...well...I was assuming that you might be in need of a surrogate.”

John stared in disbelief. “Wait, are you offering me your sister as a mistress?”

Brightening, K’Biron nodded eagerly. “Of course. It is our custom for a man in such a position of leadership as yourself to have a number of ladies, in addition to his lawful wife, who can provide him with children.”

Afraid that the Kletavlian would go on and on, John cut him off with a wave of his hand.

“Thanks for the offer, K’Biron, but it’s our custom to have just one wife, and trust me, the one I’ve got is enough for any man.”

Not offended, K’Biron bowed and replied, “Tolone will be most disappointed, but if you change your mind...”

“I’ll let you know.” John was as gracious as he was capable of being at the moment and even a bit amused.

Seeing that Rodney was free and standing by the open doorway probably hoping to catch a cool breeze, John excused himself and wandered over to this teammate.

“The old ball and chain is giving you the stink eye,” Rodney blurted.

John frowned and refused to turn his head toward where he knew Elizabeth was standing.

“How much have you had to drink?”

“Not nearly enough to dance with another woman who’s too shy to talk to me, why?”

“Because,” John said through gritted teeth, “Elizabeth and I are not really married. And if we were, she would not be my ‘old ball and chain’.”

“You are on this planet. Married, that is,” Rodney declared and took a huge drink from a tankard of pink ale. “So, what was little round man going on about?”

John looked around and lowered his voice. “He offered me his sister to be my baby mama.”

Rodney snorted in disbelief and almost choked on his ale. “Well she is kinda cute. Wait until Elizabeth hears about this?”

“McKay, when you sober up, I am going to kill you.”

--/--

“Well that was certainly interesting.”

Elizabeth slid off the painful, pointed shoes she had been forced to wear and settled into one of the armchairs in their suite with a sigh.

“And unexpected.” John began unbuttoning his coat, seemingly eager to rid himself of the unaccustomed garment.

“I thought the dancing would never end.” Elizabeth’s voice was a bit muffled as she bent her head to begin pulling the string of green gems from her hair, getting it hopelessly tangled in the process.

“Need some help?” John asked, abandoning his jacket on the other chair and coming to kneel next to her.

With gentle hands, he tried to unravel the trapped strands of hair. Successful, he didn’t at once remove his hands from the soft curls. Elizabeth could feel his fingertips just brushing the nape of her neck.

“I said, ‘thanks, that’s good’,” Elizabeth ran her hands through her hair, releasing some of the tangles and smoothing it back from her forehead with a sigh.

“Oh...uh...sorry,” John rose and stood pulling the decorative rope through his hands.

Elizabeth leaned her head back against the chair and stretched her toes. “I must say the Kletavlians are very interesting people.”

“You don’t know the half of it. They have some very...ah...unusual customs.”

Elizabeth nodded in agreement. “Like the way they treat the women as second class.”

“That and...other things.”

“Speaking of which, I hear you had an interesting conversation with K’Biron.” Elizabeth’s mouth twisted in a teasing grin.

“I really am going to murder McKay.” John moved away to put the rope of gems he was still playing with on a small table.

“I didn’t hear it from Rodney. Tolone herself told me she thought you could, how did she put it? ‘Sire many strong sons.’”

“Elizabeth, I swear...”

“She was quite proud actually,” Elizabeth interrupted, “that her brother was speaking to you on her behalf. She wanted me to know that she was willing to share.” What is it about alien women wanting to bear your child?

John whirled around, hands on hips. “Share? Oh, that’s big of her. What if I don’t want to be...shared?”

Elizabeth almost laughed aloud at the offended look on John’s face. “I told her she could have Tuesdays and Thursdays, but I wanted the rest of the week and every alternate weekend. Does that work for you?”

John pointed a finger at her, appearing to search for a comeback but coming up short. Elizabeth pretended not to notice and disappeared into the bathroom.

Upon emerging, she found John, dressed in sweatpants and a t-shirt, folding his fancy suit into a messy bundle and placing it on a side table. He stilled at her approach and turned to face her.

“So, left or right?”

“Excuse me?” I know perfectly well what you are asking me, Colonel. I just need a second to process it.

“Side of the bed.” John lifted a hand to rub the back of his head, but seemed to think better of it, and put his hands on his hips instead.

He couldn’t have looked more awkward if he tried, and Elizabeth relaxed a fraction.

“Right, I guess...uh..it really doesn’t matter. It’s such a...”

“Big bed,” he finished for her.

Elizabeth tugged at the hem of her pajama top, wondering why she hadn’t brought something a little less revealing than the snug pink tank top she was wearing with her pink and blue plaid pajama bottoms. I look like I’m ready for a pajama party. In the 80’s.

John licked his lips and went to pull back the bed covers. “There’s a...whadda ya call it?”

“Comforter?” Elizabeth stood on the opposite side of the bed and began to neatly fold back the sparkling white covering, revealing white sheets and pillows much like those found on Earth.

“I guess some things are universal,” John said.

“And they reserve their colorful fabrics for the men’s clothing.”

John grinned at her and flipped back the top sheet. “I’ll get the light.”

When he returned, Elizabeth had crawled under the sheet, which she had pulled up to her chin.

The bed squeaked loudly and dipped under John’s weight, causing her to roll a bit toward the center, and then he was lying beside her in an exact mirror image of her position.

“Looks like they’ve invented bedsprings,” he observed.

“Looks like.”

“I wonder what they stuffed this mattress with.” John wiggled and shifted. “I’m thinking corncobs.”

Elizabeth moved a fraction, trying to avoid a particularly painful lump that was digging into her back. “Hey, at least there’s a bed. Remember that time on the planet with those tiny people that reminded us of Pygmies?”

John chuckled. “When we all had to sleep on piles of leaves? And Rodney turned out to be allergic? Yeah, good times.”

“So,” Elizabeth said emphatically, “it can always be worse. We make the best of it, and tomorrow we can go home.”

“Yeah, tomorrow.” John licked his lips and looked over toward her.

Eyes having adjusted to the dark, Elizabeth could barely make out John’s long form resting beside her. Husband on this planet. Friend and co-worker on all others.

“Goodnight, John.”

The bed squeaked again when, instead of closing his eyes and trying to sleep, John turned on his side toward his wife. She waited, still and oh so very aware of every movement. His hand was warm where it touched her face and sent tingles of electricity along her nerve endings when it moved into her hair, cupping the back of her head and drawing her closer. He brushed the hair back from her forehead and looked into her eyes for a long moment, his eyes luminous and his lips moist and slightly parted. Elizabeth moved to close the space between them, and his mouth descended onto hers. The brief touch of his lips earlier in front of the crowd could not even be called a kiss when compared to this. Using lips, tongue and teeth, he tasted her. And when it was necessary to separate or stop breathing, he dipped his head and ran the tip of his tongue along the line of her throat. Warm, firm arms pulled her closer and circled her body to bring her flush against him, and long fingers found their way under her pajama top, trailing across her skin, thumbs circling around to just brush the sides of her breasts.

Elizabeth cupped his face in both hands and placed a series of kisses along his jawline, earning herself an open-mouthed kiss that would have melted a polar icecap. John pushed her arms up and slid her top off, giving it a flip that sent it sailing across the room. Before it landed, his hands were full of her breasts, and he had lowered his mouth to lick first one and then the other until she was arching her back and panting incoherently. She felt his grin against her skin as he dipped one finger under the waistband of her pajama bottoms and into her moist heat.

Elizabeth almost came off the bed.

Not allowing her to catch her breath, John pulled her pants down and sent them sailing in the general direction of the sofa. Then he returned to his previous method of torture until she began pulling at his shirt and begging for him to never never stop. She was able to get his attention long enough to divest him of his shirt and take full advantage of the moment by sliding both hand through his chest hair and back down again. He pulled her closer, and her already tender nipples were further sensitized by the sensation of his chest against hers. She explored the smooth skin of his back and grasped him around the shoulders as he kissed her, the erotic motion of his fingers spreading and teasing her tender flesh making her gasp in anticipation.

Somehow he was as naked as she was, and she tilted her lower body to bring him even closer, wanting and needing to feel all of him. Elizabeth’s hands slid along his lower back, pressing him closer and stretching to caress his firm buttocks, down the sides of his muscular legs and back up to his taut abdomen.

John gasped and Elizabeth wasn’t sure that he didn’t stop breathing for a second when her hand closed around him. Hard and silken, filling her palm and pulsing with life, his arousal was a testament to the fact that he desired her, and Elizabeth didn’t want to delay another moment. She opened her legs wider and lifted her hips as he slid inside her, filling her completely. His breath was hot against her ear as he whispered her name, the only word that had been spoken so far.

And then he began to move.

Elizabeth wrapped her legs tightly around his hips and held on as he took her higher than she thought it was ever possible and back down to earth with a heart-stopping orgasm that just went on and on. Crashing in a tangle of arms and legs, they soothed each other with sweet, deep kisses and long caresses that eased over-stimulated nerve endings and spoke without words.

--/--

“Goodnight, Elizabeth.”

The bed squeaked again when, instead of closing his eyes and trying to sleep, John turned on his side toward his wife. She was looking toward him, already having pushed the sheet down to her waist and raised up to lean on her elbow. John let his eyes travel down the front of her where the tiny pajama top had been dislodged, exposing most of one full breast and part of another. Just a hint of a rosy nipple peeked above the neckline of the top. Elizabeth was smiling a secretive smile that John was hoping had a lot to do with him. He let one long finger trail down her exposed throat and trace the edge of the pink fabric that barely contained her breasts.

He grinned when he felt her foot trail across his and travel up his calf, pulling his pant leg along with it. John’s sweat pants were starting to feel snug, and he shifted, hoping to relieve some of the pressure. But moving closer to Elizabeth was not the answer. Now he could smell her, flowers and that musky scent that screamed ‘woman’, and the urge to strip her naked and sink into her warm center almost took his breath away.

The bold look in her eyes told him that it wouldn’t be long before that moment arrived, but he was determined to make the journey as memorable as possible. For both of them.

Elizabeth licked her lips and John was lost.

He couldn’t have torn his eyes away from her if you had held a gun to his head as she grabbed the hem of her top and pulled it from her body. Her breasts bounced free, and the nipples pebbled in the cool air. John filled his hands with what she was offering and crushed his mouth to hers. Wet and warm and infinitely willing, her mouth opened to him, and his tongue slid along hers, awakening every nerve ending in his body. She lifted her hips and helped him strip the rest of her clothing away, and reached to do the same for him. Rising to her knees, she pulled his pants down his long legs and tossed them over her shoulder. Her eyes raked over the evidence of his arousal, and then her hands caressed him from knees to belly and back again and were soon replaced by her hot mouth, which closed over him and made him arch his back, bringing his hips off the bed.

“Elizabeth!” It was a single word of warning that made her hum against his tender skin and blow lightly against him, eliciting a hiss and making him reach for her and drag her up his body. She straddled him and he held her head still so he could plunder her mouth. He kissed her until she gasped and rose up to lower herself onto him, taking his length deep inside her.

John wasn’t sure he would ever get to heaven, but this was close enough.

Elizabeth threw her head back and rose above him before coming back down again and again as her body, slick with sweat slid and ground against his.

John clasped her round buttocks in both hands and helped her set a rhythm that became increasingly frantic and finally resulted in a crash to earth that left him shuddering and gasping for breath.

Sated and breathless, they held each other in a tangle of arms and legs. Deep wet kisses and long slow strokes along sensitive nerve endings soothed them as their skin cooled and their breathing returned to normal.

John turned his head and could just make out the curve of Elizabeth’s back in the dim light. After saying goodnight, she had turned her back to him and now seemed to be sleeping, her breathing deep and even. Sighing, he settled himself more comfortably, careful not to disturb her and after some time, drifted off to sleep.

Some hours later, John awoke shivering and had to think for a moment to remember where he was. It came to him in a rush, and glancing over at his bed partner, he realized the cause of his discomfort. In her sleep, Elizabeth had curled up in a ball, tugging the covers closer over herself and away from him. He sat up on his hands considering what to do. Reaching for the comforter was not an option, as it had slid to the floor during the night and was impossible to retrieve without getting out of bed and waking Elizabeth.

John bit his lip and took hold of the edge of the sheet. Giving it a gentle tug, he was hoping to slide some of it back over himself. The sheet gave way and John continued to pull it in his direction, bringing Elizabeth along with it.

Deeply asleep, she rolled over and came to rest in the center of his chest, stretching and sliding her legs along his and ending up with her face snuggled into his neck.

How is it possible to be in heaven and hell at the same time?

Seeing that she wasn’t going to wake up any time soon, John began telling his body to relax muscle by muscle, and by the time he had made his way down to his toes, the need for more sleep and the warmth from her body had lulled him once more into a deep sleep.

--/--

Something was tickling Elizabeth’s nose, and every time she tried to get away from it, it just ended up tickling more. Cracking open one eye, she was treated to a blurry vision of a patch of chest hair sticking out from the neckline of a black t-shirt.

Oh my God!

Further investigation, provided her with a close up of a tanned throat and by raising her head just a tiny bit, she could just make out a jawline covered with black stubble.

Holy Mother of us all!

Elizabeth lay very still and allowed the rest of her situation to fully reveal itself. A broad chest. Long legs tangled with hers. Strong arms around her with one hand in the middle of her back and the other resting lightly on the back of her thigh. And full awareness of all parts of his anatomy just a couple of layers of thin cloth away from hers.

John. Sleeping, thank God.

The hand on the back of her thigh moved as he shifted in his sleep and then settled back again, heavy and warm.

I guess this bed isn’t as big as we originally thought.

Inch by inch, Elizabeth eased herself away from her sleeping husband and off the bed on the opposite side, watching him closely in the pre-dawn light for any sign of awareness.

Did his eyelids just blink?

She tiptoed into the bathroom, grabbing her clothes on the way, and breathed a sigh of relief when she made her escape without disturbing him.

When next she emerged, John was up and looking out the front window.

“Good morning,” he said, turning toward her. “Did you sleep well?”

She nodded and refused to meet his eyes, pretending to be rearranging things in her backpack. “I did, how about you?”

“Good, though it got a bit chilly later on.” He grinned at her, and she lowered her head to hide the blush that must be staining her cheeks.

Bastard. You were awake.

“So...ah...bathroom’s free.” She waved a hand in the direction of the open door.

Grabbing his clothes, John waggled his eyebrows at her as he passed by. “Hope you saved me some hot water.”

While John was dressing, Elizabeth went out into the living area and found that the others were beginning to gather. She had just had time to exchange a few words with Teyla and Ronon and listen to Rodney’s complaints of a hangover when a couple of Kletavlian women she remembered from the banquet appeared with their breakfast.

Grateful, that a public event wouldn’t be required of them, they all selected from the assortment of fruit, pastries and thinly sliced meats. A dark sweet tea had been provided also, which did nothing to stop Rodney’s litany of complaints.

“...and you’d think a civilization this advanced would have invented aspirin,” Rodney was saying as John came into the room.

Elizabeth busied herself refilling her teacup while Teyla greeted him and indicated that he should help himself to breakfast.

Ronon, however, after swallowing his mouthful of pastry came over to slap John on the back and say, “So, how’s the bridegroom this morning?”

John shrugged off his large hand and headed for the table. “Ready to kick your ass, Chewie.”

Ronon chuckled and reached for some meat to add to his pastry.

Rodney stopped in mid-rant, looking from John to Elizabeth with bleary eyes. “Oh yeah, how was the wedding night?”

“Rodney!” Elizabeth saw John take a step in Rodney’s direction and moved to intervene. “There was no wedding night, now drop it, please.”

“Sorry, it’s just...you know.” Rodney waved a hand in front of his face. “Hangover, not thinking clearly.”

“Yeah,” John snapped, “what’s your excuse the rest of the time?”

“Why don’t we just finish up here, get our things together and take our leave of this lovely planet before we get into any more trouble.” Elizabeth set down her cup and went back into the bedroom.

“You heard the lady. Let’s get a move on.”

Cranky again. They must think I left my sense of humor back on Atlantis.

--/--

“Tell K’Whozit or whoever is waiting to escort us to the gate that Elizabeth and I will be along in a minute,” John said to Teyla who nodded and urged Rodney and Ronon to precede her out the door.

John pushed open the bedroom door and stepped inside. Elizabeth turned to meet him, her eyes glistening.

“You okay?” John’s voice was soft, and he reached out a hand as if he meant to touch her but shoved it in his pocket instead.

Elizabeth nodded. “I’m fine, but I just needed a moment.” She waved her hand in a vague motion. “It just all got to be too much all of a sudden.”

“I’m sorry you had to go through all this,” John began, but she quickly interrupted.

“No, don’t apologize. It’s not your fault. I’m sorry you had to deal with this. It must have been terribly uncomfortable for you.”

“We can both punish Rodney when we get home if it makes you feel better.” John tried to make a joke, but it fell short.

“I should have put a stop to it and explained to the Kletavlians that our customs are different. They would have accepted it eventually...”

“Stop it, Elizabeth.” John took a step closer and bent his knees so his face was level with hers. “It’s not such a tragedy. I mean unless you find being married to me to be that unpleasant, because I...”

“No, oh God no. I didn’t mean that. It’s you who must be embarrassed and humiliated.”

John shook his head and gaped at her for a moment without speaking. Taking his silence for agreement, Elizabeth turned her back once again, unable to stop the rush of words that poured out. “I was so mad at Rodney at first, and then when we actually got in the middle of the deception, I started to relax and, stupidly, even started to enjoy it a little.”

She paused, clasping her hands tightly in front of her, not wanting to see John’s expression. “Then, when I woke up this morning, and found us all...”

“Tangled up?”

Elizabeth nodded without turning around. “Totally my fault, and thank you for being a gentleman, by the way.”

I am making such a mess of explaining myself. He must think I’m pathetic.

“Elizabeth...”

“Finally, it just hit me, and now I don’t know how to handle it.” She stopped and stood with her head bowed.

Elizabeth could sense John’s hand hovering a few inches from her shoulder. “Would you believe this whole thing has been the most fun I’ve had in a very long time?”

Disbelieving, she turned toward him with a shaky laugh. “No, I don’t think I do.”

“Have you ever known me to lie, Elizabeth?”

She raised an eyebrow.

“About anything important, I mean.”

A small shake of her head was all she could manage at the moment.

“Besides,” John continued, “what could I possibly have to object to? Married to a beautiful woman. Celebrated and toasted in a fabulous ceremony. Rodney suffering with what must be the worst hangover of his life.”

His hands had finally made their way to her shoulders, and with a finger under her chin, he tilted her head up so she was forced to look at him.

“John...”

“Did you hear me complaining?”

“No, but...”

“But you thought I should be?”

“Well, yes, because of...” She pulled away, desperate to put some distance between them.

“Because of what?” He didn’t seem to be in the mood to let her be less than specific.

Emboldened, she turned toward him once again and blurted out, “Because someday you are going to meet someone who makes all your dreams come true, and you don’t need to have to explain that you have to go through the stargate first to another planet and get a divorce.”

John laughed out loud.

Typical. Make a joke of everything.

“Well,” he drawled, “first of all, I’m not looking to meet anyone who, what was it you said, ‘makes all my dreams come true’,”

Elizabeth turned away and stood very still.

“And secondly, if my teasing about this whole thing has hurt you in any way, I am very sorry.”

He stopped there, and Elizabeth turned cautiously toward him. Standing as he was in his usual slouch with his thumbs hooked in his front pockets, John was the very picture of dejection and vague hope.

Oh, John, why do you disarm me so easily?

“It’s not the teasing,” she admitted. “It’s just that for a moment, I...” Had the most incredible fantasy.

“Me too.”

“What?”

“For a moment, I imagined it was real. That is what you were going to say, isn’t it? Because if it isn’t...then....”

“John?”

“Yes, Elizabeth.”

She nodded and he grinned and the world shifted. His eyes held hers until a shout from outside broke the moment.

Ronon.

“Keep your shirt on, Chewie. We’re on our way.” John shouted back, reaching for his backpack and shrugging it on.

Elizabeth did the same before pausing in the door of the bedroom for a moment.

“You know,” she said, “we may have to come back to this planet occasionally.”

“Yeah?” John glanced at the disheveled bed and back at her. “You do still owe me a wedding night.”

Halfway out the front door, Elizabeth stopped and looked back over her shoulder. In the distance she had spotted the team waiting with their original welcoming group of Kletavlians. Ronon was beckoning for them to hurry up. Teyla was talking quietly with K’Raxan and Avera, and Rodney was sitting on a stone bench with his head in his hands.

“Really?” she wondered. “We haven’t even gone on our first date yet?”

“Well, that can certainly be remedied.” John gave Ronon a wave as Elizabeth began walking again. “We can have a nice dinner on one of those secluded balconies. The dining staff likes me, so I’m sure I can talk them into making us a nice...”

“You mean the dining staff that you flirt with shamelessly so they will make peanut butter brownies for you?”

“I do not flirt. They’re just very nice ladies. Motherly, even.”

Elizabeth snorted and even though Ronon was glaring at them with his hands on his hips, Rodney had stood up and was looking even more pathetic than earlier and even Teyla was glancing in their direction, paused and tilted her head sideways. “I would love to have dinner with you, John.”

“Ronon!” John shouted, “Dial the gate!”