A Different Life

“Evan, where are we going?” Elizabeth Weir laughed as she was dragged along a Lantian corridor blindfolded.

Evan Lorne grinned, “It’s a surprise Elizabeth, you’ll just have to wait and see.”

She sighed playfully as she was led through the empty halls of Atlantis until finally they stopped, “Happy birthday Elizabeth.” He whispered as he untied the blindfold.

Elizabeth gasped at the site that beheld her when she opened her eyes, “Thank you so much.” She grinned looking around the balcony. It was a small secluded balcony that only he and she knew about; they had found it on one of their walks and instantly fell in love with it. The balcony looked over the ocean and at this time when the sun was setting it was beautiful.

There was a small table set out on the balcony with two chairs and a selection of food and wine, it was simple, but she could not have asked for anything more.

Evan seemed relieved that she was satisfied with it and pulled out her chair for her; she gratefully took her seat and allowed him to pour her a glass of wine.

“To the easiest year we have had in Pegasus!” He toasted and with a light hearted smile she clinked her glass against his, although she did not entirely agree with his toast. For her it had been the hardest year by far in Pegasus.

“John, you can’t go! That planet is swarming with Wraith for crying out loud!”

“I have to Elizabeth! If I can damage them now when they are all together, this war could be won!”

“I can’t let you do that John. It’s a suicide mission.”

“Maybe, but if it will save the lives of those I love I’m willing to take that risk.”

“John…”

“Elizabeth, please.”

“Go.”

“Elizabeth?” Evan frowned; she must have drifted into her thoughts for longer than she had thought.

She smiled at him, “I’m fine, I was just thinking about how much things have changed since this time last year.”

He immediately understood, “Oh, the Colonel?”

She nodded, “He saved all of our lives Evan and sacrificed his own to do so. A toast to John Sheppard.”

Evan raised his glass and clinked it against Elizabeth’s, “To John Sheppard.” He murmured, also emerged in memories.

“Sir you’ve got out of worse than this before-”

“There’s no chance I’m surviving this one Major. Just do one thing for me, look after Elizabeth.”

“Colonel, I don’t know if that will be necessary if you-”

“Major, just do it. Please.”

“Yes sir.”

“Anyway lets not think about that tonight, it is your birthday after all and-”

“Incoming traveller alert. Incoming traveller alert.”

Elizabeth frowned at Evan as the alarm sounded throughout the city and they both jumped up and hurried to the control. It took them less than 5 minutes to get there and when they did they were faced with a very confused Chuck, “It’s Colonel Sheppard’s IDC Ma’am.”

Elizabeth and Evan exchanged a look of shock before Elizabeth ordered Chuck to lower the shield and hurried down to the control room with Evan at her heels.

It was only seconds, but the agonising wait for John to step through that gate felt like hours to Elizabeth, she dreaded him coming back, so much had changed now.

When he did step through the gate he looked the exact same as he had when he left, give or take a few scars and some stubble.

His eyes sought out Elizabeth and he walked over to her, enveloping her in a hug, “I never thought I’d see you again.” He whispered.

Evan watched the exchange cautiously and was pleased when Elizabeth pulled away from John, “John…A lot has changed since you left.”

It took less than 10 minutes to have AR-1 reunited with John in the Briefing room and Elizabeth sucked in a deep breath before telling John the news she knew he would hate to hear.

“After you successfully killed the Wraith, Earth’s Stargate was destroyed and Atlantis was declared a colony.”

John frowned, “You’ve been a colony for a year?”

Elizabeth nodded, “Of course that means there have been several marriages, even births. You’ve missed a lot.” She smiled slightly.

Teyla nodded, “Yes John, myself and Ronon were married not long after you disappeared and we now have a very young child.”

Evan smiled, “And their not the only ones. McKay even got married.” He chuckled, “And to Major Cadman too.”

Rodney rolled his eyes and Johns frown deepened, “Major Cadman?”

Elizabeth nodded, this part was gonna piss him off, “Yes. She leads AR-2. After you had been gone for a few months we needed a higher ranking officer so Major Lorne is now Lt Colonel Lorne and Laura took his place as Major.”

John looked slightly annoyed, “Lt Colonel Lorne, so he outranks me?”

“No John, you have the same rank. We thought you were dead remember? You left us all hanging and didn’t come back for a year. Life went on here John; we had to move on with our lives without you!” She retorted angrily, tears welling up in her eyes as she said it.

Evan reached across the table and took her hand, squeezing it to comfort her. Elizabeth only closed her eyes and shook her head. John stared at their joined hands, the hurt clear on his face.

Rodney sighed, “Like Elizabeth said, things have changed. She’s going to be Dr Lorne soon.”

John yelled out angrily and hit the table before storming from the room.

It was clear to the others that Elizabeth needed time alone; she was trying very hard to hold back her tears. Evan nodded to them to signal they were dismissed as he wrapped his arms around Elizabeth and held her tight.

Meanwhile John stood alone on the balcony he had always shared with Elizabeth, he wiped at his eyes angrily, frustrated at himself for ever caring so much. This was not the life he had left and it wasn’t the one he wanted to live either.

To be continued?