New Home (Stargate Atlantis fanfiction)

26 Being serious

Elizabeth was wandering through Atlantis with awe. There was so much that changed since she was there last and she wanted to memorize every single detail. She needed to visit Woolsey's office but she couldn't just take the transporter. She was home for only three days that she remembered and John had finally let her out of his sight.

"Elizabeth, here you are!" Elizabeth heard a familiar voice. "I've been told where you could be but I thought that I got lost."

"Mom?"

The older woman embraced Elizabeth wholeheartedly.

"It's so good to know you are whole again." She whispered. "You have no idea how good it was to hear."

"Why are you here, mom?" Asked Elizabeth.

"John called me yesterday and arranged a transportation."

"I mean ... the clearance and all that and..."

"John told me about your past." Susan understood the question that was not asked. "When he wanted to get you out from the psychiatric ward. Then he took me to the president thanks to one young woman on board the starship."

"Samantha Carter?"

"Yes, Miss Carter. She helped to get me to the president. Then I got a clearance from him so I can now travel here every time I want."

"That's weird, mom." Elizabeth smiled a little awkwardly.

"I know, sweetheart." Susan hugged her daughter again. "It will get easier in time."

"I need to make a call in Mister Woolsey's office. It will not take long. Then I will take you to some quarters, okay?"

"I have already met Mister Woolsey, he is a really nice man."

"I know." Elizabeth walked with her mother for a while. Then she stopped and turned her direction. "Mom, there is something I need to tell you..." She smiled putting a hand on her still flat belly. "I'm pregnant."

"Oh, sweetheart, that's wonderful." Susan hugged her daughter.

They were sitting in the glass office above the Gate room of Atlantis talking.

"Are you sure you want to go?" He asked.

"Yes, I am, Richard." Elizabeth answered angrily. "I am the source of this whole mess and I should be there to take the blame."

"But with your condition..."

"I'm pregnant, Richard, not gravely ill!"

"And you're cranky..."

Elizabeth looked at him with disappointed expression which softened very quickly

"I'm sorry, Richard. It's just ... It's just I don't want my people to have trouble because they helped me."

"And you want to go through with your idea."

"You think it's insane, don't you?" She smiled.

"No, I just think you should keep it far from the IOA until it is planned."

"That's honest." She commented. "I'm going to go back to Washington soon, there I can start some preparations. If you can back me up on it."

"I will." He declared. "I think it can work, you know."

"By the way, thank you for notifying my dean about my absence."

"No problem." He stood up and neared a small table. "More tea?"

"I'm glad you're home again." John pulled Elizabeth closer. "You are overtaxing yourself and I don't like it."

Elizabeth laughed softly.