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Title: Happy Returns Pairing: J/E Rating: G Spoilers: None whatsoever! Summary: Back on Earth. Fluff! AN: Many thanks to A.J. for the beta and title suggestion. Yay! Oh yeah, and I don't own 'em, nor am I profiting from this in any way except happiness that it's done. ;) ****************************************** The room smelled of cigarettes and stale beer. The tavern was dimly lit, which suited John’s mood just fine. He sat at the bar, nursing a bottle and trying like hell to ignore the rest of the patrons, few as they were. They’d only been back on Earth for four days and he was already tired of the place. He knew General O’Neill was being kind in giving the Atlantis delegation a week of leave. It was time to go home and visit friends and family, and most of the delegation was taking full advantage of the opportunity. But John Sheppard didn’t exactly have a home to go back to, or family to visit. No friends to speak of, either. He’d been in Antarctica for two years before heading to Atlantis, and had never really set down roots anywhere prior to that. It was, he reflected as he took a sip from his beer, kinda depressing. “Lieutenant Ford said I might find you here.” John started at the familiar voice and looked up. “Elizabeth.” He looked around, mildly confused. “What are you doing here?” She shrugged, taking a seat on the stool next to his. “The base was too depressing. All that mountain pressing down was just too much. Guess I’ve gotten spoiled.” She grinned a little at him. John turned his bottle in his hands, looking down. “Yeah, I know what you mean.” He took a drink. After a moment, he became aware of her watching him, waiting for him to elaborate. He shrugged uncomfortably. “Everything here . . . it’s too loud, too cramped. I’ve never been big on crowds, but I used to at least be able to tolerate them. Now . . .” He grimaced. “Now we’re used to having an entire city to ourselves.” She was silent for a moment. “We’ve changed, John. Everything that’s happened . . . we’re not the same people we were when we left.” He gave her a long look as she accepted a beer from the bartender. “Weren’t you going to go visit what’s-his-face?” Her lips quirked. “Simon. I went to see him.” “I take it he didn’t like the new you.” She shook her head and sighed. “I don’t know what I expected. I wasn’t wanting to restart things with him, not really, but we’ve been friends forever, and I didn’t want to lose that. He was happy to see me, and it was nice to see him . . . but when I told him I was leaving again in just a few days, he got mad and said I shouldn’t have come back at all if I wasn’t staying. He said I was playing with his emotions, and he wouldn’t take it.” “He kicked you out?” John was incredulous. “Not quite, but I didn’t stay much longer. I know when I’m not wanted.” A sad smile ghosted her lips. John shook his head. “The man’s an idiot.” She raised an eyebrow. “For not wanting to deal with a woman who’s never here? Can you really blame him?” He shrugged. “He doesn’t want to get hurt, so he doesn’t let himself get attached. I get that. But any man who refuses an opportunity to spend time with a beautiful, brilliant woman is an idiot.” She gazed at him for a moment, surprised and a little amused. “How many of those have you had?” she asked, indicating his beer. He blinked at her. “This is only my second.” He grinned. “Maybe I’m just feeling lonely.” “Mm, and here I was thinking you came here to be alone.” “I came here to get away from everyone else.” He made a vague gesture towards the door, indicating the world at large and everyone in it. “You, I don’t mind so much.” The truth was, he was glad to see her. Over the last several months they had become close, and he’d gotten used to having her nearby. He hadn’t consciously thought of it the last few days, but now that she was here he realized that he had missed her. She cocked her head, giving him an appraising look. “I’ll take that as a compliment,” she said with a little smile. Looking around, she continued, “You know, John, it’s still early. We could find something better to do than sit in a bar all night.” He looked at her; looked at his beer. Thought about it. “Like what?” “I don’t know . . . How about a movie? General O’Neill suggested a few. Probably all mindless action, but it’s better than nothing.” John gave her his wounded puppy look, which she did her best to ignore. “What’s wrong with mindless action?” “I would think you get enough of explosions and gunfire on missions without having to see it on screen for entertainment, too.” “I dunno, it’s kinda nice to see explosions and shootings that can’t actually hurt me.” It made a bizarre kind of sense. Elizabeth shook her head. “Well, it won’t be the first time I’ve suffered through one for a man.” He grinned. ****************************************** They bickered amicably over movies before finally deciding on one – mindless action, as predicted, but Elizabeth didn’t really mind. The movie had been out for several weeks, and on a Tuesday night, they had the theater to themselves. They took full advantage, behaving like total teenagers – talking through the entire thing, laughing and throwing popcorn at the screen and each other. When the credits rolled, Elizabeth looked thoughtfully at the screen. “You know, I have no idea what that was about.” John flashed her a grin. “Best kind of movie.” She laughed. “Best kind of company, I think.” She stood up and grabbed his hand, tugging him up after her. “C’mon.” He looked surprised, but didn’t resist. “Where we going?” “Does it matter?” The look she gave him was playful, but something in it sent a tingle of anticipation through him. He laced his fingers through hers and smiled down at her. “Not a bit.”