Welcome Home Doctor Weir
by John O'Connor 
Disclaimer:  "Stargate Atlantis" and its characters
are the property of Stargate (II) Productions, SciFi
Channel, Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions,
and Gekko Productions. This story is for entertainment
purposes only and no money exchanged hands. No
copyright infringement is intended. The original
characters, situations, and story are the property of
the author.
Note: Slight spoilers for episode 2.2 "The Intruder". 
Rating: PG-13.
"Doctor Weir, as I said earlier - before you were
inundated with reports, welcome back to Atlantis.  And
may I add, you were missed."
Elizabeth Weir laughed at the alien woman's last
comment as she ran her eyes over the small stack of
data pads.  With a sigh, she added yet another report
to the stack on her desk.  She nodded to her friend,
"Thank you, Teyla.  It's...it's good to be back."  She
stood and stretched, "And it'll be good to lay in my
own bed again."
"May I walk with you, Doctor?"
"Please," Elizabeth replied as they headed down one of
Atlantis' myriad corridors.
"I cannot help but wonder at the architectural style
used by the Ancients," the Atlantis expedition leader
stated.
"Excuse me?  I am afraid I do not understand." 
Elizabeth gestured towards illuminated panels near a
corridor junction.  They were composed of angled,
backlit panels of various muted, complimentary colors
- predominantly earth tones. "This style is
reminiscent of a revered American architect of the
early 20th century."
Teyla gazed at the panels, asking, "Who was this
architect?"
"Frank Lloyd Wright.  I have relatives in the Midwest
who live in one of his Prairie Style homes.  He often
used a similar design, including stained glass panels,
in the homes and buildings he designed."  Elizabeth
shook her head, "A lot of his work, like many other
great architects of that period, is being lost. 
Fortunately, some of his greater works are being
preserved.  And I remember antique stores selling
windows preserved from homes that were eventually
lost."
The two regarded the panels for several moments.  "I
can't help but wonder if..."
Teyla turned her attention to her companion.  "If
what?"
Elizabeth laughed, "It's silly really, but I was
wondering if...Wright might've been..."
"An Ancient?" Teyla asked, her brow raised in
bemusement. 
"Well, I guess it's...unlikely.  To say the least,"
Elizabeth replied.
"Yes," Teyla replied simply.
They continued along the passage in comfortable
silence.  Reaching Elizabeth's room, the pair stopped.
 Elizabeth said, "Well, this is it.  Thank you for
walking me...home, Teyla."
Teyla smiled as she replied, "It was my pleasure,
Doctor...  Elizabeth."
When Teyla didn't move, Elizabeth asked, "Was there
something else?"
"I...wanted to tell you how sorry I am that things
didn't work out with your...  Colonel Sheppard told
me."
Elizabeth closed her eyes and sighed.  Again she was
shown how few secrets there were in Atlantis.  
"Teyla, thank you but there's nothing for you to be
sorry about."
"I know.  I was...commiserating."  Teyla smiled and
moved closer, "Elizabeth, I..."
Teyla stopped talking, took Elizabeth's face in her
hands and kissed the woman.
Elizabeth froze at the touch of the woman's lips on
hers but, when she felt Teyla's tongue brush her
closed lips, she automatically opened her mouth.  Her
tongue responded when Teyla gently invaded her mouth.
Teyla's hand moved through Elizabeth's short, dark
hair to hold her head gently while the other stayed
caressing her cheek.  Elizabeth's hands moved as well.
 One moved around to hold Teyla's slender waist and
the other combed through the woman's light brown hair.
Their lips parted for a moment as they both took deep
breaths, their eyes locked on each other.  Then Teyla
resumed their deep, passion-filled kiss.
Elizabeth felt her heart hammering in her chest and
was sure Teyla could feel it as well.  Her head was
swimming and her body was responding in other ways to
this alien woman who...was claiming her?
Teyla's heart and body were responding with equal
intensity.  She had desired this strong, commanding
woman for so long and now, it seemed, she had attained
her.
Finally, with more difficulty than she would hae
believed even five minutes before, Elizabeth drew
back. Her breathing was short and her face was
flushed.  "Teyla...  I never...imagined you felt this
way..."
"Elizabeth, I have felt strongly for you since I first
came to Atlantis.  I tried not to let my feelings
influence my actions but I do not believe I was always
entirely successful."
Elizabeth thought back and remembered several times
when Teyla supported her.  These were times when she
could easily have backed Major, now Colonel, Sheppard
or Rodney McKay.  Elizabeth had been grateful for the
support, never suspecting there might be an underlying
reason.
She cupped Teyla's cheek softly, "I had no idea. 
I..."
Teyla turned her face slightly and kissed Elizabeth's
palm softly.  "I had no intention of telling you in
this way but..."
Elizabeth combed back Teyla's short bangs gently,
saying, "I'm sorry, Teyla.  I...I wish I could feel
the same way but..."  She looked into brown, loving
eyes and shook her head sadly, "It's not that I'm not
interested.  It's just that..."
"I am a woman.  I understand your society's
convictions regarding this.  My people are not any
different."
Almost lying, Elizabeth decided after all to be
honest, "That is a part of it.  A small part.  But
it's just too soon after..."  Elizabeth couldn't bring
herself to say Simon's name in Teyla's presence.  It
just didn't seem right somehow.
"I understand Doctor.  I apologize for..."
Elizabeth gently grasped Teyla's arm and gave her a
small smile, "No.  You don't have to apologize.  You
did nothing wrong.  I'm just...not ready."
Teyla regarded her friend for a long moment, gave her
a small smile in return then nodded and moved down
corridor.
Elizabeth exhaled sadly.  She had to admit that, at
just about any other time, she might've been willing
to find out how deep their mutual attraction went. 
Maybe someday.  
* * *
Teyla was thinking similar thoughts.  She didn't
regret what happened but she did regret the timing. 
If only she had waited.
But one thing Teyla had learned in a galaxy ravaged by
the Wraith, time does heal.  And there was also always
the promise of tomorrow.
She smiled as she touched her lips lightly,
remembering Elizabeth's sweet taste.
Tomorrow.  Or the day after...
The End 
 (c) John O'Conner

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