Okay, first off...in the midst of the angst that defines this story, thank you for this: "the image she is met with as the door slides open is of wild green eyes, tousled hair and slightly parted lips". That's an image I don't mind comptemplating at all, thank you very much. So perfectly descriptive; I can just see him standing there. "roughly pulling her into his room and against his bare chest" -- Not difficult reading there, either ;) "But if John Sheppard tells her that he loves her, honestly conveying that one simple truth with expressive green eyes, then that is not ok. Because it would be unacceptable that her own eyes fill with tears she's not allowed to shed in the knowledge that she can't say it back." -- ACK! So very sad! Why can't she say it? Is she not in love with him, or is she afraid to say it...afraid of what it would mean. I like the second option better. Anyway, excellent writing...great job. I'm off to read the sequel now.

Author's Response: Oh honey, I wouldn't mind descibing that man all day long! lol...As to why Elizabeth can't say it back, that's for you to decide, but I'd like to think she does love him and maybe can't say it because of their positions in Atlantis, for the greater good and all that...(I'm running off season 1 mind you, we don't get season 2 here for another year and a half *cries*) But, thankyou so much for your feedback, very much apreciated.