Pairing: Sparky, with mentions of Teyla/Ronon

Spoilers: This takes place in season 3 after 'McKay and Mrs. Miller' so spoilers up to that point.

Disclaimer: I don't own them, if I did things would be going much differently this season

Summary: Elizabeth discovers just how creative betting is in Atlantis, which leads to some surprising results.

Author's note: Well, guys this is the one you've all been waiting for! Hopefully I've done it justice. Let me know what you think!!

Elizabeth continued to follow John after they left the conference room. She realized that now would be as good of time as any to have their talk. Putting it off any longer would really only make things more uncomfortable between them. She was trying to ignore the sinking feeling in her stomach when John stopped suddenly in the hallway and turned to face her. He gave her a questioning look and she nodded. Without speaking they went through the closest doorway, out onto a balcony.

She followed John to a far corner of the balcony so they were out of sight of anyone that may be passing by and watched as he sat down the box of their winnings on a nearby bench. Suddenly she realized that this was the balcony she had found John on all those weeks ago to ask about the bets. Who would have predicted then what had happened.

They stood there for a moment, leaning sideways against the balcony. Although she was facing John, Elizabeth couldn't quite meet his eyes. She didn't want to see the look on his face right now.

"Radio." John said, stretching out his hand.

"What?" She glanced up at him.

"You may have noticed that we tend to get interrupted quite a lot when we attempt to have any sort of important conversation. So, we are both going to take off our radios."

"Okay," she agreed, and handed over her earpiece. Now that she had started looking at him, it seemed that she couldn't stop. John placed their radios on the bench and their conversation lapsed into silence.

"John, we can't" Elizabeth said in a low voice, shattering the quiet moments later. She watched as a flash of pain crossed his face, but he remained silent. Surprised by this lack of reaction, she explained, "It's completely against the rules. The IOA would find out, and when they did….….Atlantis can't afford to have you or I shipped back to Earth. I've thought about it and tried to figure a way around it, but it's just not possible."

"Can I say something now?" John asked with a gleam in his eyes.

Elizabeth nodded and found herself pulled into a bone melting kiss that was over too quickly. When she opened her eyes, John was giving her a soft smile.

"I don't think it's really against the rules," he said, reaching down to stroke her cheek lightly.

"How so?" She ducked her head, not quite able to handle his gaze.

"Well, it's true that you're my boss, but you're not military. And in military situations, I'm kind of your boss. So I figure it all evens out."

John leaned in and Elizabeth got lost in another kiss that left her breathless.

"And, you said yourself that Atlantis can't afford to lose us." John continued with a bigger grin, this time twirling one of her curls gently around his finger. "I think that after all that's happened recently the IOA realizes that."

Elizabeth felt John start to move again, and quickly maneuvered herself out of his arms. She couldn't think straight when she was that close to him.

"That's the idea." John responded with a smirk, and Elizabeth realized that she had said that last part out loud. "It's my own special negotiating technique."

She took another step away from him and drew in a deep breath. "But we can't know any of that- about the IOA and how they view the rules- for sure."

"Look Elizabeth, there's only going to be a problem if we let us get in the way of our jobs. That is not going to happen. And by the time anyone finds out, we'll have proven to them it's not a problem."

"What if it is a problem though?" She had lost her composure and was rambling while gesturing wildly with one hand. "Once we start this, I don't think I'll be able to walk away. Just preparing myself for this conversation over the last day has been horrible. And you stay over there." She added when he took a step closer.

"In my opinion, having you is enough motivation to make sure it's not a problem." His voice was deadly serious and then softened a bit. "This last month has been amazing and I want that all the time. So the only question is what do you want?"

Elizabeth couldn't tear her eyes away from him. He had never looked at her like that before, his hazel eyes a swirling sea of emotion and yet stripped bare.

"I want you." She said quietly.

Elizabeth would never forget the expression on John's face when she uttered those three words. He took two steps, pulled her toward him, and gave her lingering kiss, soft but somehow more intense than anything else they had shared.

"Thank god, because I was running out of ways to convince you." He said in a voice rough with emotion and relief a moment later.

"Oh, I think your special negotiating technique is very effective," she commented once she gained the power of speech again. "I may need to learn that one."

"I'm a very good teacher." He flirted back with a particularly suggestive smirk, leaning forward to steal another quick kiss. "But you can't use it on anyone else."

"Hmmm…..okay." Elizabeth replied, leaning forward to snuggle in against John's chest as he ran a hand through her hair. "You know, that bet was kind of like training. Although, we're going to have to keep a low profile on this rather than try to stir up gossip."

"Operation Secret Rendezvous."

"Yeah." She lifted her head to grin at him. They had to make this work.

"Which has gotten me thinking-"

"Why am I suddenly worried." She teased.

"Hey! My last idea turned out great." John protested.

"True."

"As I was saying," John grabbed her hand and pulled her toward the door. "Did you know that the puddlejumper is a fascinating machine? And I think I need to show you more of its internal features."

"But John, whatever are we going to do in the back of a puddlejumper?"

The End