DISCLAIMER: None of the SGA characters belong to me. If they did, Elizabeth would’ve come out long ago. Instead, they belong to Brad Wright, Robert. C. Cooper and co.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thank-you Dawn for being my wonderful beta.
ARCHIVING: Only with the permission of the author.
Falling in Place
By teh_gandu
She hated this: hated being stuck in the middle-hated being divided by her professional and personal life.
Sometimes, when it came to Teyla, Elizabeth felt as if she was banging her head against a brick wall. And this just happened to be one of those times. Did she blame Teyla for giving her the cold-shoulder? No, but why couldn't she see? Why couldn't she understand?
"You can't save everyone. Regardless of what you believe, it's impossible," Elizabeth stated softly.
"I do not need a lecture, Elizabeth," Teyla replied sternly and somewhat irritably.
Elizabeth walked toward the younger woman and placed her hands on Teyla's shoulders. "I'm not trying to lecture, you. I just want you to see sense."
Teyla spun around and as perplexity began to surface as she maintained her anger. "Are you, telling me that I am not sensible?"
Elizabeth gazed searchingly and desperately at the Athosian as she cupped her face. "No. I'm just-"
Teyla wriggled out of the diplomat's grasp and stalked toward the far corner.
"It's not possible, Teyla. It's not possible to save everyone and that's my point."
"And yet, it is not impossible," came the rhetorical reply.
Elizabeth closed her eyes, letting out a deep sigh. "You've brought them here, only to face the inevitable."
"Death is inevitable."
Elizabeth gazed at Teyla, searchingly as she made her way toward the Athosian. "You know that isn't true." She took Teyla's hands into her own and crouched down. "We're outnumbered, with limited weaponry."
"My people are prepared to fight alongside your people. This is as much our battle, if not more, than it is yours."
Elizabeth ran her fingers over Teyla's. "I'm aware of that and it is rather honorable. However-"
Teyla stood up, again loosening her grasp from the diplomat's. "Do you not believe my people to be worthy to stand beside you and the rest of the terrans and fight?"
"This isn't about that and you know it," Elizabeth growled. "This is about you-us and-"
"Had you witnessed the culling that the Major and I witnessed, then we would not be having this conversation."
Teyla stalked toward the doors, her tone cold as she added, "I have to leave, now."
Elizabeth grabbed her hand, in a desperate attempt, only for Teyla to jerk her hand back. "We will have to agree to disagree," came the sharp reply.
The End