Summary: A new life for scientist Anna on Atlantis. Does she know what she is letting herself in for?
Spoilers: Possible minor references to all seasons.
Warnings: None
A/N: The first two chapters are a bright and breezy introduction to the OC Anna settling into her new life on Atlantis. The later five chapters continue with a darker adventure and romance. The main romance is between Lorne and Anna; with Sheppard and Lorne whump and angst.
The Life and Times of Dr. Anna Maria Kelton
Every journey starts with the first step……..
And there she was. Doctor Anna Maria Kelton, standing in the Gateroom, in front of the event horizon, in another galaxy and many light years from home. Atlantis. All the theories made real in one swift kawoosh of the Stargate. She didn't even feel any physical discomfort, surprisingly, only a huge thrill and excitement that made her want to laugh out loud. But she didn't. All the other travellers with her were so much more subdued and controlled. They were after all, marines. The military seem to have their emotions much more buttoned down. She was the only civilian in this batch.
She recognized Colonel Carter as she came forward to greet them all.
"Welcome to you all. As you all know I'm Colonel Samantha Carter, leader of this base. You'll all be escorted to your quarters to settle in before you are given your assignments. She looked over and recognised Anna.
"Doctor Kelton, I'm very glad to see you again."
"Colonel Carter, it's fantastic to be here."
"You look just how I felt when I had my first trip. All those theories made real."
"Yes exactly." Anna enthused.
Colonel Carter glanced towards a marine and then looked back at Anna "Captain Sanders will show you to your quarters and then later she will take you to the labs to meet Dr. Mckay. You'll be working with him. You have one hour. "
Unlike Colonel Carter whom she had met before on a couple of occasions on earth, Anna had never met McKay but she knew of his reputation. Brilliant but very quirky, some said. Still, she had worked with many unusual and peculiar scientists in her line of work, some wonderful, some not so. She could handle him she thought. How hard could it be?
The two walked down the corridor towards the sleeping quarters. Coming towards them were two men and a women, chatting and laughing. The tall, dark haired guy dressed in a black t-shirt and black combat pants, looked over to them. "Captain."
Captain Sanders nodded and replied "Sir."
Anna gave Sanders an enquiring look. Very nice looking guys indeed she thought.
"That's Colonel Sheppard, Ronon and Teyla" she said with more than just a hint of excitement.
"Interesting. So that's Colonel Sheppard. I've read a bit about him."
"Yes, you'll get to know them all soon enough, they're the talk of this place.
Many of the women here have their designs on the Colonel" Captain Sanders sighed.
"Really? Very attractive guy yes, but I'm so not interested. My poor heart couldn't stand another bruising. Well not at the moment." Anna replied.
"Ah, I understand, been broken hearted myself more than once."
They eventually arrived at the quarters that would be Anna's home for her stay in Atlantis. Inside she threw her bags on the floor and flopped on the bed for a few minutes just to take it all in. Then she started with the unpacking which took no time at all. She wasn't allowed to bring too much. Not that she minded. It wasn't as if there would much opportunity to dress up and go clubbing was there?
She thought she would take a quick look at Atlantis before her tour of the labs.
She wandered down through the corridors and found herself outside the gym.
Oh good, nice and close. I can get here early in the morning.
She peered inside and saw two men sparring and a few others standing around watching. One of the guys had just brought his opponent down on the mat with a thud; swept his leg behind the other guy's in a swift movement she knew very well herself.
"Major….." the guy on his back said as he was given a helping hand up.
"Same time again tomorrow Stevens, you need a bit more practice. OK everyone, that's it for today."
Anna turned and started back to her room as she wasn't quite ready to face all of those unknown faces at once. She heard footsteps behind her.
"Hey wait. Aren't you one of the new group which arrived today?"
Anna turned to face the Major. He was still wiping the perspiration off his face and hair with his towel which he then put around his neck.
"Hi. Yes I'm Dr. Anna Kelton. Pleased to meet you" and held out her hand. He took hold of it and gave it a firm shake.
"Major Evan Lorne. Always nice to see a new face. What do you think?"
"Well. Nice moves in there."
He laughed. "Thanks. But I meant Atlantis."
"Yes, I knew that" Anna smiled, blushing slightly. Dammit, he's so very cute. "So far I'm stunned, excited and thrilled to be here. I'll let you know again after I've had my meeting with Dr. McKay."
"McKay! Oh lucky you! You'll be the new civilian scientist then."
"Yes, that's me."
"Didn't see you as military."
"Do I have to salute you or anything?" Anna cheekily enquired.
The Major smiled "I don't think that's necessary, unless you want to of course."
"You sound as if you don't like Dr McKay? Is there anything I should know?" "Weeeell"… The Major hesitates. She'll find out soon enough, he thought "I don't think you'll have any problems with him though Doc."
What does he mean by that I wonder?
After a short walk they found themselves by Anna's door. Captain Sanders was waiting. Anna looked over to Major Lorne and said "Looks like I'm wanted. Duty calls."
Major Lorne gave a little wicked knowing smile. "Have a good time!"
Anna was now outside the lab door where she could see Dr. McKay peering at his laptop, engrossed in some calculations. Captain Sanders had beaten a hasty retreat with some lame excuse, so now she was alone and had to introduce herself to McKay.
Anna entered the lab and gave a little cough. Dr McKay carried on working. Cough. Cough again.
"Hmmmm what? What is it?" Dr McKay looked up and saw Anna standing there.
She held out her hand "I'm Dr Anna Kelton your new assistant, pleased to meet you Dr McKay."
" Oh yes… yes. I've been expecting you." His eyes lit up and he smiled broadly. He's always had a soft spot for blondes!
Sheppard, Ronon and Teyla were sitting in Colonel Carter's office discussing their next mission.
"I think it would good practise for her to go with you on this one. The mission is routine and the planet very friendly." Colonel Carter was saying to Sheppard.
"Maybe, but she hasn't had any training with the jumper or with the weapons yet." Sheppard argued.
"We all had to start somewhere and anyway she's smart, she'll learn fast. McKay can look after her."
Ronon laughed "Poor girl."
"Don't be so hard on Rodney; he can be very caring and brave when he needs to be." Teyla chipped in.
Sheppard sighed "OK then but I still have my reservations."
In the lab Rodney was delighted. In his head he had a new playmate. He was talking non stop, bragging to Anna about his successes on Atlantis; his naquadah improvements then onto nanites, hive ships, replicator base codes...Anna listened carefully and patiently, nodding at the most appropriate places, a smile here, and a wow there. She knew how to please. She knew this male scientist had the biggest of egos and she knew how to massage it. A few hours later there was a communications to McKay from Sheppard to meet in the locker room and to bring Dr. Kelton.
"Oh right. Looks like we're going off world. How would you like that?" he asked eagerly.
"Me? Really? Great. Show me the way." Anna said excitedly. She breathed a sigh of relief. I don't think you realise Dr. McKay that you haven't stopped talking about yourself in three hours!
In the locker room Anna gears up with the regulation kit.
"I don't think you'll need one of these" Sheppard says looking at a P90 but I think you should have this. He gives her a small pistol with a holster to attach to her leg.
"I've read your file and you're pretty proficient with it I see."
"Yes. But only at targets." Anna replied.
"You will not have need of it, I'm sure Dr. Kelton." Teyla reassured her.
"Yes it's just a precaution." McKay said hopefully.
On route to the Gateroom they pass Major Lorne and his team returning to the locker room and Lorne and Anna exchanged glances.
"Hey Doctor Kelton. How's it going?" Lorne asked with a smile.
"So far so good." and gives a little knowing nod towards McKay and looked back to Lorne with a wry smile.
Ronon and Sheppard look at each other with a little grin, which Anna picked up on.
"What?" Anna protested.
"Nothing. Its just you've just gone a really nice shade of pink. You've met Major Lorne before I see." Sheppard smirked
Anna puts her hand to her face and could feel the heat. "Yes. I met him when I first arrived and we had a brief chat. He was very welcoming." She said defensively.
"And I'm not blushing, I'm just not used to all this heavy gear" she lied.
McKay was a taken back and all he could mutter was "Humpf"
Teyla frowned at Sheppard and Ronon who were still enjoying their wind up. "Yes Major Lorne is much liked and respected here in Atlantis."
Arriving in the Gateroom, Sheppard called to the technician to dial the gate. The gate activates with its kawoosh and Anna smiled in wonder. Wow. My first mission, this is so exciting.
Much later Sheppard, Ronon and Teyla were in the mess hall eating and drinking and talking about their last mission when Anna strode over to them and sat down beside Sheppard. She was not happy. "You just knew that would happen didn't you?"
"What?" Sheppard said innocently.
"I've just been to see McKay in the infirmary, to see how he was doing, took him a gift, as you suggested and he nearly had a heart attack."
"Really? What happened?"
"I took him lemon mousse. He was mortified. Thought I was trying to kill him."
Sheppard and Ronon could no longer contain themselves. Teyla rolled her eyes upwards.
"You said he loved citrus fruits, his favourites you said"
"Weeeell. I just may have been telling a bit of fib there. Sorry Anna. I would so love to have seen his face though. Oh my god that's so funny." Sheppard finally stops laughing and reduces it to a chuckle. "Anyhow, how is his ankle?"
"The Doc says he has to keep off it for a few days and then he should be back to normal. How did he do that anyway? All I saw was him fall to the ground screaming, saying he had broken his leg." Anna was surprised that her first mission was cut short by something so ordinary. A twisted ankle no less!
"He put his foot in a pothole. Wasn't looking where he was going." Ronon could now talk again after getting control of himself as well.
Anna's eyes narrowed "Well you two. You now owe me one, big time."