Title: Into the Woods

Author: Ellex

Rated :PG-13

Feedback: Please.

Archive: Sure.

Disclaimer: Not mine. Haven't you figured that out yet?

A/N: Thanks to everyone for the FB and concrit. It helped so much. I haven't completely rewritten this, just tweaked it a bit, but you should still read it from the beginning.

Warning: Sequel to "Getting to Know You". Read it first!

Chapter One: Never Can Tell What Lies Ahead

John Sheppard always tried to be ready for anything every time he stepped through the Stargate, but today seemed to have caught him completely by surprise.

As he sprinted through the forest, trying to keep his footing on the slick carpet of dead leaves, he could hear Rodney panting harshly ahead of him, and an occasional breathless gasp from Serena, who was being supported – or more like dragged along – by Rodney. He couldn't hear Teyla up ahead at all, but that was normal. The flash of her bright copper hair reassured him that the Athosian woman was still leading their frantic race back to the Stargate.

The forest seemed brighter up ahead. They had nearly reached the small clearing in the huge old growth forest that held the 'gate. He began to mouth a thanks to any deity that might be watching over them so far from home, but the words died on his lips as he broke through the edge of the clearing. He almost ran into Rodney and Serena, who had stopped abruptly.

The Stargate was blocked a group of Wraith. They were trapped.

Earlier…

Sheppard's team gathered in front of the Stargate, performing their usual last minute checks of equipment. They were going through on foot this time – the MALP indicated that the forest grew so close to the gate that there wasn't enough clearance to take a Puddle Jumper through.

They were also minus one team member. Ford was still under orders from Dr. Beckett to stay off his broken ankle as much as possible. The young Lieutenant was prepared to be patient since he had been forced to wear the cast an extra three weeks. This time he wasn't going to prolong his recovery by putting too much strain on the broken bone before it was completely healed, especially since the cast had finally come off just the day before.

Taking his place temporarily was Serena Perry, the Expedition team's resident machinist. Although she had a doctorate, unlike most of the scientists she refused to be addressed by that title. Sheppard had been impressed by McKay's opinion of her and his own observations.

He watched as McKay helped her adjust her pack. They were grinning and joking around – unusual behavior for the normally pessimistic McKay, who seemed to enjoy predicting that every mission would end badly.

"Do you have your epinephrine? Chocolate bar? When did you last eat?" The machinist fussed over McKay like a mother hen.

He frowned down at her but she was undaunted. "I know how you get, Bear. You get excited and distracted and forget to eat, and your blood sugar drops…"

"I don't forget anymore, Serena. I had a couple of close calls working at Area 51, and I take much better care of myself now. Believe me. And you aren't my – " Rodney noticed Sheppard watching the interchange and cut himself off. "And don't call me Bear!"

Serena was unrepentant. "Of course not…Bear."

He relented and smiled down at her as she brushed dark brown hair away from her ear and adjusted her radio.

John found himself wishing that smile would be directed at him. It was a smile with history behind it, and trust. He'd never seen McKay this relaxed before a mission. Rodney had told John that he and Serena were close – "good friends", he'd said – but this seemed like more than that.

John's earlier actions had negated any chance of becoming even "good friends" with McKay. First he'd kissed the man, then had threatened him with violence if he ever spoke of the incident. Rodney's response had been to tell John that as far as he was concerned, nothing had happened.

True to his word, Rodney had acted as though nothing had happened. Except that their good-natured snarking had vanished into polite professionalism.

He tried to push it out of his mind as the gate whooshed open and Weir gave them the go-ahead.

TBC

A/N: The title of this story, the chapter titles, and the song Serena and Rodney were singing are all from the Broadway musical "Into the Woods", music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.