Title: Breaking the Silence
Author: Snowy Plains
Rating: PG
Disclaimer:I don't own these characters, and I think CBS/Alliance Atlantis/Jerry Bruckheimer does. I don't own Skittles or Saran Wrap either.
Note: Uh, it's a little choppy . . . be nice please. My second one in a week . . . oh man.

"Hey Sara, anyone ever tell you that driving is not your forte?"

"Shut up, Stokes." she snarls at me.

In all honesty, there was nothing wrong with her driving, but it would be at least an hour's ride back to the lab (from the desert collecting nothing in particular), and I needed something to break the monotony. Besides, she had just run a red.

The silence had returned. I wasn't about to about to turn on the radio, since I know she hates country, which happens to be the ONLY thing I like. This left only one thing to do: catch up on some sleep. But I don't think I had even been asleep for 10 minutes when I was awakened by a sudden jerk stop and a grunt.

I looked over and saw that Sara had pulled over and was attempting to remove her jacket and top without undoing her seat belt. Sara, the picture of efficiency. Apparently, removing her seat belt would take up too much time. But after watching her struggle for around 30 seconds or so, I rolled my eyes and hit the release button on her seat belt for her.

"What the...oh, thanks." Evidently she hadn't noticed that I had woken up. She peels off her sweaty windbreaker, and I watch as she strips off her t-shirt next, leaving only a tight, muted red tank top on. I take out a five dollar bill and start waving it. "Would this be an appropriate reaction for such a spectacle?"

Sara flung her clothing into the backseat, and resumed driving. "Very funny Nick, it's hot outside."

I sigh. She was not about to be coaxed into talking. I rummaged through my bag for some food, and retrieved a bag of Skittles.

That broke the silence.

"Oh, can I have one?" she asks expectantly.

"No." I grin.

"Aw, come on Nick...just one" she wheedles. She holds out her hand.

"Nice try, Evel Knievel." I take a jab at her driving. "Keep your hands on the steering wheel." She glares at me, and I shrug. I take out a Skittle and hold it by her mouth, praying that she doesn't just shove my hand away. She doesn't. Instead, she takes the Skittle, and my fingertips into her mouth, licking them slightly. I freeze.

"Thanks Nick."

I can't look at her.

My fingertips are tingling.

I lean back into the seat and let out a shaky breath. It was so subtle it had to be unintentional, But now I couldn't think about anything else.

We were off the freeway now, and at a red light, about 15 minutes from the lab. Sara was twisted over, trying to retrieve something from the back seat.

"Need some help?" I venture, thankful for the momentary interruption of my thoughts. "The light's about to turn green."

"Nah, I got it." She deposits the finding on her lap and hits the gas. I look as she unwraps it with one hand. Banana bread in Saran Wrap, and obviously homemade. "I didn't have breakfast." she shrugs.

"I never knew you baked."

"Yeah, well, it was a special occaision." she mumbles through a mouthful. The stale air in the car quickly becomes saturated with the scent of the bread, and my stomach grumbles loudly. Sara snorts. "Want a piece?"

"Please." I had forgotten that I hadn't had breakfast either. Before I could move, she holds out a piece to my mouth, just as I had done with her earlier, and looks at me, her eyes betraying nothing. I smile at her, taking both the bread and more than just her fingertips into my mouth, then licking them again. Her expression doesn't change in the slightest, and she goes back to driving. I sigh. I knew she had never been attracted to me. Not today, and probably not ever.

But I glance over at her, and am immediately buoyed by the sight of her, touching her damp fingertips to her lips, and smiling.