This is a book in the series that underwent a lot of changes. When I first started outlining the "Episodes" of this series, this one had a much different plot line. Right up until the day I started to write it. In the middle of the night, a new idea hit me and the entire story changed lol. But, I can agree with my subconscious brain that this plot was much better than the original plan!

I wanted to also take a moment, to thank those who have read this far, reviewed, and just in general said something. Y'all rock!

Thanks!

Beastie


"They stood there pretending to just be friends when all the while everyone in the room could plainly see that they were only existing for each other."

John could not help but stand in wonder of the spectacle before him, he was still not used to the fact that the newest members of the expedition were the most unique he had been around. Standing with Ronon, they leaned against the hull of the jumper where it was parked in the town square of a small settlement. Both men watching as Teyla supervised the many children that were currently using Castiel as a jungle gym. The dragon full sized, laying down peacefully as the youngsters of the town climbed and slid around on him. His head resting on the ground as some of the young girls happily braided the mane around his face and ears. The animal was a saint, seeing as a few others had started to smear war paint across his grey scales. He had to remind himself that the dragon had probably gone through all of this in his past, when Forrest was a child. Teyla close by, making sure none of them managed to fall from the dragons back or neck. A few sitting In the saddles on the dragon's body, attempting to urge him upward. But the dragon dozed happily in the sun, paying no mind to them.

Carson had managed to get Forrest to go with on this mission, seeing as she had been bouncing back and forth between the city infirmary and the clans on the mainland for the past week. Helping establish good relations between the Athosians and dragons. She had been overseeing the plans for the construction of the clan homes, and so far things had been going smoothly. But the doctor had seen it wearing on her, having found her asleep at his desk on more than one occasion. He had hardly been able to spend time with her, and after the day the dragons came he had longed for nothing more than to spend time in her company. He had managed to get her to tag along on a medical relief mission to one of their oldest allies. With the promise of Castiel going with, along with John, Ronon, and Teyla she had agreed. He knew she would enjoy it, the people of the small settlement simple, but all lovely.

They both worked inside the main church of the town. Their medical gear set up along the tables as people passed in and out of the building. The pair of doctors working separate from one another, working to help the people that came to them. From sprained ankles, to old wounds to be checked, some vaccines here and there they had it covered. They had been there for two days now, and in those two days he had learned many things about her, that left him in awe in every sense. In the infirmary he had seen her work with people, be it marines who had gotten too bold sparing with Teyla or Ronon, to scientists that had miscalculated where control crystals went. She was a stern doctor, but understanding one. She worked in a way he admired, able to ensure that they listened to her orders. He knew he had a tendency to be a bit of a push over, but she had not let herself get into the habit. Her orders were to be followed, or a certain winged ally would make them listen. Yet here, there was the side of her he wanted to see.

The way she interacted with the people of this world was different. The way she walked, talked, and worked with these people was much more gentle and nurturing than back on Atlantis. To his own shock, she worked better with the children than he did. It had always been his strong point, working with young kids. He was one of the few on the base that would happily work with them. But nothing like Forrest. She had explained many times, that children on Loonrian had become a very rare thing by the time she reached medical school. She had rarely gotten to help them, seeing as she was in training. Here, she took on a motherly role he had never seen from her before. Her voice able to sooth even the most upset child, and with Castiel at her side she was able to keep the experience good. The dragon would hold and distract the child while she performed her exams, all the while she would tell them of the mighty beasts. Of course, Carson knew some of what she said was a stretch. Telling how dragons could bring down entire Wraith cruisers, or that they could control the weather in large numbers. As far fetched as the stories she wove were, they worked, and had made checking on all the youngsters of the village a breeze on the first day.

The other thing he had learned, was that he was not really the biggest mother hen of the base, even if most of its occupants referred to him as such. At least, not compared to Castiel. Carson knew he was normally the one to worry over everyone, be it away or on base. But the dragon had proved, that he was the one who watched out for everyone; be it ensuring they all ate something, or rested when need be. Even making coffee for them while they worked as he had on Atlantis. The overnight missions were always enjoyable, even more so when they were simple and more laid back like this one was. Castiel had been the one to make sure they were all safe at night, forcing even John and Ronon to rest while he stayed awake and kept watch.

The small cabin they had been given to sleep in was cozy, and though the floor was hard they all could find a relaxing peace inside. He had watched Castiel shrink, and curl next to Forrest. The dragon on his stomach resting between Forrest and Carson with a wing stretched protectively over her. Carson had found himself slightly annoyed, seeing as it had been a chance to be close to her and the dragon had blocked him. But sometime in the night, the dragon had stretched his other wing over them all protectively. It had caused everyone to be a bit shocked, but at the same time there had been a silent unanimous agreement that the dragons protectiveness over them all was a good thing.

Castiel had taken it upon himself to keep watch over the children, with Teyla, of course, joining in. The entire village had been a bit nervous of the dragon at first. But watching him work alongside Forrest and Carson alike had swayed them. Even now, many were standing and watching as the dragon put up with the antics of the youngsters without so much as a huff. Carson sighed, sure things could be a challenge, but he had found this mission to have been an enjoyable one. Smiling at the young woman who's arm was before him, having freshly stitched a decent sized cut along her forearm. "These will dissolve in a few days time, and you will be good as new. You are good to go lass." She smiled at him, before standing and walking out of the church leaving the two doctors alone in a moment of silence.

"Seems like a great time to go find something to eat." Forrest's familiar voice like music to his ears as he turned from where he had been sitting. "Great idea." He watched as she set one of the hand held scanners on the table she had been using before peeling the latex gloves off her hands. "and make sure my dragon has not been kidnapped." He laughed, standing as she walked over and matching her stride for the door. "We should be ready to head back soon right?" She asked as they walked out into the sunlight. Carson's eyes quickly wide seeing the smears of bright colored paint that now covered the dragon's hid legs and tail. "Yes actually, we should be ready to go here in the next few hours." "Sweet." He knew her well enough that being off-world still left her a bit on edge. Maybe the simplicity of this mission would bring her around for more.

*someone having fun?* She teased as she looked at her partner who now had braids and flowers in his mane. *I am actually, these kids are all very sweet.* She could feel his enjoyment of the situation. *Plus, they are all small enough that I can sleep* Oh how the dragon enjoyed spending most his days laying in the sun asleep. She rolled her eyes, as she walked with Carson towards the jumper. Seeing John lean himself back up and turn towards them. "Well, how are things going?" Both doctors knew the two men were board out of their minds with this mission, they had figured it out within the first few hours of being here. "Lovely actually." Carson was quick to respond as he walked into the back of the jumper, digging for something the both of them could eat.

"Much better than last time I was off world." She had to admit, as on edge as she felt at times she was enjoying herself. The atmosphere of the village laid back, and the people kind. Then, of course, the views. The planet reminded her of Loonrian in the summer. The tall pines a dark shade of green, and the air holding just a bit of humidity. Loonrian in its prime, during the warm summer months. Her heart and mind would drift back to that as the earthy smell of the trees enveloped her senses. John smirked, "Oh much better." She could see it in the taller man's eyes. He was restless, typical of his breed. She had been around enough military men at the university to know the look. "So when are we gonna be done Doc?" Ronon looking up with a frustrated tone, as much as he tried to hide it. Carson walked back out of the jumper, handing Forrest a few of the power bars he had managed to gather. "Just a wee bit longer, a few hours at most." It was not the response that Ronon had been wanting, as he let his head tip into the hull of the jumper with a light thud. Even John seemed to almost groan as they both got the answer they had been fearing.

Forrest understood though, they were not exactly being kept busy by the happenings of the village. Since most the town was preoccupied with the presence of Castiel. Teyla had been the only one to really keep busy, working with Castiel to control the masses of kids that swarmed over him. But even with that, the three were there for the sake of Forrest. A full jumper and three well-armed and capable people able to keep her feeling safe. It had been one of the few reasons she had agreed to go along. She sighed, knowing that she had been pretty much the reason for their restlessness. As she looked at the food in her hands for a moment in silence. "Why don't you guys just head back?" Three heads turned and looked at her puzzled. Confused by her train of thought.

"We are only going to be a few more hours. We can easily load all of the gear on Castiel and fly for the gate on him. Not like there is anything between here and the gate that could bring him down." Carson followed her logic, though the idea of flying for nearly four hours on a dragon was not exactly something he looked forward to. Considering his last ride was also his first, and a few months in the past. "Forrest that is a great idea." He could see the life return to the Colonel and Ronon alike, at the idea of getting to leave early. "Castiel can easily take care of you both." "Aye, I guess we could do that." There was a hint of unease in his voice, but Forrest either did not notice or chose to ignore it. "Will be a good chance to enjoy the view, the jumper flies too fast too enjoy it." Her comment at the ship seemed to almost insult John. "Rude." But the smirk that followed proved it was all in good fun.

"You guys need anything out of the jumper? Or are we good to just load Teyla and leave?" "Colonel I am surprised you are okay with this." Carson's innocent attempt at trying to get out of flying on the dragon's back to the gate had no effect "You two will be fine, besides. I am sure anyone wanting to hurt you two will be shut down pretty quick by someone." John had already gauged the Scots dislike of the idea of flying. But John may or may not have placed bets on the outcome of this mission with Lorne, and he was all for stacking the odds in his favor.

"You will both be fine. If You both are not through the gate in say, 10 hours we will come back for you." Ronon had already walked over to Teyla, obviously gathering her up to go home. Leaving Castiel watching curiously to the conversation being had. Not that he minded, the world was rather beautiful and flying in a familiar air current would be enjoyable. Forrest smiled, as she turned to Carson who had finally realized he was not getting out of the flight. "It will be fun, where is your sense of adventure?" She sounded like a child, as he looked down to her. "If the fact I am in another bloody galaxy is not enough of a sense of adventure, what the hell is?" There was a collective laughter, from everyone that surrounded the jumper.

It did not take long for what was not needed to be packed. Leaving the pair of doctors with what little they would need to finish up the last of the medical evaluations. Seeing as the most severe had been taken care of the previous day, it left them with minor things for the remaining few hours. Most of the children that had been playing on Castiel had grown tired, and with happy parents were ushered back to their homes to rest. Leaving the dragon with a body covered in paint scribbles of various colors, the mane around his face and down his neck braided in a variety of ways with local flowers tangled within. Forrest had to admit, he looked absolutely adorable as he lay around the jumper watching as Ronon and John loaded the last box inside.

"Well you three, looks like we are ready to head out." John stating as he stood in the back of the jumper, looking at the two doctors. He could tell Carson was still not 100 percent on the new plan, but he could get over it. "We should be good." Forrest happily said as she looked into the jumper were Teyla and Ronon were sitting in the front. "I think you both will. Doc, I expect her home by 1800 hours." Before Carson could even respond, John had turned and walked into the front of the jumper, closing the hatch behind him. Carson was quick to turn and head towards the church. Not waiting for Forrest, in hopes, she would not notice the slight shade of red his face was from the Colonel's remark.

"You agreed to that quite quickly Colonel, may I ask why?" Teyla had been the first to ask, as the jumper lifted off from the ground. But he only smirked. "Well, lets just say that I have a bit of a wager with Major Lorne on something, and the opportunity to up my odds presented itself. So I took it." Teyla raised an eyebrow at him, before speaking. "Are you going to explain this wager to us?" He shook his head, "Nope, but you will know when I win."

Forrest had stayed behind, looking at Castiel she pulled out the small object that Elizabeth had gifted her the day after the Dragons came to Atlantis. It was a newer model Galaxy cell phone, without the phone. Elizabeth, being ever ahead of the game, had Rodney rig it up with some simple things. Such a translator and a map of the city for when she got lost. Most important to the Loonrian doctor, was the camera. The little device could capture a moment in time, like the ones they had on Loonrian. Smiling, she sat down in the grass and carefully took a picture of the sleeping Castiel. She had rarely taken any back on their homeworld, seeing as she never felt the need. But now, knowing how easily it can all be lost she wanted to have as many memories as she could. Moments like these when her partner had been reduced to a child's toy.

Carson had stopped in the door way of the church, regaining his composure as he turned and looked back out to see that Forrest had not followed after him. She was contently sitting in the grass, with the phone that Elizabeth had gotten her. Having such a free connection to Earth had many upsides, but seeing the Loonrian taking pictures of her dragon he realized that this was one of the better outcomes of it. He just stood for a moment, looking at her in the beautiful sunlight. Noticing how her arms had started to tan more, as she adjusted to the regular warm weather and sunlight of Lantea. It made him smile, and he had to admit the past week had been rather hard on him. He had hardly gotten to see her, even their normal morning routine had been disrupted.

She was tired, and according to Castiel, the night they spent in the cabin on the floor had been her first good night's sleep in a while. Yet she wore exhaustion with grace, and never let it show. He could not say the same for himself. As he stood in the doorway, watching her smile at her best friend it hit him. Colonel Sheppard had set this up in a way. "Cheeky buggar.." he muttered it to himself, realizing that the pilot had decided to give the pair a chance to spend time together, alone. Forrest had suggested it to keep them from dying of boredom, but John had been the one to agree and encourage it. Carson was not sure if he should be offended, or thankful for the opportunity provided. Either way, he would enjoy the time he had with her, seeing as it was a chance to. When they returned to the city, it would probably be back to how it had been for the past week.