AN: I don't own anything... I don't make anything. blahblah. You know the drill
This is a little idea that popped into my head a while ago. It takes place after Season 2... but before the episode "Sunday". Very little hearted. Lots of flirt. Enjoy. VigilSoul
Arriving Again
Laura Cadman stared out the window of the Daedalus, looking at the planet that was home to Atlantis. No matter how many times she made this journey between the two galaxies, the nostalgia was never lost on her. Never in a million years did she think she would ever traveled to outer space. But to travel beyond the solar system, to explore new worlds, to be able to watch this magnificent blue planet grow closer and closer: it was more than she had ever dreamed of.
Laura chuckled as a long forgotten memory floated into her mind, an elderly gentleman with greying hair and crystal blue eyes. The recruitment officer who talked to her into joining the Marines. "You'll travel all over, darlin'" he had told her over and over again. She wondered if this is what he meant.
"Wow, that is impressive." A voice interrupted her musings. Laura turned her head to see Lt. Smith join her at the window. They had worked together briefly at Area 51, and seeing a familiar face on the 18 day trip aboard the Daedalus had created a loose friendship.
She nodded in agreement. The younger man's awed expression as he gazed out to the approaching planet made Laura smile. She could relate perfectly.
"This is what, your second time here?" He asked her.
"Yeah, second time." She confirmed. Nearly a year had passed since her first prolonged stay in the Pegasus Galaxy, giving her plenty of time to think about all that had happened to her. Pegasus was not an easy place to be, she of all people understood this. Whether it be exploring alien planets or exploring their own city, death could literally be lurking around the corner. And then of course there was the Wraith. Laura shuddered involuntarily just thinking about them.
The Wraith scared her. But she could deal with that. Laura Cadman was no stranger to the dangers a hostile enemy presented. And her military training gave her a clear head in crisis situations. The Wraith, and anything they could throw at her, Laura could handle.
It was the weird stuff that happened in Atlantis Laura had trouble with. Alternate realities, time travel, or (her favorite) having your consciousness shoved into someone else's body. Those were the things that made your head hurt just thinking about it. Laura smirked briefly wondering how McKay was.
"This is Colonel Caldwell," a voice suddenly came over the speakers, "We will be arriving at Atlantis in less than an hour. All personnel will first report to the infirmary for medical clearance. For those returning you have the same quarters as your previous stay. Anyone new to Atlantis will be escorted to a debriefing and you will be given your rooming assignment there."
Laura glanced over at Smith. His excited expression reminded her of a kid right before he could open his Christmas presents.
"What do we do in the mean time?" He asked her excitedly. Laura tried to remember when exactly she had taken him under her wing.
"Go get your things," she told him while stifling a laugh.
"Right." He said and took off down the hall to his quarters.
Still shaking her head at Smith's behavior, Laura headed back to her own room to pick up her gear. As she threw her bag over her shoulder, Laura felt the ship's gravity shift slightly. They had just entered the atmosphere. A surge of anticipation and excitement coursed through her entire body. She was back to Atlantis at last.
