Title: Beyond the Surface
Author: Azura Nyx
Characters: Nicholas Rush/Chloe Armstrong, Everette Young, Eli Wallace
Type: Comfort/Romance, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Length: ~3,900 words, 4 chapters
Warnings/Author's Notes: There are spoilers for "Human" and "Air Part 2"
Rating: PGish (K+)
Summary:Chloe learns to peer deeper into Dr. Rush's personality.
Chapter 1
In all her days of being aboard the Destiny, Chloe Armstrong never imagined she would be stuck on a tropical island with Dr. Nicholas Rush. All they were trying to do was find more alien technology, not get trapped on the damn planet. She peered over to the brooding, Scottish scientist as he used the computer pad to configure a calculation that may allow them to return to the Destiny before it jumped into FTL.
Of all people to be trapped on a planet with, why did it have to be him, Armstrong silently began thinking to herself.
"You never did fully explain why we can't just use the gate, Dr. Rush," impatiently remarked Chloe.
Nicholas sighed with frustration and peered over to his left where Ms. Armstrong was sitting next to him. "Oh? So you didn't hear the one-thousandth time I've mentioned, 'We don't have a DHD pad with us, and using the stargate's DHD on this planet would cause a major system overload,' then," he sarcastically answered.
"Of course I heard you say that, but you didn't clarify as to why it would cause a system overload!"
"Forgive me for being so blunt, Ms. Armstrong," a very pissed-off Nicholas started. "I know what you are trying to do and though I greatly appreciate it, you wouldn't understand this stuff anyway. You are not going to be much help. In fact, the best way you can assist me is to shut up and stop asking stupid questions!"
Infuriated, Chloe raised herself up from the lush, green grass and began to walk away into the forest.
"Where do you think you're going," inquired the apprehensive Dr. Rush.
"You're the genius! I'm sure you can figure it out."
"Okay, fine! I get that you're angry with me, but you can't just run off!"
Ms. Armstrong folded her arms across her chest. "Why not?"
"We have no idea what's out there," surmised Nicholas.
"Exactly! That's why I'm going to go into the forest and look around. Maybe there are some fruits, vegetables, or… whatever to eat."
"Yeah, and perhaps there are some wild animals in there that would eat us!"
Waving her hand in dismissal, Chloe merely said, "Whatever. You can either stay here or come with me. It's your choice. I'm going to explore the forest."
Without uttering another word, Armstrong went into the forest and Dr. Rush continued with his calculations. "Damn kids these days," he angrily mumbled.
The forest was absolutely beautiful! Chloe was fascinated by all of the vegetation here. She gently picked a fruit almost identical to a raspberry on Earth and ate it, savoring its sweet juices as it slid down her throat.
Oh my god! I haven't had fruit like this in months, Armstrong reflected.
She began picking as many as her bag would hold for herself and Dr. Rush. After all, there was no telling when they could finally return to the Destiny.
Leaves rustled and Chloe briskly turned around. Thinking it was only her imagination, she continued with her berry picking. Another minute or so passed and Ms. Armstrong heard movement behind her again, this time it was closer… much, much closer. She turned around and there really was something behind her. The creature was large; the size of a dinosaur and gold colored.
Instinctively, Chloe's eyes widened in fear and she screamed louder than she ever had in her life. Though running as fast as her legs could take her, she knew it was going to make her tired very quickly. It would be close to impossible to out-run the thing! If this wasn't bad enough, Armstrong tripped over an enormous rock. She tried relentlessly to get back up and continue running, but she couldn't: her leg was severely sprained. Chloe whimpered in pain, crawling away from the monster as hastily as possible. When the creature approached her, it came nearly face-to-face.
"Look over here, you over-sized bird," cried a familiar voice. It worked! The dinosaur- like creature directed its attention to Nicholas Rush, who was now shooting his M6C Socom Pistol at the beast. Granted, the gun was a small weapon but 100 shots through the head and torso area and 5 re-loads later, it finally killed the dinosaur.
Dr. Rush sprinted to Chloe. "Are you alright," he asked.
"No," Ms. Armstrong answered while trying to keep conscious. The pain was so intense that it was hard for her to remain alert. "My leg is sprained badly. I-I don't think I can walk."
"Okay. I'll carry you back." Chloe nodded in approval and Nicholas lifted her up from the ground. Shortly before they left the forest, however, she passed out. After making a soft bed made of bamboo for Chloe, the only thing Rush found he could do is sporadically monitor her pulse.