The idea for this story really came after watching an episode of Lost (the one with Kate and Sawyer in the lake-sexy stuff until the dead bodies appeared) and so I put it into Atlantis context. The first chap is just really descriptions of sort and some character interaction but will go on to more. Hope you enjoy it. Also the title is explained further on in the story.
Spoilers: References to Sg-1 later on and just minor Atlantis stuff.
Pairings: Have I done a story without them yet? Whether it will be romantic or not I'm not sure yet.
Disclaimer: Don't own Atlantis, Sg-1 or Lost although the story did come from my warped mind.
Enlightened beings?
Chapter 1: Musings in the jungle.
Dr Elizabeth Weir sighed contently as she listened to the sound of birds chirping and examined the amazing plant life around her. Stopping to peer at a beautiful pink flower she leaned closer allowing it's unusual but intoxicating scent to wash over her.
"Careful Elizabeth." A stern American voice warned and she turned to smile at her handsome companion.
"Yes sir." She drawled earning a mock scowl from him.
"Seriously, it could be poisonous." Lt. Colonel John Sheppard said before taking a swig of his water. "Would hate to have to carry you back." He joked a smirk appearing on his lips.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes and turned back to the innocent looking flower. "It's not poisonous John."
"How do you know?"
"Because we've been passing them all day. If they were really harmful we would have felt the effects by now." The expedition leader explained hiding a smile as the cocky air force officer scowled. She was right and he knew it.
But as always the pilot simply cleared his throat and stepped by her exclaiming, "We must be close now."
Elizabeth resisted the urge to groan as she followed him along the grass-covered path. For the past three hours the intelligent but proud Colonel had been spouting the same line and still he and Elizabeth were trailing through the enormous rainforest with no clue as to where they were.
Elizabeth took a drink from her water canteen and wiped the sweat from her warm forehead, risking a glance at the sun still high in the sky.
It was supposed to be a routine mission – simple reconnaissance. The team were supposed to examine the plant and animal life, nothing more. Part of Dr Weir's job as expedition leader was to evaluate the competence of her people and a certain team hadn't been done in several months. Colonel Stephen Caldwell had eagerly pointed out this fact and so Elizabeth had decided to accompany them on this small five hour mission.
Little did she know five hours would turn into 8 and again she glared at the blaring sun.
"It's all Rodney's fault." John suddenly growled as he pushed aside another low hanging branch and held it so Elizabeth could pass too before letting it ping back.
Elizabeth would have contradicted him or at least have scolded him but the man was right. Both her and Sheppard had ordered McKay not to enter the dark cave.
The man's ego knew no limits. Declaring he would be safe with Ronon and that his fighting skills were more than adequate now, Dr Rodney McKay (a brilliant and intelligent astrophysicist) walked straight into the cave. The next sound the couple heard was the screams of Rodney and even the yelping of the large alien runner.
"Run! Run for your lives!" The scientist had advised hysterically and that's when Sheppard and Weir had heard the loud, thundering footsteps and the deafening roar of a monster.
As McKay and Ronon had ran towards them John had instinctively grabbed Elizabeth's hand and began pulling her in the opposite direction. At first paralyzed with fear the leader eventually began running alongside John and hadn't stopped until the beast's noises were no longer audible. Slowing down John had immediately grabbed his radio.
"McKay, Ronon?" He practically whispered, breathlessly. "You guys okay?"
"Yeah, we're okay." Came Ronon's static reply and Elizabeth closed her eyes in relief and exhaustion.
"Thank goodness!" She gasped leaning against a tree.
John nodded also panting and raised his radio again. "Put McKay on." He ordered gruffly.
There was a long pause and Elizabeth could see the anger bubbling in the Colonel's body. She debated whether to get involved or not.
Finally Ronon spoke again. "Uh, McKay's a little tired out. Can barely stand actually." He sounded amused and Weir thought the scientist was lucky he couldn't speak right now.
"Serves the idiot right!" John boomed into the radio and Weir knew he would let it go for now. "All right, here's the plan. We'll head for the gate and if you see anything moving…run like hell."
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. "That's the plan?"
John shrugged. "It's all I've got. Make you're way back to the gate." He ordered and then put away his radio.
They had then stood in silence for a minute taking in their new surroundings before Elizabeth had asked, "And what way is the gate?"
So here they were three hours later still wandering, jacket tied around their waists and t-shirts pulled out from their trousers. Right now Elizabeth was very tempted to remove another item of clothing but knew she'd never hear the end of it from John. So instead they continued in the blistering heat.
"Damn it's warm." John muttered moodily watching the trees carefully.
Despite the uncomfortable conditions Elizabeth was actually having a pleasant time. For once she wasn't cooped up in her box office pouring over paper work and was actually exploring for a change. The scenery was alluring and she found the numerous plant and animal life, with exception of the huge monster, fascinating. She sighed as her colleague continued to moan.
"Teyla's lucky she's grounded at the moment. I swear when I get my hands on Rodney-"
"John!" Elizabeth groaned as he rounded to face her. "Please stop! Once we get back both of us will have a word with him but for now…lighten up!"
A surprised look came over him and then he frowned. "Lighten up? If I didn't know any better I'd say you were enjoying this."
Elizabeth looked away. "Maybe I am."
"Why?"
"Because for once John I'm not doing paper work or listening to boring briefings and for once I am actually in on the action!" Her eyes were wide with excitement and realization dawned on his face.
"So…you're actually enjoying this."
Elizabeth chuckled. "Yes, I am." As John still stared at her stunned, she carried on walking throwing a look over her shoulder. "Company's not so bad either."
She saw a proud grin appear and knew the small comment would cheer him up. The shuffling of feet behind told her John was now also walking and she wondered where Ronon and McKay were exactly. They too were lost and an hour ago they'd tried firing shots into the air to find their position. The bangs had only startled the wildlife around them therefore covering the other group's shots. So, basically everyone was lost.
"You know it is kinda nice here." John announced relaxing his grip on the P-90 under his arm.
"Yeah. Hot but nice. What do you think that… thing was?" Elizabeth queried slowing down so she could walk beside John.
"Don't know. And I wouldn't like to find out anytime soon." He remarked earning a smile from Elizabeth. "You know…you should take more vacations."
"And where would I find the time?" She asked lightly pulling a leaf from a tree and picking at it.
She could feel John's eyes watching her, no doubt concern written over his face. It was easier to ignore it than deal with it. "Well, I could run the city." He suggested receiving a disbelieved look from Weir. "Or Teyla then. She did it before. I doubt you'd want Caldwell running the show."
"Hmm, I guess not." Elizabeth admitted before dropping the leaf. "Well, I'll think about it when we get back."
John suddenly stopped and held up his hand, which Elizabeth guessed meant silence. He then beckoned her forward moving through the trees and then halted abruptly Elizabeth almost banging into him.
"Wow." He breathed and she looked over his shoulder.
Through the trees there was a breathtaking view of a small, blue, sparkling lake with a miniature waterfall spilling into it. Towering stonewalls kept it enclosed along with the green jungle and in front of the pilot there was a steep drop onto the thin sand like surface beside the pool. Elizabeth hand gripped John's wrist as she took in the image and he squinted at her.
"Fancy taking a look?" He asked boyishly and even Elizabeth felt the child-like urge to jump into the crystal clear water.
Biting her lip she then grinned and nodded, "Let's go."
A/N: Like me to continue? I have a plan! Yay or nay?