By early afternoon, preparations for Rodney's mission were well under way. The jumper bay was a bustle of scientists and marines, equipping the craft with supplies and devices. Rodney himself was overseeing the loading of the puddle jumper, delivering orders with little regard to whom he was addressing. After one particularly blistering tirade, Zelenka put down a box of equipment and gave his fellow scientist a hard look.
"Are you sure you do not require it wrapping?" he asked sarcastically.
Rodney frowned. "Of course not, don't be ridiculous. Now. Where are those radiation suits?" He wandered off, leaving Zelenka fuming helplessly before stalking away, muttering in Czech.
Carson Beckett entered the jumper bay with the medical supplies and stared round at the organised chaos. He walked over to where Rodney was carefully checking over the radiation suits.
"I thought you were going for a day, not an entire month."
"Well you're the one with all the concerns," Rodney reminded him. "I think we'll be covered for every eventuality from measles to the end of the world."
"You are basically going to be on your own Rodney," Carson pointed out. "Elizabeth won't sanction a rescue unless it's absolutely the last resort."
"Nice to know we're so vital," Rodney said sourly.
"This was your idea."
"That it was." He shrugged. "Least if the worst happens, I'll have made a name for myself."
Carson folded his arms. "What about Laura?"
Rodney looked at his friend and sighed. "She's a grown woman, Carson. This was her decision, not mine or even Sheppard's. She knows what she's doing."
"I certainly hope so because I know what you can be like when you get an idea in your head. You can be very persuasive when you put your mind to it. I just hope she's looked at this properly and isn't going on your sell."
"As it happens, she did," Laura said as she walked past. Carson flinched and Rodney winced. They both watched her walk over to a stack of crates, checking them off with the list she held in one hand.
"I think I might have a patient that needs immediate attention," Carson said faintly.
"Good idea," Rodney whispered. "Quick, run. I'll distract her."
Laura looked round at them and Carson turned quickly. She watched him leave and then looked at Rodney, her arms crossed.
"Would you care to explain?" she asked sharply.
"It was him!" Rodney said, pointing at the now empty door. "I never said nothing."
Laura rolled her eyes. "Oh please. What was he worrying about now? The likelihood I'll hit my period and go into a mood? That I might break a nail and cry all day? Sheesh."
Rodney checked his own list. "Sanitary pads - check. Files - check. Tissues – check. Yep covered for everything." He looked up at her with a grin.
"That's funny," she said flatly. "You want a mission to the infirmary with a broken nose?"
"Excuse me, I wasn't the one casting aspersions on your ability. I have full confidence you can make a great cup of coffee."
Laura walked over to him slowly and stood in front of him. She stared at him for a moment before his cheeky grin cracked her resolve. She glanced away as a reluctant smile crossed her face.
"You're such an idiot," she told him.
"Me? I'm a genius I am. Says so on my resume."
"Yeah? Well Genius, are we ready yet or not?"
Rodney looked over to where two marines were packing the last of the supplies into the puddle jumper.
"Yep," he said brightly. "That's if we can actually take off with all that stuff inside."
"I think it'll cope. Right. Are we waiting for the send off or just running now?"
"Let's just run," Rodney decided. "Save us having to stand through another of Elizabeth's slip-slop-slap speeches."
"Does she know you talk like that about her?" Laura asked curiously.
"She should do – I've been doing it long enough."
"You're lucky. If you were talking about me like that I'd thump you."
"Elizabeth's less violent than you are. Suppose that's cos she's a diplomat and you're... um... you."
"I'm quite happy being me, thank you very much," she told him. "I get to go to new worlds, seek out new civilisations, run the risk of fatal sunburn. S'an adventure."
Rodney snorted a laugh. "Okay. Let's boldly go then."
They walked into the jumper, Laura activating the ramp behind them. She sat in the pilot's seat and waited for Rodney to take the co-pilot's.
"Have we got everything?"
He glanced over this shoulder at the full compartment behind him. "We've got most of Atlantis packed in the rear, so I'm pretty sure we have."
"Excellent." She hit her comm. "Atlantis Tower this is Jumper One. We're all set and ready to go here."
"Alright Lieutenant," Sheppard's voice said. "You have a go. See you in forty hours."
"Yes sir."
Laura fired up the jumper's engines and the space craft lifted smoothly off the ground. The hatch to the Gateroom opened and she lowered the jumper down. Rodney entered the co-ordinates of the planet and the Stargate activated, the huge whoosh lighting the inside of the cockpit blue.
Laura watched the initial explosion settle. She understood the basic mechanics of wormhole technology but the sight of what appeared to be an upright puddle never ceased to amaze her. Being reduced to ones molecules and sent through space like a human email wasn't something she particularly enjoyed, preferring the solidity of ships such as the Daedalus and the jumper she was currently flying, but it was a small enough price to pay to visit other planets.
"You okay?" Rodney's voice cut through her thoughts.
"What? Yeah. Right, let's go."
The slightest touch and the jumper shot forward and into the event horizon.
The planet beyond the 'Gate was bleak, a landscape of grey rocks tinted pink by the sun rising over the horizon. Laura guided the jumper through the cloudless sky, heading the craft towards where the MALP has indicated the hills and the cave network within them. The caves were sheltered from the suns, and from the deadly rays the second one gave out during its flares.
The flight path from the Gate to the caves was fairly straight-forward and after a moment, Laura turned to the rather bored looking Rodney.
"Want to fly her in?" she asked him.
"Me?" he said in surprise. "I can't fly in a straight line."
"That's okay; we don't want to go in a straight line."
"Well Sheppard has me giving me lessons."
"Pfft," she dismissed. "He's like a mother hen. Here, take the controls."
She stood, allowing him to take her place. He sat down, the jumper shifting suddenly sideways he he grabbed the controls.
"Relax," Laura murmured. "Take it easy."
"I'm trying," he ground out.
"Yes, too hard. Loosen your grip; feel the controls."
"If I let go, we'll crash."
"I didn't say to let go," Laura said. She activated the HUD and lent over his shoulder, her eyes on the display. She pointed at the screen. "That's where we want to go. Now, that's the compass, bring her round 'til it's at point two one one. That's it. Now just hold her there."
Rodney took a deep breath. He watched the numbers, trying to keep the jumper's heading exact. There was a warm pressure on his back where Laura's abdomen pressed. She rested one hand on his left shoulder; the other was on his right wrist, gently guiding his movements. Her fragrance filled his nostrils and he found it somewhat off-putting. He glanced at her briefly; she was following his progress on the HUD, a slow smile creeping across her face. She looked down at him and smiled fully. He grinned back at her, then remembered what he was supposed to be doing and looked back to the display quickly.
"I think I actually have it," he said, sounding a little amazed.
"It's easy, really," Laura replied. "Your problem was the over-protect mother hen."
Rodney chuckled. "He's not a mother hen; it's worse than that. Learning with him is like dating his only and virginal daughter."
Laura laughed. "Major Lorne taught me. I think he'd like to see jumpers used for speedway."
"God, yeah I know what you mean. He likes to push it, doesn't he?"
"Just a little. Okay, how are your landing skills?"
"I can get her down. Might be in a few pieces though."
"Hmm, let's see if we can skip that today. Where're we at?" The HUD changed, showing them a closer view of the hills and indicating the landing spot Laura had chosen earlier. "Alright, slow her down. Yeah, like that. Downwards, Rodney, that's where the ground is."
"Really? I'd not noticed."
"Hush and concentrate. Slowly. Keep her level."
The jumper settled gently on the ground. Rodney blinked in shock and then laughed.
"Holy crap, I did it."
"Yay!" Laura cheered, giving him an impromptu hug.
Rodney stiffened. "Okay, I can do without the sarcastic enthusiasm."
"I wasn't being sarcastic," she said, backing off and folding her arms crossly. "Jeez, Rodney. Can't you handle a simple compliment?"
"Sorry," he apologised. "Um. Thanks."
Laura looked at him for a moment, then shrugged. "S'okay. Come on, let's start shifting stuff into the cave before that other sun gets too high."
Rodney lugged a box of supplies from the jumper, stumbling as he walked the uneven ground to the cave. Virtually dropping the box just past the opening, he looked up to find Laura sat on one of the crates, drinking from her canteen.
"Nice to see we're sharing the work," he remarked dryly.
She looked over at him. "Excuse me but I have been doing."
"Yeah? How many boxes exactly have you brought in?"
"Sorry but I didn't realise we were in competition so I didn't keep count."
Rodney sighed and sat down on the box. "I'm beginning to wonder if I'd have been better staying home and configuring one of the MALPs to do all this."
"Where's your spirit of adventure?" Laura asked him.
"I had to leave it on Atlantis so we could fit in all the boxes."
She laughed. "Here," she said and tossed him the canteen. "Have a drink. I'll find us some some power bars. I think you could do with the recharge."
It took her a moment to find the box of food supplies. She opened it up and rooted through, finally brandishing a handful of bars successfully. Wandering over to Rodney, Laura pushed him over and perched on the box next to him.
"There are other boxes," he pointed out.
"Did you want one of these?" Laura retorted, waving a bar at him.
"Yes. Give it here."
"Don't see why I should."
"Cadman..."
"There's an entire box over there."
Rodney gave a weary sigh. "Okay, fine. You can sit here. Now could I please have a bar?"
Laura gave him a broad smile and a power bar. "See? It's amazing what being nice can get you."
"Hmm. Maybe," he replied, not sounding convinced. He devoured the bar and then stole another from Laura.
"Hey!" she protested and gave him a shove.
Rodney shoved her back. She lost her precarious balance and ended up sat on the floor. She threw her remaining power bar at him, bouncing it off his head. He glared at her and she stared back at him, one hand covering her mouth. For a moment, silence reigned. Then Laura dissolved into laughter. Rodney shook his head in disbelief.
"You are so incredibly childish," he said to her.
"You stole my power bar!"
"What and that's it? Aren't there others in the box?"
"Yes, so why couldn't you go and get one?"
"I liked the look of yours."
"I'm sure you did," she retorted suggestively. Rodney's eyes widened as he got her meaning and coloured, which made her chuckle wickedly. He looked at her, but found his gaze wandering dangerously downwards. For the first time since they'd set off, he was painfully aware that he was off-world in the sole company of a very attractive woman. Attractive and available.
Realising that wasn't a particularly safe train of thought, Rodney got up and walked to the mouth of the cave. The suns were rising behind the hill, casting long shadows that stretched from the entrance. The air was dry already, despite the early hour; giving a hint of how unpleasant it'd be outside later on. It was hard to believe there was anything of worth on this desolate planet, but he knew the secret that lay beneath the barren rock could turn the tide of Atlantis' war against the Wraith.
A sense of import settled in Rodney's gut and he shuddered.
Laura saw it. "What?" she asked him.
"You know that feeling you get the night before an exam?"
"Yeah."
"I have that right now."
She got up and dusted off her trousers. She wandered to the mouth and looked out.
"We are teetering on the brink of a great discovery," she remarked.
"Don't be facetious – we could be."
"Who's being facetious? Here I am, in the middle of history being made. I just wish I'd brought my pom poms. Ooh, do you think we'll get a parade? With ticker tape and everything?" She clasped her hands to her chest and looked at him with wide eyes.
"Is that entirely necessary?"
Laura sniffed and shoved her hands into her pockets. "Yes. You bring out the worst in me; I can only contain it for so long and then I just have to."
"You have to."
"Uh huh. Otherwise I'd explode and that'd be messy."
"Remind me again why Sheppard thought you'd be helpful," Rodney said dryly, leaving the cave mouth to start sorting through the boxes.
"I'm the portable encyclopaedia on all things explosive."
He paused and glanced at her. "How did you get into that anyway? You're a... um... girl. No, don't start," he said at the indignant expression on her face. "I didn't mean it like that. But still... I... erm... you..."
"I'm not a girly girl," she explained. "Never had been."
"Oh. So... explosives expert?" She didn't answer him and he looked up to find her staring at the floor, an embarrassed flush on her cheeks. "Cadman?"
"Misspent youth," she mumbled.
Rodney's eyebrows shot up. "Oh?"
"Never mind."
"Aw, come on."
"No! I'm not telling you."
"Cadman..."
"Didn't you want to get this stuff unpacked?" she said, turning her attention to another of the boxes.
Rodney smiled faintly, but dropped the subject.