Survival Instinct2

The noise woke Moira. A weird beeping sound that she couldn't quite place, couldn't quiet recognize until she realized what it was. The alarm on John's watch. Repeatedly beeping. Insistent. Moira frowned, shifting out of his embrace even as he was stirring, rolling onto his back. The room was plunged into darkness. Moira tapped the lamp near the bed to throw a circle of pallid light onto the pillows. Onto John's face as he woke blearily.

"No, John." Moira sat up, grabbed his wrist and silenced the watch. She stared angrily at its blue illumined dial. "You're not going anywhere, colonel."

"Moira," John sighed, eyes open now. He tugged his wrist from her fingers. The lamplight behind her threw a golden halo around her billowing hair.

"I'm serious, John! This is getting ridiculous!"

"What, you can't wait to brag about us? About having the military commander in your bed?" he tested, gaze narrowing in annoyance.

She scowled. "No! Besides, what if I did? It's not like I signed a non-disclosure agreement."

"Maybe I should have brought one," he grumbled.

"Hilarious, John! You don't need to be so..." Her words dissolved as she finally noticed the bracelet on her wrist. She stared, uncomprehending. Pure shining silver encircled her wrist. Intricate Celtic knot work comprised of spiral, hearts, and whorls. Emerald gleamed green in the white metal. She turned it round, admiring the detail, the handiwork. The sheer beauty of the piece. "John?"

He smirked, pleased at her surprise, her pleasure. When she met his gaze, brown eyes wide he yawned, pretending disinterest. "What? Are we done arguing now? I really should be going."

"John!" She showed him the bracelet. "It's beautiful! It's...oh John!" She leaned down to kiss him. He caught her hips, rear, pulling her on top of him. Maneuvering her as she showered affection on him. Kiss after kiss. She freed herself suddenly. "I...I can't accept this!"

"What?" he asked, surprised. "Look, Moira, I couldn't find an exact replica but it is the closest thing to it."

"No, silly! This is ten time better! That's why I have to give it back." She straddled him, fiddling with the clasp. He caught her hand, stopping her.

"What? I don't understand, Moira. If you don't like it–"

"John, it's wonderful! It's beautiful! It's...too much. You can't afford a piece like this! I know I can't afford a piece like this."

He smiled, understanding. "Don't you worry about it."

"You have to return it, John. Even on a colonel's salary this would be too extravagant! I could pay you back but it will take months on my salary, believe me!"

He laughed. "Oh, I believe you, Moira. I don't want your money. It's a gift. To replace the one I had to requisition. Enjoy. I only want your bed...and oh, yeah, you in it."

"I'm serious, John! You can't afford to waste money on this!"

"I can." He caught her, moved her off him, rolled on top of her. Kissed her, hands caressing, cajoling. Prepping her body to receive him.

She murmured, responding but touched his shoulder, stopping him. "John, I can't let you spend this much on one little bracelet. As lovely as it is you shouldn't have spent this much! I can't accept it. I have to oh John," her words whispered into a gasp as he suddenly entered her, began moving them in as escalating rhythm.

"Focus, Moira," he scolded, kissing her throat. More intent on the sex than the conversation.

She moved with him. "John...you have to return it. You'll get a refund. I don't feel right about accepting it. I can't."

"You can and you will." He sighed, pausing, meeting her gaze. "I'll tell you a secret, Moira, but it goes no farther than us. Agreed?"

"Okay, John. Promise."

He frowned, reluctant. But resumed his movements. Motions of possession, of pleasure. Said into her ear, "I can afford it."

"No, not on a colonel's–"

"Trust me. I can."

She considered his words as they moved in unison, bodies oblivious to the conversation now. Back and forth. The bed gently rocking under them. "You mean...you're–"

"Rich," he supplied the word. Ran his mouth down her throat. Scowled as she was more intent on the conversation than the sex.

"Rich? Wow...rich and gorgeous? Damn." She kissed him. "How rich?" she teased. Stopping her momentum, and consequently his. "Moderately rich, or extravagantly wealthy?"

"Shut up, Moira," he said warmly, moving again. Faster. Harder. Deeper as she obligingly widened her legs to accommodate him. "No one knows, and I'd like to keep it that way."

"Understood, John. You can trust me."

"Good. Now give yourself to me, Moira. That's an order."

"Yes, colonel. And thank you," she agreed, kissing him. Giving him her full attention and affection.

"No, thank you, doctor," he retorted with a smile.

*************************************************************************

Moira spotted Katie Brown at a lone table in the cafeteria. Joined her. Began to eat her lunch. Big, gulping bites as hunger gnawed at her. Katie smiled, amused. Stared at the silver glinting jewel on Moira's wrist. "Wow. That's a lovely bracelet."

"It was a gift," Moira blurted before thinking. She swallowed, wincing inwardly. Could only imagine John's annoyance.

"A gift? From?" Katie prompted with a smile, an inquiring look. Moira was silent, resumed eating. "Moira! Are you seeing someone?" Katie laughed at her friend's silent obstinance. "Well, I'll take that as a yes. Who is it? That certainly explains a lot."

"What?" Moira stared. "What does that explain?"

"You. Being distracted. Staring into space with a dreamy smile on your face."

"Me? I don't do that." Moira smirked at Katie's laughter. "Well, not all of the time."

"True," Katie agreed. "At least you managed to surface for lunch. I haven't seen the usual crowd in here. Colonel Sheppard and his team, you know. Or even Lorne. Or Matthew."

"That's to be expected," Moira stated, on firmer ground. "They're suffering from the residual affects of the enzyme. It's working its way through their systems. Carson said it should clear up soon enough."

"Oh. So they're sleeping it off?"

Moira laughed. "Yes, in a manner of speaking." She pictured John the way she had left him. Sprawled naked in her bed, fast asleep. Eyed her food to conceal her emotions. "It was difficult to get a good night's sleep in the Jumper. They're not built for comfort."

"I'm just glad you all made it back safely! I felt awful leaving you behind like that. Rodney felt worse when we couldn't dial back to the planet. I don't know how you survived for nearly a week, Moira. I don't know if I could have done it," Katie confided, leaning over the table.

Moira shrugged. Drank some water. "You could have. We had a good cache of supplies on the Jumper. And Ronon. He was amazing! He knew how to live off the land. The other guys weren't bad either." They laughed. "I'll tell you, it wasn't all bad." She leaned closer, her voice falling to a conspiratorial whisper. "Every morning the boys would take their morning jog around the emerald pool." She paused. "Shirtless."

Katie stared, grinned at they both sat back. "Really? Wow." They laughed. Katie caught sight of John filling his tray with food, a serious expression on his handsome face. "Shirtless? Wow?"

Moira glanced behind her to see John. Grinned, met Katie's gaze. "Wow. Very wow." They laughed heartily.

John glanced over, attracted by the female laughter, the sudden hilarity. He strolled to their table. Smiled. "Ladies. May I join you?" He raised a brow at the merriment.

"Of course, colonel," Katie managed to say with a straight face. She made to move but John sat next to Moira. Scooting beside her in the booth. Scooting further, forcing her nearly all the way to the wall. His thigh pressed hers as he settled. Began to eat.

"Colonel! Can I have a little elbow room? You're practically shoving me up against the wall!"

Moira complained.

John met her gaze, smirked. "Oh? Sorry, doctor. I forgot we haven't had that particular twenty in our performance. Yet."

"What?" She stared, uncomprehending for a moment. Then realization. She scowled. He merely smiled, resumed eating.

"You seem to have quite an appetite, colonel. Is that a result of the enzyme? Moira said you were all suffering from residual affects."

"Suffering?" John pondered, keeping a straight face. "Yes, I suppose you could term it like that. Suffering. I am very hungry. Don't know why. I need to keep up my stamina."

"That's not the only thing," Moira said blandly. But John choked on his water, nearly spilling it, nearly spitting it. He coughed and laughed at the same time.

"Colonel? Are you all right?" Katie asked, bewildered.

Moira thumped his back. "Fine," he coughed. Cleared his throat, hand over his mouth. "Thank you, doctor. I swallowed too much, is all."

"Exactly what I'm afraid of," Moira quipped, completely deadpan. John snorted, coughed and choked again. She hit his back. "Easy, colonel! Try to sip your water, not gulp it all at once!"

"Colonel, do you need help? Should I summon Carson?" Katie asked, serious and concerned.

John shook his head, hand over his mouth as he coughed. Tried desperately not to laugh. He eyed Moira, gave her a reprimanding look, brilliant green eyes narrowing. She smirked, sipped some water, pretending not to notice. "I'm fine," he finally managed to say. Sat back a moment. Moira's fingers still on his back, rubbing gently now.

"Moira was just telling me how amazing Ronon was," Katie said, now that John seemed to be recovered. Had resumed eating with careful bites.

John glanced at Moira. "Ronon? Just Ronon?"

The women laughed. "You too, colonel," she soothed. "If Ronon hadn't have been with us we would have starved. Admit it, John."

"Yeah, yeah, he's survival guy, got it," he grumbled.

"What have you discovered so far?" Moira asked, fingers sliding teasingly down, down John's back to his rear before drawing away. She glanced at him, saw his admonishment. Then his pained expression at the question. Moira elbowed him, tried not to laugh.

"So much!" Katie enthused, oblivious to John's lack of interest. "The specimens we collected are quite remarkable. Several new species which we believe are not of Earth! Although they could be hybrids. You know how rare any true indigenous species are to this galaxy, which is quite unusual in itself. The fruits are mostly familiar to us, though."

"Strawberries," Moira commented, glanced at John. He briefly smiled.

"Yes, and others unique to that planet, so far. Many very beneficial and nutritious as Matthew has discovered. Some may even have medicinal properties. The lichen in particular has a molecular cohesion very similar to forms of beneficent antibodies found on Earth. Did you not apply any of those broad-leafed deciduous plants to your injuries, Colonel Sheppard? Colonel?"

"John!" Moira urged, nudging his arm.

He swallowed, shrugged. "No idea. I drifted off after the word botanical."

"Charming," Moira noted, shaking her head.

Katie smiled. "But typical. I've got to get to work. You'll be joining us?"

"Yes. As soon as I finish this," Moira assured. She ate the last bites of her sandwich. "Okay, John, scoot! I've got to–"

"May I join you?" Rodney McKay sat down across from them. "Before you ask I've gone over all of the 'Gate diagnostics and the Jumper's systems so no, there was nothing we could do from our end. The dialing sequences were correct and complete."

John smiled as Moira made a face. "I see. Please, do go on, Rodney." He exchanged a glance with Moira. Smirked.

"I have to get to work," Moira evaded, trying to push him but he didn't budge.

"Ah, no. You made me listen to all of that botany blah blah blah so now you have to suffer through all of this Ancient blah blah blah."

"Blah blah blah? Thanks, John. Actually, Moira, you'll find this interesting," Rodney said with a smile.

She sighed. "Okay. It will probably be more interesting than him going on and on and on about the cavemen's weaponry."

"Glad you mentioned that!" John teased. "I did notice their weaponry and the interesting thing is their guns weren't standard issue. Not 9mm or P90s or even the Browning or Hauser models but an older–"

"Blah blah blah," Rodney commented. Made a face. "Time to go, Moira." They laughed.

Moira sighed. "Please, Rodney, talk. Anything to shut him up."

John scowled. "Charming. So...the 'Gate was the problem?"

"Yes. As far as I can diagnose it was a 'Gate malfunction. Not the DHD or the Jumper's dialing device. Nor ours. It–"

"I already knew that," John complained.

"Good. The question is what could have disrup–"

"I have a theory on that too," John interrupted. "It doesn't involve guns," he assured, glancing at Moira. "The Ancient device we found. When I accidently," he paused, glancing at her as she was about to interject, "shut it off it disrupted the inaudible harmonics which were controlling the cavemen, to an extent. Calming them. Somehow that signal also allowed the Stargate to function. When I inadvertently shut it down it shut the 'Gate down as well. No more signal. In effect locking down the planet. Well?"

Rodney considered. "Hmm...possible. Two Ancient devices on the planet wouldn't be a coincidence. Maybe they knew what the destroyed signal would unleash so they tied it to the Stargate to prevent hordes descending on other planets."

"Like I said," John boasted. "See?"

Moira frowned. "See what? If you hadn't have blundered into it and turned it off none of this would have happened."

"I didn't blunder. It was an accident."

"From now on don't touch any Ancient device unless Rodney is there to fix it, all right?"

Rodney laughed. "I've tried telling him that, Moira, but he won't listen."

John sighed. "I'm getting tired of being blamed for everything that goes wrong."

"Not everything, John. Just the disaster you caused on M1K436," she corrected with a smile.

"Near disaster," he objected. "We got out okay, didn't we?"

"Thanks to me, flyboy. Don't you forget it."

"I'm not likely to forget that, jungle queen. Nor is anyone else."

"Am I missing something?" Rodney asked, looking from one to the other.

"No!" Moira refuted, pushed. "Move! I need to get to work!" He scooted down the bench, stood. She moved past him, met his merry gaze. "Not a word, John! Not one!"

"Yes, jungle queen," he smiled. Laughed at her glare. Sobered as she suddenly returned.

"John, we could still be experiencing residual affects of the enzyme. Withdrawal. You probably should keep an eye on Ronon and Evan. I can keep an eye on Matthew."

"Okay. How do you feel?"

"Fine. You?"

"Never better. Jungle queen," he added with a smirk.

"Stop it. I'm serious, John."

"Oh. So...with this withdrawal does that mean we will experience cravings?" He raised a brow, expression suggestive. Voice lowering just a little. Enough to convey his meaning.

Moira considered, oddly serious. "Possibly. I don't know. It also depends how the hormones are affected, which areas of the brain. How those endorphin levels affect each individual and are expressed in physical..." She paused, saw his amusement, saw he was trying not to laugh. She frowned. "I'm serious, John! Not, not just that! Not just...oh never mind!"

John laughed as she whirled, stomped out of the cafeteria. "What? You were saying, doctor? Please, please continue. I find this subject fascinating. Really, I do!"

"Shut up, John!" she called over her shoulder.

He laughed again. Sat down to meet a mystified Rodney's gaze. "Scientists," he shrugged. "Very poor sense of humor."

"I don't think it's a laughing matter, John. Those vestiges of the enzyme could manifest in all kinds of ways, resulting in prolonged physical reactions or..." Rodney paused as John was trying not to laugh again. "–or in your case resultant hysteria?" He shook his head. "I'll try to talk to you when you've come down from whatever you're on!"

"The enzyme. Remember?" John quipped, forcing down his hilarity. He sobered. "I should go work on those reports before Caldwell gets in my face about it."

"What was that about jungle queen?"

"Huh? Oh, nothing. Nothing at all," John smoothly evaded.

***************************************************************************

Ronon sat hunched over on the infirmary bed. Winced as another cramp hit his gut. He leaned over, waiting, eying the bucket at his feet. The nauseous feeling passed. He grimaced, looked at Teyla Emmagan who was staring at him. "That one wasn't as bad."

"That is good. I think. How long have you been feeling like this?"

"Since this morning. Doc says it's the enzyme leaving my body. I felt so much better yesterday,

he complained.

Teyla arched a delicate brow. "When you dismantled half of Colonel Sheppard's marines? Yes, I am certain that felt much better than this."

"That was an accident," Ronon grumbled. "I didn't mean to hurt anyone."

"I know. But you do see the dangers the enzyme poses. Even in a diluted form. Perhaps because your reaction was an escalation in violence so too your withdrawal symptoms are equally violent."

Ronon stared. "Since when did you become a doctor?"

She laughed. "I am only stating what Carson told me. I believe he is right. What concerns me is how will the others be affected."

Ronon considered. "Hard to say. Hopefully not like..." He broke off, leaning over to hurl into the bucket. Teyla grimaced, stepped away quickly.

**************************************************************************

Evan entered the botany lab, eyed the groups of scientists. All clad in white lab coats as they talked quietly, throwing Latin names into the air, hovering over their microscopes. All sorts of plants and specimens littered the tables. A profusion of greenery. Seeing Moira he neared, touched her shoulder. "Hey. I thought you were a biologist?"

Moira met his gaze, smiled. "Paleozoologist, actually. I'm just helping out here."

"Oh." Evan glanced past her as Matthew exclaimed, hands waving in the air. "Looks like he found something interesting. Isn't that the moss?"

Moira looked over, nodded. "Yes. We're just testing it. It gets locked up every day. Did you need something, Evan? How do you feel?" she asked, studying him. He seemed alert, happy, energized. Blue eyes sparkling.

"Fine. I want to show you something. It won't take long." Already he was pulling her arm, pulling her off the stool.

"Okay." She followed him. "What is it, Evan? Are you sure you feel okay? You're not experiencing any symptoms of withdrawal?"

"No...I don't think so. In fact I've been inspired. Really inspired." He led her into his room.

Moira looked round. The room was clean. Immaculate. But that was nothing unusual or out of the ordinary. The only thing unusual was the large covered canvas standing near the window. "You have a new work in progress?"

"Complete. I wanted you to see it first." He drew back the cover. Smiled as her eyes widened in surprise, in admiration. "I did it last night. All of it. Once I got started I couldn't stop. It was like no other piece I've done. I mean I did no preliminary drawings, nothing. Just that."

Moira stared, stepped closer to the large canvas. It was covered in colors. A complete painting of the entire city. Spires stark against the bluish violet sky. The churning waves of the blue ocean surrounding it. Little figures were dotted among the balconies, and to her amazement she could recognize their likenesses as small as they were. Elizabeth with her kindly smile. Radek Zalenka with his annoyed expression, next to Rodney with his superior, smug one. John leaning against another railing, smile on his handsome face, so handsome even in miniature. Talking to a woman whom Moira recognized as herself. Evan in another section. Ronon and Teyla sparring with sticks, smiles on their faces. Scientists laughing. Soldiers marching. A ZPM lit a bright orange. The Stargate with blue chevrons blazing.

"Well? Have I rendered you speechless?"

Moira stepped back, looked at him. "It's...it's amazing! Evan, you...you did this all in one night? That's not possible! The details! The colors...it's exquisite!"

"Thank you. And yes, I did it all last night. Don't ask me how. My muse took over and that was that. I was in a daze, Moira. I woke up only when it was done. But it is good, isn't it?"

"Good? It's incredible! Evan, you...you've never done anything like this before! On this scale, I mean! Have you shown it to anyone else?"

"Are you kidding? Of course not! Only you, Moira. Not many people know I do this."

She looked back at the painting. "You should show this to Weir. She would appreciate the skill and the artistry. Thank you for showing it to me. Evan...you're sure you feel okay?"

He laughed as she eyed him. "Yes! I've never felt better. Tired since I didn't sleep a wink last night. But otherwise, fine. Maybe I will show it to Weir. You really think she–"

"Major Lorne to the conference room!" a voice announced.

"Oh. I forgot about that. Mission report." He flung the cover back over the canvas, hiding the picture from view once more.

"I should get to work too. On the Wraith, not on plants." She followed him out of his room, touched his arm. "Evan...thank you! It's lovely! Perfect."

"Thank you, Moira. I don't know if I'll ever produce a piece like that again...but I'm glad I did that one. Gotta go. See you later."

She smiled, watched him sprint down the hallway. Marveled over his skill. The painting. Wondered if the enzyme had somehow enhanced his skills. Shrugging she went to work.