New Beginnings
Chapter: 4
0oo0
Taylor had been on Atlantis for a week and Rodney had been ignoring her since her first day on Atlantis. Taylor tried to talk to him after meetings but he always made excuses ("Carson needs help in the infirmary, one of the machines has gone haywire" or "Zelenka needs help, as usual, in the lab") and Taylor was starting to feel a bit frustrated.
On the day that officially commemorated her first week on Atlantis, Taylor decided to talk to Rodney no matter who he was 'helping'. After talking to Chuck and getting Rodney's location - his lab - Taylor changed into sweatpants and a tank top under sweatshirt for her daily run before stopping by Rodney's lab. Rodney's back was to her and he was talking to Zelenka. Zelenka noticed her as he turned around when the door opened and stopped talking. McKay didn't turn around and started typing something into his laptop.
"Rodney," Zelenka said slowly when Taylor didn't say anything.
"Yes Radek," Rodney said, mocking Zelenka's slow tone.
Zelenka said nothing but still stared at Taylor. Rodney turned to see Taylor standing infront of the door holding a duffel bag.
"Before you say anything," started Taylor when Rodney's mouth started opening and closing. "All I been trying to say for the past week is sorry for what I said when we met. If you won't take my apology, that's your decision, that's fine. I just wanted to say that I was sorry."
Taylor turned and walked out the door, but just before it shut Taylor heard Rodney shout, "Apology accepted". Taylor smiled as she walked towards one of the empty sparring rooms.
Setting her duffel bag down, Taylor started her 45-minute run around the main parts of Atlantis. Taylor missed her daily run around Colorado Springs with Cam, but the silence of running by herself helped her relax after a long day.
When Taylor returned her from her run, she opened her duffel bag and pulled out her water bottle. She took a long drink before putting it aside and pulling out two training sticks from her bag. Moving to the center of the room, she closed her eyes and started twirling the sticks. A few minutes later she was so caught up her movement, that she didn't notice when the doors opened and someone entered the room. She turned and brought the sticks around but someone caught the sticks. Taylor opened her eyes to see Ronon standing infront of her.
"Sorry if I startled you," he said, releasing the sticks and crossing the room.
"It's okay," Taylor managed to say as she tried to suppress a wave of panic.
Taylor walked over to her bag and picked up her water bottle to take a drink. She could feel Ronon watching her, so she turned around and stared at him. They stared at each other for a few seconds before Ronon spoke.
"Where did you learn to use those?" he asked, looking at the sticks.
"Some people on Earth still fight with sticks," Taylor said, relaxing a bit.
Ronon said nothing. Instead, he picked up two sticks from the few that stood in the corner before walking back into the center of the room.
"Let's see what you can do," he said.
Taylor walked to the center of the room, stopping a few paces from Ronon. She settled into a defensive stance and waited for Ronon to make the first move. Ronon took a step back and started moving in a circular pattern a few inches from the room's walls. Taylor, recognizing his tactic, did the same. They did this for a minute until Ronon made the first move. He charged Taylor, who brought her sticks infront of her. They did a few basic attack and defense moves, testing each other. After a few minutes, they started doing more advanced moves, which relied heavily on speed and strength. They went at it for fifteen minutes, both getting shots in, until Taylor's radio went off.
"Weir to Cartwright."
Taylor and Ronon continued sparring until Ronon got in the last shot. Taylor raised the sticks in a submissive move and bowed her head in respect of his win.
Taylor held both sticks in her left hand before tapping her earpiece. "Cartwright."
"Taylor, can you come down to the infirmary?" Elizabeth asked.
"On my way," Taylor said.
Taylor looked up at Ronon. "Sorry to cut our session short."
"No problem," he replied.
Taylor turned and walked over to her duffel bag, putting her stick and water bottle in it. When she turned around, Ronon was blocking her way.
"Will you be here tomorrow?" he asked.
"Same time," Taylor replied looking up at him.
Ronon nodded and stepped aside to let her pass. As Taylor walked out of the room, she could feel Ronon's eyes on her. Pushing away thoughts of why Ronon would be watching her, Taylor made her way to the infirmary.
When she got there, she found Elizabeth, Carson, and another man whose face she couldn't see standing over a bed whose occupant was complaining.
"I feel perfectly fine. I can go," he said.
"I'm not going to release you. You're not fit to do anything at this moment," Carson replied.
Stepping closer, Taylor noticed the man on the bed to be Doctor Milo Ventra, one of the archaeologists in the science department, and the other man to be Major Evan Lorne, second-in-command military leader of Atlantis and leader of SGA2.
Elizabeth noticed Taylor first, since she was standing next to Lorne and opposite Carson.
"Taylor," she said, beckoning her over. "I hope I wasn't interrupting anything." she added, noticing her sweats when Taylor stood beside Carson.
"You want her to replace me?" Dr. Ventra asked incredulously.
"Why would I be replacing you?" Taylor asked Ventra.
"Doctor Ventra was accompanying my team to MA5-833 tomorrow," Lorne started. "Until he started complaining of stomach pains during our briefing."
"The good doctor had appendicitis," Carson said.
"And now I feel fine," Ventra protested.
"You are not fine Doctor Ventra. You need bed rest for the next few days. I will not hesitate to sedate you if I have to," Carson said sternly.
Ventra slumped back into the pillows, an upset look in his face. Taylor looked up to see both Elizabeth and Lorne trying to hide their smiles.
"I still don't understand why I'm here. I'm a psychologist," Taylor said.
"I talked to General O'Neill and he says that you have a doctorate in archaeology," Elizabeth said.
"He's right. Archaeology was always a part time thing for me. I still don't see what that has to do with me, though," Taylor said.
"I hope you don't mind using it now," Elizabeth said.
"Have you ever done an archaeological dig offworld?" Ventra asked.
"Yes. A month ago, with Daniel," Taylor replied.
Ventra stared at Taylor in surprise. He narrowed his eyes at Taylor before slowly nodding. "If you went on a dig with Daniel Jackson, I guess you are qualified enough,"
"It's settled then. Dr. Cartwright will accompany Major Lorne's team to MA5-833," Elizabeth said. "Make sure you get some rest Dr. Ventra."
Taylor smiled at Dr. Ventra before following Elizabeth out of the infirmary. She was about to call Elizabeth when Lorne caught up with her.
"Doctor."
"Major," said Taylor turning to face him. "What can I do for you?"
"Have breakfast with me," he said.
Taylor stared at Lorne in surprise. When Lorne realized what he said, his eyes opened wide.
"I mean – not breakfast with me – well I do," he stuttered. "Have breakfast with me and my team."
Taylor smiled. "I'd love to."
"Tomorrow at 0730?" Lorne asked.
"Sounds good. See you tomorrow morning," Taylor said, smiling as she walked away.
When Taylor reached Elizabeth's office, she saw Elizabeth talking to John. She waited outside for a few minutes until John came out.
"Didn't expect to see you here at this hour Doctor," John said, stopping just outside Elizabeth's door.
"It's only 06:30 in the evening Colonel," Taylor replied, smiling.
"Good point. I hear you're replacing Dr. Ventra for the archaeological expedition," John said.
"You heard right," Taylor replied.
"Good luck. Have a good night doc," John said before walking away.
"You too," Taylor said to John before walking into Elizabeth's office. "May I have a word Elizabeth?"
"Of course," said Elizabeth setting down her paperwork and pointing to a chair. "What can I do for you?"
"I have been putting off this conversation with you for a few days," Taylor started slowly.
"I know what you're going to say," Elizabeth said, cutting her off. "Don't worry, I talked to Jack."
"I should have guessed that he would have told you. He knows I would have been a little hesitant to tell you," Taylor said as Elizabeth got up from her chair to take the one next to Taylor.
"They have been good to you," said Elizabeth.
Taylor smiled. "SG1 were there when I needed people to turn to. I am glad that I earned their friendship,"
"What about here in Atlantis? Have you made any friends? If you don't mind my question," Elizabeth said.
"I question people on a daily basis about their feelings. Questioning is a two way street. Being a newcomer to a place where people bond over imminent doom is hard. But the people here on Atlantis are kind, and I have been having breakfast daily with SGA1," Taylor said.
"Has Dr. McKay forgiven you yet?" Elizabeth asked smiling.
"I cornered him in his office today before I went on my run," Taylor replied laughing.
"The briefing for your mission to MA5-833 will be tomorrow. I haven't figured out what time, but I'll send you an e-mail," Elizabeth said.
"Thanks Elizabeth," Taylor said getting up and heading to the door.
Taylor had just reached the door when Elizabeth called her name.
"Yes?" Taylor said turning around.
"They would understand if you tell them," she said.
"Not yet," Taylor replied.
"Okay. My door is open at any time," Elizabeth said.
"I know," Taylor said. "And Elizabeth?"
"Yes?"
"Get some sleep," Taylor said smiling.
Elizabeth smiled as she watched Taylor walk out of her office and into the control room.
0oo0
Here's a glimpse at what's coming up next. I'll probably update around next Monday.
"A few weeks ago some of our scientists found a new lab. Thousands of years ago, it was used to catalogue ancient human civilizations within the Pegasus galaxy. The Lanteans thought it best to create an outpost to better catalogue these civilizations.
"We found the outpost?" Taylor asked.
Elizabeth nodded. "The Lanteans left the Gate address."
"Isn't this mission more suited for a full archaeological team?" Taylor asked.
"It was. Until the scientists figured out what happened to the outpost," Elizabeth said.
"Culled," Taylor guessed.