Navigator

by MillieMaeB

Anna & Sumner were the pair, the ones you wanted in the sky with you. Their connection to each other & the Viper was unheard of, the enemy seemingly falling from the sky before them. Then Sumner is killed & Anna is broken, leaving Atlantis, swearing to never return. But a year later she does, bringing Rodney McKay with her. Can they & their Pilots finally bring an end to the war?

4. Chapter 4

Three days later.

Cameron groaned quietly. "Princess, go away" There was another poke to his side, tickling fingers up his ribs. He opened his eyes and scowled up at her. Anna was fully dressed and smiling down at him, coffee mug clasped in her hand. His eyes flickered to the clock by their bed. He groaned again. "0530? Seriously?"

"I want to show you something Cameron" Another smile. "And I made you coffee"

He sighed. There had not been enough sleep sandwiched between last nights poker game and this mornings wake up call. "Baby girl.."

The smile wavered slightly. "Please.."

He eyed his Navi. "It's important?"

Anna nodded. "And I missed it last year"

Cam raised a brow.

She shifted slightly. "Cause I was, you know, in the infirmary"

He scrubbed over his face and sat up, holding his hand out for the coffee. "Ok baby, do I have time for a shower?"

The smile was back. "Thank you" She chewed her lip. "We have to go in ten minutes"

"Jesus" He waved her away from the bed and threw back the comforter. "Fine, I'll drink this in there"

As he stood she went up on tiptoes and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek. "Thank you Cameron"

"Yeah, yeah" He tried not to smile indulgently back at her. "This had better be good"

Standing under the hot spray whilst practically mainlining his coffee he winced at his slightly pounding head. He was seriously going to have to work on his drinking limits if he was going to continue to socialize with Dr McKay, the man was like a bottomless pit when it came to whisky, even Anna had been a little unsteady on her feet when they'd finally left. And his Navi could drink. Placing his empty mug on the floor of the shower he rolled his neck a couple of times and dumped a load of shower gel in his hands.

Giving himself a cursory rub over and promising his abused body a longer shower later Cam stepped out and grabbed a towel, slinging it around his hips. Stepping out into the bedroom he grinned at the sight of his Navi bouncing up and down on her heels, her back to him, looking out the window. He snatched up his BDU pants. "Where we going Princess?"

Anna turned and smiled back. "Outside"

He raised a brow before pulling his tee over his head. "Just us?"

"Probably not"

Sitting down to lace up his boots he tried to subtly look her over. Anna had only had two nightmares since their first night together which was a hell of a lot better than he'd been predicting, and none after their little adventure off world which had surprised him even more, but the other day he'd turned to say something to her as they were walking down a corridor only to realise she'd stopped a few feet behind him. His Navi had been staring blankly at the wall in front of her, seemingly oblivious to his voice and the people passing her. Waving off a couple of concerned personnel he'd stood behind her trying to fathom just what the hell she was staring at. The surface was smooth, free from any markings or writing.

Whilst he'd been trying to decide whether to risk shaking her out of it himself she'd brought herself back, blinking slowly before stepping back from the wall, straight into him. She'd jumped and flinched away. It had taken him all day to get her to stop laughing it off and actually tell him what had caused her to slip away from him so easily. Apparently some Pilot who had been compromised during a brief imprisonment with the Krill had taken a pot shot at Sumner.

He and Anna really had been making huge progress in the war before he'd died, enough for them to become known to their enemy despite being shut away in their Viper. The wall had taken the bullet and Anna had taken him down before he could get another shot off but Cameron could imagine the panic and fear that had ingrained the event in her memory, freezing her up whilst she was still raw from confronting her grief. He tied off his last lace and his hand was instantly grabbed, pulling him off the bed. "Anna.."

"Come on, I don't want to be late"

"And you call me bossy"

She rolled her eyes. "You are"

He was tugged towards the door. "Hey"

Anna turned and sighed. "What now?"

Cam raised a brow. "Careful baby girl"

She glared at him and he yanked her back towards him. "Hey!"

He grinned down at her. He couldn't have been more than five minutes in the shower. Sliding a hand into her hair Cam pulled her up and into a kiss, moaning quietly as she parted her lips for him. Wrapping his other arm around her waist he pulled her closer, intensifying his attentions on her mouth. As his Navi slid her arms round his neck he moved his hands so he could raise her off the floor by her arse, with the vague idea of turning round and taking her back to bed. Anna wriggled and pulled her head away. "No"

He smiled lazily at her. "No, what?"

"I know where you're going Cameron"

"Yeah, outside" He thickened his accent deliberately.

"Exactly. Put me down" She scowled at him.

He nipped at her lip before lowering her back to the floor. "Tease"

"You started it" His hand was grabbed again. "Now we're going to be even more late"

"Baby, you're always late" He was dragged into the corridor and nearly slammed into Sheppard. "Jesus, Anna.."

The other Pilot grinned at him. "At least I'm not the only one"

Cam flipped him off. "Any idea why I'm out here instead of in there.." He gestured to the door he'd just been pulled through with surprising strength. "..getting some"

"Nope, but I'm guessing its the same reason I'm not as well"

They followed the disappearing figures of their Navi's. "No Lorne?"

"He's already there apparently"

Huh" They eyed the people slowly emerging from the doors to the living accommodation. "What the hell is this?"

"Well, there's no alarm ringing so I think we're safe"

Cam rolled his eyes. "Must be pretty special. Anna said she missed it last year"

Sheppard raised a brow. "She did?"

"Infirmary" He murmured.

"Ah" His friend dropped his voice. "Everything ok?"

He shrugged. "Seems to be"

"You're a man of many words Mitch"

"Bite me" He jumped as a hand wrapped round his wrist. Turning to the side he looked questioningly at his Navi who was stood at the edge of another corridor, one that was free of the crowds steadily moving towards the mess.

"This way" She smiled. "Less crowded"

"You know we could have just made out in the room"

Sheppard snorted beside him. Anna rolled her eyes. "Hilarious. Come on. Rodney's this way too"

"I've never been a fan of double dating, kinda creepy"

"Do you Pilots take a special class to be this funny or is it a sign-up requirement?"

"Ouch, your Navi's on form today Mitch"

"Tell me about it"

They grinned at her as she glared at them then spun on her heels and made her way down the corridor. Following Anna as she turned left Cam frowned. He didn't recognise this part of the city.

"It's not really used, when they first got here it was full of water"

"I heard a lot of it was"

Anna nodded at Sheppard before ordering the doors in front of them open. Cam stepped out behind her. "Huh, cool" He looked out over the railings. They were on a small balcony that sat above the pier where other groups were gathering and just below them the catwalk that ran around the mess was steadily filling up too. He turned and nodded at Lorne who was already propped in the corner, looking a little bleary eyed and holding a coffee. "You get kicked out of bed too?"

For a moment his friends gaze flickered to his Navi who was hunched over the railings, face turned away from them, then he was focusing back on Cameron. "Yeah, in a way"

He raised a brow and opened his mouth to reply when there was more tugging on his sleeve. "Anna, will you quit doing that"

His Navi grinned up at him. "Nope. Come here, it'll start soon"

Lorne huffed a quiet laugh and moved forward to stand next to Chuck. "Is there going to be a fly past or something?"

"Without us?" Sheppard peered round and grinned at him.

"You're not official yet Colonel"

"But I am.."

"Awesome" His Navi rolled his eyes. "Yeah, we know"

Cam snorted. "None of us should be up this early" He moved behind Anna, gripping the railings, boxing her in, and resting his chin on her shoulder. "Just wake me when it starts"

"These young people, they have no stamina" He twisted his head to glare at their squadron leader. Caldwell smiled back. "Good morning Colonel Mitchell, feeling delicate are we?"

"Shouldn't you be down with the masses?"

The other Colonel flipped him off, guiding his Navi in front of him and to an empty space at the railings. "Who do you think found this place?"

"Um, I did" Anna smirked at her old friend.

"No way, I did"

"Did not"

"Did too"

"Did not"

"Princess, please shut the fuck up"

"Told you he was grumpy in the morning"

"Uh huh" Laura nodded.

They all turned their heads as the doors slid open again. Colonel Carter looked around. "Great, now I'm going to have to find a new VIP viewing area"

"Oh come on, we're very important" Rodney smiled at her.

She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, you're great"

"Um, Sam, is there a problem?" An accented voice drifted through from the corridor behind her.

"Some peasants have managed to find their way up here" She grinned at Rodney and winked, stepping forward. "Shift up then"

As they made room for the rest of AR-1 and, moments later, General Landry Cam wondered if he was actually still tucked up in bed and having the most surreal dream since the one with the robotic spiders. The real thing still freaked him out to this day after that delightful nightmare.

"Cameron.."

He refocused on Anna. "Yeah?"

"It's starting, look.." His Navi pointed out over the ocean.

Following her finger his gaze skimmed over the ocean, still a slight orange pink colour from the reflection of the last of the three suns rising. Small black dots began to appear on the horizon then disappear again, at the same time as the biggest of the suns, Surya, began to seemingly undulate, it's surface rippling, sparking. He strained his eyes, squinting slightly in the face of the ever brightening star which was also causing the water to reflect an even more blinding light. The dots reappeared again and this time they were closer.

Cameron's eyes began to water a little and he wished his Navi had told him to pick up a pair of shades before coming out here. He looked sideways along the railings, everyone else also seemed to be shielding their eyes whilst still trying to look at what was turning into a rather beautiful sunrise. Then Surya rose higher above their planet and while it still rippled and shot bright streams from its surface the light dimmed enough for him to refocus on the ocean. Amongst the still pink tinged waves the black dots began to surface once more and he leant forward slightly, smiling as he realised what he was seeing. "Whales.."

"Umhmm" Anna nodded, still watching the ocean. "Every year Surya flares and the whales come. No one knows why"

He rested his chin back on her shoulder as the animals drew closer. "Are they like our whales?"

"As far as we can tell" Colonel Carter twisted her head to smile at him. "We'd like to get marine biologists out here but at the moment…"

"The war takes everything"

She nodded sadly. "Yeah. But we still enjoy watching them every year. And they never let us down" She looked back out over the water which was starting to slosh over the sides of the pier as the whales drew closer, a crowd near to the edge getting a soaking as one a few yards out launched half of it's body out of the ocean before diving back in.

"There must be hundreds of them" Rodney frowned. "Where do they come from? And why here? Why only when..?"

"Baby, that's enough" His Pilot grinned at him. "Leave a little mystery in the world ok genius?"

His Navi rolled his eyes. "But don't you want to know?"

"No" Sheppard shrugged. "Its pretty"

"You are such a girl. Ow!" Rodney glared at him. "Ow"

"Now, now children. No hair pulling during the pretty sunrise"

Cam snorted as Sheppard rolled his eyes at their leader. "He called me a girl"

"Well I didn't like to say.." Caldwell smirked at him and got the finger in reply.

"I see we're all bonding nicely before your first run" Sam grinned at them, Ronan doing the same over her head.

"We're all planning on shooting Steven out of the sky the minute we're off radar" Anna smiled innocently over at them.

Ronan snorted.

"Hey!" Laura frowned. "I'm on that Viper too remember?"

"Two birds with one stone"

"Bite me Chuck"

"You are going to make a wonderful team" Teyla leant forward to smile at them. "Your care for each other is clear to see"

They all stared at her.

"Please, that is so disturbing"

"And gross"

"They're so annoying"

The Athosian smiled serenely back at them, eyes running over Cam briefly before turning back to the view. "As you wish" She murmured.

Shaking the feeling he'd just been turned inside out and read better than Anna ever could he wrapped his arms around her waist. "Thank you for the wake up call Princess" He kept his voice low, squeezing gently.

"Welcome Cameron" She laced her fingers through his keeping her eyes fixed on the water. The whales were certainly putting on one hell of a show and now they were starting to sing to each other, the water surrounding the city almost black with their bodies and the air filled with their voices. She shivered slightly in his grasp.

He bent his head so he could whisper in her ear. "You ok Anna?" Cam guessed she must have come to see this with Sumner at least once, hell, he was probably the one who showed her it for the first time.

"Umhmm" His Navi nodded. "Wish I'd bought coffee now though"

"Did someone say they'd brought coffee?" Landry raised a brow.

Anna rolled her eyes. "No, I said I wished I had"

"Damn" His General stifled a yawn.

"Don't you see this every year Sir?"

He rolled his eyes at Lorne and gestured to the water. "Would you get bored of this?"

The Major smiled. "Nope"

"Exactly" Landry looked thoughtful. "Maybe I should get some of the geniuses here to see if they can get them to come a couple of hours later"

"Not everyone can run to your schedule Hank" The other member of AR-1 grinned at the General. "Perhaps the whales would say that seeing as you know when they are coming you should get an early night yes?"

"Shut up Radek"

"Of course General"

Landry flipped him off. "And I would have had an early night if someone had not filled my gate room with smoke yesterday"

"Awesome"

"It was not awesome Sheppard. It was giant walking burning trees"

"You set fire to the Ents? How could you?" Anna pouted at Dr Zalenka.

"Um, with a flare gun"

Colonel Carter snorted then tried to cover it up with a cough.

"It wasn't funny Carter"

"No Sir"

Grinning at the other Colonel who was trying to look suitably chastised Cam turned back to the ocean which was slowly starting to return to its normal bluey green as the whales began to disperse, returning to wherever the hell they'd come from. A few still seemed content to show off to the spectators on the pier.

"How long do they stay?"

Anna tipped her head back to speak to him. "They'll be out of sight in another hour or so, but you can hear them for most of the day"

Cam raised a brow. "Really?"

"Um hmm" She nodded. "It's nice, like we're not the only ones out here you know?"

He smiled at her. "Yeah I know baby" Although the city was always buzzing, usually with the consequences of the latest tech related disaster, when you went outside and looked out over the planet you realised just how isolated the base was. There were no other human-like life forms here, there weren't even any birds to see in the sky and apparently the mainland was pretty sparse too. But the oceans must be teaming with life to support the whales he'd just had the privilege of seeing.

Radek leant forward to catch McKay's eye. "If you have chance before your first run I would be happy to show you my research on the whales. I'm afraid I do not have much time to dedicate to work outside of the war effort but you're welcome to see what I have so far"

Dr McKay blinked at him. "Um ok, thanks. That'd be great"

Dr Zalenka nodded. "Not a problem. I hope one day soon we shall be free of the Krill. Pegasus has so much more to teach us"

---

Evan followed the rest of his squadron off the balcony and towards the mess watching his Navi quietly converse with Anna and Mitchell. He hadn't expected keeping his distance to be so difficult, not predicting his two fellow Pilots to seemingly fall so easily into relationships with their Navi's. He wasn't stupid, or unprepared, knew what pairing up with a Navi was supposed to entail but then he'd met Chuck Harrington and all of his expectations had been thrown out the window.

The man was hot, with a quick wit and the ability to hold an interesting conversation, and he obviously cared deeply for those who moved within his friendship circle despite enjoying winding them up. In short he was someone whom Evan would have picked out as having potential as a partner even without the Pilot/Navi factor which was making this even tougher. And then the man had gone and gotten himself hurt off world, his fading black eye still giving Evan a weird feeling in his stomach. He sighed quietly, dragging his feet as they turned to the left, the smells of breakfast drifting down the now familiar hallway that led to the mess.

It was ok when they were all there, he and Chuck got on so no one had picked up on anything being wrong, and with the security of others watching he fell into a relaxed interaction with the other man pretty easily. But it was when they were alone he struggled, his Navi was so damn naturally tactile and flirtatious, unknowingly leaving himself open to touches and innuendoes, and Evan was finding it torturous. And it was getting harder and harder to escape without being downright rude, more and more difficult to not reach out and take that touch.

He ran a hand through his hair and yawned. Because his Navi wasn't sharing his bed Evan had been woken by his door persistently chiming, which he thought was probably a lot less pleasant experience than an elbow to the ribs would have been, and he'd staggered out of bed cursing out his hangover and dragging on sweats. Thinking they were being invaded or something he'd grabbed his sidearm and jogged over to the door, hoping he could still shoot straight with his whisky infused blood and praying no one wanted him to actually fly today.

As the door had slid open his Navi had blinked at him, eyes running down Evan's bare chest before taking in the Beretta. Chuck had then raised his gaze and grinned.

"That's a great look for you but we're not being invaded"

Evan had flipped him off.

Eyes were rolled and his Navi strolled past him and sprawled out on the couch. "We need to be outside in twenty, want you to see something"

He licked his lips, his mouth was like a desert, that something had died in. "Can't I see it later?"

"No" Chuck scowled at him.

He'd sighed. "Chuck.."

"It's important"

Evan had stared at him for a minute. As far as he'd been able to fathom out not much was important to his Navi but what was he treasured. He'd pinched the bridge of his nose. "Right, sure. I'll, uh, I'll just shower" Turning on his heels he thought he heard the other man mutter something. Evan had turned, frowning slightly. "Pardon?"

Chuck raised a brow. "Pardon?"

He'd rolled his eyes at his Navi. "What did you say?"

"Nothing" Chuck was doing a marvellous impression of a sullen teenager.

Evan half-heartedly threw his hands up in the air. "Right, fine. I won't be a minute"

Bringing himself back to the present he grabbed a tray and took his place in line behind Anna who turned and gave him a small smile which he returned. "You look tired Major"

"So does everyone else Miss Rayne"

She grinned at him. "But it was worth it yes?"

"Yeah" He grinned back. "Hope I'm still around next year, would like to see it again"

"I'm sure you will be" She turned and grabbed a bottle of water as Evan nodded his thanks for the plate that was passed to him by one of the counter staff. "May I ask you something Evan?"

He turned to her and raised a brow. "Is it appropriate for the mess?"

Anna snorted. "Yes"

They moved up the line. "Then please.."

"Are you happy?"

He frowned at her. "Are you?"

She rolled her eyes. "I am currently 70/30, in happiness' favour"

Evan huffed a quiet laugh and poured himself a glass of juice. "Can't you pick up on my levels of joy?"

Anna began filling her plate. "I keep my blocks up most of the time, it can be overwhelming and an invasion of other's privacy"

"Very wise Empath"

"Well, I am a grown up now"

"You sure?" He smirked at her and got a punch to the arm. "Hey"

She grinned at him. "So?"

Evan sighed. "Yes, I am"

Anna eyed him curiously for a minute then nodded. "Ok. Just..make the most of downtime ok?"

He frowned. "Um, ok"

Nodding again she turned to speak to the man behind the counter apparently satisfied with the outcome of their slightly bizarre conversation. He looked up feeling eyes on him and met Mitchell's gaze. The other Pilot raised a brow and Evan shrugged. The man couldn't have heard their conversation but he was very watchful of Anna at the moment, with what he knew of the young Navi's history he guessed it was understandable, and Mitchell had always had a little over-protective streak. His friend looked at him for a few seconds more then picked up his tray and made his way to the table that already held Sheppard and McKay.

"Evan?"

He blinked at her.

Anna grinned at him. "You're holding up the queue, don't want them to start in on a hunger induced rampage"

Glaring at her he slid his tray down, grabbing a chocolate muffin on the way past. He was hungover which made it perfectly acceptable to have bacon and chocolate for breakfast.

---

Rodney looked away at the light tap on his hand, John raised a brow. "Something wrong baby?"

"Um" He frowned. "No, why?"

His Pilot forked up some beans. "You were watching Anna and Lorne like they were about to expire on the spot"

He shifted. "No I wasn't"

"Yes you were"

"Was not"

John glared at him. "Quit it"

"You started it"

He sighed. "Rodney..I.." He dropped his fork back down and ran a hand through his hair. "You looked worried that's all"

He smiled at his Pilot, the man only seemed to display this kind of uncertainty around Rodney and he was starting to take it as a compliment. "Nothing big I promise"

"But there is a problem?"

"Um, no?"

John rolled his eyes. "We need to all work well together baby, if Lorne and Anna aren't getting along…"

"What?" Rodney blinked at him. "Oh, no, um, it's not that. I think she likes him, if the way she enjoys winding him up is anything to go by"

"So the fact she regularly insults me should be taken as a good thing?"

"Oh yes" He grinned at John. "The more she likes you the more she pisses you off"

There was a snort of laughter and Mitchell slid into a chair at the end of the table. "While I completely agree why are we discussing my Navi's immature tendencies?"

Rodney rolled his eyes. "John has acceptance issues"

"He did always have to be the most popular at the Academy, you should have seen the tantrums if someone threatened his status"

"Fuck off Mitchell" They glared at each other for a minute.

"For God's sake, and you call Anna childish" Rodney took a sip of coffee.

His Pilot shot him a look then turned back to the other man. "I wasn't sure if there was a problem between your girl and Lorne"

Mitchell raised a brow. "Don't think so" He sprawled back in his chair. "You're referring to their little conversation a minute ago?"

John nodded. "Rodney was watching them too"

"Was not"

"Baby don't lie"

"Please don't call him baby at the breakfast table" Mitchell smirked at him before looking serious. "And yeah, I saw it too" He drummed his fingers on the table. "I think somethings up with the Major and his Navi"

Rodney cursed inwardly, he had been hoping the Pilots of Squadron One were too wrapped up in themselves and their respective Navi's to have noticed. Anna had mentioned it a few days ago and once she had it had become more obvious to him but it was still pretty hard to spot if you weren't looking. He took a subtle look around, seeing Anna on her way over leaving Lorne to finish up at the counter and Chuck still chatting at the table of marines he'd stopped at.

"Rodney?" His Pilot was looking curiously at him. "Do you know anything?"

"No"

John frowned at him.

"And even if I did it's none of our business"

His Pilot sighed again. "Stop being deliberately frustrating"

Mitchell huffed a quiet laugh and unrolled his cutlery, waving his fork in the direction of the chair next to him as Anna appeared. She rolled her eyes. "Why can't I sit next to Rodney?"

"Because, Princess, we're going to have a little chat"

"Um, we are?" She placed her tray on the table and look at her fellow Navi. Rodney shrugged apologetically. She glared at him before taking her seat. "Look if this is about last night I swear I didn't know that was his.."

"Shut up Anna" Her Pilot scowled at her. "And don't try to distract me"

John grinned behind his mug.

"And you Sheppard" Mitchell flicked his gaze up quickly, Lorne had joined his Navi and seemed to have been pulled into whatever conversation they were having. "What was your little chat about up there with Lorne?"

Anna frowned at him. "Um, about this morning. And how bad his hangover is"

"And?"

"That was it"

Rodney watched as they stared at each other, Anna was a very good liar but he wasn't sure just how well Colonel Mitchell could read her now. Anna had already confided in him about the way he'd brought her grief about Sumner to the fore, right after she'd finished scaring the shit out of him by having a particularly terrifying flashback, which she'd made him promise he wouldn't tell her Pilot about.

"I think you're lying Anna"

"I think you're taking a wild stab in the dark Cameron" She rolled her eyes again and turned to face her plate, briefly catching Rodney's slightly panicked gaze. He wasn't sure what a pissed off Colonel Mitchell was like and, apparently unlike Anna, wasn't keen to find out. And now his own Pilot had narrowed his gaze at him. Great. Lorne and Chuck began to move through the tables again and he breathed a sigh of relief, at least this conversation could be over with.

"We'll talk about this again later Princess" Murmured Mitchell.

John quietly hummed his agreement and Rodney wished he had a slightly fuller diary for today, there was only so long you could string breakfast out.

---

Laura thoughtfully climbed the steps, her Pilot was in yet another meeting with Landry which meant she had a couple of hours to kill and she couldn't get this morning out of her mind. The whales had been amazing, a really beautiful sight that she was glad her Pilot had dragged her out of bed for but breakfast afterwards had been..strange. Her and Steven had been a bit later, as usual, his slightly superior standing in the squadron meaning he quite often got drawn into long and dull conversations, and when they'd arrived the table had been unusually quiet.

There was still conversation but Mitchell and Sheppard had seemed tense and Anna was most definitely sulking about something, and she had been chatting happily on the balcony earlier so whatever it was must have happened between the whales and the mess. Lorne and his Navi were pretty much as they always were but without the others really contributing even they seemed to struggle a bit. She sighed and started on the last twist of the staircase.

Laura had found this place on her third night in the city, coming across it on one of her runs whilst she was still figuring out the best route. She figured it used to be an observation room or something because the large glass dome allowed you to see most of the city and a good stretch of mainland, there were also several markings on the floor that suggested large equipment had once stood there. No one else seemed to know about it and it was always nice and empty and quiet when she came here. Politely asking the doors to open she stepped inside and three faces turned towards her. "Oh, um, hi" She smiled slightly. "Sorry, its uh, usually empty up here"

"That was the point" Anna grinned and waved for her to come over.

"Um, I'm not interrupting?"

"Don't be stupid" Rodney rolled his eyes. "We did look for you but.."

She sighed. "Did you?"

He frowned. "Of course"

"Laura stop being a dick. That's what we have our Pilots for" Chuck smirked at her. "Come and sit for fuck's sake"

"I feel so loved"

"Come on honey, you're part of our little messed up family now too" Anna smiled at her. "And you should actually wear your radio then we wouldn't have to launch a full scale manhunt every time we were getting together"

She raised her hand to her ear only to find it empty. "Damn it, I always get a bollocking for that"

They smirked at her as one and she rolled her eyes. "So from your little family comment I take it there is something wrong?" Laura made her way over to them, taking a seat on the floor so she could stare out the large glass dome.

"Um"

"Breakfast was weird"

"Ah, right, crap" Chuck shifted a bit. "Yeah, sorry about that"

"Didn't bother me" Laura shrugged. "Was just curious. It had been a lovely morning up til then"

"Yeah, maybe" Chuck sighed and shifted again.

"Is whatever it is also the reason you're all hiding up here?"

"We're not hiding" Anna raised a brow. "We're tactically retreating"

Rodney snorted. "In a completely non-cowardly way"

Laura looked around them. "Why? And how did you get away?"

"They got called into an impromptu meeting" Anna grinned again. "We ran"

"And so I repeat why?" Laura raised a brow.

"Sweetie?" Anna poked Chuck gently.

He ran a hand through his hair. "Um, Lorne, uh Evan.." He licked his lips. "He uh, doesn't want to, you know.."

"Oh" Laura blinked. "Um, but it's not mandatory right?"

Chuck rolled his eyes. "No, but sex with anyone else is pretty difficult. And I like him, and..I don't want to have sex with anyone else"

"Ah, right" She eyed him. "So, he's not gay"

"He is"

"Oh" Laura chewed on her lip. She was pretty new to this, as was Rodney but he'd had Anna all through his training and the benefit of her knowledge and experience. "Maybe he just wants to wait?"

"Pilot's usually only wait on first time Navi's" Anna smiled a little sadly at her. "After you've done a couple of runs you know what to expect, quite often you look forward to it"

"Huh. Well, Steven didn't wait and I'm a first-timer"

"Way to rub it in Cadman"

"Oh right, um sorry" She shot Chuck an apologetic look. "So is Sheppard waiting?"

Anna snorted. "Definitely not"

"Bite me Rayne" Rodney glared at her.

"So you feel pissed because you're the only one not getting any?"

Chuck flipped her off. "It's not just that, when we start flying it's going to get even harder.." Rodney snorted and got shot a dirty look. "..I'll need him, need his contact but if he doesn't want to…hand holding just isn't the same"

"And is gross" Anna wrinkled her nose.

"Except if it's Mitchell apparently" She stuck her tongue out at Laura who smirked back. "Have you asked him why?"

Chuck rolled his eyes. "No"

"Um, why?"

"Because its embarrassing"

"No it isn't. Just go to his room and ask him why he doesn't want to fuck you"

"So ladylike" Rodney grinned at her. "But then I guess Chuck isn't a lady, most of the time"

"Hey, we're supposed to be making me feel better remember?"

"Look Harrington" Rodney raised a brow. "Laura's right, and I know Anna said the same thing. You have to talk to him. For one thing I can not hide from my Pilot for the rest of eternity"

"Why are you hiding from them by the way? Surely this is just between Chuck and Lorne?"

"Yeah but now they've picked up on it, and blown it all out of proportion and are demanding explanations" Anna sighed. "And we don't want to go blabbing, as you say it's really between Chuck and Evan"

"Oh" Laura frowned. "I wonder why Steven.."

"He's probably noticed but he's got a few years experience on our Pilot's. He'll know if and when he needs to get involved" Anna smiled at her. "Advantages of an older man"

"Hmm, the sex.."

"Euw! No!" Chuck pointed at her. "It's gross, and I'm not getting any"

Laura grinned at him. "Sorry" She softened her expression. "Honestly, go see him. He looked shattered today and not just in the 'I'm hungover and got woken up way too early' way. I bet he's suffering too"

"From what? 'I'm a dick' itis?"

Anna giggled. "Nice one. I'm so using that one day"

"He'll go nuts"

"I wonder what angry Cameron is like?"

"No one wants to know"

"I do"

"That's because you're disturbed"

Anna stuck her tongue out at her best friend then turned back to Chuck. "Seriously sweetie, try to sort it one way or another. If he really isn't interested at least you'll know, can work towards something else"

"Right, great. Crap" He ran a hand through his hair. "Stupid Pilot, it's not supposed to be this difficult"

"Hey it's his first time remember? Go easy on him, maybe he's freaked out by the whole thing" Laura raised a brow.

"He's a Pilot, they don't get chosen for excelling in being a big girl"

"No, they're chosen for being incredibly good at being assholes"

Rodney snorted. "Speak for your own Pilot Rayne"

"Is Sheppard really a big girl?" Anna grinned at him.

"No" Rodney glared at her. "He's very manly"

Chuck stuck his fingers down his throat and made loud gagging noises.

---

"Here sweetie" Anna chucked Rodney another throw and wrapped herself back in her own. They were sat back on the small private balcony they'd watched the whales from earlier, a flask of coffee and some requisitioned brownies from Lenny between them.

He slung it over his shoulders and poured them both a drink. "Cheers" He took a sip. "Remind me why we're out here in the cold again?" The suns were bright and the sky clear but this was the planets equivalent to Earth's autumn and the air was crisp, their breath forming small white clouds.

"Because we're saving the obs room for major emergencies"

"Chuck's little meltdown is not an emergency"

Anna rolled her eyes. "It will be if it's still going on when we start flying. They need to be working well together otherwise they may not even achieve takeoff" He snorted and got the finger. "Don't be dirty Rodney, your Pilot has been a bad influence"

"You've been a bad influence" He grinned at her. "And is it really that imperative?"

"Yes, the Viper's respond to our emotions hon, not just our orders"

"Oh" He took another thoughtful sip. "Well, shit"

"Exactly" Anna snuck a hand out from her cocoon and snagged a brownie. "But we'll worry about that bridge when it comes to it"

"I think you've got your analogy's a little mixed up Rayne"

"Have not" She stuck her tongue out. "I'm blending the two to prove the potential seriousness of the situation"

"Idiot" He rolled his eyes. "Let's get on with this shall we before our Pilot's finally cotton on to where we are"

"Yeah, like that's gonna happen"

"Did you see them on the creepy BDSM planet Anna? You're underestimating their skills"

She eyed him then sighed. "Yeah, I guess. Why couldn't we have been matched with a couple of brainless hulks who just wanted to use us for our awesome skills, and hot bodies"

"Cause then we would have been bored out of our brains within the first two days. And you'd have gotten some moron who would probably have fucked you up even more"

"I am not fucked up"

"Yeah, you are" He smirked at her scowl then looked serious. "Mitchell is good for you, you should tell him about the thing.."

"What thing?"

"You know what thing"

"There is no thing"

"So is"

"Is not"

"Is too"

"And your Navi had the cheek to call us childish earlier"

Anna looked up at her suspiciously smug looking Pilot who was propped against the open door, Sheppard stood beside him grinning. "Damn it"

"Told you" Rodney grinned at her again.

She glared at him before blinking up innocently at Cameron. "Is there any chance you're going to go away and let us have this conversation in private?"

"Nope" He pushed off the door. "Your grace period is over Anna"

"Damn, I didn't even know I was having a grace period, I'd have been so much more annoying"

Sheppard snorted and moved further onto the balcony, letting the doors slide close behind him. Her Pilot sat down adjacent to her, back propped against the wall, legs bracketing her from the side. "So, whats the private meet about?"

"We're just hiding our contraband brownies"

"Bullshit Princess" He raised a brow. "Whats been happening? And has it got anything to do with the Major and his Navi?"

"Nothing, so therefore no" Anna took a bite of brownie so she didn't have to answer the inevitable next question.

Cameron glared at her.

"Perhaps you should step in baby" Sheppard grinned at Rodney. "Before Mitchell makes a bloody mess of his Navi on the balcony floor"

"More like the other way round" Muttered Rodney.

"Hey!"

"Rodney" His Pilot frowned at him. "We've got a week and a half to go"

"I received the schedule"

Anna tried not to smirk around her mouthful.

"That's enough. What has been happening? And why are you permanently attached to your tablet at the moment?" Sheppard raised a brow. "And incredibly possessive of it?"

"Is it anything to do with me keeping on catching Anna peering suspiciously under her furniture?"

Sheppard pointed at Rodney, opening his mouth to ask another question before blinking at his fellow Pilot. "Uh, what?"

Mitchell rolled his eyes. "The bed was subjected to not one but three thorough investigations yesterday"

"Was not" Anna scowled at him.

"Yeah it was, I was watching while you did it. And you keep staring suspiciously at walls, and ceilings"

"Isn't that normal for her?"

Anna flipped off a smirking Sheppard then pointed at her Pilot. "Stop stalking me"

"Anna.." He raised a brow. "What is going on?"

She looked at Rodney who shrugged. Anna rolled her eyes. "Rodney was just doing some work for me"

"Like what?"

"Tech stuff that he's better at"

"Like what?" The repeated question was ground out and there was a dangerous glint in her Pilot's eye.

Anna sighed. She wasn't used to losing but it didn't mean she couldn't tell when she was well on her way to it. "Rodney was tracing a diverted piece of security feed"

Cameron raised another brow. "Someone has been tapping into the security cameras?"

"I think so" Anna gestured to her friend. "He was about to tell me what he'd found out"

"Why are you interested in this? And how did you know about it?" Sheppard frowned at them.

"Um.."

Her Pilot hissed quietly. "Someone's been watching you?"

Anna nodded. "Yes"

"In your quarters?" Cameron growled.

"No" She rolled her eyes. "At least I don't think so"

He closed his eyes briefly. "From the beginning Princess"

"Cameron.."

"Now"

She looked at Rodney who raised a brow. Anna took a sip of coffee trying to figure out how to word this as best as possible then decided she was screwed however she tried to candy coat it. "The other night when we got the call to the briefing about AR-1 going missing.." Her Pilot nodded. "…Rodney was showed footage of me on his tablet"

"What?" Cameron flicked his gaze to the other Navi.

Rodney held his hands up. "Hey, I'm as confused as everyone else"

"And I wasn't naked or anything"

"For fuck's sake Anna" He glared at Sheppard. "Shut up"

"Oh come on, I didn't say anything"

"Quit thinking it"

"Nope"

Rodney poked his Pilot in the side. "Stop winding him up, don't you think he's pissed enough as it is?" He grinned at him. "And that's Anna's job"

"Guys please, can we get back to the crazy person stalking Anna?"

"I don't think they're stalking her, in fact I don't think its a person at all" They all stared at Rodney. "I've been tracing the damn footage for days now and I just keep ending up back in Atlantis' mainframe"

"So they're good?"

"You're not listening" He glared back at them. "It was Atlantis that sent me the images"

Anna blinked at him, coffee mug hovering a few inches away from her mouth.

"Wow, and I thought your Navi was the obligatory mental one"

"Hey!" She matched Rodney's scowl that was directed to his Pilot.

"Baby, you are kinda mental" Cameron smirked at her.

"Am not"

"Uh huh" He scooted forward and rested his chin on her shoulder. "It's ok, the hot ones generally are"

"Yep" Sheppard grinned at her.

"Well, you're the obligatory annoying one" She grinned back.

Her Pilot huffed a quiet laugh in her ear before turning his head to face Rodney. "So McKay, you sure about this?'

Her friend nodded. "Ninety seven percent"

"Ninety seven, seriously?"

"I like to be exact"

"He does" His Pilot waggled his brows. Anna made gagging noises at Sheppard who grinned back before turning to his Navi. "But you're really sure about this baby? I mean the city itself, its kinda hard to imagine"

"Like I said I'm pretty sure. And no I don't know why" Rodney drained his coffee. "It's almost like..she wanted to look after you or something"

"Great, that's not creepy at all" Anna sighed. "I've been adopted by an alien part-sentient city"

"Or she's in love with you"

"Euw" Anna wrinkled her nose. "Thats a little too far"

"Hey look, we found a boundary" Rodney smirked at her as she flipped him off. "Seriously Rayne I don't think this is anything to worry about"

"Yeah, that's cause you're not having your every movement tracked by Big Brother" They all looked up at the small camera above the balcony doors. Anna gave it a very pointed look but it remained stubbornly blinking down at them.

"Hang on" Her Pilot frowned. "I thought you were with McKay when we got that call?"

"Uh.." She twisted her head to look at him. "Oh, yes I was. That was after, he came to find me to tell me what he'd seen"

"And where did he find you?" Cameron narrowed his gaze.

"I went for a run remember?"

"Atlantis showed McKay you running?"

"Umhmm" She blinked at him.

"So why would the city think you needed looking after?"

Anna shrugged. "Maybe she thought I was over-exerting myself"

"Rodney?" Sheppard raised a brow at his Navi.

"Oh no, I've done my part"

"Where were you Princess?"

"Running Cameron"

Her Pilot sighed, warm breath ghosting over her ear. "Anna.."

"I may have passed by the Viper bay on my route" She eyed her empty mug a little sadly, her only method of stalling long gone. "I went in, I was just curious, haven't been down there since they pulled me out"

"We could have gone baby, anytime. You only had to ask" Cameron slid his arms round her.

She shrugged in his hold. "I hadn't really thought about it before"

"And, how did it go?"

She chewed on her lip, meeting Rodney's gaze. He raised a brow, again. She rolled her eyes at him. "Ok actually. Had a flashback but it wasn't a bad one, just everyday memories"

"Is that true McKay?"

He nodded. "Yeah, it was a bit weird to find her zoned out like that but she seemed calm. Just not..here"

"Thats what happens" Sheppard eyed her. "You just slip into past memories?"

"Umhmm" Anna smiled at him. "They think it's something to do with my Empath side. Makes them more intense, real"

"And you can't hear anything, see anything in the present?"

She shook her head. "No, it doesn't last long, I usually come back round on my own, no nasty side effects"

"Could it happen during flight?" The other Pilot frowned at her.

"I don't know" She smiled sadly.

"That could be dangerous Mitch"

"We're working on it Shep, and it would be a lot easier if I actually knew about this shit Anna"

"It wasn't important"

"Anna, if they see anything during the actual pairing process.."

"They won't"

"You sound very sure about that Miss Rayne" Sheppard tilted his head questioningly. "I thought even Empaths couldn't block the tests?"

"I probably could but they'd also probably pick up on the fact they weren't getting the whole story. If there's any chance of me being a danger I'll withdraw"

"You won't have to Princess. As long as you keep working with me ok? No hiding" Cameron squeezed her gently.

"Ok" She mumbled and scowled into her mug.

Rodney snorted. "A miracle, we've finally found someone to get you to do as you're told" She stuck her tongue out at him. He grinned back, alongside his equally grinning Pilot. "But um, I was curious about one thing"

Anna raised a brow. "What?"

"You uh, in the Viper, the Pilots console and both chairs were lit up even though you were sitting on the floor"

She frowned at him. "Are you sure?"

"Yes" He nodded. "I remember because it was strange, I didn't think that was possible"

"It shouldn't be" Her Pilot matched her frown. "Did you touch anything Anna?"

"No" She shook her head. "At least I don't think so"

"When did your flashback start baby?"

"Um, when I stepped off the stairs leading to the Vipers"

"So you found our Viper, got in and lit it up all whilst zoned out?"

Anna nodded.

"Jesus Princess, this might not be good"

"Why?"

"You know why Anna. Shit, what if your memories had led to you flying aswell?"

"She couldn't have flown without you Mitch"

"But she's flown without a Pilot before" Rodney smiled sadly at her. "Haven't you?"

Anna nodded again. "Yeah, shit. How did I do that?"

"I don't know I wasn't there" He rolled his eyes at her.

"I don't think I was either" She grinned at him.

"Not funny baby girl" Her Pilots arms tightened around her. "Crap"

---

Evan wearily padded over to his door, he'd been attempting to catch up on some serious missed sleep before meeting the rest of his squadron for dinner. But this time his door chime hadn't woken him, he'd already been staring up at his ceiling, again, trying to figure out what the hell to do and worrying about the impending pairing that was coming up way too fast. He ordered his door open and blinked at the figure standing there.

His Navi raised a brow. "Still working the morning look Major?"

He sighed. "Chuck, is there something wrong?"

"Yes"

"Um.."

"Can I come in?"

Evan frowned. He was way too tired to be capable of any potentially complicated or intense conversations. "Is there any way this can wait?"

Chuck glared at him. "No"

He ran a hand through his hair. "Right, um ok.." He gestured for the other man to come in and went to dig out his coffee.

"Gee thanks"

Evan shot him a look over his shoulder. "Coffee?"

"Sure" Chuck shrugged before sprawling out on the couch in the small living area just like he'd done earlier this morning.

He busied himself making the drinks, keeping his back to his Navi for as long as possible, face hidden in case it gave anything away. "So, what's up?"

"Nothing unfortunately"

Evan just about stopped himself from dropping the mug. "Pardon?"

"You don't appear to be interested so I thought it was best we ironed out the details of being able to see other people before we're paired up"

He froze in his movements and stared at the steam streaming from the coffee machine before closing his eyes briefly. "You have someone in mind?"

There was a pause. "Not currently"

"So we're talking about this now because..?" Evan poured the milk trying to keep the slight shake from his hands.

A sigh came from the couch. "Because people are starting to notice. And I don't like not knowing what I'm supposed to be doing, or not doing"

He licked his lips. "Right"

"And I thought if I mentioned other people you may finally display some kind of emotion"

"What the hell does that mean?" Evan topped up the mugs with coffee and swallowed. He could feel himself getting warmer and hoped he wasn't blushing like a school girl.

"You know what it means Major" He heard the couch shift slightly. "You're being painfully polite, the only time you're relaxed around me is when others are there and you practically run from my presence as soon as you think you can get away with it. Am I that bad? Did the tests get it wrong?"

Evan cursed under his breath. He'd been hoping to have his head on straight and his thoughts a little clearer before approaching this inevitable conversation. "No, they didn't get it wrong. And you're not bad, just the opposite in fact" He turned and placed one of the mugs on the low table in front of the couch. "And I'm sorry if I've made you feel like that"

His Navi eyed him suspiciously. "So whats the problem?"

He took a sip of coffee, pinching the bridge of his nose trying to relieve the last of his hangover. "Look Chuck, I really don't want to do this when I'm not thinking straight, I'm tired…"

"So am I" The man on the couch glared at him. "You know why? Cause all I can think about is this…" He waved a hand between them. "…trying to figure out what I've done, or haven't done, how I can somehow make it right. I'm not sleeping Major, and I don't think you are either" He raised a brow, reaching for his coffee.

"Pushy Navi" Muttered Evan.

"Hey, we're not all doormats you know?" Chuck scowled at him.

"Oh I know that" Evan rolled his eyes. "Although most manage to remember Pilot's are actually in charge"

His Navi snorted. "Yeah, on paper"

"Chuck, ba…" He bit off the word.

"Pardon?"

"Pardon?" He tried to keep his face blank.

Chuck looked suspiciously like he was holding back a smirk. "Did you nearly address me with a term of endearment?"

"No"

"Liar" The other man took a sip of coffee. "But we'll forget that for now. Tired or not we need to sort this. I would prefer for us not to fall asleep at the wheel at thirty thousand feet"

"Hilarious" Evan sighed and slid down the wall, back pressed against the cool surface, legs stretched out in front of him. "Right, fine"

There was a moment's silence. Chuck rolled his eyes. "You have to talk Evan, you're the one holding all the cards"

He swallowed. "It's not like that"

"Yes it is, I don't whats happening remember? And I'm not the one trying to keep as much distance between us as possible"

Evan nodded, studying the coffee cradled in his hands. He'd run through this conversation a hundred times, knew what he had to say, what he wanted to say but it still got stuck in his throat, made his chest burn. He closed his eyes again.

"Ev?"

Slowly opening them again he raised his head to meet his Navi's concerned gaze, soft brown eyes staring into his. He sighed again. "I know why the tests matched us"

A brow was raised. "Um, ok?"

"My Dad, my biological one, he used to…hit my Mom. And us" Evan swallowed again as a brief look of panic flickered across his Navi's face.

"My Dad never.."

"I know" He tried for a small smile.

Chuck ran a hand through his hair, giving a dark chuckle. "The bastards put it in my file"

"They have to"

"No they don't"

"Chuck.." Evan eyed his Navi who was now putting as much effort into studying his coffee as he had done himself a few moments ago. "You know they have to. The link to each other, to the Viper, it's vital that we're at least vaguely stable"

"I am stable" His Navi ground out.

"Are you?"

"I don't fucking believe this"

"Hey look, I'm not saying you're batshit crazy or anything.."

"Gee, I'm so touched"

Evan rolled his eyes at him. "OR that I'm all sorted, that it still doesn't sometimes affect me, my choices and my actions. Like with this..you. I can't even touch you because I'm too worried about hurting you, scaring you. It freaks me out ok?" His Navi blinked a little dazedly at him. "I want to Chuck, I do. It's been torture, but I don't where to start, how to fix this"

"I don't need fixing"

"I think you do, I think I do too" Evan sighed and drained his coffee. "Maybe we're supposed to help each other…I don't know"

"You're the Pilot, you're supposed to know"

"I know" Evan snorted quietly. "Maybe, could you tell me? What happened after the crash, after Sumner was gone?"

His Navi gave him a curious look. "I..I don't think that's a good idea"

"I need to know. It's the unknown that s freaking me out Chuck, I understand how a simple touch or too quick movement can set off the fear, the memories. Help me understand, please"

The other man leant forward, elbows propped on his knees, hand still grasping his mug. He nodded. "Ok, but it's your fault if anything.."

Evan nodded in reply. "Of course, thank you"

---

One year ago.

Chuck sat by his friends bed, Anna was still sleeping and in a way he was glad, at least she couldn't read him whilst she was unconscious. After his Pilot had left he'd slipped out of their quarters and come down to the infirmary, at night the lights were dim and the place was quiet, just the faint beep of the machines and the sometimes murmured conversations between the med staff. There was something ironically peaceful about it despite the fact those who came here were sick or gravely injured.

He looked over at her, face smooth and relaxed, breathing steady and even. He didn't think he'd ever seen Anna like this, and if she ever decided to wake he was pretty sure he wouldn't get to see her like this again. Marshall had been her life, for the past two years he had bullied, nurtured and cajoled her into the finest Navi that had ever been on record. And as a person she had flourished, her confidence growing, her happiness plainer and plainer to see. Chuck wasn't sure she'd survive without her Pilot and if she did what she'd become once she'd dealt with his death.

He ran a hand through his hair, in fact he wasn't sure what was going to happen to all of them now. Viper Squadron One, together for two years, had become a slick team in the sky and on the ground. Thanks to Marshall the bond that existed between them was nearly as strong and efficient as that between the individual Pilot/Navi pairings but he could already see the cracks, the mortar shaking loose from the bricks that held them together. The rest of the squad had begun to isolate themselves, only coming together when they visited Anna, and that worried him in a way he couldn't put his finger on.

They had been placed on indefinite downtime until Anna awoke and they could ascertain whether she would be capable of joining with another Pilot. He could have told them, hell Steven had already tried to, Anna Rayne would not be ready for another Pilot for a long time, if ever. But things had to be done to regulation, and they needed the remains of Squadron One back in the sky as soon as possible, their reports of the hybrid they'd seen that day had the techs and higher-ups running around like headless chickens. Chuck sighed and placed a hand over hers. "Maybe you should stay in there a bit longer sweetie, just..come back to us eventually ok?"

His gaze dropped to where his sleeve had slid up a little revealing his wrist and he swallowed at the sight of the faint bruising. It would get darker, he'd been beaten up by alien natives enough times to know that, and there was already the faint outline of fingers to be seen. He removed his hand from Anna's and pulled his sleeve back down, making sure he reached for his mug with the other hand. His Pilot was strict, was old school military, and he certainly had a temper but he'd never laid a finger on Chuck, at least not in that way.

Their match had created almost as many surprised looks as Anna's and Sumner's and the other Navis and Pilots had gone on to be amazed at the amount of leeway he gave his pairing, and the fondness he displayed for the younger man. In turn Chuck had been grateful to be joined with an experienced Pilot who could make any meddling tech back off with a single look, and the sex had been pretty awesome too. But now the man he thought he knew, was pretty sure he loved a little, was grieving and angry and Chuck hardly recognised him.

When he'd reached out to offer and ask for a comforting touch earlier his wrist had been grabbed in a painful hold and twisted. His Pilot had looked down at him, icy blue pinning him to the spot despite the pain. "This is your fault Chuck" He'd hissed, the grip tightening causing Chuck to whimper quietly. "If you'd followed orders he'd be alive" Then his wrist had been dropped and the other man had spun on his heels and left without another word. Chuck bit his lip, feeling his eyes well up at the memory. What was worse than anything else was that he couldn't understand what his Pilot was trying to tell him. He hadn't disobeyed any orders, he couldn't find one moment in his mental or recorded log of that day where his actions had doomed his friends but if his Pilot said he had done it, well it had to be true.

---

Chuck stood in front of the gate, trying not wince as his friend hugged him tight, her embrace pressing painfully on the large bruise on his arm. Anna stepped back and he sighed inwardly with relief. She smiled, a weak one but it still reached her eyes, just. "Goodbye sweetie, I'll miss you"

He licked his lips. "Me too Rayne"

"Will you come visit?"

"Oh yeah, a vacation on the front line, how wonderful"

Anna stuck her tongue out then frowned. "Chuck, are you..?"

"Fine" He glared at her. "And no reading me, we discussed its bad manners to poke about in people's brains without their permission"

She rolled her eyes. "I'm not poking, you're projecting"

"I'm waving my best friend off to her possible doom, I'm allowed to project" He raised a brow.

She frowned again. "Are you sure?"

He sighed. "Yes, now bugger off"

"Chuck.."

"Go away, I'm already pissed you're deserting me"

Anna chewed on her lip, eyes suspiciously moist.

"Hey" She looked at him and he smiled back. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it. Just, take care of yourself ok?"

She nodded."You too" There was brief squeeze to his hand. "And thank you"

He watched as she said goodbye to Teyla and Ronan before hefting her duffel over her shoulder and disappearing into the horizon. As the gate shut down his shoulders slumped and the sick feeling intensified. A hand curled around his arm, fingers digging into the bruise. He tried to keep his face free from pain. "Let's go Chuck"

Nodding silently he allowed his Pilot to lead him from the room and towards their quarters. He knew now that what had happened wasn't his fault, he'd looked at it from every angle and his actions on that fateful day had been as good as they could have been under the circumstances. This was to do with his Pilot, with the mans inability to grieve properly, he'd made the mistake of trying to explain it to him two nights ago and the rage that had been directed towards him had been horrifying.

During the past weeks his Pilot had swung back and forth from a towering and terrifying presence looming down over him to an almost childlike and broken one, curled into a ball, sobbing into Chuck's neck. It was worse right after the beatings, he'd sink to the floor, tears running down his cheeks whilst he repeated over and over again how sorry he was, how much he loved Chuck, how it wouldn't happen again. But it always did, and even if Chuck was spared the physical abuse there was the sneered insults, twisted words that pierced the Navi's heart over and over again.

He didn't know what to do. He knew deep down his Pilot was a good man with a kind heart and if Chuck reported everything that had been happening he would lose his commission, would be stripped of his rank and any awards he had gathered over his long service. But this couldn't continue, with Anna refusing to rejoin the squad they were already starting the process of recruiting a new flight team and Chuck and his Pilot would be subject to the routine tests required before being allowed back into the sky.

Then they would know, or at least have an idea that something was wrong and Chuck didn't know for how long he would be able to protect his Pilot, keep his problems hidden. He was pretty sure the other man had started drinking too. He shook himself from his thoughts as their door slid open in front of them and he was ushered inside. As it slid shut he turned to his Pilot, waiting to see what today would bring. The man stepped forward and ran a gentle finger down his cheek. "I'm sorry you've lost your friend my love"

Chuck nodded silently, trying to work out if he was close to snapping again.

"It'll be ok I promise. We'll be ok" And his Pilot sounded like he was trying to convince himself rather than Chuck. Then he smiled and gently pressed his lips against the Navi's, tongue lightly running over them, asking permission. As Chuck opened up he hummed contentedly as he was pulled into a tender embrace, smooth strokes running up and down his back. Today was going to be a good day.

---

Chuck rolled out of the way, could feel the blood trickling down the side of his face. Teyla's training was excellent, he could take the man advancing on him with only a little effort but he didn't want to, hadn't been able to bring himself to despite everything. It was the damn tears that got him every time, knowing that somewhere on the inside his Pilot was screaming out for help and the guilt at not being able to provide it made Chuck's stomach roll. "Think you're so much better don't you" He hissed. "With your training, and your friends, and your qualifications"

The last word was practically spat at him. This latest temper tantrum had been sparked by Chuck receiving the results of his Astro Navigation exam. He'd passed with a distinction and his Pilot had been so encouraging during his studies he thought this news would, at least for a while, bring some happiness to the man, instead Chuck had been subjected to some kind of jealous rage. He may as well have just told his Pilot he'd been fucking another man.

Suddenly his Pilot reached for the desk chair in a surprise move and Chuck wasn't ready, wasn't quick enough. It slammed into his already bleeding head and he saw stars for a moment before dropping to his knees, bringing up his breakfast. He was vaguely aware of being lifted by his collar and propped against a wall, the blurred image of his Pilot swimming in front of him. "You can clean up that fucking mess Navi.." And his Pilot had long ago stripped that word of any pleasure or comfort that Chuck used to find in it. "..then you go admit you cheated to your examiner. Distinction!" He yelled into his face, drops of spittle hitting Chuck's cheek. "You're a poor excuse for a Navigator! Cheater!"

Chuck blinked and tried to bring his vision back in focus, the blow to the head and the threatening tears were mingling to give everything a fuzzy, twisty look. He felt himself sway a little and the bile began to rise, and this could not be happening because this was going to really piss off his Pilot but he couldn't help it. The rest of his breakfast splattered onto the other mans tee and ran down over his BDU pants. His Pilot roared and released one hand, balling it up and pulling it back. Chuck began to squirm in his grasp but his balance was off and he really didn't feel good, all he could do was try to bury himself in the wall behind him and close his eyes against the blow that was inevitably coming.

Then he was released and he could feel himself sliding down the wall, cracking open his eyes he became vaguely aware of other people in their room, a cool hand pressed against his neck, another against his head. He forced his eyes open further. Steven smiled gently down at him. "It's ok Chuck, it's over. Just relax, gonna get the Doc here" He looked past his rescuer, his Pilot was unconscious, Ronan and Teyla hefting him between them and making their way to the door. "No one will know Chuck, I promise" The man crouching beside him brushed his cheek."I'm so sorry, so sorry I didn't see before"

Chuck blearily nodded at him before his world began to grow dark around the edges and the voice of his friend radioing for Carson to hurry faded out.

---

Present Day.

Chuck raised his eyes and smiled sadly at his current Pilot. "Carson said Steven probably saved my life that day, I wouldn't have been able to take another blow to the head" He sighed. "When I healed I joined a gate team. Steven left, headed back to Earth, I think partly to watch over my Pilot. His Navi went back into the testing pool for a new paring"

Evan ran a shaky hand over his face. "Jesus Chuck"

"I was, am, a grown man Evan. I could have beat the crap out of him, I could have walked away. It was a choice. Completely different from what you experienced"

"He gave you no choice. He used your feelings for him to guilt you into staying Chuck, that's what they do"

"He was hurting"

"Maybe to begin with. He refused help" His Pilot sighed quietly. "Does Anna know?"

Chuck shook his head. "I don't think so, she was gone by then. I think maybe she suspected something was wrong but she was still pretty battered and bruised herself when she left, she'd built up so many walls against her grief not much got through. I don't know if Steven told her but.." he shrugged. "She hasn't said anything, and I don't think he would have"

"And the other pair on the squad?"

"There was just the six of us" His Pilot raised a brow. Chuck shrugged again. "We were awesome"

Evan huffed a quiet laugh. "Yeah, so I hear. What happened to your Pilot?"

Chuck bit his lip and stared into the now empty mug. "By the time he came round from Ronan's hit he was back on Earth. Once they were pretty certain he was actually capable of rational thought, and sober, they told him that due to his actions towards his Navigator that he would be discharged and stripped of his rank and all merits. But they promised him a new identity and a fresh start if he kept his mouth shut and never attempted to find me. They didn't want word getting out that an abusive Pilot/Navi relationship was possible, it's sold as a complete experience, happy families and all that" He snorted quietly.

"Who?" He looked at his Pilot in surprise, there was the tiniest hint of a growl behind the question.

"Um, the higher-ups. IOA, White House..the Admiral"

"Hammond?"

Chuck nodded. "Yeah, and I think Jack nearly lost his job when he found out and went to talk to him. I don't think Admirals take kindly to having their parentage questioned"

"Gotta love O'Neill"

"Umhmm"

"Chuck?" He raised his head and Evan smiled at him. "Thank you for telling me, and I'm sorry. He should have been the one to help you through something painful and instead he just added to it"

"S'ok"

"No, it's not. If I ever find out where he is.." His Pilot trailed off then shook his head. "..um, yeah, well I'm mad. Lets just say that" Chuck watched him as he stood and made his way to the couch, perching on the edge. Evan reached out and took the mug from Chuck's hand, placing it gently on the table before lacing their fingers together. "It's my problem, my issues, that stop us from having what we should. I remember being so scared, and feeling so helpless against my Dad, I wanted to protect my Mom and I couldn't. Thats what gets stirred up when I think about you.."

His Pilot smiled sadly at him and pressed a kiss to the back of his hand, Chuck felt his throat close up and willed himself not to cry like a big girl. "..but you're so amazing, the way you are now, and it wasn't that long ago you were hurt. I..I'll need time baby, and I'm sorry cause I know you want more but I can't, not right now" Evan sighed again and met his gaze. "Can you give me that, would you be able to wait?"

Chuck just nodded silently.

"Good" Another smile. "I'm not exactly a blushing virgin so don't panic, but with people I care about I have to take my time, and with your history it's even more important that I don't hurt you, that you know how much I care about you ok?"

"Sure.." Chuck cleared his throat and tried again. "Sure. Um, but will you tell me about your Mom? Not now, soon and when I don't feel like I've been all twisted up and wrung out?"

His Pilot grinned at him. "Sure, it would be nice" He shifted a little. "Do you want to skip dinner with the others? Maybe watch a movie here? I have food stashed, we could snuggle"

"Euw" He wrinkled up his nose.

"You look like Anna when you do that"

"I'll take that as a compliment" Chuck smirked at him. His Pilot rolled his eyes then released Chuck's hands so he could gently cup the Navi's face. "Uh.." Chuck then made a rather embarrassing strangled sound as soft lips slid over his and a warm tongue teased between them. Quickly parting his lips before Evan changed his mind he closed his eyes and let the other man take the lead, not wanting to scare him off, not knowing what exactly would.

He moaned quietly, he hadn't been kissed like this, well he was sure he'd never been kissed like this. It was like his Pilot was pouring everything he felt into it, the soft press of lips, the slow slide of the tongue, the light caress of Chuck's face. Every touch, every move, was filled with love and hurt, and promises of something better for them both, it slid down his throat and warmed his chest, wound its way into his bruised and battered heart, soothing over the scars there. He felt his eyes well up behind his closed lids and kept them shut as the other mouth left his.

"Chuck?"

"Umhmm" He licked his lips.

"Baby.." A thumb brushed away an escaped tear. "It's ok, just open your eyes for me"

"No"

There was a quiet sigh. "Are you staying?"

He nodded.

"Then can you open your eyes otherwise it's going to be a weird evening"

Chuck opened them and scowled at his Pilot, the effect slightly hampered by the escaping tears. He swiped them away. "Shit"

"It doesn't matter" Evan smiled at him. "You want something stronger than coffee?"

He nodded. "Please"

"Ok, let me shower quick and I'll dig out a bottle" His Pilot stood. "Choose a movie, grab some food if you want.." He waved a hand towards the drinks station. "..there's some stuff in the mini fridge. I won't be long. Just make yourself at home, get comfy ok?"

"Sure" He swallowed and watched the other man head towards the door that lead to the bedroom. "Thank you" He whispered.

"No, thank you" His Pilot disappeared through the darkened doorway leaving Chuck with the weird feeling of being incredibly frustrated whilst absolutely satisfied at the same time. Huffing out a quiet breath he toed out of his boots and made his way over to the laptop, he'd better make this movie strictly PG13.

---

Anna parted her legs further, or at least as far as the cramped space would allow. They'd come down here because her Pilot wanted to find out if she would zone out again on a second visit to the Viper Bay, which she hadn't, and she wasn't quite sure what had led to this but now she was splayed out in her chair, Cameron knelt on the floor in front of her with his face pressed between her legs while he did ridiculous things with his tongue, the Viper humming and flickering around them.

His stiffened tongue ran round her clit then he sucked, hard. Anna whimpered and her hips jolted forward, sweat slicked palms sliding off the control pads. He groaned against her, and yes, that was so good too, she felt herself pulse around nothing, her body desperate to hit orgasm, greedy for anything that could get her there. She slid her hands into her Pilot's short hair and pulled him in closer, he growled in response, the sound lost deep inside her, and slid in three fingers.

Anna arched away from the chair, stuttering his name out as he didn't pause to let her adjust, just began thrusting and curling, his tongue flickering back and forth over her swollen sensitive skin. Her head tipped back, fingernails dragging across the back of his head as her feet left the platform, knees raising by his ears, hips rolling. Her Pilot pinned her thighs to the sides of the chair, not letting her squirm away from the almost too intense sensations he was dealing out on her body.

She heard herself let out a half sob, half moan as her body climbed higher and higher, the pleasure almost turning to pain, her muscles were tense and the heat of her skin was ridiculous. Anna wanted to scream with frustration, her legs were shaking and she was so, so close her whole being was zinging with the anticipation. Then her Pilot stopped thrusting and pressed against that spot deep inside her, rubbing slow, firm circles over it and Anna gasped.

Then his lips surrounded her clit and he hummed. She struggled to pull in air as her entire body froze, like all her muscles and organs and bones had decided to stop working and take a moment to enjoy the really cool feelings currently racing through them. And then she was pulsing around his fingers, the wonderful bliss of release rippling over her, the heat causing her sight to blur and her brain to shut down for a few blessed moments. As she came back around Anna became aware of her Pilot gently lapping at her, his quiet moans of pleasure muffled by her skin. She tugged on his shoulders and his mouth moved upwards, soft open-mouthed kisses over her stomach, between her breasts and she arched her neck as his lips dragged up her throat. "Ok my Princess?" Her Pilot raised his head and grinned lazily at her.

Anna licked her dry lips. "Umhmm"

Another grin and then his lips brushed over hers, encouraging her mouth open so she could chase her own taste on his tongue. As they languorously kissed his arms slipped inside her open shirt and Anna felt herself being pulled slowly from the chair. She moved away from the kiss and raised a brow. He shot her another lazy smile, the kind that made her stomach do a weird flippy thing but also kinda made her want to punch him in the face.

"My turn baby girl" Her Pilot slid into his chair, leaving her sprawled awkwardly over him. His hard on twitched against her thigh, pants tangled round his still booted feet. "Turn round" Anna raised another brow but did as he asked, it seemed only fair to return the favour. She was tugged back, settling between his legs as her Pilot's dick slid inside her still stupidly slick folds. "Always so good baby" He groaned as she flexed around him. "Oh yeah, I feel ya Princess" Then she was pulled against his chest, a warm hand splayed across her stomach, another resting at the base of her throat, careful not to press on the still healing bruising.

Teeth grazed over her ear. "Legs on the outside" He licked over the marks on her neck and Anna shivered before placing her legs either side of his, her toes just touching the platform that surrounded his chair. Her Pilot's hips gave an experimental roll and he puffed air over her ear. "So perfect" He began to move with short, sharp, shallow thrusts, the confined space and the position they were in not allowing for anything more but he seemed content enough.

He groaned in her ear, hands increasing their pressure, his fingers starting to curl into her skin. And her Pilot must have taken more pleasure from getting her off than Anna had realised because he didn't seem so far from his own happy ending, his ragged breaths ghosting over her neck. She arched back into him, feet pushing against the front of the chair so she could raise herself slightly, give him more room to move. He moaned his appreciation and started hitting harder and deeper. "So good baby girl" He nipped at one of the bruises on her throat. "All mine"

Anna hummed her agreement whilst concentrating on keeping her perilous grip on his chair, letting him chase his own climax, enjoying the feel of him sliding in and out of her. She wasn't sure she could cum again so soon, or without some outside stimulation and both of their hands were currently a little preoccupied, but her Pilots increasing murmurs of pleasure were warming her insides and the way his mouth seemed to be reclaiming the bruises on her neck was confusingly enjoyable.

Her Pilot's arms suddenly wrapped tighter around her, his thrusts speeding up but losing some of their smooth rhythm. "God baby, so good" Anna was gripped harder. He moaned again. "So fucking good..so perfect..all mine" She could feel the sweat slicking between them now, and both of their's arousal had mingled with his saliva, was soaking their thighs, smearing between his stomach and her back. She tightened around his dick again and there was a long low groan in her ear. Her Pilot slammed up into her twice more before forcing her down onto him as far as she could get and his legs flexed as he came with another long drawn out moan.

His body relaxed under her and his arms loosened but stayed draped around her. He moved his legs encouraging Anna's up so she could curl into his lap, head on his shoulder. Warm hands stroked over her bare skin. "Looks like we lit up the place baby" His voice was as lazy as his earlier grin, accent thick, husky and sated, and it made her stomach do that annoying flip-flop thing again. He was turning into her a girl, before she knew she'd be giggling and flicking her hair. She rolled her eyes but didn't retort because despite being annoying her Pilot was right, there were so many lights flashing in the Viper now she was surprised it hadn't taken off and her chair still glowed softly despite it being empty. "How do you do this Anna?" His voice was gentle, the light caresses still running over her.

Anna swallowed. "I don't know Cameron"

"Does it scare you Princess?"

"No" She raised her head to look at her Pilot. "Does it scare you?"

He raised a brow. "No. It concerns me"

"Why?"

"You know why baby girl. You've got things in there.." He brushed a thumb over her forehead. "..that are making you project, making your thoughts and feelings so strong that a Viper thinks there are two people sat in its chairs, ready to go"

"Maybe it just likes me"

He narrowed his gaze. "Not funny Princess"

"I was being serious"

"The city is watching you"

"Hope it closed its eyes for the last bit" She smiled up at him through her lashes.

"Doesn't work on me remember?"

"Uh huh, it does"

"No, it really doesn't" He sighed. "I'm worried"

"I'm sorry"

"Don't be sorry baby" Her Pilot brushed her hair away from her face. "Have you had any other zone outs?"

Anna stared at his chest, chewing on her lip.

"Baby girl?"

She sighed. "Just one"

"When?"

Anna curled in closer, her skin was starting to cool and the sweat was drying making her goose bump slightly. Her Pilot hooked his jacket up with his foot and lay it over her. "Thank you Cameron" A gentle kiss was placed to her hair. "Two days before we went off world"

"Anna.." He sighed resignedly. "Was it bad?"

"I think I scared Rodney"

"You were with McKay? Where was I?"

"Getting your arse kicked by Teyla"

"Not funny"

"But true"

"Hmm" Her Pilot ran his fingers through her hair. "What did you see Princess?"

Anna closed her eyes, bringing up the memories. "Rodney and I were waiting in front of the transporter on our level, I think I faded out as the doors opened because when they did Marshall was stood there in front of me. And the corridor became a stone prison cell, I remember it from when we were forced to make an emergency landing and got captured. Not by the Krill but people who worshipped them. He'd always told me that unless I was in immediate danger | should stay put, that he'd come find me"

"He was signalling to me that it was clear and I could leave my cell, I took a step towards him then.." She squeezed her eyes shut tighter. "..he started burning, and blood was coming out of his eyes and nose. And I could hear Rodney so I turned to look for him..but he was burning too"

She was pulled impossibly closer to her Pilot. "And then?"

"And then I was back on Atlantis and Rodney was staring at me like I was about to expire on the spot"

"Shit Princess"

"I think I came close to hurting him Cameron, but I was trying to save him"

"Anna, baby, why didn't you tell me?"

She licked her lips nervously. "Cause you'd have made me talk about it"

He huffed a quiet laugh, dislodging her from his shoulder a little. "Yeah I would, and we will later when I'm not stuck to my chair.."

"Classy"

"Uh huh" Her Pilot cupped her chin, raising her face. "I just want to help baby girl, and I want us to be ready for flight in a week and a half"

Anna nodded in his hold. "I know"

"And these weren't just memories Princess, you're creating images now as well, because I'm guessing Sumner never actually was set on fire. And McKay certainly wouldn't have been there"

She nodded again.

"What's going on in that brain of yours Miss Rayne?"

Anna smiled at him. "No idea"

"Well, that makes two of us"

---

"Baby?"

"Umhmm" Rodney took a sip of coffee, eyes glued to his tablet.

"Do you want to fuck me?"

He inhaled his mouthful in surprise then coughed, eyes watering a little. "What?" He croaked.

His Pilot raised a brow. "I think we've established you're a natural bottom" Rodney scowled at him. "And a wonderfully pushy and slutty one at that.."

"Hey!"

John smirked at him. "Don't be mad baby, it's great" Rodney flipped off his Pilot who rolled his eyes. "But I don't want you to feel like you can't experience sex from the other side so to speak" He grinned at him.

Rodney opened his mouth to retort then snapped it shut again. "Um, oh" He cleared his throat again. "Well, uh, I haven't really thought about it I guess"

His Pilot pushed out of the desk chair and made his way to the bed. "Try thinking about it"

"Um, now?"

"Yes baby" John smiled at him. "Now" He started sliding the buttons on his shirt free, shedding it when he was done and dropping it to the floor.

"Uh.." Rodney watched his Pilot mount the bed and crawl over to him, he tried to get his brain to focus on the question rather than the honed muscle moving beneath John's skin. He licked his lips. "Well, uh…" He was pulled into an obscene kiss, his Pilot knelt between his legs, one hand clasping the back of his neck, the other roughly palming his crotch. Rodney whimpered around the tongue currently fucking into his mouth.

John slid his mouth down over Rodney's jaw, teeth grazing at his ear. "Are you thinking baby?"

"You're not helping" Rodney groaned as his fly was unbuttoned, fingers sneaking inside his pants.

There was a deep chuckle in his ear. "I can still top even with your dick in my arse, if that's what you're worried about"

"Oh God" The Navi thunked his head back against the wall as long sure fingers wrapped around his dick, pulling him free, stroking lightly. The pornographic images in his head made him harden even more in the loose grip. "So not helping"

His Pilot pulled back, dipping his head to run a slick stripe up the underside of Rodney's dick. "What do you want baby?" He sucked the head gently and Rodney moaned quietly. "I just want to give you everything you want Rodney" John knelt up, working the buttons free on his Navi's shirt. "I love fucking you" He pushed open the shirt and ran the tip of his tongue around a nipple.

Rodney closed his eyes and swallowed.

"You're always so hot and tight" The other nipple was grazed over by teeth. "Let me do such bad things to you" His Pilot nuzzled into his neck and Rodney melted some more. Who knew he would be a sucker for nuzzling? His Pilot licked over his throat and hummed. "Always taste so good…everywhere" The Navi felt himself twitch in the other man's hand that was annoyingly still, just teasing fingers wrapped loosely around his dick. "So.." Rodney's earlobe was sucked. "..you wanna?"

Rodney would've snorted at that in a derogatory manner if he wasn't busy losing all higher brain function, his dick was being slowly stroked again and apparently he went for a little ear nibbling. "I.." His Pilot twisted his wrist on the next upstroke and sucked on the tip of his ear, Rodney moaned. "Shit..I..I don't know. Quit doing that a minute" He pulled in a shaky breath.

John raised his head and smirked at him. "Found another spot" He leant forward and ran his tongue around the outside Rodney's ear.

The Navi whimpered as his balls tightened. "So unfair. Where's your spot?"

His Pilot huffed into his skin. "You are my spot baby"

Rodney managed to roll his eyes. "That is terrible"

"You love it" John grinned at him. "Now, can we please decide who's fucking who today?"

He gaped at his Pilot for a moment. "You really have no boundaries do you?"

"Nope" Another smirk.

Rodney swallowed again, flushing heat spreading up and over his neck. "Can I..I want to feel.."

His Pilot smiled lazily at him. "Course baby, anything you want" He shuffled back and flicked open his belt before unfastening his fly. Sliding his BDU pants over his hips John raised himself up, pushing them down the rest of the way and kicking them off his feet. He hadn't been wearing any underwear and now he stood above Rodney on the bed naked, dick half-hard and twitching slightly. The Navi subconsciously licked his lips, running his eyes over all the tanned skin, exposed just for him. John dropped back to his knees causing the bed to dip slightly and slid his fingers into Rodney's already open pants.

Rodney raised his hips and let his Pilot slip his BDU's off, taking his boxers with them. John threw them on top of his own discarded ones and placed a hand either side of Rodney's chest, lowering his head again to gently suck on his dick. He moaned quietly and ran a light touch through his Pilots hair who returned the moan, sending little vibrations up Rodney's dick. Maybe he did know one of his Pilot's spots already. Rodney curled his fingers slightly, almost scraping John's scalp and got a slightly louder groan, the sucking intensifying.

He slipped from his Pilot's mouth who smiled up at him through ridiculously long lashes. "Wanna prep me baby?" Rodney felt his dick twitch. "Been a long time since I let someone do this to me" Another look from under lowered lids.

Rodney groaned quietly, whether it was at the thought of stretching open his Pilot or the fact the other man was allowing him to do this he wasn't sure. He licked his lips again, may as well make the most of it while Colonel Sheppard appeared to be in a giving mood. He was also a little worried about not knowing what to do, hurting the other man. "You do it" His voice was raspy, and unlike his Pilot his dick was completely hard, standing away from his stomach.

John raised a brow, a slight smile on his lips. "Hmm, full of surprises my Navi"

Rodney just stared back at him, lips a little parted, small puffs of air coming between them as he waited to see if his Pilot would bow to his request. There was a moment when neither of them moved then John slapped Rodney's thigh. "Move baby. You want a show you sit in the chair" The Navi swallowed down the whimper and silently nodded, rolling off the bed and perching on the edge of the chair. He watched his Pilot prop his back against the wall behind the bed before reaching to the side to retrieve the lube stashed in the bedside drawer. Settling back he eyed Rodney before pointing to the bottom of the bed. "Here baby. You'll miss the best bit from over there"

There was another sly grin as Rodney got up and moved the chair, only tripping over its legs once. "Damn, you're so fucking adorable"

The Navi glared at his Pilot as he took a seat. "Am not"

"Yeah, you really are" There was a click as the lid of the lube was popped open and John squeezed some into his hand, slicking up his own dick, running it over his balls. Rodney watched transfixed as his Pilot stroked up and down his shaft, cupped and kneaded his own balls. John made a small sound as the Navi watched the dick in his hands visibly harden, a small bead of moisture appearing at it's tip that was then smeared over the head. As Rodney flicked his gaze up his Pilot met his eyes, still the hint of a smirk on his lips but his eyes were starting to darken in that way that made Rodney all wobbly knee'd.

John slid a little lower, his knees bending, legs parting. Rodney made a weird strangled noise and there was a quietly huffed laugh before his Pilot lifted his own balls, holding them against his dick. The fingers of his other hand slid below them, tracing the perineum, following it down to his opening. They massaged gently over the sensitive skin and muscle there. Rodney leant forward a little in his seat fighting the urge to touch his own dick, he had to last, had to be ready for his Pilot.

The fingers disappeared briefly, more lube was drizzled below the balls that were pulled up and away from the place Rodney couldn't tear his eyes from. It ran down the crease, oozed over the hole then the long almost graceful fingers that had dealt out so much pleasure on the Navi's body were back, spreading the lube before the tip of the middle finger pushed in. He moaned quietly right along with his Pilot, knowing how it felt, knowing where it was going to lead heightening Rodney's pleasure.

His Pilot's legs moved up even more, opening up further to Rodney's perusal. The finger pushed in all the way, his Pilot's breath hitching as he began to gently move it back and forth. The Navi forced himself to stay in his seat, fingers curling tightly over the arm rests. God he hoped he didn't cum just from watching this, the way his balls were tightening suggesting this could be a very real possibility. A second finger joined it's fellow and John groaned before visibly twisting them, making sure Rodney could see as he withdrew them to the knuckle then made a scissoring movement. Rodney watched the hypnotizing rhythm his Pilot built, slide in, slide out, twist, stretch. His balls ached with envy and his dick was starting to leak, the Navi went to wrap his fist around it.

"No" He raised his head from the wonderful view and John managed to smirk despite the rise and fall of his chest giving away his heavy breathing and the flush to his cheeks. "That's mine"

"Bastard" Whimpered Rodney.

"Yeah" His Pilot pushed in a third finger and his head dropped back, eyes closing, fingers still. "Oh yeah" He murmured. Having seemed to adjusted John began to thrust his fingers gently in and out of himself, head lowering back down, eyes focusing on the Navi. Rodney didn't know where to look, the fingers sliding in and out of his Pilot's arse should be winning but the way John watched him always sent shivers of anticipation up his spine, often causing some embarrassing and subtle shifting in inappropriately public places. HIs Pilot wetted his lips then released his balls, the hand that had been holding them wrapping around his dick that still glistened with lube.

In a ridiculous display of co-ordination he began to jerk himself off whilst still thrusting into his arse. Rodney began to squirm in his chair, groaning with frustration, eyes flickering all over his Pilot. John started moaning quietly, his hips beginning to match the Navi's squirming motions. "Fuck, fuck" His Pilot's voice was thick and wanton, his breathing getting more and more ragged. Then he suddenly let go of himself and pulled his fingers free, legs dropping back down to the mattress. "C'mere baby"

Sending the chair back into the wall Rodney scrambled up the bed between his Pilot's legs, going in for a searing kiss. John pulled him in close, tongue fucking into his mouth while he rubbed against him treating both of their dicks to beautiful friction. Rodney matched his movements, momentarily forgetting the end goal, mind filled with only the desire to relieve his now incredibly hard dick. His Pilot groaned loudly then pushed him away. "Enough of that baby" He pulled in air. "You're cumming in my arse remember?"

Rodney whimpered again then let out a surprised yelp as he was flipped over. John grinned down at him. "And I'm still a top"

He stared up at him while his brain caught up. "Oh God, you're going to.."

HIs Pilot smothered Rodney's dick in lube. "Not quite ready for you to bend me over and fuck me baby"

"Oh God! Please stop talking!" Rodney's hips arched off the bed as he was not so gently stroked, his balls already too high and tight for this to last long.

"Thought you liked it" Another grin then his Pilot was straddling him, stopping his near painful stroking of Rodney's dick so he could hold him up, right where he wanted him.

"Not now" Breathed Rodney. Not when it was very important to not cum within the first five seconds of getting to feel what his Pilot had been for the past few days.

"Um, perhaps not" John licked his lips and started lowering himself.

Rodney held his breath, scared to move, scared to say anything that might mess this up, or change his Pilot's mind. He moaned at the first press of skin on skin, gasping as the resistance gave way and the head of his dick was engulfed by the hottest, tightest thing he'd ever felt. "Jesus" He mumbled. He watched his Pilot steady his breathing, eyes closed, tongue darting out again to wet his lips. Then he was being taken in further and he fisted the sheets as more of his dick was gripped and released by strong muscles.

When John was fully seated they both stayed frozen, locked together while each adjusted to the unfamiliar feelings. Then his Pilot rocked his hips gently and clenched around Rodney's dick, they both moaned, the Navi's fingers curling into the bunched up cotton even tighter. John moved upwards slowly, Rodney hissing quietly at the feeling of cool air hitting the dick that had been very much enjoying the snug warmth of the other man's arse. He hovered precariously over Rodney, keeping just his head nestled inside him, then he dropped back down.

They groaned together, John pausing only briefly before settling upon a steady and sure rhythm. Rodney watched, enraptured by the sight of this man, his Pilot, who was so dominant, so toppy it sometimes verged on the ridiculous, fucking himself onto Rodney's dick. His Pilot started rocking his hips forward on every down slide until he obviously hit the spot he'd been looking for, his arse clamping down on Rodney even more. "Oh yeah" He moaned. "Fuck, that's good"

Rodney could have cried, the feel of actually being inside another person, the heat, and friction, the ridges you never knew were there running over you all combining into some kind of exquisite feeling paired with the sight of one of the most beautiful men he'd ever seen losing himself in his own pleasure on top of him was bringing his own climax up fast. He whimpered as his stomach swirled. "John.." He breathed.

His Pilot half-opened his eyes, never breaking his stroke. "My dick baby" His hips stuttered slightly as Rodney uncurled his fingers from the sheets and wrapped them around John's dick instead, allowing the other man's thrusting movements to drive it back and forth through his fist. His Pilot growled. "Harder" Rodney tightened his grip and moved his fist in the opposite direction of his Pilot's hips. John groaned, flexing around Rodney's own dick. "Yeah, don't stop baby"

Trying to keep up his pressure and rhythm on his Pilot's dick Rodney started to feel his own hips rising off the bed every time John dropped back down, he was chasing the feeling, his body already surrendering to the impending orgasm even if his mind was still trying to fight against it. His Pilot stopped halfway through his up stroke and Rodney nearly growled in frustration. John removed his hand from his dick and the other from the sheets, placing them on his hips. His Pilot grasped his own dick. "Work for it baby"

Not even bothering to be affronted Rodney tightened his grip and thrust up, then pulled back until just his head was sat inside, then he thrust up again. As sweat began to form on his upper lip and he could see it glistening on his flexing arms he began to force his Pilot back down onto him as he thrust his hips upwards, all the while watching as the other man ran his hand over his dick, chasing down his own pleasure. Their breathing was ragged, the room was hot and stank of sex, the obscene sound of fucking echoing around it.

Rodney groaned. "Oh God, John…please.."

"Yeah" His Pilot sounded strained. "Cum for me"

He managed two more hard thrusts before he froze, body arched from the bed, locked in a near painful position as his dick swelled inside his Pilot then shot out stream after stream of cum. He could feel it coating his own dick, the warmth of it, the mere thought of it, intensifying his orgasm. Then the muscles around him gripped his over sensitive dick even tighter causing him to moan even louder and he was vaguely aware of hot splatters hitting his chest and stomach.

---

He was curled into his Pilot's arms, the comforter pulled up high, the drying cum on their bodies ignored for now. Soft trails ran up and down his back and he hummed contentedly.

"So baby, what do you think?"

"It was.." He thought for a second. "…awesome"

There was a quiet huff of laughter. "Ok, good. For me too"

Rodney chewed on his lip. "But um.."

The trails paused. "Yes?"

"I think I prefer to be fucked"

The stroking resumed. "Dirty Navi"

"Your fault"

His Pilot hummed and pulled him closer. "Give me ten minutes ok?"