It was quite sometime later in the evening, the sun having faded from the sky to be replaced with a sliver of silver that was the moon. The beauty that was Pegasus stretching across the air in the form of stars, always visible at night with the only light coming from the city. The south pier had been turned into massive gathering place, lights on tall stands lighting up the area as the speakers that the engineers had rigged up played a constant stream of music that Lorne had been put in charge of. It was how they spent every Fourth of July, while not everyone was from the United States they all seemed to enjoy the excuse that it provided. A chance to forget a bit of the horror that plagued them, and be human. Enjoy the simple things like dancing, beer, and French fries. Elizabeth had learned really quick that stuff like this made moral soar, and after the events of that day the entire population was buzzing.

The dragons arrival was the only thing that they were talking about, most everyone already imagining the things that could be accomplished. That evening was more than the ones in past years had been; it was celebrating the new found friendship between two great races. Within an hour of the festivities starting, a song filled the air. None of their music, but instead the calls of dragons. Their wing beats easily heard over the music as the forms of Castiel, Malco, and Cazador appeared in the night sky. Their cries echoing across the pier as they landed, the large animals causing the ground to tremble ever slightly below them. They shrank down fast, with Forrest hopping off Castiel to the ground. The welcome was nothing she had expected, as people around them cheered and called their excitement. She had never known that; what they felt, they expressed. It was something that she was learning to do from them.

There were distinct fractions amongst the people as they mingled and spoke. It did not take long for many of the marines to gather around the three dragons. Castiel acting as a translator as best he could, seeing as there were many different conversations happening at once. Scientists had been in their small huddles, all of them knowing that they would have to wait their turn to speak to the dragons, in a way much more appropriate for the questions they wished to ask. Everyone had problems they wanted to be answered, and soon as the dragons were caught up in talking, others sought out Forrest. She had been exhausted, but her will to learn more about the culture she now was a part of keeping her there with them all. It had been small group after small group, each one asking the young doctor the same questions the other had before. After nearly an hour of that, and have hardly been able to enjoy Dr. Pepper that Katie Brown had given her, Teyla came to her rescue. Managing to scare away the curious people who seemed to follow Forrest where ever she tried to hide. So now she sat, with Katie and Teyla. Forrest had grown close to the two women in the most recent weeks. Having spent some time with Katie in the botany lab helping to try and identify any plants they had in the database. With the hope that some may be similar to any found on Loonrian, the goal being that Forrest might be able to use the plants to help with recreating some other Loonrian medicines. Then, of course, her sparing and meditation lessons with Teyla. Forrest had found herself immersing herself in not only the culture of Earth humans but also that of Teyla's people. She enjoyed it, being able to learn so much from so many different people. Sitting with the two, she sipped on the pop she had been given, having found herself in love with the fizzy taste. She had never enjoyed alcohol; it was bitter and sour to her, she had too much of a sweet tooth. So while most the others enjoyed wine, ale, and beer, she let the caffeine high the pop had given her keep her awake to enjoy the party.

There were five people who did not take part in the flooding of the dragons or Forrest. Rodney, John, Ronon, Carson, and Evan were all contently standing by the end of one of the tables, the five happily talking and drinking. Well, four were doing most the talking. Carson had remained rather quiet, going against his nature he spent most the time looking into the drink in his hand. He had been lost in thought, ever since he had watched her take flight. She was in those thoughts that he could not shake no matter the drink he took a sip of with each passing minute. He had not even gotten a chance to ask her how the clans were doing, or how the flight had been for her. The things he always asked her, the simple things. He had never really asked her detailed questions unless it was about what they were working on. The day's earlier conversation had made him realize maybe he should. He had been an open book to her, at least on most things. He told her of Earth, his life, all the work he had done. After today he felt like there was more to her that he did not understand, but he wanted to. That voice that hid deep inside him longed to learn every detail about her. The sound that he had been attempting to drown in whatever drink John made him when he asked for another. The only problem was that that voice seemed to be using the alcohol as a fertilizer. He could see her just across the way, sitting with Teyla and Katie. He could see her smile, that was continuous, but ever now and then he could see her laugh, and even if he could not hear it, he knew exactly how it sounded.

"How many of those have you had now Carson?" Rodney snapping Carson back to the small group, who were all looking at him with looks of amusement. " 'v only had a wee bit of this." He said with a shake of his head, ignoring their skeptical looks. "Bull shit Doc." Ronon making it obvious quick that none of them believed him. "Carson, I have been your friend long enough to know a few things. Does not take a genius like myself to know them either." Rodney looking at the doctor with an arrogant smile. "Your voice; well, accent anyway becomes a bit thicker in certain situations. When you are angry, nervous, sad, and when you start to feel a buzz." Carson quickly felt the embarrassment, looking away from Rodney as the four laughed. "Nothing to be upset about, we all have our ticks." John offering a reassuring statement as he took a sip from the plastic cup in his hand. "Probably does not help I have been making your drinks a bit on the stronger side." The usual smirk appearing on his face as Ronon laughed. "Not quite sure how I should take that.." He said looking down at the ice cubes that floated in the cup before his eyes floated back up to look again at where Forrest was still standing, sighing softly to himself as the voice once again, decided to scream its demands again. "I know what he is trying to do." Evan chuckling a little as he took a drink from his cup, all eyes quickly on him. "I mean, it's obvious, he wants to ask her to dance." The three others quickly muttering their agreement, while Carson felt his face turn a shade of red. "Little liquid encouragement is not a bad idea." John leaned against the table they stood near. "I was thinkin' 'bout it, but I should stay professional." That had been what he had been telling himself the entire night whenever that voice made its needs known. "What do you have to lose?" Ronon of course simply stating the obvious. "You work with her daily, we all see it Doc." "He is right, you have been infatuated with her since she got here." Rodney stating before quickly shoving a potato chip into his mouth.

They were ganging up on him, and his head had dropped completely embarrassed by the entire situation. God they were right, he wanted to ask her, and he was terrified to do so. No matter how he tried to fight against that. "Carson, just go for it. Worse she is going to say is no." John shrugging his shoulders, "She does admire you. I don't think she will get angry at you." He was silent, listening to the words of encouragement that the Colonel spoke. "Maybe." "You won't do it; you have never been that bold around women." Rodney's tone was flat, as he pointed out the pessimistic side of the entire situation. "Rodney you are a shitty wingman." Evan glaring over at the scientist. "Just go for it Doc. Have some faith in yourself." At least three of them were attempting to talk him up. Rodney rolling his eyes. As much as he cared for his friend, he had a good enough memory of what happened last time the Scot had gotten attached. But Carson stayed silent, looking down at his feet. He realized how right they were. He did not have much to lose, well, except the friendship they had. Yet finally, he just let that voice speak a little. He wanted more than that friendship. He looked up and to where she sat, happily chatting with the others. He could always head back to his quarters and hide for a few days if things did, in fact, go south. He took a deep breath, and turned, " 'm gonna do it." He didn't wait for any of them to say anything. Instead, he set his drink down on the edge of the table. "That's it Doc go for it!" Evan called out as the others all smiled, Rodney crossing his arms. "You all are horrible influences." "You know sure as shit you want to see it." John glaring over at him, causing the scientist to quiet pretty quick as they all stood waiting to see what would unfold.

Forrest smiled, as she took another sip of her drink. Listening to Teyla and Katie both tell the story of Rodney being shot in the ass with an arrow. She had to admit, she would have loved to have seen it herself and that Carson's version of the story was probably funnier. She almost felt bad for poor Katie, having to deal with the over the top scientist. Yet, they were adorable together; she had to admit. She had noticed Rodney bringing her lunch on many occasions. But as the two kept talking, a sense of urgency flooded into her mind, making her nervous. *You need to say yes to him.* Castiel's voice quick in her head, *what do you mean, to what to who?* *Cazador and Malco say that they will be really disappointed if you say no. So say yes.* *Castiel!* *Just trust me!* he was out of her head and in an instant, he shut her out. Her attempts to reach him only hitting a wall that was his mind. "You little shit." She muttered it to herself, as she glared across the pier to where the three dragons were staring at her, before returning to their conversations. She did not know what the three were talking about, but she did not know if she should be excited or worried.

"Good evening." That familiar voice filled her ears just as Castiel's left. The simple accent that made her almost shiver. It was thicker in his voice than normal, as she turned around to see him standing just behind her. His smile a welcome sight, as she noticed the other two with her grow silent, and quickly changed the conversation to something just the two of them could discuss. "Hey! I haven't seen you all evening. How are you?" She honestly had been wanting to find him all evening. She had worried he had not even come down, knowing he probably had some work he wanted to get done while he could enjoy the silence. " 'm havin a lovely time. Yourself?" She always had such an excited tone on everything she did, her enthusiasm contagious. "Well, I am a bit tired, but having a great time. Katie showed me this stuff you call pop I guess. It's amazing." He smiled, as he half-joked. "There is a lot of sugar in that." "I know, and honestly I don't care, it tastes amazing." He realized how happy she was, knowing that her people were safe. She had brought them here with no issues, and now she got to celebrate alongside them. "Though I will say, your people's music is a bit strange to me. But I am getting used to it." His head tipped slightly to the side, with a slight smile. "What do you mean love?" "On Loornain, we do not sing. I mean we can hum a few notes, but we do not record it. Our music has always been completely orchestra based. Well, at least on the human side of things. Dragons sing you should get to hear that soon enough." He was taken back by the statement but smiled. "Can Castiel sing?" "Well not out loud, but he used to always sing to me in my mind when I was little." She could remember the sounds of his voice, and how the notes held in her head.

He knew why he had come over to her, and the simple small talk was his attempt to stall, hoping to give himself more courage to finally just ask her. He took a deep breath, his eyes finding hers for a moment before he spoke. "I had a question for you actually." She smiled, that simple smile as she looked up at him curiously. "About what?" This was the moment of truth for him, as he looked down at her. "Would you do me the honor, of dancin' with me?" The question took her off guard, and she could already feel the watchful eyes of three large dragons. She really had not expected it from him. She had watched couples come and go with the music over the course of the evening, and she had not expected to join them at all. Yet she looked right into those blue eyes, and she could see it. How nervous he was, yet that hopeful and gentle look never left him. A look she found she enjoyed way too much at times. "I would love to." She had not even realized what she had said, but it came so naturally. He smiled that vast grin that she longed to see regularly. It looked so good on him, yet rarely did she notice that excited of a look from him. He really had not expected that response from her, and deep down he was slightly panicked not thinking he would make it this far. She had said yes, and right then that was all that mattered. He could see how nervous she was, probably because it was something so new to her. But the way she smiled, and how she looked at him, told him he was doing just fine. His hand found hers, and never had she felt a warmth like that. Sure, he had grabbed her hand before, leading her places around the city, helping her stand up, and such. But never like that, the gentleness to it was so genuine as she let him take the lead. Following him as he led her out into the open.

She did not really know what she was doing, as she felt her heart rate shooting upwards. She could not even hear the music that played, her focus was on him. She never let go of his hand, it had become an anchor. He was still smiling, as he stepped slightly closer, his free arm wrapping softly around her waist. She realized she was holding her breath, and let it out as she followed his leads as they gently swayed. She could not even hear other people, it was silence, other than her own heartbeat slamming in her head. "Are you okay?" His voice, the one thing she could hear drew her away from her own nerves. "I'm fine, just. This is new for me." "You are doin lovely." She smiled, looking up at him, his eyes having not left her yet. He was lost in her, at that moment in time. The voice in his head had calmed, it was almost soothing now as he felt her hand in hers, and how perfectly his arm wrapped around her. He could see the light reflecting in her eyes, and he lost himself in them. He had never felt so, content. He could stay in this moment the rest of his life, and not grow tired of it. "Castiel taught me to dance when I was younger. But, it is a bit different with another human." He laughed, as he looked down at her. "Why would he teach you that?" His own curiosity getting the better of him, but she seemed to relax more, as she spoke. Her tone had grown soft, he could just barely hear her. "Castiel used to always say, that all artists should learn and understand the other forms of art. When I was young, he used to explain that being a doctor was more than just science like most my people believed. It is an art, of healing, recreating, and mending life. That the science is just the tools, and life is the canvas. So when I was too young to really grasp the medical science he wanted to teach me, he taught me art. I can play a few Loonrian instruments, I can draw and paint a bit, even tried some poetry." "That is a lovely way to think of it." He had never heard of anyone describing it like that, and he loved it. It was something he wanted wrote down, or maybe just to hear her speak the words again. He watched as a light shade of red washed over her face, he had never seen her blush before. "You know, I had been thinking on what you had told me earlier. My understanding was that Gala you spoke of was important, and I felt like I could give you a taste of that." He instantly felt like he should not have said it, as she looked up at him with a shocked look, her mouth slightly open as her eyes looked deep into his. He had no idea, what her reaction to that would be. But her shock turned into a smile, and to his shock, her arms moved. She hugged him, her arms wrapping around him tightly leaving him in a near panic. "Thank you, Carson." Her voice was soft, he had hardly been able to hear it as she rested her head against his chest. He had no words, but he returned the embrace. Letting his head rest lightly against hers. He could feel how quick her heart was beating and could smell the faint scent of snow that still clung to her hair. The closeness was something he never wanted to lose. He knew in that moment that he wanted her. He wanted to be a part of her life in every instance. How he was going to do that, he had not worked out those details in his head yet, they could wait. She was just enjoying the warmth of his body, and the faint smell of coffee that seemed to always linger on his shirt. They stopped their dance, as the music ended. She lifted her head, looking up at him with a gentle smile, "For everything." She just sat there, in his arms looking up to him. He had a different look, he was happy, but there was something else there she could not pinpoint. But, she felt like she was floating, before realizing the music had changed again. "I'll talk to you later?" It snapped him away from his thoughts, "Of Course." She nodded and then broke the contact. Smiling one last time before turning and walking back to Teyla and Katie. He watched her walk away and sighed before turning to walk back to the others. Attempting to keep the idiotic grin off his face.

"Goddamnit doc!" John growled the words as the four watched as Forrest walked back towards her two friends, leaving Carson alone for a moment. "She was giving him the go-ahead, he could have done it." Evan glaring at the bottom of his drink as Rodney smirked. "Told you, he is not that bold. And you two now owe me your dessert for the next month." Ronon shaking his head, finding the three's need to bet on the situation strange. But they all quieted quickly on their bets when Carson walked back into the huddle, all of them looking up. "Not so bad was it?" John asked as he handed the doctor back his drink. But he stayed quiet, the smile staying on his face as he just stood with them, lost in his thoughts. "He will be like this for probably the rest of the night." Rodney rolling his eyes before the others started to spring off into another conversation.

She knew she was smiling, and finally, she felt Castiel sneak into her mind. *All three of us approve.* *What does that mean, how did you even know?* *We could hear him talking with the others.* *You did not answer the first half of my question.* There was a pause, as she felt his slight.. sadness. It was a soft tone, he was sad, and it confused her. *I approve, of him.* *What are you trying to imply* *you know.* He blocked her out again, as she got back to Teyla and Katie who were sitting, both with broad smiles. "That looked nice?" Teyla the first to speak, as Forrest sat down next to her on the bench. "It was." Teyla looked at her friend, and smiled "He cares for you, quite a bit you know." "She's right. Its been a while since anyone has seen him this happy." Katie chiming in as Forrest looked up, shaking her head. "I wish Rodney would ask me to dance like that, but he does not really like to be public about things." The botanist slightly quiet, but Forrest acted quick, able to feel Castiel drop the barrier once again. *you hear that?* *Yup, already on it.* *Good boy, use your super hearing for good and not evil.* His laughter in her head light, as she watched the grey dragon walk over towards the group of men that Rodney was standing with. "You should give him more credit; I am sure he is probably just too nervous to ask." Forrest attempting to push the conversation away from her dance, and it worked.

It was an hour or so later, and Carson had somewhat come down from his high. Rodney had left the group after Castiel had pulled him aside to talk to him. The scientist had been quick to go and pick Katie away from Forrest and Teyla once the dragon left. They had all been pretty impressed by the scientists new found courage, seeing as he rarely did anything with her in front of everyone. Needless to say, the look on Katie's face was enough for everyone to be happy about the situation. The drinks had been flowing, and anyone sober could tell that some marines were getting a bit too tipsy. Even worse, two dragons were as well. They had been introduced to the harder alcohol and accepted it. There was now three marines attempting to wrestle Cazador to the floor, while Malco and Castiel watched entertained. Carson had stopped drinking, solely for the fact he knew if he kept going the details would get fuzzy. He did not want to forget a single moment from the entire evening. Evan had gone to the sound system to work on the music, leaving the doctor with Ronon and John. The three casually talking about the dragons, all of them tossing up ideas on what could happen.

The three men laughed, as Teyla approached. While she was tired, she did have her ideas for the evening as she stopped next to John. "Hey, how you two doing?" John smiled, as he looked over at her with curiosity. "Good, but that is also why I am here." She looked directly to Carson as she spoke: "What is it?" She smiled, "It is nothing bad. But Forrest is pretty tried from today. I think she is ready to go back to her room, but Castiel has her blocked out. He does not wish to leave; she says he is enjoying being with old friends. Her room is across the city from here. I would walk her back myself, but I had other arrangements." Carson was quick to realize what Teyla was asking of him, as he looked from her to the others. "Well, I was thinking of heading to bed myself. I can easily walk her back." He could see she was still sitting; he could see that she was tired. "Good night everyone." He broke off from them pretty quick, hardly able to hear them as they wished him goodnight. "You too?" Ronon looking at Teyla, who smiled mischievously. "I am telling the truth, I just decided to tell Carson about it." John laughed a little, as he watched the doctor closing the distance between him and Forrest. "He has not been this happy in a while." The comment a bit on the low side, but everyone agreed. "He was hardly leaving the infirmary, I rarely even saw him in the mess hall." Ronon commenting, as they all paused for a moment. "Let's just hope this ends better for him than last time." John shaking his head at Tayla's comment. "I think it will."

Forrest was about to pass out; her entire body was screaming at her to go lay down. But she was stuck, till Castiel decided to leave. She yawned, leaning her face on her hand. She could not complain, the evening had been fantastic. A day she would not forget any time soon. "You look like you are ready for bed love." Unlike before, his voice made her heart beat pick up the pace. Sure, his voice had always made her feel a bit giddy, but not like that. She looked up at him, as he stood next to her. "Yup and someone is probably going to be like this until morning. I did have him tell Cazador and Malco that your balcony is a place they can sleep this off instead of flying home. If that is okay, they should behave themselves." He shook his head, "They are fine, you, on the other hand, should go rest." "I have to wait for him, it's a long walk back to the room, and I would rather have a ride." "Not if you use the transporters." She glared at him for a split second, before sighing. "I do not like them." "Well, I was getting ready to head back myself. If you would like to join me?" She thought for a moment, as much as she had wanted to go to bed the idea of wandering the city alone made her nervous. She still had a tendency to get lost. "I guess I could go with you." "Good, Doctors orders that you need to go rest." She stood from her seat with a smirk, leaving the empty cup behind as the pair turned to walk off the pier and back into the city. Leaving the music and laughter behind.

"So how did they like their new home?" He had meant to ask about the new residents, but he also did not want to ask the same questions that everyone had been asking her. "They love it; they are planning to build as early as next week. Tree houses. Since the trees are large enough for them to build on. They are already settling into the branches, and hunters went out within an hour of us getting there. The clans will be well fed for the first time in a long while." She had to admit, she was glad to know they would be happy, and she had found them the best place possible. "Teyla and I will probably fly to the Athosians tomorrow, with Malco and Cazador. Introduce them to one another, see how things go." He smiled, "Malco had mentioned some Mute dragons before, medics like Castiel. When can we expect them?" "I would say it might be a bit till they come to us, they have to ensure the health of the clans before coming here. Castiel will probably be in charge of them, train them with what he knows about your technology." "Fair enough." She stopped, as he opened the transporter. Looking inside, "I really do not want to use it, I can walk the long way." "You will be walking for another hour, come on." He didn't hesitate to grab her hand again, pulling her into the transporter with him. "Carson I said I." She was cut off as the door closed, and the light flashed before the door opened up again in another part of the city. "Not so bad, was it?" He smirked, walking out with a bewildered Forrest. "I still don't like it." Her glare killer, as they wandered through the halls of the city. "Well, if Castiel is gone I can't afford to have you an hour away on foot in an emergency." The point valid, and putting it on the floor did cause Forrest to think for a moment. "That is a good point." Admitting her defeat with a slight roll of her eyes.

The city felt so quiet, as the pair talked. Be it dragons or medicine, the conversations flowed easily between them. Forrest had always been reserved, seeing as she never was taught the best social skills. She had spent her life talking to people when she needed to. Casual conversations were rare for her at the university, she had been so focused on her studies. But then again, most Loonrians were like that, anti-social work addicts. Yet she could talk of anything with him, anything that came to her mind she could speak and know he was listening. But more times than not, she just enjoyed hearing him tell stories. Of his life, past missions, everything. She could fall asleep to his voice, it was relaxing and welcoming. There was a genuine warmth to it, that she could not explain, but longed for. The hallways gave way to familiar turns and windows, as they walked past his room for hers. She felt it instantly, how it made her sad the idea of having to say goodnight to him once again. She didn't want to, she never wanted to say goodnight or goodbye to him. As they stopped at her door, she opened it, looking inside to the simple room "Well I hope I wasn't too boring of an escort." She shook her head, turning to look up at him. "You have never been boring, trust me." He smiled, as he looked into her room, wishing he didn't have to leave for the evening. "Thank you again, for everything." Her voice was quiet, as he shook his head. "You need to stop thanking me for everything love. I will always be here to help." She knew the words were genuine, as he had already proved it on many occasions, her mind drifting back to his embrace the night he had fixed her up after they had been taken captive. She was silent for a second before she smiled and moved closer to him again. Hugging herself close as she had before. He was a bit quicker to respond, and return the embrace. Enjoying that feeling once again of her in his arms. She was so small, she felt so delicate. Yet, she was probably stronger and more resilient than he could ever hope to be. "Good night Carson." She hated to even say the words, but knew that it was for the best. As much as she dreaded the idea of leaving the warmth of his arms. "Goodnight Forrest." He muttered the words against her hair, taking in the sweet smell and hoping it would just linger. She was the one to let go first, smiling up to him before turning and walking back into her room in silence. The door sliding shut behind her. He stood in silence for a moment, the battle in his head raging as he tried to figure out if he should leave or open the door and go to her. He aired on the side of caution, as much as he wanted it, too fast was never a good idea. He turned and walked back for his quarters. With the smell of snow, and whatever shampoo she used in her hair lingering in his mind.

This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you


^^ Since neither of them were paying attention to what was really playin' lol

Not gunna lie, this was my favorite chapter to write out of all the books in this series hehehe.

As normal, a snip from the next book!

"She stopped, and her arm dropped from his, "We can stop and find shelter around here, we will b-" "Carson quiet." She interrupted him, and he gained a rather offended expression at her shushing. "What do you mean –" Before he could finish, her hand had shot up to cover his mouth. "As in stop talking and listen." He looked down at her, as he reluctantly did as told."