It was tedious work and the shovels went slower with every passing minute. 'Why are we the ones doing the work when you're sitting there, reading your little information booklet.' Zelenka stood up and planted his shovel firmly on top of the rubble he had been ordered to clear by Dr. McKay, the latter sitting leisurely on a piece of debris.

'Those who can do, do. Those who cannot, don't', Rodney replied with a smirk and then turned his attention to the device in his hands. 'Besides, one of us needs to keep an eye on energy levels.'

'Then perhaps you should be walking around a bit more', Colonel Sheppard suggested, annoyed, 'Ronon, why don't you take the good doctor for a walk?'

The tall Satedan threw down the shovel and picked up his P-90 before shoving Dr. McKay in the direction of the woods. 'Sure thing.'

All around villagers were clearing the debris of the fallen storage buildings with hands and rudimentary shovels as well as they could. The wraith attack the day before had left many of their people culled or in hiding and buildings collapsed. With Teyla's help the team had offered to help the remaining population restore their storage facilities so they would be able to survive the oncoming months while they rebuilt their villages.

In a makeshift hospital Dr. Beckett was tending to the wounded as Evy made her way around the village with major Lorne, talking to the leftover villagers as well as she could. It had been nearly a month since she'd had her run in with Storm and she had been beyond relieved to find that he had not been selected to join them on their mission. Major Lorne had tried to convince Colonel Sheppard but Evy gave a sigh of relief when she saw the tall soldier slink back and leave the jumper bay angrily. Feeling strangely excited and a little nervous she had taken a seat next to Carson, who gave her an adoring look when no one else was paying attention. She briefly had taken his hand and when she had been certain they were alone and placed a quick kiss on his lips before settling back into her seat.

For weeks they'd been spending every free moment together and Evy caught herself sneaking items of clothing into his room so she didn't have to return to her own quarters before heading off to the library and the database. Waking up next to Carson, his arms wrapped around her, feeling his skin on hers made her feel safe and warm. Every morning she would slowly stretch and he would pull her in closer, pressing himself against her body, covering her and feeling her as if to make sure she was still there. The sex had been impressive and she tried to tell herself that perhaps twice a day might be bit much or hard to keep up but for now, it was exactly what both of them wanted. She'd rather go tired than not feel him on top of her and inside of her.

'What exactly are we looking for?' Major Lorne inquired as they started down the main road in the direction of the rest of the team.

'I guess just signs of Alteran scripts or Ancient technology they don't know the usage of. Something as simple as a plate or a box that holds little meaning to them could provide us with a wealth of information if we are able to decipher its meaning.' Evy explained, looking around her, stepping up to an open door.

There was no one inside and they entered the home. 'From what we know', she carefully stepped around a toppled table and broken plates, 'this planet had contact with Atlantis many years ago, long before the Lanteans left for earth. There has to be something left of their knowledge. From what I found in the library, this planet supplied Atlantis with much of their medicinal herbs and flowers. All we need to do now is figure out whether they still grow and harvest these herbs and where they stored their supplies. Perhaps there's something there for us to learn or at least take back for us to study. And if they don't, I would even be happy if we could find some kind of sign that told us where the former storages were.'

'Boxes, plates, herbs and flowers. Gotcha.' They made their way up the first flight of creaking stairs, major Lorne leading the way. 'So if they used storage for these things, why aren't we helping with the excavation? Doesn't that seem like the most logical place?'

'Not exactly', Evy replied, carefully pushing back a door that led to nowhere. 'The villagers already told us that those were their grain and cured meat storages. I think there's nothing here.' She concluded and she followed the major back down the stairs.

'Here's a thought', Lorne started as they stepped through the door into the light. 'If I were in the business of drying herbs, wouldn't I be doing so in a warmer place?'

'What do you mean?' Evy didn't quite understand where he was going.

'Well, if I need to air dry my plants, wouldn't it be more logical for me to go further away from the river?'

'It makes sense but I highly doubt the Colonel will let us go further out without an escort and it's all hands on deck at the moment.' She concluded. 'So I think we're stuck to the village I'm afraid but no need to fear, there might just be something we can use, if only we look hard enough.'

'Had you imagined yourself doing this?' Lorne asked as he turned into the street.

'Not exactly. How about you?'

'Nah. I guess the thrill of discovering new worlds was something that drove me here but when I see situations like this,' he looked around, 'I realise that it doesn't really matter. This strange empathetic side inside of me just kicks in because of what I see and I want to become a part of what's happening. To help and build.'

Evy smiled at him. 'That's precisely what I feel.'

They continued looking around leisurely some more but dared not to go into any of the other houses. Though Teyla had made it quite clear we were not the enemy, the few leftover villagers who were not helping at the storage buildings or being treated by Dr. Beckett fearfully shut their door as they saw them approaching. Though eager to get back to the team, they strayed into a side alley where Evy had spotted the remains of crushed flowers on the floor but on closer inspection, these turned out to be the leftovers of a wedding celebration that had taken place only a few days earlier. 'What a way to start a marriage', she whispered to herself as she dropped the dying bouquet. 'I guess we should head back.' She nodded at the major while getting up and leading the way back to the main road.

'Hey', major Lorne piped up. 'Remember how I offered to do some more one on one training with you? The offer still stands if you're up for it. Just you and me. No one watching.'

'Of course', Evy looked to the side and smiled at the major. 'Thank you, you're very kind.' Carson was sure to disagree, she thought to herself, but considering she had been attacked already twice in a short period of time, sure there was nothing wrong with teaching the likes of Kavanagh to keep his hands to himself. 'When did you have in mind?'

'How about tomorrow morning? Get an early session in? Ronon usually takes the gym after breakfast but any time before breakfast is good.'

Evy agreed as they came into closer range of the excavation site. 'Sounds like a plan. So like, an hour before breakfast then?'

Major Lorne smiled broadly at her and for a moment she remembered Kavanagh's words… "Major Lorne is an attractive man to many women... and men." And she couldn't disagree so she quickly turned her attention to the group of people in front of them, sitting on the piles of rubble, looking all sorts of unsettled and tired.

'Oh my goodness, you're so dirty.' Evy laughed as she stood next to the nearly cleared out storage site. Colonel Sheppard, Ronon, McKay and many others were covered in dust. 'How'd you get him to finally chip in?' She laughed, motioning at Dr. McKay.

'Nothin' like a good threat of a thrashin'.' Carson appeared next to her and smiled at her, making Evy's stomach do a little jump. There was just something about those blue eyes. 'Hullo.' He gave her arm a little squeeze.

'Hey. Everything alright on your end?'

'Most of them only have superficial cuts and bruises. It's the scars on the inside that need healin' but I cannae help them with that. There's only so much we can do.' He said sadly.

Though the search for artifacts had come up with nothing and she was slightly frustrated about returning empty handed, to Evy the sight of Carson made all of those feelings disappear. She wanted to touch him so badly, she could barely contain herself and the prospect of sitting next to him on the jumper on the way back, inching a little closer with every bump, made her smile in anticipation. He'd be so careful to make sure no one was watching, which made it all the more exciting. In her mind she was sure that the crew was aware of their romance but at least they had the decency not to say anything.

As if he read her mind, Carson leaned in and turned his head so no one could hear. 'I canna wait to go home.' He said softly and there was a little sparkle in his eye that Evy knew promised something very exciting once they got there.

'You said it.' She replied and hoisted her backpack further up her shoulder. 'Are we done here?' She called out to Colonel Sheppard.

'Yep, getting ready to ship out. How much time do you think you'll need for packing up Doc?'

'About half an hour lad.'

'Shipping out in half an hour!' Sheppard announced loudly as he turned to MacKay. 'That means you too.'

The trip back hadn't made it any easier on Evy and judging from his responses, neither had it for Carson as he shifted in his seat, trying his best not to touch her but by the time they reached Atlantis he was sweating profusely and nearly ran to the infirmary to put away his gear, leaving a confused Colonel Sheppard and Dr. Weir in his wake.

'Twenty minutes.' He breathed as he rushed past her and nearly tripped down the steps, his arms filled with equipment.

Grinning Evy reported the results of her search with major Lorne to Dr. Weir and after only a few minutes she was dismissed. When she was out of sight she sped up her pace and legged it to her quarters. She realised she only had a few more minutes to freshen up and she was in the middle of pulling her shirt over her head when the door chime drew her attention away from her trembling fingers. She lowered her top.

The doors slid open and revealed a panting, slightly red in the face, Carson. He quickly stepped inside and Evy closed the door behind him. 'What did you do? Run here?' She laughed but in response he merely grabbed her and pressed his lips against her. His hands slid across her waist and back and she returned his passion in kind.

'That was the longest jumper ride if ever there was one.' Carson finally released Evy to catch his breath. 'Never thought I'd be so keen to get back through that wee gate.'

'Did you have any trouble getting away?' Evy walked over to the window and drew the shades and Carson came up from behind her.

'Ay, Rodney wanted to discuss some data the lads down in the lab had discovered.' He softly kissed the exposed skin in her neck. 'I honestly cannae remember a word he said.'

'You'll pay for that tomorrow', Evy turned and sat down on the window ledge, pulling Carson between her legs.

'I dinnae care.' The doctor breathed as he embraced her and kissed her deeply. He smelled of dust and sweat and Evy slid her hands underneath his shirt.

'You need a shower.'

'So do you, love.' Carson kissed her nose and as she lifted her arms he pulled off the top and tossed it into the corner. One hand snuck around her back and the other cupped her breast, lifting it and as he bent forward he covered the nipple with his lips, slowly sucking and nibbling the tender flesh through the fabric.

'Carson.' Evy leaned her head against the window behind her. Her hand slipped down the front of his trousers and she released the button. Moaning softly at the sensation of his mouth on her breast she lowered the zipper and the trousers soon pooled around the man's ankles. He kicked them off and pushed them aside and she could feel the hardness and heat of his cock radiating through the thin fabric of his underwear. Carefully she hooked her fingers behind the waistband of his briefs and lowered them, freeing him from the constricting piece of clothing. She clasped a hand around the hot flesh and squeezed, making Carson moan against her skin.

Distracted by her steady squeezing with one hand and the gentle rubbing of his tip with the other he shakingly turned his attention away from her breast. His fingers worked his way down between her legs and then he stopped and smiled.

'Ye definitely thought this through, haven't ye love?' He asked as he realised she was still wearing her belt, blocking his way. Evy paused her ministrations and looked up at him. He slid both his hands down, grabbed her by the rounds of her buttock and pushed himself hard against the sensitive part between her legs. 'But tonight', he said. 'I am happily at yer mercy.'

'Good.' Evy grinned. It was going to be a long night, she smiled to herself as the belt came undone and Carson lifted her from the window ledge. She wrapped her legs around him as he carried her towards the bed. Showers could wait until morning.