Authors Note: This hasn't been beta-read so I apologize if it has grammar/spelling errors in or if the characters sound a bit off.

Please let me know what you think of this, complaints, suggestions; any feedback would be helpful as long as it is constructive. It is all written already but going through stages of betareading, with this only checked over by myself.

Also please read "Window to the Soul" and "A Sour Taste in the Mouth" the prequels to this. "The Perfect Pair" is the sequel to this, as will be my Christmas fic if I can write it all in time.

Spoilers: For Season One episode "Hide and Seek" but none others I can think of.

Disclaimer: I don't own the rights to Stargate in any incarnations of course and I'm not making any money, this is just some harmless fanfic fun.

Introduction: A Trip to the Familiar

The sound of the gate's wormhole closing behind them went unnoticed as Dr. Beckett and his group stared around in awe.
McKay seemed to catch on to his wonder, walking forward cheerfully.

"Great isn't it? Not quite vacation resort but a lot nicer than any uninhabited worlds so far."
Sheppard frowned at McKay. Not liking the sound of what he was saying. They werent home free just yet.
"Hang on a minute, we still don't know this place is safe, so no planning a holiday ok?"

He glanced around, his p-90 angled upward from his hip, his arms ready to grab it and fire if anything should happen. Ford was alert too, ready for what might be thrown at them.
Both on edge regardless of the easygoing attitude some of the scientific members now had about MX-844T.

They were there to check out the planet, see if it was suitable for a posting. First reconnaissance in the puddle jumper by AR-3 had gone well. It was a uninhabited planet, no signs of life except some rather tame surface wildlife.

Beckett looked up from his scanner, nodding to Sheppard.
"Well Johnson were right for sure, perfectly fine place. Not a single reason why there should be no one here from what is see."

McKay was quick to jump in on the optimistic bandwagon.
"What did I tell you Major? No dangerous plate activity, no weird things in orbit, no rabid animals, no signs of the wraith. What more do you want? Its perfect for an Alpha site." he said as he waved his hands out wide in praise.

"I still want to know why there isn't anyone here and the fact there are no signs of the wraith or anything else bad doesn't rule them out yet. You should know that."
McKay pulled his head up smirking whilst he babbled out the familiar phrase as if he knew better than Sheppard.
"Yeah, yeah. Lack of evidence doesn't prove lack of existence. I've heard it before but how much more sure can you get before you'll believe me?"
Sheppard hated McKay's smugness but he couldn't really fault anything so far.

With a reluctant sigh he resigned to the fact the scientist might be right. But he still didn't feel like the guy was right.
"Fine, we'll move out towards that lake over there, take a closer look but no one's to go too far. Specially you McKay." he said pointing at him with his gun vaguely and then motioning to the area ahead.
As they trudged on towards the lake McKay whined back at his earlier comment.
"Why me? I'm used to reconnaissance, Beckett's the one you should worry about."
Which was the concept that proved why he was so concerned about the scientist rather than the doctor. The doctor hardly ever went on away missions and that made him wary, something McKay could do with a bit more of.
"Sure your used to it, that's what I'm worried about. You usually get us into trouble and its bad to be careless even if this planet seems just dandy."
McKay just snorted indignetly at the idea, silent form then on, obviously a little insulted. He'd get over it though, as long as he was alive Sheppard was happy.

As they approached Sheppard admitted that the lake was a beautiful sight, reminded him of some back home. Fir trees all around. It wasn't a particularly warm planet but it was warm enough now. Could make a nice ski resort if it had a decent winter but he still didn't find it very relaxing. However it was his job to watch out for his team and it wouldn't do to get too cocky like McKay was being. Better that he was cautious. If it proved to be safe then he'd take some time to enjoy the setting.

They stopped at the lakeside, him and Ford choosing to stay back from the waters edge whilst Beckett and the other scientists studied the plant and animal life. There were some animals hanging round that looked a lot like rabbits. He'd had to call out a warning to Yearley to check them out thoroughly before getting any closer. After all just because they looked innocent didn't mean they were. Much like how he felt about this whole place.

As he turned back to the rest he saw out of the corner of his eye, McKay wading out into the lake.
God what was he doing, the fool.
"McKay, out now!" he yelled, feeling like ordering a naughty child about. McKay really was being too naïve about this planet, so hopeful to find a decent alpha site.

Sheppard cursed the astrophysicists eagerness to get the issue sorted. He knew it might well stem form guilt of not yet finding a way home, and finding an alpha site was the second best solution to easing that guilt as far as Sheppard could figure.
"Why?" McKay said pouting at the spoilsport.
Sheppard tilted his head, rolling his eyes simultaneously, McKay just didn't get it, did he? It was hard enough to protect him when he understood what he meant.
"It's a bad idea, get out of there now."
McKay waved his hand dismissively at the Major.

"I'll be fine. I've scanned it, nothing down here. Its pretty shallow for a couple of metres anyway, whats going to happen to me."
It was a said rhetorically but Sheppard didn't like the thoughts it brought up. In his mind, the mind of a military leader responsible for them all, it was more a case of what couldn't happen to him.

"That doesn't mean nothing will be there further down than you can scan and I'd rather not find out the answer to that question. So out and when I say now I mean now"
McKay only walked in further, fully clothed. Which struck Sheppard as odd until McKay explained.
"Hey don't worry, I'm not. Remember I have this."
He pointed to the recharged shield device on his chest.
"Won't even get wet".
Which he illustrated by stepping in and out emerging dry as a bone.

Sheppard let it drop, hoping McKay was right about it all. Besides that he didn't feel like going and retrieving the stubborn man, knowing he'd get bored in a couple of minutes and return of his own accord. It wasn't the best use he could think of for the newly recharged shield device but knowing it was on McKay did ease some worry, though it didn't remove it entirely. The planet just plain creeped him out and he wished Teyla had been available to come with them. She'd have been able to back him up, her intuition was good. However, MX-844T was uninhabited and AR-4 had needed her expertise in trading for their second journey to Tegen. The traders there were rather stubborn and Weir had insisted Teyla accompany the team there instead of the extended AR-1, with the hope Teyla could help negotiate a fairer deal this time.

Beckett glanced up, finally realizing what the two men had been arguing about. McKay appeared to have won but seeing him wade out further into the lake, Beckett had a sudden scary thought. Turning to the others, including the Major, he started to express his concern.

"Hey, just because he has a shield doesn't mean he can go about doing what he wants, after all ya still....."

The doctor was interrupted by abrupt noises, there was a gurgling and some splashing. At which Sheppard shouted out, him and Ford automatically raising guns to the spot McKay had been in.

Beckett followed their view, seeing Sheppard pointing gun at water with no sign of Rodney except a few meager air bubbles rising and disturbed water, ripples moving outwards.

He felt a dark mood upon his soul at the sight of the empty surface of the lake and the shocked Scot finished his sentence rather numbly, "..need oxygen."