They spent the rest of the morning together. They didn't do anything more than hold each other and occasionally share a tender kiss, but it was more than Carson had expected she'd ever want to do again, and it was more than enough for Melony at that place and time. She wasn't ready to do more than that. She needed time to get used to the fact that he was really the same guy that he had been, and a chance to sort out her emotions while she was with him.

"When are we leaving?" He asked her, running his fingers lightly through her pale hair.

"After lunch."

"Are you hungry?"

She shook her head, but sighed and pulled herself out of his arms – almost reluctantly.

"I'm not, but we should go get some lunch – and see if Major Sheppard has his team together." They might need her advice on what to take. "Besides, I want to see what the scientists have found out about those beans."

"What should I bring with me?" He asked her. "How long are you planning on being there?"

"A change of clothes – just in case we end up drenched, or end up staying longer than I expect we will – and whatever you want to bring by way of medical supplies. I have a first aid kit in my pack that I'll bring, and the Jumper has one, too, so whatever is missing from there…" He would know better than she would what he'd want to take. "I'd dress for rain, though. Just in case."

He nodded and rolled off her bed and stood up.

"I'll go pack and meet you in the commissary."

"Okay."

He headed for the door, then turned and pulled her carefully into his arms again, giving her a quick hug before turning and leaving.

Inviting him along was a good idea

You approve?

She had assumed Talon wouldn't want him anywhere near her.

I didn't say that. Talon was not so ready to forgive and forget. He was still having trouble with the forgive part.I just said it was a good idea. If he's not going to be able to spend as much time with you as he'd like to, then it's good for him to at least know a little about the place you're spending all your time. It might cut down on future hard feelings

"That's what I was thinking when I invited him…"

I know

"Smart ass…"

There was a chuckle, and then he reminder her that she needed to do a little packing herself – and she wanted to go talk with Zalinka and the other scientists who were checking out her beans.

OOOOOOOOO

"We've only done preliminary tests so far, Colonel…"

"Yeah? And?"

The three scientists looked at each other, and then at her. And shrugged.

"It looks like coffee to us. We'd like you to bring us more, so we can try grinding it up and actually brewing it – to see what happens."

She nodded.

"I can do that – as long as you make sure you really check it thoroughly before anyone drinks it."

They all smiled.

"We were planning on letting you have the first sip."

"That way you can tell us if there's anything to avoid in it."

"And if we need cream or sugar."

Mitchell smiled.

"Fair enough. I'll bring you some more beans when I get back from the next trip." She handed over the packet with the remaining beans from her first trip. "You guys can have those to get started. I'll probably be back tomorrow – maybe the next day."

"We'll be ready for the next step in trials by then." They promised. They, of course, were just as eager as she was to find a new source of coffee. The dwindling supply had been a concern to all of them as well.

"Thanks."

She left them and headed to the commissary.

OOOOOOOO

Sheppard didn't need any advice from her – and Melony hadn't really expected him to. He was becoming fairly experienced at leading off-world missions – considering that up until a few days before the expedition he hadn't even known there was such a thing as off-world – and he had everyone already assembled and packed before he'd allowed them to head to the commissary for lunch. Even better, he had them all sitting together so that when Melony came into the room she knew who was going without needing to ask.

The only one she didn't see was Kale, and she really wasn't sure if he was planning on going or not. She hadn't missed how uncomfortable he'd been in the lava tube, and in the cavern, and wouldn't have been surprised if he didn't invite himself to come along. Besides, he'd been as soaked as she was, and he might want to just hang out and be warm for a while.

However, Lieutenant Ford and the others were planning on going, and already in full gear. Rain jackets were sitting beside each of them, draped across the benches that served as seats for the tables and despite the fact that Mitchell had reported nothing dangerous on A-08, they were all still wearing Kevlar vests and side arms. Teyla, McKay and Ford, along with Sheppard and Beckett would make up the team that would make the initial survey with the Jumper. Melony really didn't need more people than that just then – although she'd want to add a few people later, once she knew whether this was the place she wanted to use permanently.

You know, it needs a better name if we decide to use it…

What's wrong with the name it has now?

A-08? How boring is that?

She hid her smile, although she couldn't hide her amusement from him.

What would you like to call it?

Talonville

No.

Talontown?

There's no town.

He pouted, and Melony couldn't help the chuckle that escaped. Talon cracked her up so often, but especially when he was in the mood he was in now.

We'll come up with something, she promised him as she walked over to join the others, all of them greeting her with smiles as well.

Something impressive

Something… normal.

Bah.