Into the Woods

Chapter Four: Secrets That I Never Want to Know

They had been hiking as quickly as the uneven terrain allowed for nearly an hour when Serena stopped in her tracks and said wearily, "I have to rest."

Sheppard halted and McKay almost walked into him. John reached out to steady him and McKay froze then deliberately stepped away.

"You think you can make it the rest of the way back to the 'gate? I could go on ahead and bring the Puddle Jumper through," Sheppard asked Serena.

"And land it where?" Rodney snapped. "I think it's better we get back to Atlantis as soon as possible. Before the Wraith come."

"I just need to sit down for a few minutes. This is more walking than I've done in some time, " Serena said.

Sheppard agreed to a ten minute rest. They sat, sipping water from their canteens and chewing protein bars in an uncomfortable silence.

"So why do you call him 'Bear'?" Sheppard found himself asking after a few minutes. He knew he was asking just in the hopes of embarrassing McKay, and indeed a light flush colored the scientist's cheek.

Serena's gaze slid tiredly from him to Rodney, who glanced at him with what looked like a trace of actual maliciousness.

"You might as well tell him. He'll just pester you until you do," Rodney told her.

She grinned at him, and he smiled back, and John felt a stab of jealousy. Whatever their relationship was, it was close enough for each to know what the other was thinking fairly often. She even had a pet name for him, for Pete's sake!

"Years ago I gave him this T-shirt with a picture of a snarling grizzly bear on the front. On the back it said 'I'm a bear until I've had my coffee.' Which is true. I learned pretty quickly not to speak to him until after his first cup."

"As I recall, you're not much of a morning person yourself," McKay snarked.

"I'm a kitten compared to you, "she shot back with the ease of long familiarity.

"I know – you've used me for a scratching post often enough."

Serena's laugh turned into a groan when she unintentionally jarred her arm. Teyla moved quickly to her side and checked the bandages.

"I thought you met in Antarctica," Sheppard said quietly to Rodney.

"No, I've known Serena for about nine years."

The words were out of his mouth before he could stop them. "Does she kiss better than I do?"

The silence between them stretched out uncomfortably before Rodney replied, "Yes. At least, she's never threatened violence after kissing me, only sex."

Sheppard felt his face turn red. "That's a little more than just good friends."

"You asked. You got your answer," McKay said shortly. "The rest is none of your business."

Teyla looked at McKay, then at Sheppard, obviously puzzled by the growing antagonism between them. "Perhaps we should resume our journey back to the Stargate? The light is beginning to fade."

At that moment a blood-curdling howl sounded in the woods behind them.

TBC