Yup! New fanfiction. Got this idea near the end of the last one and managed to nudge my ass into gear to actually write the first chapter. It takes place about a week after the events of the Protection fanfiction, so it's probably best to read that, before you read this, so you realise why everyone is so tense. grins Anyway, enjoy, and I'll write the next chapter as quickly as possible.

Elizabeth sat at her desk, her eyes gradually travelling down the computer screen in front of her. Tentatively her fingers hovered over the keys, and softly she bit her lip as she prepared the final few words of the letter in her mind.

"Simon." She murmured then, allowing those final thoughts to gently leave her mouth. "Finally, I say goodbye to you. We may never see each other again, and I am sorry for this. You deserve so much, and as I've explained, I don't think I can promise you that anymore. You should be free to live your life…" Here she paused, let a sigh pass her lips, and leant back in her chair. How else could she possibly word this goodbye? It hurt, because in so many ways she still loved Simon, but more so because it was like letting go of the only thing that still tied her to home. As the months dragged on, Atlantis had started to become more like home, and the thoughts of returning to Earth more distant, and less worrying that they may never be realised.

As she moved to tap in the final words, a light knock came at the door. Swiftly she glanced upwards, smiling as she noticed it was Rodney.

"Rodney, hi. What can I do for you?"

Rodney leant in a little, sending her a polite nod. "I've just come to tell you that I've got everything set up in the briefing room. We'll be starting in a few moments." Just as quickly then, he turned to go.

"Rodney, wait." Elizabeth found herself calling automatically, her hand rising to stop him despite his obvious distance.

Rodney turned back to her, his nervousness clear as he fidgeted. "Yes?"

"Well, I…" Here she faltered. What could she say to him? Pushing back tinges of pain, she rose from the desk, instead putting on an air of professional concern. "How have you been this past week? I know we haven't really had a chance to talk. I've been so busy." In fact they were both as guilty as each other in that department. "And considering what happened…"

"I'm fine." Rodney replied curtly, before frowning as he saw Elizabeth shrink back a little from his snapping. "I mean..." He sighed softly to himself, before smiling a little to her. "It's hard, getting back into a routine, but I think I've achieved it. You're doing well?"

"Yes, thank you." Elizabeth nodded back politely. For a moment, she pondered telling him about the letter, but that thought was quickly pushed away. After all, what difference would it make? They'd made their minds up now. "I'll walk with you to the briefing room." She suggested instead, gathering up the report he'd already sent to her and moving alongside him.

Rodney seemed worried for the briefest of moments, before he too nodded and moved out of the room with her. "Has your-eh, wound healed up okay?" He suddenly blurted out, allowing himself at least a small bit of true concern before they entered the briefing room.

"Yes, surprisingly it didn't take too long." Elizabeth relaxed a touch, a smile forming. It may take a while, but she was becoming a little more certain that she and Rodney would become true friends once more.

As they entered the briefing room, Elizabeth moved to take her usual seat, while Rodney began to get his materials ready. John came striding in a few moments later, Teyla not far behind him. As their laughter echoed around the briefing room, Rodney and Elizabeth both shared in pangs of jealousy. Out of the team on Atlantis, it seemed only John and Teyla had come out better for the events of the week before. As Rodney waited nervously for Ford to arrive as well, Elizabeth allowed her mind to drift back to the past week. After John's birthday party the realisation of what had happened had hit everyone properly. Admittedly, she and Rodney hadn't been as adult as she thought they would be, both of them taking as much chance as they could to avoid each other. Rodney had pointedly avoided Carson as well, making up elaborate excuses to avoid coming in contact with him, not so hard when Carson himself had practically started living in the infirmary permanently. Jane seemed more broody, certainly Elizabeth had never imagined the psychiatrist could have so many pent-up emotions. She'd heard many reports of people cancelling their appointments with her, or even some people making some to try and fish out details. Even Ford had displayed elements of being down the past week, the avoidance and tension of everything having spread over Atlantis like a dark, but invisible, cloud.

It was John and Teyla though, that were cheerful despite all this. As Elizabeth allowed her gaze to settle on the two, she gave a soft sigh. The birthday party had drawn them closer together, and privately she wondered if perhaps they soon would be addressing the same problems she and Rodney had.

A hand being waved in front of her face made her literally jump, and she blinked up into the grinning form of Ford. "Uh, yes Lieutenant?"

"The Major was just wondering when you'd be joining us."

Shooting John a slight look, Elizabeth cleared her throat. "I was just thinking about some things. Besides, I believe everyone's attention should be on Rodney anyway?"

There was a shared look between the rest of the team at Elizabeth's curtness, before they all promptly turned to watch Rodney.

Rodney himself seemed oblivious, fully immersing himself in the briefing. "Well, thank you all for listening. Now, let's get started. We can all thank Teyla for this next mission." There was a loud 'woo' from John, followed by snickers from the others, before Rodney continued. "After uh, recent events, Teyla approached me with the idea that we should go on a more, 'leisurely' mission, and visit one of the trading worlds of the Athosians that we haven't come across yet."

"Why are you doing the presentation then?" Ford suddenly asked curiously, leaning back in his chair.

"Because Teyla asked me too, if you must know." Rodney snapped back to him, before moving on. "Plus, there's more interesting things here then just possible trading. From what Teyla's told me, this is a planet of women."

John raised an eyebrow at that. "And, this is strange why McKay? Granted, women might seem strange to you…"

Ford let out another snicker, while Teyla supplied. "I believe what he is referring too Major, is the fact that the planet is solely populated by women."

"Yes, at a very low technological age. In fact…" A light gleam entered Rodney's eye, and he smiled. "From what Teyla tells me, the situation very much resembles that of a certain planet we visited, where the Major here made a new friend."

"Oh here we go." John muttered, rolling his eyes. "Don't tell me, this whole planet is filled with a bunch of Ancients?"

"Actually, it very much sounds like it."

As John snorted softly, Elizabeth leaned forward. "It does sound quite implausible Rodney. Granted, this has happened before, but this was one Ancient, one who was pretty much acting as Goddess." Glancing to Teyla then, she asked. "Have you ever seen any hints that these women might have abilities like that?"

Teyla shook her head softly. "None whatsoever. There have actually been cullings on the world before, and certainly there was no defence such as the one described on that other world."

"But they live in perfect health do they not?" Rodney interjected sharply, arms folding. "You can't say that's not strange."

"I did not say 'perfect' health Doctor." Teyla replied softly then. "I said they live in good health, at a low technological level, because they were given good health by their Goddess."

"See!" Rodney interjected once more.

"A Goddess…" Teyla continued, sending Rodney a sharp look. "That left them millennia ago. The tale goes that the Goddess Anyana, bestowed upon the women gifts of good health, and long life, because of their devotion to her and resistance from the evil's of men. As long as they continued to live in this way, then it would never change, and so she left them to live out their lives. Because that's the way they had chosen it."

"See." John motioned over to Rodney. "You don't have to go around assuming that everyone's a secret Ancient you know. It is actually possible to have primitive societies that don't have hidden Ancients in them."

Frowning deeply, Rodney then threw up his arms. "Fine! Okay, but I still think that we should grab some samples, bring them back to the infirmary."

"Why not just bring Carson along?" Ford suddenly asked then, ignoring Rodney's obvious wince. "He could analyse things much better if he came along with us."

"I think you're all missing something rather important here. " Elizabeth mused openly. As they all turned to look at her, she sighed. "The fact that most of this team is populated by males? From what Teyla has said, these women won't look kindly on men visiting their planet."

"Uh, actually, that's what I forgot to talk to you about." Rodney turned to Elizabeth then. "You see, they do understand that there are other cultures out there, it's a basic 'don't interfere with us and you'll be okay' sort of policy. But we did have the idea that perhaps they'd take us better with… a female leader."

"You mean." Elizabeth's eyebrow rose, and a slight grin appeared on her face. "You think that I should go along with you?"

"Well you are our leader… technically." John grinned to her. "And we might be received better if you came along leading us."

"But we still don't want to overwhelm them, hence why I don't think it'd be a good idea for Carson to go." Rodney glanced over to Ford, who merely grinned back to him.

"Hey, that's easily solved, I won't go."

"What?"

"Are you sure Lieutenant?" John asked, glancing to him. "I mean, I might need you."

"Major, from what's been said, I can't honestly imagine there being any hostile situations in which you'd need me. Besides, I've got a lot of things to catch up on. I promised Teyla I'd start up some classes with the Athosians."

Rodney frowned softly at that. "Fine then, so that's me, Teyla, the Major, Elizabeth and Carson."

"And uh…" Elizabeth winced a touch as she turned her next words over in her mind, before saying. "I think Jane should come along as well."

"What!" Rodney blinked at his own outburst, before slumping down into the chair, deciding to shut up for the next few minutes.

Averting her gaze from Rodney, Elizabeth explained. "Well we have Carson there to represent the medical side, but we might get better information if we take along someone who can tell more from how a person acts."

"And you can't do that?" Rodney muttered under his breath, tapping the underside of the table with a murderous glare.

"No, I can't." Elizabeth replied slowly and softly. "Jane will be able to detect more subtle changes, plus I think it might be good for her to get off of Atlantis as well. Certainly we could all do with a little bit of a vacation, and this sounds like a very nice planet. Not to mention bringing Jane along will even out the numbers and make these women a little more receptive to us. So…" Glancing to Rodney, she finished with. "She will be coming along."

Rodney raised his head to shoot her a glare, but quickly realised that he couldn't, even if he was in a murderous mood. There was nothing he could do, but he certainly didn't have to talk to Jane or Carson during the visit. If he was lucky he might find some sort of weird anomaly that he'd immediately have to return with and study till they got back.

"Rodney?" He glanced over to her then, and she smiled. "Is there anything else you'd like to mention?"

"Uh, just that the planet seems to have a similar climate to the equator regions of Earth, very similar to say Brazil."

Ford suddenly perked up a little then, asking. "Wait, are these women like Amazons are something?"

"Too late Ford, you've already said you're not going." John beamed over to him.

"But, maybe…"

"You could let down all those Athosian children just waiting to learn from you?" Teyla suddenly interjected, cutting over the comment that John was about to quip back. It was certainly more effective, and Ford lowered his head. "No, I guess not."

John chuckled softly. "Don't worry Ford, if you're lucky we'll bring one back…"

Both Elizabeth and Teyla shot John a look at that, and he cleared his throat. "So, eh, we finished yet then?"

"That's pretty much it yes." Rodney muttered back, before idly waving his hand. "Just remember to wear suitable gear for the heat."

Teyla smiled to the rest of them at that. "I believe the Doctor may be exaggerating a little, just our normal uniform should suffice."

"But it's gonna be hot isn't it? I mean, do we have sunscreen or anything like that on Atlantis?"

"Why don't you go and ask Carson?" Elizabeth sent back to Rodney with a sweet smile, before rising from the chair. "I guess we'll all set off in an hour then. Be ready in the gate room by then." As everyone headed off, Elizabeth added. "Oh Rodney, could I speak to you for a moment?"

Rodney blinked, ignored the 'ooh, you're in trouble!' look from Ford, and stopped in his tracks. "Uh, of course Elizabeth. What is it?"

Turning to him then, Elizabeth folded her arms. "Just out of curiosity Rodney, you are an adult aren't you?"

"I'm in the correct age range yes." Rodney murmured back, before tilting his head. "Don't tell me, you're going to make some comment about me acting my age?"

"I'm hoping that I won't need too." Elizabeth replied, leaning against the table. "You are the chief scientist on this base Rodney, and although I understand your emotions can run away from you, sometimes actually aiding a problem, I don't believe it will have the same effect here."

"You're saying I can't go?" Rodney asked then, eyes widening a little. He was almost hoping she was.

"No, because that would be too easy for you." Elizabeth smiled back to him, a knowing look in her eyes. "The fact is Rodney, while I stand by my reasons for letting Carson and Jane come along, I will also admit to a little bit of a personal agenda on my part."

Rodney just sighed at that. "Like that wasn't already obvious." As Elizabeth sent him a look, he glanced up to the ceiling. "Let's see now… you want me to act professionally, work with them both because they're also members of the team, and try my best to put the past behind me and get along with them as best I can?" His gaze flicked back to her, and his mouth set into a grim line. "Forgetting of course that the past is technically only a week ago."

"Does it matter how long ago it was?" Elizabeth asked, moving forward a little. "The fact is Rodney, we're not on Earth; we're on Atlantis. That changes things a lot, namely in the space in which you can escape. You can't forget about them, because they're part of Atlantis now, just like you are, and the fact is you have to learn to live with that."

"Give these sorts of speeches a lot do you?" Rodney muttered back, scowling down at his feet.

A surge of frustration wound through Elizabeth, and she slammed her hand on the desk. "Damnit Rodney!" His eyes immediately shot up to hers, surprise evident at her outburst. "Do you think you're the only one this has affected? Granted, you're obviously the injured party, but I have a psychiatrist who's more moody then any of the people she's counselling, a doctor who won't leave the infirmary, which in some circumstances wouldn't be so bad, but I've heard reports of him even sleeping in there, not to mention pretty much every one of my personnel either more concerned with gossip then their work, or so depressed they can't work. Do you think this is a good way to run a base? Because I certainly don't. And the only way I can think to resolve this, is to have you three at least strike some sort of tentative peace treaty." With a heavy sigh then, she asked. "Is that too much to ask?"

"Yes." Rodney replied honestly. But as Elizabeth's gaze lowered, he rested his hand on her shoulder. "But, for this mission at least, I promise to keep my sarcastic comments to a minimum, and to not avoid working with them if I need too. Is that good enough?"

Elizabeth smiled warmly up to him at that, the warmth spreading to her eyes as she said. "I guess from you, it's a hell-of-a-lot."

"Hey!" Rodney chuckled back, before sighing. "I guess this week has hit a lot of people hard, not just me." Gently he allowed his fingers to graze her cheek. "I know I haven't been a very good friend, and I guess no-one's even bothered to check how you're holding up."

Elizabeth tried her best to ignore how nice the feel of his fingers on her cheek felt, and she pulled away lightly. "Yes, well I am the leader. I'm supposed to cope on my own."

"If you think so." Rodney replied, letting his arm drift back to his side. "Just remember that you're not alone okay?"

"I know Rodney, I know." Elizabeth smiled warmly back to him, before moving to leave the briefing room. "Anyway, I'd better get back and finish that letter."

"Letter?" Rodney asked curiously, as he followed her out of the room.

"Yes, to Simon." Elizabeth didn't dare look at his face as she said the name. "I've been meaning to send him a letter for a while now, I guess the last week just taught me that it's time to let go." When she finally got the courage to glance over to Rodney, she was met with a concerned smile.

"Well, maybe it's for the best." Rodney replied, before quickly changing the subject. "Anyway, I guess I'd better sort out my stuff. It does actually sound like a nice planet, from what Teyla told me. It'll be a break from all that's happened."

Elizabeth nodded in agreement with that, before waving to him and heading back to her office. It'd only take a few moments to write the ending to the letter, before she went to arrange her stuff. And she knew that if she didn't do it now, she never would.

-

Elizabeth surveyed the team as they stood in front of the gate, unable to hide the look of excitement on her face. It wasn't often she got to go on a mission after all, and she was prepared to treat this as an important one. Granted, she admitted solemnly to herself, the team looked a little fractured. Carson was standing as far away from Jane as possible, while she was trying to do the opposite. Rodney was standing as far away from Carson as possible, it was only John and Teyla that were standing in their normal comfortable stances.

"Well then, since we're all here." Elizabeth finally announced. "I guess we'd better get going." Idly she glances up towards Ford, the Lieutenant watching them all with a wide grin. She was somewhat surprised to find that he'd volunteered to stay behind so readily, but then there were a lot of things she didn't know about Aiden. He kept his thoughts to himself so easily. Sending him a wide smile, she then glanced back to her team. John was already progressing through the Stargate with Teyla, and Elizabeth let him lead happily. With ease she strode beside Rodney, sending him a light nudge.

"You could look a little happier Rodney."

"Oh no, believe me Elizabeth, I'm jubilant inside."

Rodney's sullen tone caused a light chuckle from Elizabeth, and she followed him through the Stargate cheerfully.

Moments later, after the initial feeling that came with having your particles shunted across the galaxy, Elizabeth stepped on to the new world. The heat hit her immediately, and she unzipped her jacket, mentally thanking whoever that she had relatively short hair. With little effort, her gaze swept the land before them. Rodney had been spot-on about the similarities to South America. Having spent some time there five or so years ago, the lush greenery, and sounds of a vibrant wildlife brought back tantalising memories. Rodney's touch on her arm brought her out of her reverie, and she smiled warmly to him.

"It's beautiful isn't it?"

Her soft whisper caused Rodney's gaze to linger on her for longer then he had intended, before he forced himself to pull away, and point to the approaching group. "Looks like the welcome wagon's here."

"Oh, of course." Nodding, Elizabeth moved forward, stopping next to Teyla. "Is there anything I should know Teyla? About greeting them or manners?"

For a moment, Elizabeth swore she saw a smirk cross Teyla's lips, then the Athosian nodded. "There is something. I would advise that the men travel behind us. The Alonins will see it as a mark of respect."

Before any of the men could protest, Elizabeth turned to them with a wide smile. "Well I don't see any problem with that, do you? It's not like we're sticking them in chains. Come on boys, line up behind."

Various mutters passed between the men, while the three women lined up in front, trying their best to hide the smirks that settled so easily on their lips.

The group of women approached, and one stepped forward. Tall and lean, she rested the tip of her staff on the ground, her stark black hair swept back with a leather headband, her eyes a deep blue that contrasted well against her tanned skin. Elizabeth found her gaze sweeping over the group curiously. For some reason she'd expected all the women to look like their leader, but there were many variations. All of them showed signs of hard work, but their sizes, and hair differed greatly. As Teyla stepped forward, Elizabeth did also, allowing Teyla to speak first.

"Telana, I present to you Doctor Elizabeth Weir, of Earth, and leader of its people."

"Well, technically…" Elizabeth leant in, but was hushed by Teyla.

"I advise that you do not make your title more complicated, that is all the information they will require." Teyla's whisper caused Elizabeth to blink, before she smiled and nodded.

"Yes, that is correct." Elizabeth held out her hand for her to shake. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Telana grasped hold of Elizabeth's hand, and then yanked her into a full hug. "This is how we greet each other Doctor." Pulling back then, Telana sent her a wide smile. "Please remember that when you call again."

Elizabeth stood shocked for a moment, enough time for Telana to laugh. "I can see you thought this would be more difficult yes? Teyla and the Athosians have been great friends of ours for many years, and word has spread through trade of your great deeds. You are indeed a strong warrior Dr. Weir, your people must be proud of you."

A loud cough erupted from behind Elizabeth, and Telana raised an eyebrow towards John. "Is your human male alright? If he is sick then he should not have come…" Elizabeth's gaze flickered back to the group, and she couldn't help noticing the look of the other Alonins suggesting sickness or not, he shouldn't have come at all. "No, he is fine." Elizabeth quickly replied. "Men are of course unstable at times. He is, eh, still being trained."

"Your other one is quite clumbsy I see." Telana observed stoically, glancing towards Rodney. "He seems to have inadvertently stood on the coughing one's foot." Raising an eyebrow then, she asked. "Are all your men this inept?"

"As I said, they are still being trained." Elizabeth replied calmly, while she furiously sent signals behind her back. "We are hoping to place the clumbsy one in one of our entertainment shows, along with the coughing one."

Telana paused here, surveyed the three men, and then suddenly laughed. "Ah, I see now! Yes. Of course, we must all have fun. The silent one doesn't even have to do anything, he is already funny!"

Carson scowled obviously at that, but somehow refrained from saying anything. Rodney wasn't as good though, his mouth moving to open before John stepped on his foot.

Telana continued to laugh, her tribe gradually joining in. "Ah! The cougher and the clumbsy one are a good duo! Really, they must perform for us when they are better trained."

Elizabeth laughed herself, after all it was the diplomatic thing to do, never mind that Teyla and Jane seemed to be enjoying this as much as she was.

As the men scowled behind them, Elizabeth sent Telana a warm smile. "I am quite surprised at the warm welcome I suppose. To be honest, we haven't had it much around here, what with the Wraith and everything..."

As quickly as it had come, Telana's smile faded, and she nodded. "Yes, they are certainly a scourge. However, let us not talk of such horrible things so quickly into our greeting hmm?" Gesturing behind her, she grinned. "Our village is only a few steps into the forest, and we have already prepared a feast for you. It has been a while since we have met anyone new, and we would like to celebrate that honor."

Elizabeth's eyebrows rose and she glanced to Teyla and Jane, before smiling back to Telana. "Well, that's, very nice of you. Thank you. It really is a refreshing change to be greeted like this."

"There is no need to thank us." Telana replied swiftly, before nudging a young woman beside her. "Aranis here will give you a tour of the village after the feast, and will show you to your sleeping quarters."

"Sleeping... quarters?" Elizabeth repeated slowly, her gaze flickering to Teyla.

However Teyla seemed as confused as Elizabeth, and she glanced to Telana. "I am sorry, you mentioned no such arrangement when last we spoke."

"Ah yes, I am sorry for this." Telana bowed her head briefly for a moment, looking slightly apologetic. "Unfortunately since last you spoke, we have had an attack on this world, and we are finding it... hard to trust newcomers at the moment."

"The Wraith?" John blurted out suddenly.

Telana scowled at John, before shaking her head. "Your man's outburst is not correct. No, this was no Wraith, but a human male. Out of, hope, I suppose you could call it, we allowed this man to come into our village and we treated him well. If it wasn't for Aranis, then we would not have discovered that he planned to lure the Wraith here."

"Lure the Wraith.. how, why?" Elizabeth murmured softly, her eyes wide at the thought. "Who was he?"

"We do not know why. Possibly he wished to steal some of their technology, or merely strike a deal with them. We do not know really who he was..." Telana's gaze lowered at that. Elizabeth could tell by the sadness in her eyes that the Alonin leader blamed herself for the trap. As a pang of sympathy shot out from her, Elizabeth sighed softly. "I'm sorry. If there was anything you could tell us about him, we may know who he was."

"He gave his name as Kolya I believe, though we do not know if that was his real name."

John almost choked as the Genii's name was mentioned, Elizabeth shooting him a look. Telana's eyebrows rose, and she asked sharply. "You know of this man?" Immediately, the women behind her straightened up, their gazes sharpening.

"No, well yes..." Elizabeth replied, quickly adding. "But certainly not as a friend. He and his people tricked us also."

Telana made a gesture to the women to relax, before visibly relaxing herself. "I see. Well then you must understand the need for us to strengthen our barriers. The fact that you come so highly recommended helps your case, however..." Glancing between her fellow clanswomen, and then back, Telana continued. "After the 'incident', we called a meeting. No new treaties should be confirmed, without first the ritual of Anyana's Grace."

"Anyana's Grace?" Elizabeth rose an eyebrow curiously, Teyla and Jane sharing similar looks.

"Yes. It requires the party that wish to form a treaty, to spend three days within the village, as fledgelings of the Clan. In this way, we will be able to learn from you, and ensure that you are trully willing to be our friends."

"Because surely anyone wishing to trick you, would not willingly spend three days within the village first." Jane suddenly spoke up with, her gaze fixed on Telana with a quizzical look.

Telana's own gaze focused on Jane fully for the first time since they'd set foot on the planet, and the Alonin studied her curiously. Jane frowned a little for a moment as the silence developed, and couldn't hide the feeling that Telana was looking within her. Dismissing it as natural nervousness, Jane still relaxed as Telana finally spoke. "Yes, you are correct...?"

Jane naturally filled the gap, even as the question had barely left the Alonin's lips. "Jane, Doctor Jane Heightmeyer." Pausing then to focus on that earlier feeling, she added a little more laborously. "But you can just call me Jane if you wish."

"I do." Telana cut back matter-of-factly, before sending her a dazzling smile. "We all greet by first names here." Swiftly then, her gaze flicked back to Elizabeth and she nodded. "If you will all follow me then, I shall lead you to the village. We shall take a leisurely pace, as the rest of my clan will need to set everything up for you. I was unsure of your numbers before arrival."

Elizabeth simply nodded to that, before gesturing for the others to follow. With little effort, she allowed Teyla to move in front of her smoothly, indicating that she should speak with Telana. Soon she and Teyla were trading news of their clans' activities, and Elizabeth slowed her pace to match Jane's.

"Are you alright?"

Jane seemed surprised for a moment that Elizabeth had addressed her, and so took a moment before replying. "Oh, well yes. Why do you ask?"

"I don't know. Call me crazy, but I couldn't help but notice Telana's attention on you. It was more... focused, then on any of us. If that's the right word."

Jane bit her lip softly, before allowing a light shrug. "I don't know, maybe it was just your imagination. Perhaps she just doesn't like me. You and Teyla are slightly, warmer, then I am."

Frowning obviously at that deduction, Elizabeth shook her head. "I wouldn't say that Jane, you have a different approach that's all. Speaking of..." Her voice lowered a touch, her gaze fixing on Telana in front of her. "What do you think so far? Of their leader?"

Jane rose an eyebrow lightly. "I'm not a mind-reader Elizabeth." Softly though, she did smile. "However, I'd have to agree with Teyla's judgement. Telana seems very open, if a little matter-of-fact. She shows the basic quick emotional attention of any culture at this technological level."

"So pretty much, comes straight out with what she's saying and expects there to be no hard feelings on your part?"

"I'd say that's about right yes." Jane smiled softly. As the village came into view, Jane bit her lip a touch. "Elizabeth, are you sure it was a good idea for me to come on this assignment? It's bad enough with Carson and Rodney, not to mention me along as well. I'm sure you would have been able to do all this just as easily."

Elizabeth stopped her for a moment then, her gaze fixing with hers. "Jane, I'm going to say this to you only once. You're a valuable colleague, and sharper then me at times. Right now, I need you around to keep everyone on their toes."

Jane couldn't help but grin at that, setting off once more. "You make it sound like it's a good thing that I've antagonised two out of the three men in this team."

"Hey now." Elizabeth smirked softly, gesturing to Telana. "I can't see the Alonin's leader complaining can you?"

Laughing warmly to that, Jane followed Elizabeth into the village, ready to face whatever Telana was going to throw at them. Metaphorically, she hoped of course.