Title:
Disclaimer: They don't belong to me!
I'd really love some feedback, particulary on whether or not you think the way I've structured this (in terms of use of past/present tenseand the perspective I've written it from especially). Please?
Chapter One
The bed smells like coffee and sex. If I had the energy I'd roll my eyes at the incongruity of it all. Knowing that she'd had sex in this bed just a few hours ago, the sheets still mussed and smelling of sweat...I hadn't realised – or just hadn't wanted to think about it. It was kinda like walking in on your parents. She and John – and it must have been John, who else? – I knew they cared for each other deeply, but they'd never let on that there was anything more than friendship there. And me thinking I knew them so well.
The radio beside my bed crackles into life, waking me with a jolt.
"Unauthorised gate activation!"
With a groan I drag myself out of bed and hurriedly throw on some clothes. Strictly speaking I don't have to - actually, I'm not really supposed to – but I know that if I stay in bed I'll just lie awake until curiosity gets the better of me. Jogging out the door of my room I glance down at my watch, its glowing numbers read 5:02 – eugh, Liz'd be thrilled. Looking up I just catch a glimpse of John and Elizabeth turning the corner at the end of the long hall, both running at full tilt.
I turn my head into her pillow, breathing deep to catch the lingering scent of her flowery shampoo. I had always loved her hair, with the sweet little chestnut curls I loved to tug. She hated it, said it drove her mad – the curls, and the tugging. The smell of her hair brings a rush of memories; memories of burying my face in it, of breathing her scent in deep and feeling so happy and safe, so safe in the curve of her arms.
A fierce stab of pain shoots through me and I leap off the bed as though it has suddenly caught on fire. Shivering, I turn away and begin to pace the floor. The familiar rooms seem somehow eerie in the early dawn light. She'd just be getting up now. I can almost see it – her, groaning at the 'ungodly' hour as I laughingly drag her out of bed – she'd never been a morning person. Then heading to the commissary to smile at Carson's customary morning brightness and Rodney's four cups of coffee. Mornings she hated, breakfast she loved. She said it was the only time she got to see the majority of her people all in the one place, just relaxing before starting the day (or in some sleepy cases, finishing it). I think she just loves getting her daily fix of Milo, though she'd never admit to it.
The control room is a mass of activity, John shouting orders to the SF's pouring in from all directions. Elizabeth's controlled voice cuts through the confusion, demanding to know what's going on and "why the hell isn't the shield up!"
"There's some sort of interference coming through the 'gate, we've lost control of all systems!"
Locking eyes with McKay, I nod and bend to work on the panel underneath his console.
"I'm trying to bypass the main systems," I shout, not bothering to look up to see if I've been heard. Around me the noise rises to a fever pitch, then suddenly stops…the silence grows as McKay and I work frantically and the others wait for something, anything to happen.