Ancient History
Chapter Five: Can't Work
By Ddoskocil
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Okay, kinda a filler chapter, but I promise there will be more plot after the next chapter. I just have to fine-tune the story line a little. And the promised reason for John's behavior is coming (probably by chapter 7).

ViolinAngel: Yep, but he kinda has that attitude with a lot of his people. He just happens to go a little overboard with Erika.
Dr. Dredd: Ever have someone in your family think no one is right for you? That's John to Erika.
SimpleHope: Look, I picked a title. How do you like it? ;)
Soccor-Bitch: Thanks. Glad you like it.
Rojoca: She won't. But then again, when does anyone listen to John:)
bandgeeks101: I'm glad you like the story. Thank you for pointing out the errors. I found several when I went back and proofread.

Anywho...here's the next chapter. Hope everyone enjoys it as much as the last chapter.

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""I would like to set up a dig on Athos. I know Rodney's been over the ruins, but there are a lot of unanswered questions about Athos and its people. Plus, Rodney's not really an archeologist." Rodney huffed and mumbled something under his breath. Erika just glanced at him.

"Well, it's true. Anyway, his cataloging system is a little screwy."

"Well excuse me," the scientist sulked. "I wasn't thinking about cataloging, I was thinking about saving Atlantis."

Carson chuckled at his friend. Rodney looked flustered for a moment before he sunk lower in his chair. Erika just smiled before she continued. "I think we could learn a lot about the Ancients and the Wraith by setting up something on Athos. Plus, there might be some technology, or maybe plans, that Rodney's team over looked."

"What about the risks?" Elizabeth asked. "We don't know if the planet is still populated. And if it is, what about the Wraith?"

"I think it's worth the risks," Erika replied. "There's so much we can learn from those ruins. Let me at least take a team there to assess the site."

"I'll think about it," Elizabeth replied thoughtfully. Erika nodded and sat. Carson saw her frown but thought there was something more behind the expression. He saw John out of the corner of his eye and quickly looked away from Erika. While Carson was not one to be intimidated, the colonel had made it very clear that his cousin was off limits. To everyone. Carson shook his head. He wondered what their relationship was like before Atlantis that made John so protective of the lass.

"Well, if that's it everyone." Elizabeth rose and shuffled her notes. "Colonel Sheppard, we'll meet back here tomorrow for your mission briefing. Everyone else, keep me posted. We'll meet again next week." Carson nodded and stood. He followed Elizabeth and John out the door, hoping to get back to his lab before someone stopped him.

"Carson," Rodney said cheerfully as he blocked the way. "Just the man I was looking for."

"Whatever it is, Rodney, the answer's no," Carson quickly replied. He sidestepped Rodney, but the other man was persistent.

"You don't even know what I was going to ask," the scientist whined. Carson stopped and sighed.

"What Rodney?"

"We need someone to test the chair-"

"No Rodney." He took a step forward when someone tapped him on the shoulder. "I said no Rodney." He spun around to find Erika standing behind him.

"I resent that," she said. "I don't look Canadian." She smiled as Rodney coughed.

"Oh har har, Captain. Very funny. Just pick on the Canadian. You're just jealous."

"Yes, jealous of all twelve of you Canadians, eh? I've always wanted to run around in the woods in those funny red outfits, eh? We could sing the Canadian national anthem, eh?" she said in a horribly bad accent. She laughed as Rodney's face turned an interesting shade of red.

"I don't talk like that. And have you ever heard of the War of 1812," the Canadian shot out as he stomped away#. Erika laughed again.

"Oh, Rodney," she called to his back. "I'm just kidding. I really do love Canada. Would making a joke about Americans help? Rodney!" But he was gone. Erika shrugged and turned to Carson. "I'm sure he'll find some way to get revenge, probably in the way of making me sit in that chair later."

Carson startled. "You have the ATA gene?"

"I'm surprised you didn't already know that. You have my medical chart, after all. So, how about that lunch?" she changed the subject with a raise of an eyebrow.

"Oh, um, not today, love. I have a lot of work to do."

Erika smirked at him. "You're a bad liar, Carson. What's really going on? You got a girl already?'

Carson smiled at the thought. "No, nothing like that. I'm just not sure this is a good idear."

"What? Lunch?" she joked.

"No, us. I just don't think I'm right for you."

"Oh. Right." There was a pregnant pause. "You're words or John's?"

"Erika-"

"No, seriously. Cause that's not the message I got from you last night. But that was the message I got from John after you left. What, did he stop you in the hall and tell you to back off? I'm not stupid, Carson. I know he's issued this 'hands-off' warning to everyone on base. So what? I don't care. He's just being an ass. I know what I want and I don't need him, or you, making decisions for me." She clenched her teeth and took a breath. Carson stood silent before her as the words sunk in. He realized she had a very valid point.

"Erika-"

"I like you, Carson. I'll be in the gym if you change your mind." He frowned as she left. He watched her for a moment and felt a stab of regret at his decision. He sighed and headed back to his office. He still had work to finish before he could call it a day. Maybe he could lose himself in his work.

But work provided no outlet for Carson. He could not focus on his research. He turned to his laptop and opened a report, but his fingers would not type. His mind kept wandering back to the words she said. He sipped at his tea and leaned back in the chair, giving up on writing any more reports. He let his thoughts roam, but it always came back to Captain Erika Sheppard. With a frustrated sigh, he dragged himself out of the chair. He realized he would not get any work done unless he confronted her. He could at least explain himself, his decision, so she would understand.

His feet slowly took him to the gym as he organized his thoughts. He prepared his speech as he walked. He reorganized it several times on the way, wanting it to sound just right. But everything he thought of sounded corny, stupid, and bloody shallow. He felt nervous as he neared the gym.

He heard music as he turned the corner.

The door to the gym was open. Carson stuck his head in and found Erika standing barefoot on her tiptoes on the wood floors. There was a small radio in the corner blaring some techno where the only lines seemed to be "smack my bitch up." She suddenly exploded into motion. Her arms circled over her head, in front of her chest, while her feet pranced and jumped. She spun and caught him standing at the door. She paused for a second, her eyes locked on him, but she moved again so quickly Carson could not tell what she was thinking. With a small sigh, he fully entered the room and watched her dance.

She was the most graceful thing he ever saw and he felt his stomach tie in knots.

She spun once, twice until her back was to him. She rolled her shoulders, threw her arms around and arched her back. She moved her feet in an elegant pattern as her eyes locked with Carson's. She trailed a hand down her chest as her other arm moved up her side. She broke his gaze and continued moving for several beats before she dropped to her knees. Carson was not sure how, but in one smooth move Erika was facing him. She was raised on one hand with her hips pushed up, one leg bent at the knee, the other sliding toward him slowly. She dropped her hand down between her legs, the entire time her eyes never leaving his.

With that one movement, Carson lost his carefully prepared speech.

She snapped her legs together as she snapped her head away. In the next move she was on her stomach than her feet. Her next movements were slower, more planned out. She stretched her hands above her head, out in front of her, to her toes. Carson silently winced as she dropped into the splits. When she did not look at him again, Carson took a step toward her. She glanced at him as he turned off her music.

"I've never heard anything so awful," he joked with a little smirk. She just lifted her chin in reply as she twisted her hips.

"I'm sorry, lass."

"Yeah? Which part are you sorry about?" She pulled her legs together and laid flat against them. Carson dropped down to crouch next to her and took her chin in his hand. He forced her to look at him. He felt her tremble and could see the uncertainty in her honey eyes. Without a second of hesitation, Carson lowered his lips to hers.

"So, are you hungry?" he asked when he finally broke their kiss. She laughed weakly and pulled her knees to her chest. She forcefully tugged the tie out of her hair and ran a hand through her chestnut locks. She smiled as she shook her head.

"Yes," she replied. She put her hand to her mouth to cover her smile. Carson took it into his and trailed light kisses over her palm. He grinned at her before he dropped his lips to hers again. She lightly pushed him away and held him back with a hand on his chest.

"You know, you never answered my question," she commented lightly. He chuckled and pulled her into a rough embrace.

"For being such an arse."

She kissed his check and returned his embrace. "In that case, you're forgiven." She kissed him lightly then was out of his arms with a twist of her body. She leapt to her feet and looked down at him. Carson just shook his head as he stood more slowly.

"I need a shower and some food, not necessarily in that order," she commented lightly as she stuffed her radio, a pair of fighting sticks, and a towel in a gym bag. Carson took the bag from her as they headed out of the gym together.

"Oh, I would say that's a good order," he teased. She stuck her tongue out at him, but Carson just laughed at her as he wrapped an arm around her waist.

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War of 1812: Brief history lesson. The War of 1812 was fought between the British and the new U.S, over shipping rights. In August of 1814, the Brits living in Canada (Canada was still part of the U.K.) came across the border, matched to Washington D.C. and burned it to the ground (including, but not limited to, the White House, the Library of Congress, and Navy Yard). At the end of the conflict, both sides claimed victory.

# Don't take offense, any of you readers from Canada. I'm only kidding. Everyone I know from Canada is pretty cool, and none of them talk like that. But it's still fun to make fun of. I mean, come on, how fun is it to make fun of John Wayne's accent. I even make fun of it and I'm from the Southwest U.S. So please, no flames about the Canadian jokes. It's all in good fun.