Wow, two chapters in a couple of weeks? For the same story? I think my muse may have come back from its long holiday! (well depends on how well this chapter goes down) Thank you very much for the reviews, they make me smile and giggle. I've put a wee Squeee moment in this chapter…those who have seen the ep will know where it's from!
Enlightened Beings?
Romeo and Juliet
"I'm going to kill Rodney." John growled as he and Elizabeth continued to watch the former occupants of Atlantis. "10, 000 years?"
Elizabeth sighed. "It appears so. And its not Rodney's fault-"
"But he's not here to defend himself so it is for now." The pilot raged and jumped a little when he felt a warm hand on his arm. Turning slightly he saw Elizabeth give him a small smile.
"John, we've got a chance to see what life was like for the Ancients. Aren't you curious?"
He gazed back at her, knowing she would relish the chance at experiencing the gate builders' culture and suddenly felt like a selfish idiot. "Of course I am. I'm just…worried about your paper work."
He immediately closed his eyes and sighed in disappointment at his own feeble joke. "I meant-"
"I'm worried about Atlantis too." She replied quietly. "But think of what we could learn."
"Okay, a day…maybe two." John conceded just wanting her and Atlantis to be safe. "Then we'll try to get back…if we can."
"We'll figure it out." Elizabeth stated firmly and squeezed his arm before pulling her hand back. "Let's introduce ourselves."
She stepped towards a group of Ancients and felt a little nervous but immediately relaxed as John pulled up beside her. "Hello." She greeted to the group only to receive no response. She turned to give John a confused look before trying again. "Um, hello. We don't mean you any harm…" And again no one even batted an eyelid at them.
"Uh…Elizabeth." John muttered and Elizabeth saw him wave a hand in front of a brown haired man who was gesturing wildly to an older man. He showed no acknowledgment of the officer and Elizabeth groaned. "Yeah, I don't think they can see or hear us."
Elizabeth took a deep breath. "All right, so we…observe. It won't be as interesting but-"
"Of course it will be." John contradicted continuing to wave his hands in front of the unsuspecting Ancients as if he were a schoolboy. "At least this way we won't be in danger of pissing off any of them again. I wonder how we managed to use the transporter then?"
"We'll leave that for Rodney to figure out- John!" She cried as he tried to poke the old man in the arm and he quickly stood up straight, giving her a guilty smile.
"Sorry." He then pointed down the hall to where the Ancients appeared to be filtering in a new direction. "Looks like there heading to the gate room."
Elizabeth nodded and they began following the crowd. However, no one actually entered the large room and were content to stand outside the large doorway. Shuffling by everyone else John noticed the familiar blue light shinning around the room and the rippling shadows on the wall caused by the event horizon. "Gate's active." He told Elizabeth who shoved him slightly. "Hey!"
"They can't see us, move in further." She said and poked him in the back again, giving him a cheeky smile.
"Okay, okay." He muttered with a smile and slipped by the last few Ancients between them and the gateroom and approached the gate.
Elizabeth joined him and together they scanned the large room and control room. Ancients lined up along the balconies over looking the stargate, each with their hands clasped together and faces stern.
"Something big is about to happen." John murmured to Elizabeth, also watching the men close to them clutch small weapons.
"Is your middle name Obvious?" She muttered back hoarsely and arched up an eyebrow when he looked insulted.
"Did you borrow some of Rodney's sarcastic juice this morning?" He shot back quietly and then frowned. "And why are we whispering?"
Elizabeth shrugged and focused her attention on the event horizon. Suddenly a man called out "Our guests are about to arrive, stand to attention!"
Immediately the men around the gate aimed the guns at the pool of water and everyone else gazed on expectantly. The man who had given the order began descending the staircase followed by four others, two men and two women, their faces passive.
A figure then popped out of the stargate, closely followed by 8 others. They were wearing varying outfits, all in bright colours and didn't look as constricting as the Ancient's clothes. As the Ancients met with the new group of people the contrast between them screamed out almost immediately.
"Romore, welcome!" The older Ancient, who appeared to be in charge, greeted but the look on his face, was anything but welcoming.
"Aeneas." Romore replied coolly, glancing at the guards who surrounded him and his people. "Is this really necessary?"
Aeneas smirked. "I'm sure you understand, what with our…violent history." A heavy silence then fell amongst the room and John could have cut the tension with a knife.
He glanced at his female companion who seemed to be wrapped up in the stare off as well and chuckled-he felt like they were filming a drama. Returning his gaze to the scene before them he saw Romore glance back at his people and purse his lips. You'll be an idiot if you cause trouble John thought watching the leader carefully.
Finally he replied, "Of course. Just know that we mean you no harm Aeneas…we now have a common enemy that needs defeating."
The older man nodded in agreement and stood back. "Please, come with me." And he began walking up the stairs followed Romore. Elizabeth gave John a frown and then joined the crowd moving up the stairs.
"Guess we're joining in?" John asked catching up with her but received no answer. The doctor was looking at someone else instead and the pilot followed her gaze.
She was staring at a young man with black hair who was walking up the stairs next to a stunning young woman. Her long, curly, chestnut hair bounced and swayed as she climbed the stairs and by the brightness of her clothes John realized she was not an Ancient, unlike the man.
At first puzzled by Elizabeth's infatuation with the couple a light suddenly went on in Sheppard's head when he saw the man glance at the woman in a peculiar fashion and then advert his eyes. A second later the woman then did the same and then the man repeated the action.
This time John recognized the look in his eyes-one of pure desire and…something else. And if John were a betting man he would have bet the woman had the same expression in her eyes. As they reached the top stair and began moving into the briefing room John patted Elizabeth's arm.
"So, those two…?" He asked jerking his head in the couple's direction.
"I think they know each other…well." Elizabeth stated slowly finding a place against the wall behind Aeneas. Only four of the visitors entered the briefing room before the doors closed leaving the room silent.
"Well?" John repeated in disbelief. "Elizabeth they're definitely together-"
"We don't know that." She interrupted, shaking her head. "There's obviously some bad tension between their people so we may just be reading too much into it-"
"Please the way he was gazing at her? He wants her-"
"You're such a romantic!" Elizabeth gushed sarcastically and gave him a mock glare, which he countered with a charming grin.
"Correction," He said, holding up a finger. "A hopeless romantic."
"Sssh!" She hissed back eyes going wide at his comment and John then realized the talks were beginning.
"How is your city?" Aeneas asked, a hint of sincerity in his voice.
Romore looked down and then back up sadly. "Still in ruins. Our numbers of dead have also increased by 200."
"We are sorry to hear that." An ancient woman with brown, poker straight hair stated softly.
"Thank you Calista." Romore said before gesturing to his right. "I believe you know Meneera and Pelo?"
"Yes, of course." Calista replied smiling at them receiving half-hearted ones in return. "However these two we have not met." She announced nodding her head to a young man and the young woman who had been gazing at the Ancient man.
"They are both new to the negotiating table." Pelo explained his voice deep and commanding. "Due to our recent loss we required additional speakers. This is Frolos and Sierra. They are young but incredibly gifted."
"I'm sure." Aeneas replied. "Just like our Thanos." Everyone's looked towards the young man Elizabeth and John had been staring at before. He smiled while his cheeks flushed a shade of red and gave Sierra a quick look before looking down at the table. "He was previously a soldier…but he now has a desire to fight for peace through words."
"How noble." Sierra spoke up, a hint of admiration in her voice causing John to give Elizabeth the 'I told you so' look. She merely smiled and rolled her eyes.
"Thank you." Thanos replied meeting her gaze. No one seemed to notice the sparks flying between the two and Aeneas launched into the talks.
But the two unseen outsiders noticed. "See?"
"Okay, you're right." Elizabeth agreed to John's earlier prediction as she watched the young couple glance at each other now and then. "I think this race are Furling."
John turned to face her, his eyes full of questions. "Really, the Furling?"
Elizabeth nodded and glanced up at him knowingly. "And I think we've found the Ancient's and Furling's answer to Romeo and Juliet."
A/N: Please r'n'r! Oh, and did anyone see that Heat put a picture of a Wraith queen in their letters section cause they said it looked like Pete Burns fae Big Brother the best! With all the pretty people on the show they only show a Wraith!