Instinct
Chapter 3: Confusion
From the minute he stepped through the gate, Sheppard's bad feeling continued to grow until it was almost unbearable. This had to be a trap; there was no way that this planet they had left merely three days ago was under attack. Despite everything that had happened with Dimitri, the people on this planet were very peaceful and careful about protecting their planet.
flashback
"Are you telling us that the Wraith have never been here?" Elizabeth Weir excitedly questioned, sending a surprised look toward Sheppard. John sent a grin back, obviously feeling the same thing as Elizabeth.
"Yes. To our knowledge they do not know that we exist. Thanks to the force-shield Dimitri made." Nora answered. Nora was a friendly and simple woman from the village that had offered to exchange information with the new visitors.
"This is extraordinary!" Elizabeth said happily.
"Excuse me, I must finish my work now." Nora said disappointedly. Elizabeth thanked Nora for her help, then turned to John when she walked away.
John, do you know what this could mean?" Elizabeth knew the answer already, but asked anyway.
"That we could have an alliance with these fine people and a free planet. Plus, if the Wraith haven't found out about this place, there's a chance that the closest surrounding planets have been untouched too." John recited what he had thought up a minute ago.
"Nicely said, Col." Elizabeth said smirking.
John replied with a devilish grin, making Elizabeth blush slightly. They continued to glance at each other childishly as they made their way to the gate, following the setting sun's path.
Shaking the scene out of his mind, John continued his journey onto the village along with his crew and two other teams covering their sixes. They arrived a short time later to find the absolute opposite of what they were expecting. The planet was completely derelict; no one was there. Exploring some of the houses John felt tried to figure out what had went down. After a while the group gathered in the 'town square' to check in.
"It looks like they just packed up and left, sir." Major Lorne informed Sheppard
"Yeah, that's what I thought too. Any ideas?"
"Who ever attacked them might have made them evacuate; getting rid of all the evidence." Lorne guessed.
"Possible. Or it could've been a set-up from the beginning." Sheppard said casually.
"You still don't trust them. Anyone in particular, sir?"
"That guy."
"That guy? Dimitri Logan, you mean. Understandable, I guess."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Sheppard shot back offensively.
"Oh, nothing, sir. Just forget about it." That was exactly the wrong thing to say to John Sheppard at this moment.
"Major, are you withholding information from a senior officer?" Yes, Sheppard had a way with words.
"Just a rumor I heard, sir."
"Concerning?"
"Your, well, you and Dr. Weir's relationship. It's just that a lot people seemed to notice that you've been very protective of her recently."
"Well, I wouldn't want the good Dr. to get hurt, especially while off world, would I?"
"Of course not. Can I ask you a personal question?" No, John thought automatically. Unfortunately curiosity overruled instinct and John complied, "sure."
"I heard Logan's been putting the moves on Dr. Weir. What are you going to do about that?"
"Apparently, I won't have to do anything; someone's already done that job for me. He's disappeared."
"Wow. Uh, one thing though, we could check the DHD and maybe track them down."
"Don't bother. Anything else you care to share before we head back?"
"No, sir."
With that settled they headed back to the gate, concentrating on the real problem at hand.
a/n: Yeah, very uneventful chapter, sorry. But there was an important conversation between Lorne and Sheppard! The next chapter is better, I'm sure of it. Please give me a review, you know you want to!