Secrets

Stargate Atlantis

By: SNBRADY

Pairings: Carson/Cadman, Bates/OC

Summary: A new arrival to Atlantis has a secret she's not sure she can keep.

Disclaimer: I don't own Stargate Atlantis or any of its characters. I only own Dr. Sarah Reilly.

Unexpected

Once the meeting was concluded Col. Caldwell returned to the Deadalus, while Sarah stayed on Atlantis so that Dr. Beckett could show her some of the Ancient medical equipment that they had discovered. Sarah was excited about getting her hands on the new technology, though she knew part of her excitement was because Ash's affinity toward engineering had rubbed off on her.

As they stepped into the empty med lab Carson saw Sarah's eyes grow a little wider and a huge grin curve her lips, before she launched into a string of probing questions about the technology. Unfortunately most of Sarah and Ash's questions were a bit to technical for the Scottish doctor but Sarah seemed to eventually figure out the answers for herself. Carson guessed that having Ash's thousand years of technological expertise to back you up was probably rather helpful at times. Carson couldn't help wondering what would have brought Dr. Reilly to allow another being to share her body, 'had she been sick or was she injured', he decided; however, it was probably to personal of a question to ask and just tried to focus on their task.

After a few hours Carson found himself staring at Dr. Reilly while she and Ash were trying to figure out one of the objects that had yet to be understood by the Atlantis scientists. He couldn't help thinking that Sarah was nothing of what he had expected her to be she was very smart, no surprises there, but she was also very funny with a rather sunny disposition, but underneath that he could see the maturity and strength in her as well, and he wondered if that was her or the Tok'ra coming through.

Carson had always imagined that a Tok'ra host would be somewhat scattered, since they would have to deal with two consciousnesses inside their head. The experience that Rodney had, with having Laura's consciousness in his head had almost sent him over the edge, but maybe that was just Rodney. In his opinion Sarah was probably one of the most well adjusted and balanced people he had ever met, definitely not what he was expecting.

Carson snapped out of his musing when he suddenly realized that Sarah had said something to him, "what I'm sorry I wasn't listening," Carson said embarrassed that he had been caught staring at her the way he was.

Sarah just gave him a little smile, "I asked if you could hand me that scanner next to you."

Looking next to him Carson immediately saw the scanner she wanted, "here you go," he says gently handing it to her.

Sarah immediately goes back to working on the device, without even looking up she says, "so doctor are you going to ask me or just sit there staring at me until I'm finished?"

Carson hesitates for a moment, "how… how did it happen? You and Ash I mean." Sarah's hands still over her work, as she looks up at him, her expression is serious, pained even.

Drawing in a deep breath she begins her story, "three years ago I was assigned to a Tok'ra base as the doctor to the SGC personnel stationed there," a small sad smile suddenly creases her lips, "but of course I wasn't content just treating the soldiers minor injuries. I wanted to learn everything I could from the Tok'ra about their forms of medicine, so someone introduced me to Ash and her host Ballen and we all became good friends." Sarah eyes started to grow sad as she continues, "I had been at the base for nearly three months when it was attacked by Anubis's forces… Ash and I were headed to the gate to escape when an explosion went off above us and crystals started falling from the ceiling. I took a couple of hits on my right side before Ash pushed me out of the way. I was unconscious for a few minutes and when I came around…" Pausing for a moment Sarah has to take a deep breath before she can continue, "Ash and Ballen were trapped under several crystals, I tried to get them out… but there wasn't enough time, Ballen was dieing and there was nothing I could do to stop it. So, I did the only thing I could do, I offered to take Ash into me to save her… she most likely saved my life that day it only seemed right to return the favor. Well that's my story, so now you know… is it what you expected?"

Carson blinked a few times before he could even bring himself to answer, "no…it wasn't what I was expecting but then nothing about ye has been what I expected."

Sarah smirks slightly before asking, "is that good or bad, Dr. Beckett?"

Carson breaks into grin, "it's good, very good."

Sarah smiles back brightly, "good," holding up the device she had been working on triumphantly, "I think I know what this is."

Looking a little shocked but never losing his smile, "wonderful, well what t'is the bloody thing? We've been trying to figure it out for months!"

Sarah laughs a little at Carson's outburst, "We're almost positive that it is the Ancient version of a Goa'uld healing device and I imagine that if this is as difficult to master as a regular healing device, I'm going to have to help you with it."

Carson's eyes light up at the idea of it being a healing device, "that would be fantastic if that is what it t'is, when can ye start helping me with it."

Sarah stands up and holds out her hand to Carson, "right after we get something to eat, I'm starving." Carson and Sarah both laugh when Carson's stomach makes its own reply to her suggestion of food.

Sarah and Carson sit down at a table in the corner to eat lunch in the cafeteria as others hustled around grabbing a quick bit to eat before returning to their duties. They eat their food as Sarah tries to describe to Carson the intricacies of operating a healing device, mostly the process of focusing your mind while using it.

"You have to focus all of your energy on imagining the damage being repaired, so of course since you understand anatomy and physiology it should be easier. Honestly I'm hoping this Ancient one is easier to master than the…"

Sarah quickly trails off when Ash announces that there are people standing next the table, "Sarah shut up! There are people."

Looking up Sarah sees that there are in fact two people there, both appeared to be military, there was a pretty young woman with strawberry blonde hair that is pulled up in a tight braid and a very handsome young man with curly dark hair and the most intense brown eyes staring back into her own emerald green ones.

"Wow, what a hottie," Sarah heard her own thought about the man echoed through Ash's voice inside her head. At the moment Sarah had to fight back a smile at Ash's use of a very Tauri term, that she had unfortunately learned from Sarah herself.

Carson looks up at the two newcomers; a smile comes to his face when he sees that one of them is Lt. Laura Cadman, his girlfriend and that the other is Sgt. Christopher Bates, who had just returned to Atlantis a few months earlier.

Laura smiles at Carson, "hey, those seats taken," she asks indicating the other two seats at the table.

Carson quickly looks at Sarah to see if she is ok with the others joining them, only to realize that she and Sgt. Bates haven't stopped staring at each other yet, "Dr. Reilly," he says questioningly.

Sarah snaps out of her trance, "oh… yes of course please join us."

Laura quickly snatches up the seat next to Carson, leaving the one next to Sarah for Sgt. Bates to sit in. As Laura is sitting down she leans close to Carson and whispers, "did you see that look?"

Trying desperately not to act embarrassed Carson whispers back, "I sure did."

As soon as everyone is sitting down, Carson just sat there looking uncomfortable until Laura gave him a little kick under the table. "Ow," Carson looks at Laura who has a mischievous little smile on her face.

"So are you going to introduce us to your new friend," Laura asks never losing her smile

Meanwhile, Sarah has to hide her own smile behind her hand, "oh those two are doing it," Ash says to her, making Sarah bite back a laugh. Sarah knew that Ash was right though; Dr. Beckett and the young woman had that sort of casual familiarity, indicative of people who knew each other intimately.

Quickly recovering Carson proceeds to introduce them, "Dr. Sarah Reilly, this is Lt. Laura Cadman and Sgt. Christopher Bates, they're part of our security force her on Atlantis."

Sarah smiles at both of them, "it's very nice to meet both of you."

Sgt. Bates speaks for the first time since they'd met, "Dr. Reilly… did you just arrive with the new batch of recruits from the Deadalus?"

Sarah can't help but smile at him, he has a great voice, it is smooth and confident, "yes but… actually I'm part of the Deadalus's crew."

Sgt. Bates looks disappointed for a moment but then smiles at her, "oh… well then since you are only visiting us, what do you think of Atlantis so far?"

Smiling back Sarah answers, "well I haven't seen much of it outside of the medical lab yet, but what I have seen seems rather impressive."

Laura cuts in, "I'd be happy to give you a tour if you'd like, you should see the view from the balconies that overlook the city, they're amazing."

Sarah smiles at her, "I appreciate the offer Lt. Cadman, unfortunately I'm tied up being a lab rat for the next couple of days, but the Deadalus is scheduled to be in orbit for at least a week so… just let me know when you're available after that."

Laura's eyes light up, "hey if you're going to be here for a week you should come to our welcome party we always have one when new recruits arrive, it's on Thursday and it'll be fun I promise."

Sarah was a little surprised by the invitation, "oh umm…" reaching into her mind Sarah asks, "hey Ash, do you want to go to a party."

The answer came quickly, "absolutely, we never have any fun anymore, let's go; besides I wouldn't mind seeing Sgt. Bates again, he's really cute."

A big smile comes to Sarah's face because of Ash's answer and also because of the nervous little knot that has settled in her stomach at the thought of Sgt. Bates, "sure I'd love to come, I could probably use a little fun before we make the long trip back to Earth."

A huge grin crosses Laura's face, "excellent… so what are you thinking about wearing?"

Sgt. Bates laughs out loud as he looks over at Dr. Beckett, "uh oh, Doc we're in trouble now… the girl talk has started."

Laura and Sarah laugh at the Sergeant's quip, while Carson just looks at Sgt. Bates and says jokingly, "maybe we should sit somewhere else?" his statement making the two women laugh even harder.

Laura and Sarah hit it off almost immediately chatting away at each other about all of the interesting sights to see in Atlantis and agreeing to get together a few days later. After they had finished up a pleasant lunch, the two groups went their separate ways the scientists returned to the lab to work on their projects, while the soldiers went back to protecting the Ancient city.

Reviews:

Natalie J: I have my reasons for making her "sue-ish". Basically I think the fact that she is already considered freakishly intelligent, will cut down on people asking to many questions when she uses Ash's thousand years worth of knowledge all of a sudden. It might actually make it appear normal for her.