A/N: Early posting because I had a brilliant time at a Peatbog Faeries gig last night… men in kilts… bagpipes… saxophone… oh yes, happy day.


Chapter Four

Rodney and Miko looked up, startled by the metallic clanking sound. They gasped with shock as they saw Elizabeth hanging next to them in a very ungainly fashion, her legs swinging wildly. She'd been dragged over the edge of the catwalk as the ladder had begun to rattle down, but it had only dropped a foot or so, until the first safety catch caught. The Leader of Atlantis was left dangling precariously, by one arm.

Rodney and Miko quickly exchanged glances, before gawping at the Leader of Atlantis again.

"Elizabeth?" Rodney asked tentatively.

"Get me down!" Elizabeth shrieked, her free arm flailing for a handhold.

Miko, looking quite shocked and worried, grabbed the maintenance pole and poked the safety catch to let the ladder finish its descent.

"NO! Wait!" shouted Rodney, but it was too late, and the ladder, and Elizabeth, came crashing to the ground.

Miko hurried forward. "Dr Weir, I am so sorry! I did not think. I just wanted to get you down. Are you all right?"

Elizabeth, sprawled in an untidy heap on the floor, slowly propped herself up by her elbows, with Rodney crouched closely by her side. "S'ok," she mumbled, "Thanks." She sat up, blinking in a slight daze.

"Elizabeth! What on earth… what were you doing up there?" Rodney's confusion mingled with his concern, and he held her hand in his, then put his other hand around Elizabeth's waist firmly to help her up.

Elizabeth swallowed hard, ignoring the pulse of heat pounding through her body from his touch. "Nothing!"

Miko giggled.

Rodney glared at Miko, then turned back to Elizabeth. "Up there…? Nothing?"

Elizabeth gulped, "Well, I… uh…"

Miko giggled, "She was watching us!"

Rodney and Elizabeth both blushed furiously, and retorted simultaneously,
"We weren't doing anything!"
"I was not watching you!"

Miko clutched her sides, "Oh this is funny! I am sorry, Dr Weir, I should not be laughing!" She grabbed a stool from behind her, and eased herself down, her hand unsuccessfully stifling her laughter.

Rodney searched Elizabeth's face, shocked, "You weren't really…?"

Elizabeth thrust out her chin, smoothing out her indignation to a mild superiority, "I was just… it was perfectly…" but she was unable to find a plausible explanation. Her face crumpled in shame, and she threw her hands over her face, "Oh dear, what an idiot."

Miko blinked, and sighed, "I should have said something, Dr Weir, I am sorry. I knew you were getting a little… tense… about the amount of time I spend with Dr McKay. I see it every time you look at me, talk to me. I just did not believe you would truly think that anything was going on between us. Surely you know that Dr McKay would like to be much more than friends with you…?"

Rodney's mouth dropped open, and Elizabeth's fingers spread a little so she could peek through, but Miko hadn't finished.

"And besides, he may be a wonderful genius, but Dr McKay isn't my type." She giggled furiously for a moment, and then clapped her hand over her mouth. "Sorry," she added.

Rodney and Elizabeth looked at each other warily, and Miko decided it was time to leave.

"Please excuse me, Dr McKay, Dr Weir. I think I shall go. I am certain the two of you would like some time to talk." She slipped out of the lab.


A/N: Hoist the mainsail! Unfurl the spinnaker! Arrrr, there be sailing to be done, me hearties!