Title: Running
Author: SGAngeL
Summary: What was intended to be a vacation for Elizabeth doesn't turn out as expected
Ship: Sparky. But, if you really don't like that, you can pretend it's friendship
Disclaimer: Stargate and its characters aren't mine... not right now anyway
Season: Takes place anywhere in season 2
"Running"
-Part One-
Elizabeth looked at John's hand as he held it out towards her in the dark of the night. The cold, black metal was simply a dark shadow in his open hand.
"Take it!" He ordered. She couldn't tear her fearful eyes away from his hand.
"You know I can't!" She breathed.
"Please," his hazel eyes begged her.
The growls were growing closer, and John took a step towards her, placing his empty hand on her forearm, forcing her to look at him. "Elizabeth, you have to take the gun."
She could see a hint of fear in his eyes, and she bit her bottom lip. It went against everything she'd ever believed in; everything she'd fought for all of her life. She'd always managed to settle things peacefully, without any reliance on the use of guns.
"You're not going to be able to talk your way out of this one," He said, as if reading her thoughts. "You don't even have to shoot anything." His voice grew urgent as the growls seemed to surround them.
"Then why do I have to even take it!"
"In case I'm not there to protect you!" He yelled before sighing. "Look, I need to know, that if anything happens to me, you'll be ok."
Things had changed when she agreed to take on this mission, to lead an expedition to another galaxy. She constantly ordered those under command to use force on other planets and to defend the city of Atlantis itself. Would it be any different if she were the one holding the gun?
Elizabeth's eyes dropped to the handgun again. They're not humans, she reminded herself.
Dr. Elizabeth Weir was reading over the paperwork for the next shipment arriving on the Daedalus, which was due to arrive in several days, when she was startled by a knock. She looked up to see Lt. Colonel Sheppard's head peek into the room.
"Busy?" Elizabeth shook her head, and John walked into the room, sinking comfortably into the chair in front of her desk with a smile on his face.
"Is there something you wanted?" She asked, weary of the large grin he sported.
"Yes there is," he leaned forward in his seat. "You know the mission we're going on later today?"
"The one to P2X-718 and the long term study on the plant life? I am in charge around here; I do know all of the missions."
"Right, well it's a really nice planet, warm, tropical, I even ran across a beautiful swimming hole, waterfall and all."
"Are you going anywhere with this? I do have work to do" Elizabeth said, trying to hide a smile at his boyish grin.
"You just said you weren't busy!"
"Well, I lied." She smiled. "What is it?"
"I think you need a break." He said simply.
She raised an eyebrow. "What exactly are you suggesting?"
"I'm suggesting that you get out of the city for a few days, and take a well earned break on a beautiful tropical planet."
"John, I have a city to run, I can't just take a break."
"Sure you can, Teyla took over the city while we were on Earth, and she can do it again for a few more days."
"I don't think it's a good idea." She looked doubtfully at the pile of files on her desk that she still needed to get to.
John followed her gaze. "The paper work's not going anywhere. Come on Elizabeth! It's your last chance to get away before the Daedalus arrives with a certain Colonel."
Elizabeth couldn't help but smile. Colonel Caldwell, commander of the Daedalus, hadn't exactly offered a positive ear since his first arrival. He and Sheppard didn't see eye to eye on things, and managed to butt heads in every situation. She knew that he was after her position. That had become obvious when she was back on Earth. It looked like he wasn't going any where for a while, so she was trying to be as friendly as she could. If he stepped over the line, though, she'd make sure to put him firmly back in place. John would just love that.
"Can I take that as a 'yes'?" John asked hopefully.
"Sorry, John," Elizabeth sighed. "It's just not going to happen."
John's wide grin was that of a child in a candy store as Dr. Weir entered the control tower in full uniform. She shot him a sigh of exasperation, but she still couldn't hide a small smile of amusement.
"Do not worry, Dr. Weir," Teyla said to the Atlantis leader. "Everything will be fine."
Elizabeth nodded. "Thank you Teyla. I really appreciate you doing this for me."
Teyla smiled. "It is no problem, you deserve a break."
Elizabeth smiled back just as Dr. Brown entered in full uniform with Rodney close on her heals. She displayed a nervous smile as a result of this being her first time offworld; other than Atlantis that is.
A quick look into the 'gateroom saw Ronon Dex, Major Lorne, and Dr. Carraway (another botanist) ready to go with a laden M.A.L.P. between them.
"Looks like we're all ready to go," Elizabeth felt a small flutter of excitement as she turned to the sergeant by the controls. "Dial the 'gate"
"Enjoy yourselves." Teyla said, bidding them goodbye.
"Thank you again, Teyla." Elizabeth replied earnestly and Teyla bowed her head.
Elizabeth turned and led the group down the stairs to the Stargate. John was instantly by her side. "I knew you'd change your mind." Without waiting for her reply, he walked past her to stand by Ronon as the Stargate came to life.
Ten minutes later the group of seven was making their way to their designated camp site.
"Major, you remember to bring the balloons and streamers?" Sheppard asked from the head of the group.
Lorne grinned. "How about marshmallows instead?"
"I guess that'll be ok. Beer?"
"Sorry, Sir, we're out until the Daedalus arrives."
Elizabeth's eyes grew wide and turned to look at Sheppard next to her. "You don't seriously take alcohol-"
John chuckled, looking back at her. Behind them, Major Lorne also laughed.
"Just making sure."
"How are you doing Dr. Brown? Do you need any help carrying your pack?" Rodney asked Katie eagerly from the middle of the group.
"No thank you Rodney, I can manage," She smiled thankfully.
"Actually, I wouldn't mind some help, McKay." Ronan smirked at the Doctor. He was carrying several bags that contained tents and food.
Rodney looked back at Dex. "Was I asking you?" Ronan just smirked back. "No, I didn't think so." He turned back with a smile to Katie.
Five minutes later they broke out of the dense vegetation into a large clearing, surrounded all the way around by trees.
"Ladies and Gentlemen," John said, lowering his bags to the ground. "Welcome to our camp site."
Sheppard zipped open the tent and the warm, early morning sunlight cracked through the opening. Stepping outside, John stretched and smiled. It was sure to be another perfect day in paradise.
Ronon looked up from his seat by the fire where he was preparing some breakfast. He'd already been up for several hours on the last watch for the night. Dr. Weir had insisted on having a sentry even though they were the only ones on the entire planet, according the UAV scans.
"Good morning!" Sheppard beamed happily to his teammate. "What's on the menu?"
Ronon held up an empty MRE packet and John grimaced. "Yummy."
"Some of us are trying to sleep!" An irritated Rodney called from the text next the one from which John had just emerged. John turned around and saw Major Lorne exit the same tent with a roll of the eyes.
"Thank you very much for making me bunk with him." Lorne mumbled to John.
"Better you than me." John picked up a couple of MREs and threw one to Lorne. He then sat down on a log that they'd placed next to the fire.
Lorne rolled his eyes and ripped open the packet, sitting beside John. "So, what's the plan for today?"
"Well, I have plans to check out that swimming hole. The scientists can get to work on their botany stuff and one of you can supervise."
Lorne and Ronon looked at each other. "'One of us'?" Lorne repeated.
John grinned. "That's the beauty of being in charge."
"Well I have to share a tent with Rodney! I don't want to listen to him complain all day." Lorne grumbled.
John and Lorne looked to Ronon.
"I don't think so."
"Why don't we all do scissors paper rock?" Suggested Lorne.
John raised an eyebrow. "With three people?"
"We'll draw sticks then."
"Fine." John sighed and picked up a stick, breaking it into three parts, one shorter than the others. He drew them behind his back, mixed them up, and then held the ends out to Lorne.
Cautiously, Lorne drew the middle stick. He grinned and help up the long stick for the other two to see.
John turned to Ronan who simply glared back. "Come on, Ronon, this is the only way that's fair." He cooed.
Ronon grunted and pulled one of the last two sticks. His eyes shrunk to slits when he pulled the short stick. He grunted again, threw the stick in the fire, stood, and stalked off into his tent which he shared with John.
"Hey! You drew, you agreed to the terms!" John yelled after him grinning with Lorne laughing next to him.
"How can there be laughing this early in the morning?"
The two men turned to see Elizabeth emerging from the third tent with a yawn. She was already dressed in her uniform, but her hair was still slightly ruffled from sleep.
"Morning!" John beamed as she made her way over and sat down on his other side.
"You're annoyingly chipper this morning." Elizabeth said to John and then looked to Lorne. "Morning, Major."
Lorne smiled. "Good morning, Dr. Weir."
"So, today we're going on a bit of a hike to the waterfall." John said to her. "So make sure you put on your swimming suit."
Elizabeth frowned. "There's no way I'm going swimming."
"I thought that was the point for you coming along."
"John, Atlantis is sitting on an ocean, I can go swimming anytime I want." She rolled her eyes in amusement.
"Fine, it's your loss. Lorne, you want to tag along?"
"I did pack my swimming trunks for a reason."
They'd been walking in the scorching heat for over 30 minutes and there was still no waterfall in sight. The group of three had long since shed themselves of their jackets in the heat and they were just about ready to pass out.
"Excuse me for channeling Rodney here, but are we there yet?" Lorne grumbled and took a large drink from his quickly depleting water bottle.
"Almost!" Sheppard called from up ahead.
Lorne looked to Elizabeth walking next to him and said in a quiet voice so that John couldn't hear. "I'm beginning to think he's lost."
"I heard that!" John called over his shoulder and Elizabeth smiled.
"Aha! Do you hear that? Water!" John quickened his pace as the other two heard the sound of running water up ahead.
The sound of crashing water grew louder with each step and Elizabeth was surprised when they suddenly broke through a tree line and found a magnificent waterfall crashing into a large swimming hole. On one side the small lake turned into a stream and ran off through the trees.
A smile spread across Elizabeth's face. It was a spectacular view that caused all thoughts of the rigorous journey there was forgotten.
"Finally!" Lorne mumbled and dropped his pack to the ground.
Before Elizabeth even realized what was going on, the two men had stripped themselves of their shirts and pants, and were heading towards the water in just their swimming trunks.
The two men ran into the water and Elizabeth was reminded of little boys at the beach.
As they began to splash around Elizabeth took off her pack. She spotted a rock protruding over the water and slipped off her shoes. The water was blissfully cool on her feet as she sat down, and she began to wish that she had brought a bathing suit to wear. She was wearing a tank top underneath, but she wasn't about to go swimming in front of two of the top military officers in Atlantis while in her underwear.
"Oh, 'Lizabeth!" John called with his boyish grin in place. "You know you want to come in!"
"No, I'm fine right here, thanks." The sun was warm and she felt like lying back on the rock and falling asleep.
The two men headed off to explore the waterfall and Elizabeth let her eyes fall closed. She hadn't felt so relaxed in such a long time. She hated to admit it, but John was right, this had been a good idea. Elizabeth only wished that the trip would never end; the thought of having to return to all the paperwork was not at all appealing.
She suddenly realized that she could no longer hear the men's voices and she opened her eyes to look around.
John was wading in front of her, a big grin on his face.
"Where's Ma-"
A great force suddenly hit her from behind and she went flying, face first into the water.
She felt panic rip at her insides as she swam for the surface. When she surfaced, she saw Sheppard in front of her, laughing hard. The laughter behind her belonged to Lorne who stood on the rock, bent over at the waist as he fought to catch a breath in the middle of his laughing.
"Major Lorne!" Elizabeth yelled in what she hoped was an authoritive vote as she was still getting over the shock of what had happened.
Lorne simply jumped off the rock into the water, splashing her.
She tried her hardest to be mad, but with John grinning at her like that, and Lorne's laughing, she couldn't help but crack a smile. "You two are in so much trouble!" She laughed and shook her head.
John shrugged, "I told you to bring a bathing suit. You should have listened."
Elizabeth responded by splashing him and laughed.
"Oh, this means war, Doctor." John gave her a sly grin. "Major?" The two simultaneously bombarded her with splashes and she shrieked, very un-Elizabeth Weir-like of her.
Elizabeth dove under the water and began to swim away from them. But John wasn't letting her get away that easily, he swam after her, and when she surfaced he grabbed her legs, pulling her back under.
When they both surfaced again they were laughing hysterically. John suddenly realized how different Elizabeth looked. It was strange to see her having fun for once. She always had things to do and people to worry about, but at the moment she was grinning as if she had no care in the world. He knew that this trip had been a good idea.
"Truce?" He questioned, holding out a hand.
"Truce." Elizabeth nodded, taking his hand and shaking it.
Elizabeth suddenly realized how water-logged she felt in her uniform, especially the bulky pants. She started swimming towards the bank.
"Hey, where are you going?" John called after her.
"I'm getting out."
"But you haven't checked out the waterfall yet."
She turned around to see his wink before hightailing it towards the waterfall. Elizabeth laughed and swam after him.
The sun was beginning to set by the time the group of three made it back to the camp. Annoyingly enough, the men's hair had dried off and were in warm, dry clothes, while Elizabeth was in her still damp clothes and her hair was in a tangled, wet mess.
"Geez Elizabeth, did you fall in a lake or something?" Rodney laughed, looking her up and down from his seat next to the fire.
"More like pushed," Elizabeth cast a sideways look at the two snickering men. "Excuse me while I change."
John and Lorne grinned at each other before discarding their packs and heading over to the fire.
"How'd the plant watching go?" John asked, grinning at Ronon.
The large alien simply glared at the Colonel.
"That much fun, huh? What about you, Rodney, planning on switching to botany any time soon?"
"Very funny," Rodney drawled.
"Thank you. So, I believe tonight is marshmallow night."
Once Elizabeth had laid down that night it had taken only minutes to fall asleep. She hadn't realized how much the day had taken out of her.
She had no idea what time it was when she woke up to a noise outside. Simply thinking it was the guys switching sentry, she squeezed her eyes closed and began drifting back into sleep.
However, a deep growl had her awake instantly and she sat up, holding her sleeping back tight around her. She listened for any noises outside. Had it simply been part of a dream?
Someone, or something moved by the side of the tent, and Elizabeth leaned over and shook Dr. Brown awake, signaling her to keep quiet.
The only sounds they heard for the next minute were their own, short breaths.
The zipper to the tent began to open and they looked at each other in fear. Should she yell for help?
The flaps were pushed open and John's head peaked into the tent. He put a finger to his lips and gestured for them to follow him.
Elizabeth slipped on her shoes and crawled out of the tent.
Everyone had gathered around the smoldering fire and was looking around in silence. Elizabeth couldn't help but notice Rodney's attire. He was wearing a pair of boxes and a shirt that read "I'm with geek" and an arrow pointing upwards.
As she shivered in the cold she wished she'd grabbed her jacket to cover her large white T-shirt she'd worn to bed with a pair of black track pants.
Several minutes went by with no sound and she was about to ask what was going on when a growl broke the silence, followed by another. Whatever was out there, there was more than one of them. They were surrounded
She looked to John next to her. He was in his full uniform and had a strong grip on his P-90. Lorne and Ronon were in a similar position within the group.
"If anything happens, get to the 'gate." John ordered the group quietly.
Suddenly, something broke through the trees to Elizabeth's left. She turned to see something grey running at them at high speed on four legs.
John pushed past her and shot at it several times before it fell to the ground with a yelp.
"What is that?" Rodney whispered.
Ronon suddenly let out fire behind them and they turned around to see another one go down.
It looked similar to a wolf, but larger in size. Its fur was jet black, making it hard to see in the night.
The growls surrounding them grew greater in sound and number.
"Colonel?" Lorne's eyes were darting around.
Two of the animals broke through the trees, but were instantly subdued by gunfire. As soon as they hit the ground, more appeared.
"Get to the 'Gate!" Sheppard ordered and began firing just as Ronon began firing at more behind them.
-TBC-
A/N: Thanks for reading. I'd appreciate it if you took a moment to review and let me know what you think. This is my first long Atlantis fic that I've attempted.
I'll try and get the next part up as soon as possible. It'll probably only be a two parter.