A/N: I'm fairly surprised people liked this and the new doctor. This all started with a Mary Sue Challenge, so she is modeled after me but older and with a PhD... I guess I'm a likeable person?

Thank you for taking the time to review and read.

Well, I don't want to disappoint by not continuing, so welcome to the next installment. Enjoy!

Chapter 2

"Does it really?"

"Aye. Anything that involves being volunteered couldn't have ended to well." Dr. Beckett directed his gaze to the empty field ahead of us.

"I suppose not." Note to self, something terrible happened on the boss's first mission and never bring it up. Wait… he didn't exactly volunteer for that mission and he volunteered me? Okay, so technically I did volunteer but when a good looking man with a Scottish accent speaks in front of you about a nice little research mission to a calm little planet and then a man like Major Lorne walks in… well. My hand went up along with a few others, without my realizing that particular factor, but since I was the only one without any off world experience, it seemed like a great mission for me to go on.

I bet they're regretting that decision.

Major Lorne rubbed his face with both hands and I could tell he took a deep breath. "There's not much distance to cover before the village. Make this walk as short as possible." He walked ahead with the blonde Marine.

He was hiding his irritation well, but I'm fairly good at reading people… or unless I was analyzing it too much. Nah, I don't think so. I made a mess of the whole thing and not in the best ways. Besides, his nose was starting to turn colors. There has to be some way to make it up to him.

Dr. Beckett and the tall one were beside me. Unfortunately, the Marine was to my right and my boss was out at the far end, so all hopes of a buffer was gone. We couldn't walk in silence but I couldn't strike up conversation if I didn't know how to address him.

It was one disaster after the other since I stepped through the Stargate.

Fortunately, Dr. Beckett started a conversation with the Marine, but somehow without using his name or rank. It's a conspiracy.

They were discussing something about Atlantis, but I was so lost in the conversation I didn't bother joining in. I'm not comfortable jumping in a conversation that wasn't my own, especially with people I hardly know.

A couple of months ago I was perfectly content in my lab with colleagues I had know for years, comfortable in my lab coat and with my rarely used desk chair with a high cushioned back, swivel stool, and wide seat so I could sit crossed legged. It was barely used though unless I was crunching data and not running around with the experiments. I watched sci-fi shows and movies, laughing at the ridiculousness of made-for-TV sci-fi movies, and spent more time than I'll admit memorizing the adventures of a Winnebago in space and a movie with a great soundtrack about a teenage girl and a goblin king, aka David Bowie.

Now I was running around on another planet in another galaxy in a military uniform with strangers, humming 'Dance Magic Dance.'

I always thought the government and military had hidden a lot of secret projects from the public, but this I could hardly imagine. There was only one person I knew who could have, my best friend from all the way back in undergrad. She's the type who believes the government is listening to every word we say through the ceiling and never turns a light on in her house.

She's a medical doctor in Chicago.

Pretty scary, huh?

But she wouldn't do well out here. She tends to freak out, so seeing an alien… oh boy.

My other best friend… maybe. Though she'd be the one in the lab at five in the morning with a sleeping bag, a pillow, and a little Zen garden complete with a water fountain in the corner watching Anime on her nineteen inch monitor. Her quarters would never be used except for changing clothes and showering.

She's a chemist specializing in botanical toxins and compounds. Never make her angry or you'll find yourself with a natural, tasteless laxative in your coffee and this wicked powdered compound all over your desk that causes one hell of a rash.

I must have started laughing at the memory of a certain lab tech that made that mistake since I noticed all four men looking at me strangely. They must've thought I was nuts.

Blushing, I averted my gaze from them to up ahead. The village was finally in sight. I motioned to it, "Civilization ahead."

"Once we get there, we'll head straight to the meeting hall for the brunch with the Vector." The Major turned back around and led the way to the village.

I really must have looked gloomy despite summoning up all of my high school drama club experience because my boss moved over next to me.

"Very flattering things have been said about the Stineans, there's nothing to worry about."

"Famous lat words, Dr. Beckett."

He chuckled again, "There's no wildlife to riot into a panic in the labs."

"So you think."

We weaved our way through the wooden houses and buildings. Some were pretty tall for a village, reaching at least four stories, and 'city' better described the place. The roads were paved with colorful bricks of deep blues, rich reds, and browns. Apparently, the Stineans were more advanced than they put on because by the looks of it, these people wouldn't even know what the basic elements were.

… To be fair, maybe they know about a few since some elements have been know on Earth since the Ancient Greeks and Romans.

We stopped in front of a four story building and I hastily took off my hat and let my hair fall loose, straightening it as best I could. We were going to a brunch after all.

The building had a wrap around porch and deep green patio-like furniture with simple columns. But upon closer inspection wavy intricate patterns could be seen.

A man dressed in a charcoal brown… suit opened to double doors from the inside and stepped to the side to make room for us.

Major Lorne ascended the five steps and crossed the porch with us behind him.

"This is dazzling." Dr. Beckett commented once we were inside.

"Very." One of the last things I expected the inside to look like was classic Middle Eastern.

An open staircase was directly in front of us, dividing to the left and right on the next floor. A multitude of separate vaults elevated the ceiling and there were pointed archways instead of square doorways to both sides of the … lobby. A desk spanned both sides of the staircase. The vaults and walls were tiles with intricate depictions of flowers, and silk wall hangings of deep red and gold stitching added to the beauty of the room.

Of course, there were guards posted at the staircase and in the corners of the lobby with rather sharp looking swords strapped to their backs and holsters on their hips.

A man that towered over both Major Lorne and Dr. Beckett came out of an arched doorway on the left. If it wasn't for his amber brown hair being pulled back into a braid and an outfit that looked as if it was sewn from one of the silk tapestries, but baby blue with white flowers and silver thread, he would have been the spitting image of my godfather, without glasses. They had the same narrow shoulders, thin frame, and square face. Beside him was a redheaded woman in a flowy white silk dress but unlike the man's, the only pattern was trimming at the hem, collar, and the edge of her sleeves.

"I'm Vector Lotun Vain, this is my wife Adelle. Welcome to Stinea."

Biting back a giggle that a man who dressed in all silk had a last name of 'vain,' I smiled at them.

"I'm Major Lorne," he gestured to us accordingly, "Dr's Beckett and Santella, Lt. Reed, and Capt. Coffman."

Which one was who? Damn it, I was too busy staring at that beautiful dress. Hmm, maybe I could get one…I felt extremely underdressed.

"Good to meet you all. The doormen can take your things before we sit down." The Vector gestured to the man in the brown suit that had moved to the side of us but there was another man with him, dressed similarly.

"The doctors would be glad to check their packs, but I'd like my men and I to keep our… belongings."

"Surely eating with such weapons attached to your vest would not be comfortable." The woman… her name slipped my mind already, answered before her husband could.

I could see the Major considering his options before responding, "We can check these." He unclipped his P90 and making sure the safety was on, handed it to one of the doormen along with his vest. Both Lt. Reed and Capt. Coffman followed suit, all keeping their sidearms. Dr. Beckett and I took off our packs and vests and handed them over too. My shoulders were very grateful. My own sidearm stayed, even though 9mm's aren't my favorite. I'd much rather have my .22 my dad got me, but I couldn't complain.

"We're about ready to begin if you'd follow us," Vector Vain replied. I could get used to saying that… Vector Vain, Vectorvain, Vain Vector…

Major Lorne nodded, "Be happy to."

We followed the couple in charge to a different room than they came out of. A rectangular polished wooden table with room for twelve was directly in the center of the room. It was already set with silver colored plates, clear crystalline glasses both tall and short, white bowls, silverware, and candlesticks. A man and two women, servers I assumed since they were all dressed alike in maroon, were already in the room.

Vector Vain stood behind the head chair, his wife to his right.

We were shown to our seats by the servers - Major Lorne to the Vector's left next to… erm… the blonde Marine, while I found myself next to Mrs. Vain. Dr. Beckett and the tall Marine filled in on my side.

"Please excuse my second and third, they seem to be running late."

So that's who the two empty place settings on the other side of the table belong to.

"We all have those days." Major Lorne didn't move as one of the servers poured water in his glass.

"I trust you had a pleasant trip here from the Ring." Mrs. Vain passed her eyes from Major Lorne over all of us as the servers went around the table with water.

My body suddenly got very small as she looked at me so damn nicely, not suspecting I was this big ol' clumsy idiot. Did she not notice his bruising nose or what? Maybe she was only being diplomatic.

"You have a lovely planet."

I could almost hug Dr. Beckett for avoiding the direct question.

"Except for those black rabbits."

Major Lorne got my best and, so I thought, most subtle glare. His eyes flashed over to mine and I swear he was grinning a little bit.

The Vector questioned, "Rabbits? Do you mean the erberts? They're easily the size of a dozen people and travel in herds."

Major Lorne nodded, "Those would be it."

"They're very docile creatures. Unless they become startled." He eyed all of us and I started to feel like the Incredible Shrinking Woman.

"We found that out the hard way." The Major picked up his glass and sipped.

Dr. Beckett patted my knee gently, out of pity I thought. Why did we have to eat with the local government? Couldn't we just get up and go to their labs?

Mrs. Vain leaned over and quietly said so only I could hear, "So has my husband."

Oh god. She must've deduced from my behavior I was the one who scared the giant rabbits and was trying to make me feel better. "I didn't mean to. I've never seen such an animal before."

"It's perfectly understandable. Each world has something unique."

The Vector rose from his chair, and consequently everyone else. When in Rome I guess. Vector and Mrs. Vain greeted a man and a woman dressed similarly to them in a different language, and instead of shaking hands they gripped the other's forearms.

The Vector turned to us, "This is Arbiter Fremen, and her husband Arbiter Webster Fremen."

Webster? There's a man in another galaxy named Webster? What were his parents on when they named him?

I looked around and didn't see the military men even flinch, but they're probably trained to be all stoic. Dr. Beckett seemed a little amused, though not as much as me.

Introductions went around, again, but this time I picked up on which Marine was which.

Once we were all seated, the servers came around with canters of a brown liquid, the alcohol's smell reaching my senses as soon as one of the women servers poured my small glass. I wasn't planning on drinking much of it, I'm practically a lightweight.

Vector Vain announced as he picked up his glass, "Let's drink to our ongoing friendship."

Okay, a sip I could handle. I held mine up like everyone else and we all drank. It burned on my lips and in my mouth, but I didn't drink much. Looking around I noticed everyone drank all of it. Shit. When in Rome… right? I downed the glass and tried not to cough as my throat burned and I instantly reached for my water glass. That had to have easily been the equivalent of two regular drinks. No more alcohol for me.

Luckily, that was the end of the toasting and they started to bring the food out. I tested it cautiously, but it was surprisingly pretty good. My first meal with aliens… there were meats, salads in the broad sense not just like lettuce. It all seemed fairly normal, just ethnic. Okay so the soup was pink, fluorescent pink, but it was good. Almost like eating liquid cotton candy. I couldn't understand why the other Earthlings barely touched it. The servers also poured everyone a medium sized glass of a bright blue fruity drink that reminded me of Kool-Aid my mom and I used to make but way better.

Everyone was chatting, but I stayed fairly silent. Dinner parties aren't my thing, especially with people I didn't know. I nodded my head, laughed, and smiled at appropriate places in the large conversation adding only little comments. When it turned more somber with talk of the Wraith cullings, I became somber too. Towards the end of the meal, the group broke up into little cliques of conversation and I inspected what I had dubbed the Kool-Aid.

The flavor escaped me, it wasn't fruit-punchy nor blueberry. Or berry-like at all… maybe banana-kiwi. Blue banana-kiwi. Huh. Yep, I was definitely in another galaxy.

I drank the rest of my glass and as soon as I set it down, it was filled by one of the women servers. They weren't anything but quick. I smiled in appreciation and took a large sip.

Mrs. Vain was chatting with her husband and the Major and must have seen the server pour a second glass for me because she turned to me, "I'm surprised a woman of your size can handle so much airwe."

Uh… what? "I'm not sure I know what you mean."

"It possesses high levels of alcohol, though one cannot taste it." She cocked her head questionably so her red hair fell from her shoulder, "Did you not hear Arbiter Webster Fremen's comment?"

NO! Oh god! "Of course." I covered hiding my shock. "Did you mean because I'm a petite woman?" Let's NOT drink anymore of that…

"Yes."

Shrugging my shoulders I replied, "I have an older brother." This didn't mean anything in reality because he moved out of state when I was in high school ... and I'm a lightweight! A peculiar one though because I can have five drinks and be perfectly fine with only little effects as long as they're spaced out over hours, but then that sixth will hit like a ton of bricks. Uh oh… I was getting pretty groggy…

"Say no more." She smiled and changed the subject, "I understand you're a biochemist?"

"Yes, along with a molecular biologist."

"Fascinating, my sister's specialty parallels yours."

"Will I be meeting her later then?" My eyes glanced at the servers who were running around picking up plates that were starting to be cleaned of food.

"Oh yes, she would have been here but she's occupied compiling information for you and Dr. Beckett."

"I'm sure it will be intriguing reading. I always enjoy reading others' work, it gives a different perspective."

"I agree."

In a couple minutes, we were leaving so I stood up and at the lightheadedness that decided to attack me, sat back down to get my bearings. I made it to my feet more carefully, hoping to God that I wouldn't do anything stupid like that night after graduation when we all jumped into the Chippewa River in our underwear, tried to swim across to the grocery store, and almost got swept down into the… does the Chip lead into the Mississippi? Hmm. I should look that up…

When I looked around I found myself walking along with my boss with the wonderful accent and Mrs. Vain out to the lobby. We picked up our gear from the desk, and I swore to myself for bringing so much along, especially now because all of those drinks were really starting to hit me. I clicked the vest on after some difficulty and got the pack around my shoulders again.

My boss said something and trotted off after Mrs. Vain while the others were getting their gear.

Oh, wait, what did he say in that wonderful voice if his?

He turned back around and motioned to me.

Oh…so I was supposed to go too… to where exactly? I followed them down a staircase hidden behind a door in one of the vaults I had no idea was a door with Major Lorne behind us. Did I mention how handsome he is? Oooh and I really wanted that dress she's wearing.

Wait, were the labs underground? Why did that sound familiar? I gripped the railing tightly since stairs weren't the best thing for me to be walking down. Mrs. Vain, Dr. Accent, and Major Cutie were talking, but I wasn't listening since I was too focused on not falling over and swaying and trying to come up with an answer to how the hell this seemed so familiar.

It hit me. -Oh, right, the briefing.-

Then -Shit, I'm drunk- hit me also.

Somehow, I made it down the two flights of stairs that came out to the underground level of labs and silently thanked whoever up there made that possible. Hmm, maybe it was the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Or Bob.

But now we had to walk and I was feeling worse than I was only a minute before.

Chanting to myself –don't pass out, don't fall over, don't pass out, don't fall over- I tried doing just that, and failed.

I introduced myself to the stone floor, "I'm Dr. Crysta Santella, and you are?"

The others had the strangest looks on their faces… I didn't want to be rude to such a nice floor that caught me when I fell, what was wrong with that?

A/N: I hope everyone liked, drop me a line!