Author's Note 9/7: I've done a second pass on chapters 6-8. Just tightened up a few things. Let me know what you think.
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The scientists gathered near the transporter that would take them down to Level 6. It was a large group, but as they uncovered labs they would leave smaller teams behind for further study.
The scientists milled about chatting excitedly. Most of them rarely got out of their labs, even fewer had ever been off world. There was also a small contingent of guards along for protection. The guards were never happy with this arrangement, since babysitting the scientists was more of a punishment to them. The real action was off-world.
Emma recognized a few of the women nearby and joined them. She had not made many friends yet on Atlantis and was looking forward to getting to know more people.
Rodney was busy checking the equipment they would need, but he still made sure to keep an eye on Emma. He wanted her close by at all times. He was uneasy having her along, forcing him to divide his attention between her and his work. Rodney glanced over to see Emma talking to some of the scientists and relaxed slightly. She couldn't get into trouble just talking.
He went back to checking the energy cells, making sure there were enough for any Ancient labs they might decide to make operational. Their goal this mission was to find water purifying equipment. There always seemed to be plenty of fresh water on Atlantis but they still had not found the source. If he could find the technology, he might be able to adapt it for off-world sites.
Rodney saw one of the scientists Emma had been talking to pass by. He glanced over to make sure she was still in the same spot, but instead of being with the small group of women she was alone with Kavanagh.
"Kavanagh!" Rodney spit out the name under his breath.
"What was that?" Radek wasn't sure he had heard Rodney correctly.
"She hasn't been here ten minutes and Kavanagh's all over her." Rodney dropped his tools and marched over to them.
As Rodney approached, Kavanagh turned towards him. "McKay, where have you been hiding Dr. Grayson? It's about time you shared her with the rest of us."
Rodney watched as Kavanagh all but drooled over Emma. "Go help Zelenka," Rodney instructed her. She looked at him but he refused to make eye contact.
Rodney just stared at Kavanagh. He did not want to start anything this early in the day, but seeing the two of them together infuriated him.
"She's a member of my team, Kavanagh. Treat her with respect," Rodney growled. He turned and walked back to Radek and Emma.
Rodney glared at her. "I told you to stay close by."
"I was just..."
"I don't want to hear any excuses. Just stay close by and stay away from Kavanagh."
Emma glanced back to see Kavanagh smiling at her with an evil grin. It gave her a chill.
"He looks harmless enough to me," Emma lied. Kavanagh was leering at her – Emma felt naked under his gaze.
"Just stay away from him," Rodney snapped. "Zelenka, keep an eye on her. Don't let her wander off." If Rodney couldn't keep her with him at all times, at least he could have Zelenka keep watch.
"No problem, Rodney," Radek leaned in so no one else could hear, "I'll make sure Kavanagh keeps his distance."
Rodney whipped around. "I don't want her creating any trouble, that's all." He didn't need anyone thinking he was jealous of Kavanagh.
"Alright boys and girls, listen up." Rodney moved to the head of the group. "We will be exploring Level 6 today. Stay in your groups and stay close. We're looking for water purification equipment, but keep your eyes out for anything else that looks interesting."
The guards started down the transporter with Rodney, the scientists following closelt behind. They all regrouped on Level 6. Emma stayed back a bit with Radek enjoying her first trip out of Dr. McKay's lab.
"What did he mean?" Emma asked.
"We don't want to overlook something that may be valuable to us," Radek answered, checking his gear for the fourth time.
"No, I mean about Kavanagh." Emma glanced back at Kavanagh standing with a small group of what looked to be his regular team.
Zelenka turned to see what Emma was looking at. "Kavanagh's always been difficult to get along with. He likes to complain to anyone who will listen." He looked at Emma, "He is trouble, you know."
"Yes, I figured that out. As soon as he joined us the rest of the group suddenly had equipment to check."
Radek laughed. "He does seem to have that effect on people."
"I guess I should thank Rodney for rescuing me. He was starting to become a bit irritating."
"So I guess you don't find Kavanagh attractive," Radek teased.
"Why Dr. Zelenka, if I didn't know better I'd say you're jealous," Emma laughed.
"I'll take that as a no," Radek replied. "Actually, pretty much everyone despises Kavanagh," Radek continued, "Except for his small group of followers. They're all complainers. Never happy with the way things are run. He's challenged Rodney on more than one occasion. Kavanagh feels he should have been appointed to the Senior Staff."
Emma looked up at Rodney leading the tour. He had quite the presence in front of the group.
"Sort of an alpha-scientist struggle, huh?" Emma continued to watch Rodney. He was certainly the alpha-scientist down here. She glanced back to see Kavanagh also watching Rodney, although stalking may have been a more appropriate term.
Radek smiled. "I wouldn't say that to their faces."
Emma smiled back. "No, I don't think I will." The last thing she was going to do was fuel the fire that burned just below Rodney's surface. At least not intentionally.
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A string of labs was found before lunch that showed promise. As scientists were assigned to stay behind, the group became smaller. Rodney continued to keep an eye on Emma. She and Kavanagh had managed to stay away from each other, but Rodney refused to let his guard down until Kavanaugh had been left behind at one of the labs.
"Alright everyone, take a break." Rodney ordered. They had been going all morning. The group could relax for a while before they started up again.
"Radek," Rodney called him over quietly. "Watch Emma."
"Don't worry. I don't think she's interested in Kavanagh," Radek responded. "I think you can relax."
"Just make sure she doesn't wander off, that's all," he snapped back. Rodney pulled out his laptop and started mapping out the afternoon's itinerary.
Emma pulled a power bar from her pack. She had enjoyed the morning's exploration, but she hadn't contributed much of anything particularly useful. She was able to get a few panels up and working, translate a few symbols, but that was it. Dr. McKay had pulled her away from any Ancient machines they came across before she had a chance to get close to them.
She found a place to sit down away from the group. Emma had felt uncomfortable being under Rodney's strict supervision all morning. Most of the scientists had taken his cue and stayed away from her. She had also seen Kavanagh looking a little too amused by the situation. She could just imagine the gossip that would be circulating after today. Emma knew she couldn't remain anonymous for long with her extra Ancient gene, but she also didn't want to be the center of any lascivious gossip, especially since there was no basis to it.
Emma took a sip of water from her canteen. She glanced up to see Kavanagh smirking at her. She turned away so she wouldn't have to look at him, which seemed to amuse him even more. She caught him laughing out of the corner of her eye.
Emma looked down the small hallway now in front of her. It seemed familiar. She wondered if this was one of the hallways she had seen in her visions. There might be something interesting down there – perhaps even useful.
Kavanagh watched Emma get up and start down the hall away from the group. He glanced over his shoulder to see McKay and Zelenka engrossed in conversation. Finally he might have a chance to be alone with her. He followed her through the maze of hallways, eventually finding her after a few wrong turns. She was standing in front of a large console. There was a screen above with data scrolling faster than he could read it. He saw Emma, her hands on the Ancient machine looking at the screen. He approached quietly, stopping directly behind her.
Emma felt a presence. She quickly broke off from the mainframe and whipped around fully expecting to find Rodney ready to scold her yet again. Instead she crashed right into Kavanagh's chest. Kavanagh grabbed her shoulders to prevent her from falling over.
"It's only me," he smiled conspiratorially. He could see the concern in her face. "You're not supposed to be doing that, are you? Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. I promise."
Kavanagh leaned in. Emma felt like she was about to be devoured.
"Dr. Kavanagh! You startled me."
"I assure you that was not my intent," Kavanagh purred. "I thought I would just take the opportunity to spend some time alone with you, away from prying eyes."
Emma watched him carefully. "Actually, I was just..."
"Just what? Scanning the mainframe?" Kavanagh leaned in even closer. He now had her backed up against the wall.
Emma had been caught. "We should probably get back to the others."
"Nonsense! I haven't had a chance to get to know you yet. We may find we have a lot in common."
Emma didn't like what he was insinuating. She doubted they had anything in common.
"You know, if you'd like I could see about getting you transferred to my lab. I would let you onto the mainframe any time you'd like." Kavanagh continued to inch in even closer. "Our little secret."
Emma put her hands on his chest, trying to keep some space between them. "I'm quite content working for Dr. McKay, thank you."
"Only content? I could make you happier than that."
Emma was amazed how everything out of this man's mouth sounded like an indecent proposal.
"I'm very happy." Emma tried to squeeze around him.
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Rodney glanced up to check on Emma. So far this morning she had managed to stay out of trouble, but he still didn't trust that she might accidentally activate something dangerous, like Kavanagh. He looked around but didn't see her. He prodded Zelenka, "Have you seen Dr. Grayson?"
"She was over in the corner last time I looked. She's doing fine, Rodney. She can take care of herself."
"If she can take care of herself then where is she?" Rodney tried to keep his cool. "Kavanagh's missing too."
"I'm sure the two didn't go off together if that's what you're thinking," Radek replied.
"I'm not thinking anything," Rodney snapped back. Rodney walked over to her pack and picked it up.
"We just need to find her before she breaks something. Stay here with the rest of the group and make sure no one else wanders off. I'll be right back."
Rodney started down the hall, hoping to find Emma before anything could happen to her. Although his patience was wearing thin, he was worried about her. It was easy to get lost in the unexplored sections of the city. He stopped to figure out in which direction they had gone when he heard voices coming from one of the smaller corridors off to the side. He turned the corner to see Kavanagh leaning over Emma, her hands on his chest.
Rodney cleared his throat. "I'm sorry. I'm not interrupting, am I?" His sarcasm did not conceal the anger in his voice.
"Dr. McKay!" Emma was never happier to see anyone in her life. Kavanagh had her pinned against the wall and she had no idea how she was going to extricate herself without kneeing him in the groin.
Kavanagh turned and backed off. He was grinning ear to ear. "McKay. We were just conducting some private... research."
Emma quickly moved next to Rodney. "Actually, it was my fault. I thought this area looked familiar to me and I wandered off. I know I shouldn't have. I'm sorry.
Rodney grabbed her arm. "Kavanagh, go join the others. We'll be along in a minute."
Rodney's voice was a little too controlled. Emma was sure he was about to unleash that infamous temper on her. Kavanagh left but not before moving in to give her one more lecherous grin.
Rodney waited until Kavanagh was out of sight. "The next time I give you a direct order I expect you to obey it. This isn't a kindergarten field trip."
Emma opened her mouth to speak.
"Don't say a word. There's enough to do down here without having to baby-sit you." Rodney started to pull Emma through the halls.
"Ow!" Emma cried. She was not expecting such a firm grim.
"Stop! You're hurting me." She fought against Rodney forcing him to drag her along behind him. Finally as they turned a corner she grabbed hold of it bringing them both to a sudden stop.
"I said stop!" Emma yelled.
Rodney stared at her dumbstruck. None of his staff had ever talked back to him like that.
Emma fought desperately not to back down under Rodney's fierce gaze.
"I know I went off without asking permission. And I know I shouldn't have. And I apologize! But I am sick and tired of being told I'm incompetent! You have flatly refused to let me do much of anything today. And to top it off you've decided who I can and cannot associate with!"
"I never said you were incompetent," Rodney shot back at her.
"Not in so many words. But it's obvious you don't want me along. I have no idea why I'm even here. Oh, right, Dr. Weir ordered you to put me on your team."
Emma was getting angrier by the minute. But at least it was out in the open. Maybe this would force him to treat her as a valuable member of his team. Either that or send her back to Archives.
The lights in the hallway started to flicker. Rodney looked up knowing Emma was the source of the power surge. He tried unsuccessfully to maintain what little control he had left.
"No, I didn't want you on my team," Rodney snarled, "But I'm stuck with you so if you don't mind, please join the others and stay out of trouble!"
Emma was not ready to give up so easily. "Why don't you just tell Dr. Weir I'm hopeless, that I'm of no use to you. She can't force us to work together forever."
Rodney glared at her. This was the most stubborn woman he had ever met. "You're not useless. You've made valuable contributions. You've just got to learn to obey my orders."
Rodney pulled her close. "And stay away from Kavanagh!" For a moment her nearness knocked him off balance. He fought a sudden urge to kiss her. He let go of her quickly before he did anything he would later regret.
Emma turned and stormed away. She knew he was right, she needed to listen to him for her safety as well as the others. But she couldn't resist investigating that hallway.
She walked into the room where the other scientists were gathered. Emma stopped suddenly. They were all staring at her. Her and Rodney's fight must have been heard by everyone. She slowly walked over to Zelenka, trying to act as if nothing was wrong. Radek glanced sympathetically towards her. Emma gave him a weak smile.
A few minutes later Rodney entered. He stopped, taken aback at the sight of everyone turning to stare at him. "Alright, break time's over," he barked. "Let's get back to work."
The group gathered their equipment and started out. Rodney glared at Emma one last time before walking away. He hoped she had gotten the message, but somehow he didn't think this would be the last time he would have to remind her of who was in charge.
