Disclaimers: I do not own these characters; this is written for fun, I make no money etc.

Spoilers: none

A/N: Written for the McKay/Weir Ficathon 2006, response to a challenge from doylefan22 - Elizabeth and Rodney get stuck in a situation where she is the one panicking and he needs to calm her. Full details and links at mcweir central website. Daily posts here - six chapters, wordcount 4700-ish.

Summary: There aren't many things Elizabeth is afraid of. Rodney has to act fast to save their lives. McKay/Weir - adventure/romance.


Chapter One

Elizabeth flashed Rodney a broad smile, and looked across at Sheppard. "I'm going to lead the negotiations tomorrow."

A puzzled expression came across Sheppard's face. "Look, I know we said it was a little confused down there, but we can handle it, really. There's no need…"

"Colonel," Rodney interrupted haughtily, "If Dr Weir wants to lead the negotiations, it's up to her. She is, after all, the expert." He glanced over at Elizabeth, giving her the tiniest of acknowledging nods.

"I appreciate your concern, John, but your reports indicate that these are primitive people, in need of a delicate touch. And we need their rock. I will be coming with you." Elizabeth folded her hands together, and smiled.

Sheppard sighed and rolled his eyes. "Okay, fine. But I still say we could've handled it."

Elizabeth nodded, and the assembled team stood up around the conference table. Picking up her laptop, Elizabeth said, "Thank you, John. I'll see you all in the morning."

Rodney lingered, until only he and Elizabeth were left, heading out of the conference room and towards the mess hall.

"What do you want to do, after dinner?" Rodney asked, matter-of-factly.

Elizabeth glanced sideways at him, almost bashfully, "North pier?"

"I hear it's lovely this time of year," Rodney replied, and a small smile danced over his face.

0o0o0

Zelenka had identified the location of the planet in the database. Actually, he had found three planets where the rock could have been located, but only one had a gate address that he and the sergeant had been able to dial and lock.

The desalination figures had steadily taken a downward turn. Over the two years they had been in the city, safety margins had been shrinking. Finally, Zelenka had discussed the need to act with Rodney, and the two of them had taken a closer look at the desalination plant. They thought it would be easy to solve. Replace the membrane, efficiency restored. Simple.

Only, the membrane had been rather odd, and they hadn't been able to find anything to replace it with. They'd had two different types sent from Earth, but they hadn't been able to integrate either of them with the Ancient desalination modules. The pressure variables were impossible to recalibrate. They thought it might be easier to replace like with like - if only they knew what the heck the membrane was made from.

The membrane was a kind of rock - a really special kind of rock. Well, that's what the geologist had said. We could take years and never find any, you have to search the database, he'd said. So they did. And Zelenka found it.

According to Sheppard, once he had managed to explain the situation to the extremely primitive natives, a trade for the rock could be arranged. No sweat. Just a couple of ceremonies to participate in, you know, the usual.

Teyla had emphasised that it was easy to be misunderstood by the local people. They were the first ones they had come across in this galaxy who did not speak English, and no one could find out anything about the language, or why this was so.

Elizabeth thought she might be of help to the trade negotiations. Teyla had agreed. Rodney had agreed, but the chance to spend all day with Elizabeth on a beautiful planet may have clouded his judgement, she supposed. Sheppard clearly thought he could have dealt with it, and he probably could, he usually managed to achieve whatever he had to. Ronon hadn't been bothered one way or the other. So she was going.

TBC