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Chapter 1

Calliope

Once the landing protocols have all been run through and the vessel successfully lands on Atlantis, Daniel's excitement becomes more palpable. He shifts nervously next to her as they wait for access into the city, and once it's granted, he's the first off the ship.

Supposes that it's only fair as according to him, this is where he's meant to be.

The others follow.

Daniel has already set into conversation with a woman, possibly Dr. Weir, as they stroll ahead, hurling long worded methods at each other. Samantha shakes her head, dutifully following along, and Mitchell who rolls his eyes.

She's left standing in the lapse of her team, with random people scattered at the semicircle of consoles. None have even looked up at her and if she were in the gaming mood, she would simply take off. Got a good view of the city from above—there's bound to be endless corridors and secret passages leading to riches and treasures unknown, but part of her has grown weary of always looking for the next trinket, of always seeking the thrill of the steal.

"I don't think we were introduced."

A man's voice pulls her out of her scheme. He stands before her, looking rather concerned at her lack of answer, but nevertheless offers out his hand to her. "I'm Lieutenant Colonel John Sheppard."

"Sorry." She grasps his hand finding strength in his shake, making her cock an eyebrow at him. "I was simply distracted by, well, everything."

"It's a lot to take in, Ms.—"

"Mal Doran. Vala Mal Doran. Vala is fine."

"Well, I think everyone is heading to the debriefing room to start the tour." He gestures towards the now empty hallway with only the faint whisper of Daniel's words echoing back towards them.

They walk in silence for mere moments, before the colonel pipes up again, "so how's Earth?"

"I've only been back on your planet for a few months." They walk at their own pace, slow and relaxed. His hands are in his pocket and it gives him an atmosphere of innocence. If she had ended up in Atlantis instead of Earth, she feels he would be the one who stuck up for her. "Most of my knowledge comes from television programs."

"Oh." He's taken aback only momentarily. "You watch any sports?"

"I watch most of everything to learn about the culture—oh," she interrupts herself, remembering the one show she won't spend a second viewing. "Except Dancing with the Stars."

He chuckles while depressing a button, waiting for the doorway to another sector to open. "Not that I need a reason, but why won't you watch it?"

"In previous years I loved to dance." She steps gracefully over the lip in the door when Colonel Sheppard gestures for her to move through first. "Watching those celebrities dance with empty hearts is akin torture."

"Hmmm." He mulls over her words as they arrive at another door, one that needs his verification code for access. Judging buy the rudimentary scrawled sign taped over the Ancient writing, it's their conference room.

Accepts the natural end to their conversation as once they've slipped through the doors, she'll be reprimanded for being tardy, and a long, boring tour—specifically void of any mention of valuables—will begin.

But he halts his thumb before engaging the door. "You're probably gonna be here for a day or two, and there's plenty of wide-open spaces in Atlantis—if you want a dancing partner, I'm game."

It's a suggestion that makes her feel oddly welcome in this strange city. She offers him a weak smile before the doors hiss open, but it may have been lost in the din of disagreements exuding from the room.

A/N: This story was written for raybyanothername as part of the Stargate Fic exchange on Tumblr.