Aria tried to relax and concentrate on what these strangers were saying as they blabbered on about a picture on another one of those odd screens, but she didn't understand anything. All the skittish young woman could think about as she sat perched on the back of a "conference room" chair was the Wraith stunners behind her. What little trust she was willing to afford these people was quickly evaporating. "If you can't tell us anything about the device attached to Aria's spinal column then we'll need to run some tests. We'll need to go to my lab, but …"

Finally Aria's attention was snapped back to the conversation. She had caught the word "tests" from Rodney, and she knew all too well what that word meant. Unfortunately that's also the word that made the ex-runner's little friend loose what little composure she had left. No, no, no, Aria shook her head. Turning to Ronon, she signed 'Not touch, not touch!' But the giant oaf didn't seem to be paying attention. Subconsciously the primitive looking woman began backing towards the door, and before anyone was aware she bumped into the guards at the door. Once more she repeated,"Not touch," but no one seemed to be taking any notice of what she was trying to say.

No one noticed the silent woman panic until it was too late. Without warning Aria struck one of the guards several times sending him crumpling to his knees, allowing her to bolt through the others easily. She was a lot faster than anyone could have predicted, not to mention the Atlantis Base inhabitants expected her to corner herself when she headed for the balcony. Instead, she began to climb. Not even Ronon could say anything to penetrate her mental shutdown when they realized there was no way to shoot her down without taking the chance of hurting her if she fell.

The tribal woman didn't have an idea of where she was going. The single thought running through her mind was to get away. That was all that mattered, until she reached the top of the tallest building. There was nothing but water.

***(*)***

"What the hell was that?" Sheppard yelled as everyone watched the strange woman climb the metal towers with relative ease.

"I believe something must have spooked our guest. Perhaps Ronon might know what?" The giant savage looking man simply shrugged at Teyla's suggestion. "I have noticed that Aria does not speak the way we do, perhaps she might have said something before fleeing?"

Major Lorne stepped forward and cleared his throat. "If I'm not mistaken, I think she might have been saying no to further testing."

"No, you think?" Rodney muttered in a sarcastic tone.

"We'll get to that later. Right now the most important thing is finding our new friend before she hurts herself, or more importantly someone else. Rodney get to the control room and see if you can locate her on the sensors. The rest of us will grab the stunners and search in teams of two. Teyla your with me. Major Lorne take Ronon, it might help for her to see a familiar face."

***(*)***

Despite the cool breeze making her pale blue hair dance, and the beams of sunlight trying to raise her spirits, Aria couldn't fight the sinking feeling settling into the pit of her stomach. This was the highest she had ever been, the only problem was this metal forest seemed to go on forever. Not to mention the miles and miles of water that surrounded this strange place. There was nothing familiar. There was no signs of vegetation, no signs of anything that the poor frightened soul would consider, or even want to consider as a home. With a heavy sigh, Aria sat down on the tallest mental thing. With each passing moment the sinking feeling seemed to grow. As she suspected there was no way out except for the living water ring. Suddenly something in the wind hit the keen nose of the silent young woman. From the top of the tall tower, there arose a scent of a kind of forest. It was odd considering everything for miles was water. Carefully, the girl with the tented goggles climbed down the strange metal tree. She followed her nose across a long narrow bridge, up another tall metal tree, and in through a hole covered by the strange clear walls.

The metal hollow was filled with familiar plants, from the soft flower petals that brought with them sweet comforting aromas, to creeping ivy vines Aria used to tend and weave to make a sleeping hammock. Running a gentle hand over the only thing in this whole place she actually recognized, Aria breathed in their calming effect. Walking around the rows, the skittish woman noticed a drooping soft lilac flower bulb tucked into a shadowy corner and a frown touched the corners of her lips. Soft callused hands touched the soft velvet petals before lifting the potted plant and moved it into the sun. Within moments the tiny flower perked up, as did the young woman's spirits.

***(*)***

"Coronel Sheppard, Aria's finally back in the city's halls. I've tracked her to a botany lab across from the control tower." Rodney announced over the radio.

"That's close to our position. Ronon and I will try and keep her from bolting again."

"Copy that Major, Teyla and I will come and join you. Everyone else fall back. We don't want to do anything to intentionally spook her again."

Major Lorne showed Ronon to the botany lab, and allowed the giant to enter first. Instead of calling a name, or trying to talk to Aria right off the bat, Ronon cupped his hands to his lips and let out some kind of bird call. There was no response. He called again. Still nothing happened. The soldier from earth cautiously looked down each of the rows of plants that showed no signs of anyone being concealed among them. "Hey McKay, are you sure we're in the right place. I don't see anything."

"She's here." Ronon answered instead. "Just being stubborn," he added with a low growl. After a long awkward pause Ronon tried his bird call one more time.

***(*)***

Aria jumped at the whooshing sound of a door opening behind her. Without her fur cloak to help hide herself, she felt a little exposed. Never the less with all the vegetation it was easy enough to find a hiding place. A smirk touched the tattooed figures lips when the stranger questioned her presence; that was until Ronon ruined everything and told him she was still here. Standing amongst the familiar plants, Aria found that some of the fear she felt was melting into anger and all of that was now aimed at her traveling companion. Although she was mad at the giant oaf, the quiet young woman knew alienating her only ally would not bode well in the long run. So on the third call, she finally answered with a short whistle. "What?" From her hiding spot in the back corner of the room, Aria watched Ronon shrug.

"What's going on?"

"She's angry."

"Any idea what about?"

"Nope." Ronon sighed as he leaned back against the wall.

Major Lorne rolled his eyes. "Alright then."

End Chapter 7