We all know who it belongs to.
This chapter is a little on the shorter side which I apologize for and hopefully I will be able to get another chapter up soon.
Her first two weeks in Atlantis were busy, but uneventful. She had spent the first few days adjusting to her new surroundings, things made easier by her friendship with Laura Cadman. The young Lieutenant had quickly become a good friend…and Olivia soon found out that she was in need of one. Word seemed to spread fast around the city what her purpose was. While no one was right out rude to her they were weary of her presence. It had taken direct orders from Elizabeth and John in order to get everyone to corporate with her. The civilians and the military personnel were all afraid that Olivia might recommend shutting down the program and they felt that talking to her would be seen as helping her do that. Her first attempts at speaking with the scientists she was given excuses as to why they couldn't talk or the cold shoulder. Military personnel were not any better; they insisted that they get it cleared with their commanding officer before they talk. Finally Elizabeth and Sheppard took pity on her and sent out memos insisting that corporate with Olivia or they would find themselves returning to Earth the next time the Daedalus was there.
Olivia's social life was not any better. The only people who were willing to be seen with her were Laura and Carson Beckett. She had meals with them at least eight times in the past two weeks. If it were not for their patience and consideration, Olivia would not have had anyone to talk to at all. The second Friday of her visit in Atlantis found her sitting in her quarters reading and playing solitaire on her laptop. Her reports so far were fairly short and to the point (seeing as she had little information to work with). She was just finishing up a chapter in one of the books she brought along when her door chimed. Getting up to answer it, she was surprised at who was standing on the other side.
"John, what are you doing here?"
"Hey Olivia, I was wondering if you wanted to join us for movie night in the lounge?" he asked quietly.
"You're willing to be seen in public with me?" she joked.
"Look Olivia, I know that these past two weeks haven't been easy on you and I haven't exactly been willing to help…"
"John it's okay. I know that I am public enemy number one right now. Believe me I know how it works; I don't exactly make a lot of friends on capital hill."
"So, how about that movie?"
"I would love to, but I already have plans with Laura tonight."
"Huh…I think I know what all that is about. Just do me a favor, no bad stories about me," John said.
"What are you talking about?"
"Did Cadman tell you what you were doing tonight?"
"No, she just said to be by here quarters around 8:00. Why, what's going on?"
"I think I will let you figure that out. But make sure you take it easy on the booze." With that John turned around and headed back across the hall to his room.
* * * *
At 8:00 that night, Olivia found herself standing outside Laura's room. When the door finally opened she was surprised to see the crowd that was already there.
"Glad you could make it Liv," Laura said as she showed her in. Then addressing the rest of the room she said, "Everyone, this is Olivia. I think we all know who she is but in following the rules of poker night all our jobs are forgotten. Olivia this is everyone. You already know Elizabeth and Teyla; this is Katie Brown, and Kate Heightmeyer."
They all exchanged hellos and Olivia sat down at the table next to Teyla.
"Alright Liv, welcome to poker night. There are two rules: first, there are no ranks or titles—everyone here is off duty; second, there are no other rules," Elizabeth said.
"Sounds like fun," Olivia said with a smile.
* * * *
The next morning was a Saturday, much to the thanks of certain staff members. Olivia walked into the commissary around 11:00, only to find many of those staffers slumped at some tables drinking coffee. Olivia smiled as she walked over to the table where she found not only Laura, Elizabeth and Teyla looking like they would rather still be asleep, but also John, Rodney and Lorne in the same condition.
"Good morning everyone. How are we doing today?"
"I hate you," Laura mumbled from her seat at the table.
"Why?"
"You drank as much as the rest of us last night and you look like you are perfectly fine. What is up with that?"
"Practice," Olivia said. "I can not remember how many times I've had to work late into the night and then went out drinking with other staffers at the end of a bad day.
"You still suck," Laura replied.
"And what happened with you gentlemen? I was under the impression that you were watching some movie last night," Olivia said directing her question to the mostly unconscious men.
"It was," Ronon said from his seat. Surprisingly he did not look effected like the rest of the people at the table. "It started out with a movie but then Sheppard brought out the beer."
"Enough said. It looks like we all had an interesting night."
"Yeah, and you wiped the floor with us at poker," Elizabeth said. "I suppose you will blame that on practice as well."
"Of course," Olivia said.
"You played poker with her?" John asked. "You guys are crazy. You never play poker with Olivia, she wins every time. I think she's been banned from Vegas thanks to her skills. Did you ever lose a poker game?"
"Once…and that was only because I folded when I had a full house."
"When was that?" John asked.
"The night you asked me to marry you," Olivia said.
"So you still won, didn't you?" John asked with a smile.
"I thought I did," Olivia said. "If you'll excuse me I have some papers to go over." With that she made a hasty retreat leaving them in their hung over misery.
"You're an ass…you know that, right?" Rodney asked.
"Yeah; I know."
* * * * *
Before long, Olivia had been in Atlantis for almost two months. Things were going well; she now had the corporation of everyone on Atlantis—they had long ago discovered that she was not the enemy they thought her to be; and her personal life was going much better too. She didn't stay in her room at all times now, rather she had fully integrated into the community. While she still spent a majority of her time with Laura Cadman, she had other friends to hang out with as well. Teyla, Elizabeth, Katie, and Kate were now considered good friends and could always find Olivia with one of them. They had become a tight knit group and they all spilled their secrets over games of poker and pitchers of margaritas. All the girls were now aware of Sheppard and Olivia's past, but only Laura knew the truth as to what had really caused the divorce. To everyone else the excuse was that they had both been too young and grew apart when she went to law school and he to flight school. John had also told his buddies about their past, but like Olivia he left out Sara and her part in their divorce.
Olivia now had one week left on her stint to the Pegasus Galaxy. She was expected to return on the Daedalus when went back to Earth at the end of the week. She had been pouring over notes and reports trying to get everything ready for the brief that she was expected to write—and the decision she still had to make regarding the continuing of this expedition. Although she had been there for seven weeks, she had yet to be off world; and that was something that John Sheppard intended to fix. His team was scheduled to leave in an hour on a trip to one of the more peaceful planets they have come across. For the past two weeks SGA1 and SGA2 had been taking turns in attempting to negotiate a trade agreement and now the deal was about to be finalized. He had talked to Elizabeth and convinced her that this was a safe enough tip to take Olivia with them. Olivia had been thrilled when she heard the news and was practically jumping up and down like a little kid until they left.
She had been in awe from the moment they stepped foot on the other planet. To everyone else who had been doing this for a while it seemed like a typical planet—trees, farms and a small village not far from the gate. To Olivia however, it was like Dorothy walking into Oz (or as John gave a better description, Alice into Wonderland). They were greeted by Major Lorne and his team who had gone through twenty minutes earlier, and then introduced to the village leader, a man named Goran. They were then led into a building that housed their village council. After everyone was seated and sipping on glasses of water, John decided it was time to get down to business.
"Elder Goran, I am glad that we were finally able to come to an agreement. We can not wait to begin trading with you," John said.
"I am afraid that it is no longer going to be possible," the man said.
"Why not," John asked him.
"You must understand Colonel that we are a peaceful planet; we are simple farmers, not warriors. That is why we can not afford to make enemies with them as well as the Wraith."
"Enemies with who?"
"I see we meet again Sheppard," a voice from the doorway said. John looked up and was shocked at what he saw.
"Kolya."
"I told you that we would see each other again."
Suddenly they found themselves surrounded by Kolya's men. They were easily outnumbered and even with all the firepower that they carried with them, there was no way they could get away.
"Well, this suddenly got a lot more interesting."