23. Chapter 23

Chapter 23

A/N #1 If you see any mistakes let me know. Thanks.
A/N #2 Sorry this took so long to get out… I kept on adding detail and adding detail and editing… and it still is so far from perfect. I am finishing off the story and I am trying to post less mistake filled chapters... 2 chapters left.
-----

Aiden drifted from semi-awareness and into complete consciousness. He was warm and entangled with Willow. The first thing he heard was the scratchy sound of the radio activating. It had to be a few minutes to six am—again. The muted voice of Sergeant Stackhouse came through the radio. What did Stackhouse think he was—a glutton for punishment? Why in the world would he think he would even want to go running the day after a mission gone wrong and being knocked in the head? Besides, Aiden had far more interesting things to be doing with the last minutes before six am. Willow squirmed in his arms a little. He moved his hands down the sides of her breasts and waist and settled on her hips. He snuggled himself close to her and put his chin on her shoulder.

"Was that your running partner again?" Willow whispered the words. She still had her eyes closed. She was enjoying each moment of closeness. She and Aiden were in their own little world and she had no real desire to join another world until they absolutely had to.

"Yeah. I'm ignoring him." Aiden spoke in a low voice and then moved his lips around her neck, stimulating her collarbone with his tongue and scraping with his teeth. He gave her skin little nips and kisses and moved downward towards her breasts.

Willow felt passion slowly stir in her body. The lower his mouth moved the more aroused she became. If it wasn't for those nagging radio whispers… She held off her moans and there it was again, this time much louder.

"Ford???? FOOOOOOOOOORD! Helloooooooo!"

Willow made a groan—of irritation this time and swung her arm towards the bedside table. She reached for the radio headset to hand it to Aiden. She could see his mischievous grin in the gray of the early morning. She tossed it across the bed towards him. It landed on his chest—Aiden jumped up as if he had been tossed a grenade with the pin removed. Willow couldn't help it—giggles bubbled out of her lips. Aiden gave her a wry smile and cradled the headset to his ear.

"Ford? Come in—Ford."

"Yes, Ford here."

"Morning? You recovered? Forty-five minute run—six am…"

"NO."

"No? You can't be suffering aftereffects—aren't you on the mission roster for this afternoon—are you in the infirmary? I'm going to drag your…"

Aiden couldn't believe it. Why was Stackhouse talking this much? It was too early for this. He had said no.

"No- I am too lazy. Yes—I have a mission this afternoon. No, I am not in the infirmary and NO. You are not dragging my ass anywhere."

Silence came out of the radio. Aiden could hear Willows' giggles clearly in his other ear.

"Are you pulling rank?" Stackhouse didn't sound in the least hurt—more suspicious… more as if he were setting up some sort of verbal plot or as if he was only just figuring something out.

"No. I am pulling lazy." This conversation was over. Aiden was about to turn the radio off and get back to kissing, caressing and frankly…

"You can have breakfast with your honey after."

Willow lost it. She fully erupted into peals of laughter.

"I could hear her giggles through the radio—now I can clearly hear her laughing at you. You are getting soft."

Aiden stared at the headset. He knew Stackhouse had not just insinuated what he had so obviously insinuated…

"Fine. I will meet you on the South Pier in 10 minutes. Ford, out."

Aiden tossed the headset back onto the table. Willow was still giggling. This was the way he wanted to wake up every morning, with the sound of her happiness just flowing over them both. Her green eyes glistened with delight. Willows' lips were still dark rose from his kisses and he knew if he pulled down the covers her skin would be flushed with happiness and arousal. Her breasts probably had little scratches from the shadow of his beard and… he reached under the covers and gathered her hands. He raised her arms above her head and held them in one hand. The sheet fell away from her upper chest, exposing her breasts. He moved his body closer until he was covering it with his own. He was hard and he wanted to take her again and again. Of course there was no time—her fault.

"Mmmmm." Willow made the sound as she felt Aiden's stubble rubbing against her neck. He had her in a position she was most partial to—despite the fact this was the first time she had been situated quite like this. If she wanted him too—and she really did—he could enter her right now. She knew he wanted to. She could feel him hard and velvet smooth against her.

"So I have to walk you back to your room." In between his explanation Aiden moved around, kissing and nuzzling at her exposed skin. His other hand slipped between her legs and found its' place. "Run- until my lungs practically burst… shower… and have breakfast—with you…"

He really wasn't asking her, he was rather informing her of the sequence of the morning. She didn't mind so much. She really didn't have any complaints. What she did mind was the simple fact that he had mentioned nothing about staying in bed and making love. He had gathered her clitoris between the pads of his index finger and thumb, gently pinching and rubbing. Willow moaned. She was exactly where she wanted to be. They could ignore the world and just enjoy each other.

"We have time… Stackhouse—what is his first name?"

"Boyan." Aiden slipped the name out in between kisses and nuzzles and firm and light touches.

"Boyan? I can see why you call him by his last name." Stackhouse's name was worse than Buffy's. Poor guy.

"Actually it is just a military thing and he is… " Aiden kept kissing. He had nine minutes. If he were focused he could…"

"Ford?? Ford?" Aiden heard the radio again. He groaned and sat up, grabbing at the radio.

"Here. Yes."

"Nothing—just reminding you to get up. I don't trust you."

"Look here Boyan—I am going to have you cleaning out latrines…"

"Ha. Good one. The ancients weren't so primitive, you know. Nine minutes."

"Ford, out."

"Okay, we gotta get up." Willow stretched and stood beside the rumpled bed. Her body felt more alive than it had in months. Her legs tingled when she moved. A new sort of sensual awareness flowed through her veins. She felt more than just satisfaction—she really couldn't describe it. She went to the closet to get the hanger full of clothing. Aiden had been just about to rise when Willow moved first.

Now he preferred to watch her move around. She practically skipped from the bed to the closet. He had made her skip. That was a good feeling. Of course, she had likely partially skipped because she wanted to quickly hide in the closet. For the first time he wished he had chosen a smaller room—one without a walk in closet.

Aiden got out of bed and pulled on his clothes. "Hey, can you hand me a shirt." She did, tossing it towards his head. Willow stepped out of the closet, fully dressed.

"That was quick." Aiden raised one eyebrow. He hadn't expected her to be so speedy. He pulled the shirt over his head and walked towards the bathroom.

"Hey, you got seven or eight minutes… and I am suddenly really hungry." Willow turned her head upside down and finger combed her hair. The odds of Aiden having a brush or comb were slim. Besides the obvious fact that he was a man, he had short curly hair. She felt the blood rush to her face—this feeling was not even on par to those she had felt over the course of the night. Aiden had been insatiable and she had given just as much as she had gotten. She sent a thought towards the lights and they turned on. Aiden walked back into the room from the bathroom. He held a small comb to her and then took it away.

"What?" Willow had been just about to take the comb when he had moved his hand.

"Leave it. I like your hair like this." Aiden took a few steps towards Willow and put his hand behind her head. He tilted his head downward and captured her lips in a deep searching kiss. He tasted of mint.

Willow broke the kiss. "Sorry. Morning breath!" She scrambled towards the bathroom, intent on using the obvious mouth wash.

"I tasted only you." Aiden watched as Willow disappeared into the bathroom she tripped a little after hearing his words. "You know… you are graceful up until I tell you—you are sexy… lovely… gorgeous…"

The bathroom door slid shut. If he continued talking, she could probably still hear but he didn't feel up to saying much more. What he wanted to do was to crawl back into bed with her and prove to her without words that he was completely crazy about her—instead he reached for his battered Nike running shoes and a clean pair of socks.

Willow came out of the bathroom. Her cheeks were still a little pink, whether that came from Aiden's words or having her head turned upside down—she couldn't tell. What she did know was they had to leave the room. She pulled on her shoes and picked up the earpiece radio from the table and handed it to Aiden.

"Ready?" Willow gave him a nod in response.

They exited the room and walked slowly towards the transporter--despite the fact that Stackhouse would likely be soon interrupting their trek with an irritated reminder of just how late Aiden surely had become. They were right near her room.

"So, let's meet at seven thirty at the mess?" If he went in one direction he would be able to meet up with Stackhouse at the South Pier. If she went down the hall a few steps she would be at her door.

"Yep. That sounds good to me." Willow turned to walk towards her quarters and stopped. She moved back to Aiden and giggled and pushed him against the wall. She caught his lips with her own and gave him a deep kiss. She wasn't kissing him thank you or good morning or anything even remotely like that. She was giving him a promise and a reminder. Just because she wasn't ready to say the words didn't mean she couldn't fully express herself. If she had turned around to say good bye with her eyes she would have seen Aiden just standing still. He knew how to recognize love as well as anyone. He could read her love in the rhythm of the pounding of her heart and in the touch and taste of her lips.

Aiden knew he had to get at least one last word in. She may have robbed him of the ability to even move but he had to say something—especially just in case she turned around and saw him just staring at her backside. People always talked about how love had the power to knock a person for a loop. That just wasn't the case for him. Love was pushing him into the most attractive corner possible. If he were lucky he would be able to pull Willow in with him and just continue to enjoy. Was this how life went anyway? One day you met a girl and everything changed—living became not just a joy but a reason to stand up and walk forward into a bright shared future.

"See you in the mess." Not even close to the best of comebacks, but it would have to do. Aiden turned and jogged to the South Pier. He really had to speak to Stackhouse. Maybe they could jog in the afternoons or after breakfast or even before dinner or maybe just on missions…

Willow opened her door and heard it close behind her. Her thoughts were spiraling around in her head. Her body was practically humming. She had just spent the most enjoyable night---ever. She felt this incredible thrill at having discovered just how much pleasure she could handle. She knew that each night in Aiden's bed only promised more of the same. Wicked. She leaned against the door and slid down to sit.

If she wanted to she could replay moment by moment each kiss and caress. Of course that would be a waste of time. What she needed to do was check her email and see if there was anything from Buffy or Anya. She stood and gathered her laptop and laid it on the bed. She powered it up and went for a shower. For the first time in a long while she actually deserved one. Willow smirked to herself. If she actually saw Charin right now, she was pretty sure she would have something more to add. When she returned from the shower she saw that she had received an email from the Scoobies.

From: 11:15 PM
To: Re: Still fine… yes, you were right

Okay,

I (this is Buffy) am very glad you are okay and happy to hear about the kissage—Aiden—sounds great. I kind of don't really have any advice to give you about love and relationships—I mean I am here and I can listen. I guess I can't really listen anymore because you are there and I am here.

I miss you, we all miss you. I am glad you are finding happiness in his arms but I would much rather hear about it all face to face, you know?

Advice… I think you should do what you feel and enjoy. It does sound as if you are quite serious or seriously interested in him—or maybe you were just giddy because of the foreplay (I actually knew quite a lot about that before you sic'ed Anya on me—thank you very much—what do you think I was doing with Angel after he came back from hell, anyway?)

How did 'they' the soldiers and scientists and civilian woman get to this other galaxy anyway? Is there a possibility they can get back and bring you? I mean, no one takes one way trips. It just makes no sense.

Xander is worried about you. He won't say anything but he is now doing this occasional brooding thing. It is obvious. He wanted me to tell you that he missed you. He is exercising his right to be a guy—you know, by not communicating directly. And Tara is a great girl—a good witch and all that—but she isn't you.

Anyway, about the love life—mine I mean. I went out with that Riley, but he is too normal. I think I would just be fooling myself if I did anything with him. One relationship disaster a year is more than enough heartbreak for me--Thank you.

I really gave it some thought too—he even punched Parker out. From what I gather from the rumor mill, Parker said something about using freshman girls and mentioned my name and bam- Riley, punched him. It is a good feeling to have someone to do that for you but I didn't need it. I had already softened Parker's jaw with that tree limb from my cave-Buffy day.

I got layers, you know? I have the slayer layer and the normal girl layer. I guess the normal girl in me didn't mind Riley punching Parker but the slayer in me couldn't believe he did it. I think I realized… I don't want to introduce him to the slayer. He couldn't handle me.

Anyway, I know that is a ramble. What I am trying to say—to ask—I guess… is… have you shown Aiden that you are a witch? Does he know who he is dating? Willow—sweet Willow or Willow sweet girl who happens to want to become a bad ass wicca? I just want you to think about it. I want to say something about protecting 'The Secret' but that isn't what I mean

Xander and I had a tough conversation yesterday—he asked me—if I had been called that day… that moment and if I had known him for the same four years that I have known him—would I tell him the truth… would I tell him that I am the slayer… would I tell you?

I think, I wouldn't.

You know how you know how the slayer is supposed to be alone—and I've said it again and again that my friends and my emotions give me power and something to fight for… the truth is I would rather have you safe than beside me. I know that you are not in Sunnydale anymore and I wonder if it was my fault.

Willow, what were you doing in that cemetery anyway? When we went there we felt your magical signature—I am not looking to crucify myself but I don't want it to be that I lost you too. I know we make our own choices- but love influences those choices. You know if I hadn't been so bad at keeping secrets then you would never have become friends with me and wanted to help. You would never have become a witch and put yourself in dangerous situations. I guess we can go around and around about all this.

But the truth is you are in The Pegasus Galaxy and I can't help but think it is my fault. When I first knew that you knew I was the slayer, I was so arrogant—I knew that I could protect you and keep you safe. Hey, I am the thing that darkness fears. Now I am not so sure. You say Aiden is a marine—is he black ops? Is he tough? Does he have big guns? Explosives? Is he fearless—yet NOT foolhardy? Could he almost take me out—if I had been seriously weakened by decimating 10,001 other demons, vampires, and stuff?

I love you.

I miss you.

-Buffy

P.S.
Giles says, 'Um. Um.' (it means he loves and misses you too).
Anya said something about chains wrapped in RED velvet—I am not typing what she is describing.

From: 6:38AM
Subject:)

Dear Buffy,

I am so sorry you feel this way. I love you—and this is so not your fault. I believe in destiny—prophecies—all that. You can say screw destiny- you can be terrified of it all but the truth is I was destined to be a witch—or maybe I was destined to die and rise again as a vampire. I don't know—but I do know you saved me. Time and time again. I am happy. I am satisfied where I am.

Okay, so I was in that cemetery practicing a fireball spell. You know how I can toss one intermittently… now I can direct a few in quick succession—if I draw power from another source. Yep. I can even do it here—I tossed a few at the wraith demons… and Aiden saw me do it. So, there. No hiding. He knows about Willow the Witch and Willow the Normal girl. Actually he doesn't really know much about Willow the normal girl. I mean the computer hacker, geeky, fuzzy shirt wearing me. I haven't exactly hacked in front of him and I no longer have my wardrobe. If anything, he knows more about my witch side and my supernatural/demon ass kicking than my normalcy. Though, it could be argued that this is my normal mode. Hmmm… I am not really sure anymore. I feel like it was college that was supposed to change me—change you—reveal something that was hidden underneath that shroud of high school. I am not sure what direction I was going in but I am happy where I am now. I am stranded in a new world—but there are all these new possibilities. I am the same me I ever was—I am just getting happier with being.

I will admit, it was a change to suddenly have the truth about demons, vampires, witches, etc—all that revealed to me. I feel that when you and when Giles stepped into my life a veil dropped from it. If anything—if I had never known about the supernatural—I would surely have found out anyway… Hello! Sunnydale doesn't have thirty two cemeteries for nothing.

I wish I could think of a way or I wish I had enough magic to open a portal and send myself back but honestly—I don't have the power. I am not 'making the best of a bad situation'. I am taking the opportunity to develop, grow and fall in love. There I have said it. I haven't told Aiden yet but that is where things stand. If I hadn't ever met you I wouldn't have figured out I wanted to become a kick ass wicca—and then I wouldn't have been in that cemetery—kicking ass. You know?

Okay, and to completely change the subject. I am very sorry that Xander is brooding. Please tell him… well you can just cut and hand this to him:

Dear Xander,

I love you. I just want you to know I am actually quite fine. I know you probably don't want too many details about my love life but you can rest easy. His name is Aiden Ford and he is a marine. So if you were worried about anyone keeping me safe, he's got me covered. Even though I am pretty good at taking care of myself, -kay? I miss you but I want you to know the truth. I will surely be back in Sunnydale. Soon? Later? I don't know. The people I am with—haven't a clue how to return and I have no special power to speed up brilliant scientists. But otherwise, I am happy, you know.

Also... I know Buffy told you that she wouldn't have told you about the supernatural and about being the slayer if she found out today that she was the slayer. I think she is wrong. We protect each other—that's what keeps us going. That's what keeps us alive. Protect Buffy—I know I don't even need to say it.

I love you both,

Willow

Willow finished the letter and prepared to send it. This time it wasn't so easy. She felt tears fighting to fall out of her eyes. How had things gotten so hard? Why had she been trying so hard to make things seem so simple? Buffy was right. It was good to know that she was happy and that Buffy and the whole gang were okay but it was better to hear it from their lips—face to face. No amount of time spent with Aiden could erase the fact that those she was closest with were almost completely out of reach.

She could drown herself in this fact and sadness or she could accept this truth and then live each moment. She far preferred to live. So she sent the email and dressed. She had to get ready for the rest of the day.

When she arrived at the mess hall cafeteria Aiden was no where to be found, of course it was a few minutes to seven thirty. Once she had sent her letter she had immediately left the room. To be alone, meant to be inundated with thoughts about the friends she was cut away from. That she didn't want. In one way she was surely running from the ache but she chose to consider herself making a tactical retreat. It was a time honored tradition for her to bury herself in activity when she couldn't handle the outside world. Now she wanted to bury herself in hustle, bustle, and action just because she couldn't handle the inside world.

"Firebug—over here." McKay had been waving furiously at Willow from his position at the center table. She had not responded. He saw on her face a distinctly unhappy expression. Was the honeymoon over so quickly between her and Aiden? Not that he was interested in being a fall back guy. He liked the girl, for her gumption and wit. She was far too intelligent to waste her time on a grunt like Ford anyway—even if Ford had graduated from the Naval Academy.

"Helllooooo!" Willow blinked a few times to clear her sight. Those tears that had threatened to fall unceasingly were just about to flood her vision. Her blinking seemed to orient her to her location. She was in the mess and she heard McKay saying hello, or rather bellowing HELLLOOOO! The man had no sense of subtly. He put himself fully on the ledge without care if anyone were to say no or indicate that they would rather sit with another person. It was refreshing to be around someone so unrestrained and honest—obvious even. She couldn't help but play the game. Willow turned behind her as if to indicate that she was unsure if McKay was yelling for her. As she turned back to face McKay she tapped herself on the center of the chest with one small finger as if to indicate the words, "You were talking to me?" as she walked towards the table.

McKay rolled his eyes. Was there another Firebug in the room? Actually, was there a semi-intelligent person in the room? Though to be honest—he wasn't completely sure Willow had even one layer of the genius he had—she could make fire… but just as soon as he figured out how she did that then she would be as empty headed as the rest of the scientists. Magic. Humph. McKay scoffed out loud. It really was ridiculous how she insisted on such an explanation. It really was ridiculous how there didn't seem to be any other one. Just ridiculous.

Willow placed her book on the table. She had brought it from her room, she figured if she had any downtime in the lab she would read a little and maybe do some mental practice exercise.

"Hey. I'll be right back. Food. Need food. You want anything?" She was hungry. If she were a true scientist she would be thinking something like her body was at forty percent reserves or maybe… "Hmm. Didn't catch that." Woolgathering was a bad habit. She missed Rodney's order.

"C-O-F-F-E-E." Rodney wrinkled his nose. He wasn't so sure she could handle the order. Waitress, she was not.

"Be back in a jiffy." Willow decided to ignore the rude spelling of the word. If she didn't she would be left standing and fussing with Rodney—and then she wouldn't be enjoying breafast. Some things were all about the greater good—or the lesser of two evils… no—it was the greater good. She gathered a tray and some glop, it looked like oatmeal. Hopefully it was. She dipped her finger in her bowl and sampled. While it had the consistency of oatmeal it just wasn't quite oatmeal.

She wasn't sure if she needed to add sweet spices or salty spices… was this a salt and pepper and butter dish or a cinnamon and sugar and milk dish?

"Add sugar…" Willow looked up to find Jonathon, resident chef—half smiling- half grimacing. He didn't seem like a morning person. His white hat was a little askew and he was steadily rubbing the back of his neck, desperately trying to get the kinks out or maybe to stave off an early morning headache.

"Thanks." Willow smiled and added cinnamon, sugar, milk, and a small amount of butter. She mixed and sampled. It was quite good. Almost oatmeal. She wanted to ask Jonathon about the grain—but didn't want to overstay her welcome. She understood grumpy morning people.

"It's Athosian." Jonathon offered. He watched as Willow started to open her mouth to ask questions. He was too slow to actually completely stop her from speaking. So he just raised his hand in a leave me alone gesture. "Ask me later, okay?"

Willow smiled. That was the best she could hope for. She took her bowl to the tray and gathered two cups of coffee.

"Where is the parasite—the Ford Carbuncle…" uh oh. It was obvious he had read the signs completely wrong. What else was new? Willow was not quite at the point where he could identify Ford (in her presence) as a blot on the landscape of Atlantis. Her eyes narrowed.

"I mean where is the surely sore and blemished—because of being knocked out Ltd. Ford?"

McKay tried to give Willow a smile but it came out all wrong. He was out of practice. What was the point anyway? What he should have done was get a cup of coffee and load up on pastries and head to his lab. Instead he had got a bowl of that Athosian Gruel and added salt and pepper. Disgusting stuff—it was no wonder the Athosians were so thin, if that was what they had to eat everyday. Why did he waste intellectual energy trying to socialize? He obviously had little skill. Any idiot knew you shouldn't practice what you aren't good at. It was like being a pianist—if you couldn't be a concert pianist—don't waste your time dabbling. He wasn't Sheppard—he wasn't even close.

And to be honest—there really was little point in learning societal niceties—especially with the Wraith surely coming. What did Ford tell him that the menacing Wraith Keeper said day one? "All of them." All the wraith were wakening and surely going to converge on Atlantis at some point in the not too distant future and suck the very life out of their bones.

Willow knew she had narrowed her eyes, but surely this action should not have been able to make McKay completely pale and practically stop eating. He had lifted his coffee cup halfway to his lips and his eyes had taken on a distinctly unfocussed look. He was lost in his thoughts—and from what she could tell, they were definitely unpleasant thoughts.

Willow tapped McKay on the shoulder, careful to make the touch very light. She didn't want to unnerve him even more. "Rodney?"

"Oh. Sorry. Woolgathering." He shook his head to clear his thoughts. "You know, it is a common action among those of the genius mind…" He felt a quick jab on his clavicle.

"Ow! You poked me." Rodney, didn't smile, he instead prepared to launch a tirade of insults and threats of disciplinary actions to be taken if such deeds were to continue by said-red headed woman. He only got as far as, "I am a very sensitive man… I have fair skin and I bruise easily. You could have reactivated an old wound. You don't know me! You don't know the blood, sweat, and tears I have shed for this facility and for the universe—to blithely poke me in my very manly shoulder…"

Then he felt another jab on the side of his shoulder. Rodney squinted. It seemed a shadow had fallen over his body. Another person had joined them at the table. From the way Willow's face had lit up it had to be Ford. The word wasn't even lit up. Willow practically began to glow. Rodney half wanted to turn around and check to make sure Ford didn't have some special power because the smile his presence seemed to induce in Willow just couldn't be natural—of course it all couldn't last. Such was the law of the universe.

"Okay, so back to what I was saying…" Rodney was doing his best to ignore just how Ford had pushed his tray and his chair off to the side so he could slide in beside Willow. There were obvious other places to sit. All he wanted was a little space to place his elbows but could he have that? No.

"Poking the brilliant scientist—just not a good idea… hey—Hello. Willow-- are you listening?" Rodney turned his attention to the couple. "And Ford doesn't need to be your Atlantis Ambassador—do not—I mean DO NOT touch my coffee cup."

Rodney was incensed—on the outside—but really completely at ease. It was almost like being at home and sitting at the breakfast table with his sister.

Aiden kept looking up towards the entrance. He was keeping track of the time and also looking out for Major Sheppard. As soon as it was o-eight hundred hours or as soon as Sheppard walked in he would head off to the weapons locker to gather an assortment of explosives. He had a pretty good idea as to the type of explosives they could use to incapacitate and capture a wraith. He wasn't sure if they where they were meeting. McKay didn't have a clue. When he had asked him—he just tapped his radio and said, "Wherever the Major says…" McKay was good at giving out 'duh' looks.

The truth was, he was right—but no one in their right mind really wanted to walk about carrying boxes of explosives from room to room.

Willow was actually a bit distracting-- if he wanted to sit quietly and just stuff his face with breakfast, it wasn't going to happen. He was in observation-mode. She was participating in a rapid fire conversation with McKay. She gave far better than she received. If he had met her even two years prior, he would have been far out of his league. Of course she would have been sixteen—she was logical, sensible, and smart. While these were the same things that McKay was—it was just better packaging. McKay was steadily giving out reasons why Canadian bacon was clearly a better choice for breakfast than any type of boiled grain.

"Are you talking about feeding just yourself or all the expedition members?" Aiden turned his attention to Willow. She had the cutest frown on her face.

"Me of course—the rest of you can have gruel." McKay couldn't believe she would even consider for a moment that he would share. That word was not in his vocabulary—unless it pertained to others offering him food.

Maybe, McKay really wasn't that logical. Aiden didn't even try to hide his laugh. He looked up to see Sheppard walking into the mess. He gave him a little nod. He'd give the Major a few minutes to gather breakfast and then he would go up and ask him where he wanted to meet. Aiden felt a hand slip on top of his own. He knew without looking that it was Willow's. He knew her touch, her taste and the sound of her voice.

"Dr. Weir surely has you all setting up trade routes and such… I am sure you will find a comparable animal sooner or later. Or are pigs a strictly Milky Way thing?" Willow was vaguely curious as to where the conversation could go—but in all honesty she was having more fun arguing with McKay than actually coming up with valid points and points.

"I can't actually see you working on a farm to turn an oinking pig into a slab of bacon." Aiden held in his laughter but smiled a little at the idea.

"Of course, I wouldn't do a thing—the Athosian's could…" Rodney realized he must have said something not so good. He watched as Willow's eyes narrowed.

"So now they are your slaves…" The nerve of this man!

"No. No. That's not what I meant—I meant—we could work out some sort of trade agreement. And surely some of them know something about setting up a trade route—your word—right?" Rodney felt himself backpedaling. He wasn't too sure why he felt so duty bound to present himself in a better light.

"Right… you run the risk of setting up a basic feudal system—with the expedition members being the rulers and setting up a tribute system where every few months the Athosian's would show up and donate a portion of the harvest." Willow gave Rodney a thoughtful look.

"Sounds like the standard American tax system…" Aiden made the comment.

"So in exchange for protection, medicine, and what not we get bacon?" Despite Willow's earlier mention of him treating the Athosian's like slaves it seemed that she had worked out in her mind how the situation could work. Her feudal Atlantis governmental system sounded sensible.

"That's a decision Dr. Weir would have to make." Willow, Aiden and Rodney each looked up to find Major Sheppard standing over the table holding a lumpy brown muffin and a cup of coffee.

"Have a seat sir." Aiden motioned his hand at the table to indicate that there was space for him.

"Did you hear our conversation?" Willow was curious. They had all been so involved they hadn't heard him approach or seen him standing over the table.

"Actually, I only heard the last few comments." Sheppard wasn't sure where he stood on the issue—but he was sure either Ford or Willow or McKay would be asking him just that in a few moments.

"What do you think?"
"What is your opinion?"

Sheppard smiled. Both Willow and Aiden had asked a variation of the same question and at the same time. It seemed McKay had probably held off from asking because he couldn't possibly care to hear his opinion or he had reasoned that they would ask anyway.

"Hmm… it is a question of infrastructure and rights. We have a certain military infrastructure and the Athosians have a certain native-cultivation-type infrastructure. It would be time consuming for us to have to set up farms and etc…" McKay interrupted him.

"… determine optimal growing seasons… what kind of plants grow best here or there… native pests and no-harm pesticides… not a monumental task but difficult none the same…" Sheppard interrupted him to finish his point.

"We have other priorities—not to say food isn't a priority—because it surely is. The question is… do the Athosians have the right to be on the mainland growing crops?"

"Right. Did we give them that right?" McKay understood fully where Sheppard was going with his explanation. He'd get there, fine—but he couldn't help adding his own two cents.

"Do we have the right to be in Atlantis? Whose land is it? Whose base is it? Is it all just 'Finder's Keepers?' Do they work for us—or us for them? Do we protect them because the wraith—we woke up will surely come for them or really for us or us all… Is it our duty to protect them or is it a shared duty?" Sheppard finished his points. He had others—far more to say but he really didn't feel it was his place to explain the complexity of the situation.

McKay slurped down the last bit of his coffee. "This is Dr. Weir's problem." He stood and stretched a little, arching his back. He didn't notice that his blue shirt rode up a little and exposed his not so toned underbelly. "Where are we meeting?" He finished his stretches and stood still and waited. Each person at the table had a slightly disgusted or disturbed look on their faces. He didn't get it. He would never understand Americans. Canada with its' bacon was where it was at… "What? I missed something, didn't I?" McKay rolled his eyes and just gave up.

"How about your lab—Ford, you can bring the explosives there." Sheppard made the announcement and everyone watched as McKay turned and left. He didn't even bother to say nod or indicate he was leaving.

"What time is it?" Willow asked and turned the large face of Aiden's watch to check. It was a geek standard. She looked around—most of the scientists and even Jonathon had the watch. Sheppard did not. It must have been a part of the uniform—and Sheppard was a little too cool for the all that. "You got thirty minutes…" She turned and looked up at Aiden. She was worried as to what would come next but she wouldn't be afraid. He'd go off with a bunch of explosives and his team and another team and do his thing. She felt a quick tap on the shoulder. It was Sheppard. "Alrighty. Willow, I will see you later. Ford, I will see you at o-nine hundred hours…" She watched as Sheppard nodded a goodbye and walked out of the mess. He'd left his coffee cup on the table but had taken the rest of his muffin.

"Okay, let's get you to your meeting on time." Willow gathered the dishes and utensils onto one tray and placed the empty tray beneath the full one. Willow stood and stretched a little—using McKay for inspiration but arching her back only a little. She didn't have a hairy little pot belly to flaunt. She smiled as Aiden picked up the trays. She was the last person to complain about him being a gentleman. Willow turned and watched as he arranged the dishes in the proper clean up bins.

The mess hall had mostly filled up as they had sat and argued and ate. She could identify a few people, two of the nurses Dr. Beckett worked with and Dr. Zelenka. He was hunched over a data pad at a table by the door. It looked a bit like a tablet pc. He was working intently and completely ignoring his Athosian gruel. She searched the room for Aiden and he was occupied in a quick conversation with Jonathon. She decided to say hi, quickly.

She picked up her book and made her way towards his table, not noticing that at least one person in each small group, in the cafeteria, turned their head to make a remark to the others. They were politely, if not so discreetly discussing the young red head. Was she really a witch? Was she Lieutenant Ford's ex or current girlfriend? Was she from Earth? How did she get here? Was she Colonel Sumner's daughter? Was she Major Sheppard's sister? The rumor mill was up and running in overdrive. Willow didn't detect anything.

"Hi, Dr. Z.!" Willow knew she had startled Dr. Zelenka when she spoke. He jerked upwards and practically rattled the dishes. Of course they were plastic and didn't rattle but they shook and moved dangerously all the same. Willow steadied the bowl with her hands.

"Thank you, Willow. You have saved me from elbows full of gruel." Radek looked up and smiled at her. She was lovely to take in this morning. In good spirits… happy… It was good to be around a positive person—before walking into the lab and succumbing to Dr. McKay's absolutely opposite personality.

"I do my part." She closed her eyes as she felt sensual awareness send shivers up her arm. Aiden was standing beside her and he had slipped his hand into hers.

"Hey, Dr. Zelenka… " Aiden smiled. He'd heard the last thing Zelenka had said. He was right, Willow was a life saver. "You'll be getting a break from McKay this afternoon…" Aiden watched Zelenka's eyes light up.

"Really? That's wonderful."

"We have a mission."

Zelenka's face fell. He might not be exactly fond of Dr. McKay but Atlantis was so many levels safer than any random planet. So far they had only encountered the wraith as an enemy. Who knew what else the military could awaken? He couldn't fathom the possibilities.

"You will be safe—I am sure you will be, right?" Zelenka nodded vigorously at Ford.

"Of course—You won't be breaking in a new boss." Zelenka took the attempt at levity as well as could be expected. He smiled. A new boss wouldn't be unwelcome, of course he didn't tell Willow and Ford that. It was the circumstances that would be unwelcome. He wouldn't want Rodney turned into a dried out husk so that he could be free from his destructive criticism. He instead smiled, thinking of how happy Willow looked and he felt just generally positive about everything. So far-- good gruel, a good day.

"See you later." Willow said her good bye to Radek and felt Aiden's hand guide her towards the door. Aiden would lead her to the infirmary and then head off to do his job. She would not worry. She would trust he would be safe. Of course, she had her spell book—before he left she would wave and send him a blessing.

Aiden had guided Willow to the infirmary. He had left her there and made his way to the munitions locker to gather the necessary explosives. He had been the first to arrive in McKay's lab. Oddly enough McKay was absent. He neatly lined up the grey-green small metal boxes on the table. As he unlatched one he saw Sheppard and McKay enter the room. McKay was rubbing his hands together and looking quite anxious.

"You seem nervous…" Sheppard made the comment to McKay. He looked off to his side at McKay.

"No. I'm a part of this team. I'm doing this." McKay steadily rubbed his hands together. He was a scientist not an explosive expert. He had no training in capturing a wraith, in shooting a p-90, in running really fast, in… He was so far out of his league it made no sense. It wasn't even as if this was one of those moments where you just had to do what you had to do. The mission didn't hinge on his brilliance—rather his ability to throw a grenade, shoot a p-90, and properly utilize whatever munitions Willow's boy toy had deemed necessary.

"Yes, you are. I just said you seem nervous." Sheppard nodded his head. This mission would be good for McKay. Seasoning.

"Oh, really. I thought you said, 'Rodney, you don't have to do this.'"

"Yes, you do." Sheppard gave him a tight smile. He looked around. Where was Teyla? She was never late.

"Damn right, I'm doing this—despite the fact the feeling hasn't completely returned to my extremities." Rodney knew that comment was a stretch. He had taken that stunner blast a few days ago. The only reason his toes would be a little numb would be if his shoelaces were too tight—and they weren't. Sheppard likely didn't care. He didn't call him on the fact that he had only taken a stunner blast a dozen hours ago and he was fully functional. He looked to the door to see Teyla walking in. Her eyes were alternately downcast and alternately confrontational. She walked towards them, her eyes were on Ford—no one else. McKay knew that she must know that he had gone through her things to find the wraith transmitter. Their team superwoman was annoyed with him. He felt even less confident about the mission.

"You're late." Sheppard made the comment, knowing he was taking a chance even speaking. If she were another woman—another less forgiving woman—she would surely kick him in the shin and tell him just where to shove each and every Atlantis expedition member. They had screwed up so royally, for not the first time; he mentally cursed Sergeant Bates, even though he had only been doing his job.

"Sorry."

Aiden knew Teyla had nothing to be sorry for and surely felt no remorse. Her use of that one word was telling enough. Milky Way human style lies and deception. She was playing their game-- speaking in their code.

He moved on and began the briefing, "Now, given the Wraiths' regenerative abilities, killing one requires some amount of effort. Catching one alive is gonna be a whole other deal. For any of these options to work, your Wraith has to be on the ground." Aiden looked around at Sheppard and then at McKay.

"Ah, the last planet we visited was inaccessible by ship and the, uh, ruins around the Stargate should force the Wraith to come through on foot." McKay felt proud he could add this commentary to the briefing. He suspected Ford and Sheppard were just playing him, wanting him to feel more integral to the team. They surely had more tactical training than he but wanted him to get the experience planning things out.

"In which case" Aiden spoke as he opened one of the metal cases on the table… "you'll be able to use these." Aiden removed a green tube like object from the box and held it up.

"This is a stun grenade. It's filled with a mixture of aluminum and potassium percolate that, when ignited, produces a high pressure wave that will overwhelm the intended target with intense light and sound." Aiden handed the grenade to Sheppard who gave it a once over and handed it to McKay.

"If that doesn't get his head ringing, in addition ..." Aiden picked up a holster and pulled out something that looks like a pistol. "you've got your taser." McKay felt less worried. If their mission wasn't to capture a wraith alive—there would frankly be no way a wraith would make it out alive—considering all the weaponry.

"Alrighty. Ford, assemble security teams three, four, and five. Gather what is needed and be prepared to embark in two hours." Sheppard made his commands and nodded at Ford and McKay first. He watched as each turned to leave. Ford first and then McKay moved towards the back of his lab. "Teyla, do you have a moment?" John was nervous. He didn't know exactly what apology would work with Teyla but he damn sure was going to try each one in the book.