A/N: Many thanks to ladygris for catching my booboos.
Namaste,
~Sandy
Wildflowers
Chapter 3
"Hey, Mandy! Come join us. You can be on our team." Cedric waved to Amanda as she and Evan stopped to watch the first two teams set up. "You too, Major."
From the other side, John's voice called out, "Not fair. That gives your team one too many players."
Evan let go of Amanda's hand. "You go. I'll play the next game."
She didn't hesitate to shed her cover-up. The length of cloth was quickly discarded and shoved into his hands, his fingers clenching when he saw the entirety of her bathing suit for the first time. His eyes took in the tie-front tankini and bikini bottom. Demure yet sexier than the teeny bikinis some of the other women were wearing because it only hinted at what it concealed rather than revealing. Tightness around his throat caused him to try to pull his collar away from his neck almost too late realizing that his shirt was open and loose.
Moving back to stand with the other spectators, Evan's attention was grabbed again, this time by one of his own teammates, Reed. "Sir, would you like to take my place?"
"Uh, sure." Stripping off his shirt, Evan wrapped Amanda's cover-up in it and set both under the edge of one of the picnic tables then took Reed's former spot in the middle of the back row. Amanda turned to smile at him over her shoulder facing forward just as the ball was served by the other team.
~~O~~
Stretching to warm up her muscles, Amanda almost fell over when Evan took off his shirt. As a doctor, she'd seen him without a shirt before and thought nothing of it. Now the expanse of his chest, which she already knew to be firmly muscled, called out to her to run her fingers through the fair hairs located between his nipples and angling down to stop just below his sternum.
She wasn't allowed to enjoy the view for very long as the ball sailed over the net. She flashed Evan a smile and turned her mind over to the game.
~~O~~
Tossing the ball from one hand to another, John watched Evan and Amanda holding hands as they came toward the game. How do I tell Lorne to back off without…Ah! He motioned Reed over and had a few words. The younger man jogged away and a moment later, Lorne replaced him in the lineup.
"Coughlin." The Lieutenant came to his side immediately.
"Sir?"
John flipped him the ball. "You serve. I'm better at the net."
Coughlin looked at him uncertainly but didn't question the order. "Yes, sir."
The referee blew the whistle and Coughlin made an overhand serve, the ball heading straight for Evan. The Major planted his feet wide, bumping it up to the front row where a stocky Japanese scientist made a jump set and Amanda spiked it over the net.
Somehow the other team managed to keep the ball in the air. It bounced from person to person until Amelia Banks did the set up and John spiked it back over, barely missing Evan's head and scoring for his team.
~~O~~
Play continued until the score was tied. The next team to score would be the winner. More than once, Amanda had caught John glaring at Evan, usually after she and Evan had run into each other going for the ball at the same time with the result of them ending up in the sand, his arms around her to keep her from being hurt and laughing. Following each of those instances, John managed to spike the ball at Evan, once even getting him on the forehead. He hadn't been hurt but now Amanda was more than a little ticked off.
While the positions shifted, she stepped up to the net. "What are you doing?"
"Playing volleyball. What does it look like I'm doing?"
She put on an overly sweet smile. "It looks like you're trying to make a point. Stop it, John." Taking his agreement for granted, she moved into place and waited for the serve. When the ball came over the net, Amanda let her neighbor set the ball and she spiked it, a full head of female fury behind it, right at John's head.
But he was ready for it. He stepped back, hitting it over the net again with a forearm bump. This time, Evan dived into a dig, catching it before it could hit the ground and returning it to the other team's court. This went on for a while until the Japanese man turned his back to the net and returned the ball with such force that the other team wasn't able to catch it. John, Coughlin and one of the botanists ended up in a heap in the sand.
Coughlin helped John and the botanist, a petite woman with short brown hair, to their feet, John glaring as the winning team gave each other high fives, with two notable exceptions. Amanda gathered Evan into a hug then they moved off the court, his arm around her shoulders and hers around his waist.
John watched them walk to a table and sit side by side, their hips and shoulders touching. Guess I'll have to make my point another way.
~~O~~
Evan watched Amanda leap into the air to slam the ball over the net. Unlike the other times, the bottom of her suit top lifted to her waist revealing her lower back and the fact that she had a tattoo, a pair of angel wings ten to thirteen centimeters wing tip to wing tip with the words "I believe I can fly" in fancy script between them.
With an effort, he brought his male mind, and libido, under control just in time to keep the ball from hitting the ground, sending it back over the net.
~~O~~
Night had fallen, bathing the world in darkness except for the dual moons, the stars and the light from the fires on the shore. Chuck and his band had set up to play but were on a break having programed the canned music to play a variety of styles and genres. A group of dancers gyrated in the sand to one of the Beach Boys biggest hits. Though none of them knew the steps, enthusiasm fueled their attempts and the audience clapped along. The song segued easily into something slow and romantic.
Evan excused himself from the group talking football, coming to Amanda's side. He extended his hand and gave a nod. She put her hand in his and followed him to the "dance floor." They moved into each other's arms, swaying gently to the subtle strains of "Surfer Girl." Her warm breath brushed over the skin of his neck, bringing a smile to his lips. Amanda lifted her head, her eyes slightly dreamy, and as he was about to kiss her, he was startled by a tap on his shoulder.
"Cutting in, Major." The smile didn't reach John's eyes.
"Of course, Colonel." Evan walked back to the table he'd shared with Amanda, seating himself with a sigh. Someone handed him a bottle of water and he gratefully drank it as he watched his CO dancing with the woman he'd begun to think of as "his" girl. And though she smiled, like John's it didn't reach her eyes making him wonder just what was going on between the two of them and if he should think about stepping aside. He sighed again and wished for a beer.
~~O~~
When Evan was out of earshot, Amanda's hand resting on John's shoulder squeezed a pressure point until he hissed in pain. "I know what you're up to, John, and it won't work."
"What are you talking…"
"Remember what happened the last time?"
"Yeah. So?" The same hand that had used her specialized knowledge of the human anatomy to cause him discomfort took a leisurely trip down his chest to his waist and around to his lower back. The hand John had on her shoulder blade grabbed her wrist and pulled it away as he took a step back before she could tickle him. "Okay. Okay."
"One more thing. If you or any of your Neanderthals cut in on us again…"
"They won't." They went back to dancing but not their former camaraderie. "Promise me one thing."
"I…" Amanda looked around, turning them so she could survey the entire area, her head moving sharply side to side. "Where're Chuck and Sergeant Mehra?"
~~O~~
Though Amanda tried to keep her voice calm, John could sense the underlying sliver of anxiety. And because he knew the origin, he released her and gathered a group of his men and women around him. After a few whispered orders, they headed out, one group going into the dense foliage that bordered the beach while the other two split up and went in opposite directions down the shore.
~~O~~
Evan saw the tension in Amanda's stance, in the way she watched the water, not moving from the spot where John had left her standing. He touched her on the shoulder and she started, her hazel eyes filled with alarm as he gathered her to his chest. "What's wrong?"
"Chuck's gone. So is Sergeant Mehra. I…it's just…"
"Tell me."
Pushing out of his arms, she pulled her beach cover-up around her shoulders. The T-shirt and shorts she'd slipped on when the sun went down not enough to stop the chill of a bad memory. "It happened the summer I was sixteen. The gang had a beach party to celebrate Terry's birthday. His older brother bought us a couple of kegs and some wine.
"Billy and Maggie had way too much to drink and wandered off down the beach to…" Her voice trailed off and he knew what had happened, but she needed to get it out so he stayed silent. "They were found the next morning washed up on the same beach where we'd had the party." Cautiously Evan put his hands on her arms, turning her gently into his embrace again. Her hands rested on his chest and he tilted her head back with a finger under her chin so she could see the empathy in his eyes. "I couldn't go in the water for months. Then about two weeks before classes resumed in the fall, my best friend dragged my sorry butt down to the beach, thankfully a different one, and made me go in the water with him.
"The first day it was just up to our ankles. We just stood there side by side not talking. When I tried to leave he grabbed my hand and held on. By the end of the first week I was able to stand in it up to my waist. And when school started, I was back on my board, shooting the curls and dropping in the backdoor of some truly awesome waves."
Her arms went around him, gripping the back of his shirt as he pulled her close. He kissed her on the forehead and just held her, finally understanding why she didn't want alcohol at the party. In his mind he worried at that bit of information, working out ways that he could help her without being patronizing or smothering. He came to the conclusion that the best way to handle the situation was to let her lead the way. If she wanted to talk about it, he'd be there for her. If she just wanted to have him hold her, as he was now, he'd do that too.
A few minutes later a commotion drew the attention of nearly everyone as the search parties returned, a very sheepish Chuck and Dusty following behind John. Turns out they'd only gone down the beach to retrieve Dusty's tote bag and towel left there during the football game. They were already on the way back when John's group caught up to them. They apologized to Amanda for worrying her and went back to the blanket they'd been using earlier, Chuck sitting with his long legs stretched out in front of him and Dusty's head in his lap.
A few minutes later, John jumped up on a table whistling to get everyone's attention. "Okay, boys and girls, time to head home. Let's pack it all up." He gestured and Evan left Amanda to go to his side. "Lorne, supervise the clean-up and send a team back tomorrow in the daylight to check nothing was left behind. Don't want anyone to think we're a bunch of litter bugs."
And with those words, his CO finally managed to separate Evan from his date. "Yes, sir." He sighed. Pointing to a cluster of scientists who seemed uncertain what to do and where to go, he said, "Help pack up the leftover food and gather the trash. Mehra, Reed, Coughlin, Billig, Sherman and Garcia. Breakdown the changing tents and latrines…" The orders continued until the Jumpers were full again then the tired party-goers piled in and were whisked home.
A Week Later
The Stargate activated and moments later, Team Sheppard and Team Lorne trudged wearily into the Gate Room, all eight men and women looking as if they hadn't slept the entire three days they'd been gone. The medical team came forward to take charge of the injured. Thankfully the most serious injury was Rodney, who'd fallen down a slippery slope. He'd managed not to hit his head though he had wrenched his back.
"Put me down, Conan. I can walk, you know."
"You hurt your back." Ronon was carrying Rodney like a baby but did as he requested.
"Duh. And being carried actually makes it hurt worse, thank you very much." The physicist moaned as Jennifer and another doctor helped him onto a gurney, his voice fading as he was wheeled down the ramp and around the corner.
Every time Amanda started to help someone, another medic, nurse or doctor took over until the only person who hadn't been checked out was Evan. She gave him a droll smile. "So much for keeping it low-key."
"In that case…" He unzipped and removed his TAC vest, switching it and his P90 to his left hand so he could wrap the right around her shoulders, turning them to following the others toward the Infirmary.
She pushed away wrinkling her nose in revulsion. "What the hell have you been rolling in, a compost heap?" Even though he smelled as if he hadn't showered in days, which he probably hadn't, she wanted to be close to him, more so than he'd been willing to allow so far. On several occasion she'd made veiled suggestions that they spend the night together, but he'd yet to take her up on her offer and she understood why. He wanted them to know each other before taking that last step, the one that would bind them together for all time. Well, maybe not the last step, but close to it. She wasn't completely innocent, not by any means, but she'd made a solemn vow to herself some time ago that she would stay celibate until she finally found the one that made her feel complete.
Evan. He filled that need. And if she had her way, he'd fill another need soon as well.
The twinkle in his eyes meant he was about to be charming as he sniffed himself. "What? Oh, you mean my new aftershave. It's supposed to make women flock around you like bees to honey."
With a derisive snort, she entered the Infirmary and led him to an empty exam table. "Sorry to have to break it to you, but the only thing you'll be attracting is flies."
"Yeah, that's pretty much the response I've been getting. And to think I wasted a whole dollar and a half on the gallon bottle."
Amanda laughed and had him roll up his shirt sleeve so she could take a blood sample.
~~O~~
When Evan's post-mission physical was complete, he headed to the armory then to his room to shower and change before meeting Amanda for dinner.
All through the meal, he tried his best to pay attention to what she was saying, but it was difficult. None of them had slept on this mission in over twenty-four hours, expecting to be attacked at any moment. The all-clear had finally come through and they'd headed home. It was on the way to the Stargate that McKay had been injured.
Dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, Evan sat across from Amanda listening to her relate an incident that had occurred while he'd been gone.
"The difference between theory and practice in practice is greater than the difference between theory and practice in theory."
Evan blinked at her. She looked so serious he didn't want to tell her he hadn't understood a word she said. "Sorry. Say that again."
"What first appears to be a sloppy or meaningless use of words may well be a completely correct use of words to express sloppy or meaningless thinking."
Covering a yawn, he still hadn't understood. "What?"
"Evan, are you okay?"
"Fine. Go ahead with what you were saying. I'm listening."
The grin that had started when she thought he was kidding left, replaced by her me-doctor-you-patient expression. She took him by the hand, pulling him docilely after her out of the Mess hall. "That's it. I'm taking you to bed."
~~O~~
The door to Evan's room slid open when Amanda entered her override code still holding Evan's hand as he followed her like a recalcitrant five-year old. "But I don't wanna go to bed. (Yawn) We haven't seen each other for days."
"Too bad. It's bedtime, Major." Amanda urged him to sit on the side of the bed and he was so dog-tired he obeyed. She pulled his sneakers off then told him to stand. When he did, she began undoing the front of his pants and he finally balked.
"Hey!"
Rolling her eyes, she slipped her fingers inside his jeans and eased them down his hips. "I'm a doctor, Evan. What's more, I'm your doctor and I've seen it all on more than a few occasions. Sit." Amanda crouched in front of him, pulling first one leg then the other out of the light blue material and tossing them over the foot of the bed. He lay down as she pulled the covers up over him and kissed his forehead, his eyes drifting closed. "'Night." But he was already asleep. She let herself out and went down the hall to her own room.
~~O~~
John had been sitting there trying to ignore the conversation between Amanda and Evan for the last twenty minutes. Okay, so he was eavesdropping. Big deal. So sue me. He'd just taken a bite of his turkey and pepper jack on whole wheat when he heard Amanda say, "That's it. I'm taking you to bed."
He choked, spitting the mouthful of partially chewed food onto his tray. By the time he'd cleared his windpipe, Evan and Amanda had disappeared. No matter. He knew where they both lived.
Tossing his tray in the pass-through, he headed for crew quarters, knocking first on Amanda's door then on Evan's. Neither was answered. He huffed in frustration and just barely kept himself from using his override code to break in.
Striding quickly around the corner to his room, he powered up his networked computer and sent an email. That done, he sat back in his chair, rubbing his eyes and yawning. Weariness took hold of him as he toed off his shoes and lay down without bothering to change out of his khakis and black half-zip shirt. Between one breath and the next, he fell asleep.
~~O~~
He'd only been out of bed for a few minutes when a beep from his computer drew Evan's attention. The current time was 0718 and the last thing he remembered was being in the Mess Hall having dinner with Amanda. Scanning the room told him he was alone and likely had been all night.
The email flashed a high priority icon but it got his attention more for the subject line than anything else.
To: lorneeg SGC-Atlantis (dot) gov
From: sheppardjt SGC-Atlantis (dot) gov
Subject: Golf
Driving range - 1400 tomorrow.
Evan had never played golf in his life, didn't see the point in hitting a ball then following it. But there it was. An order to meet his CO at the driving range. He set himself a reminder and went about his day.
~~O~~
On the balcony overlooking the ocean, the one he called his driving range, John stood, driver in hand and Titleist DT Solo golf ball resting on the tee. He addressed the ball and swung, watching it fly out and hit the water with a plop. Without checking he knew it was almost 1400, the time Evan was scheduled to arrive.
Not having a sister, he'd never had to have this particular talk with someone and had no idea what to say. Here is where he was most relaxed, where he decompressed from a difficult mission, and that was essential to keep him from beating the crap out of someone if he thought it was necessary. At precisely 1400, he heard the door open and footsteps approach. They came to a stop just as John set another ball on the tee and adjusted his stance for the next swing.
"You wanted to see me, sir?"
John whacked the ball into the water. "Yes, Major." He reached for a bottle of water, took a drink and recapped it. "There's a rumor going 'round that you've been dating Amanda Cole."
TBC
A/N: "Surfer Girl" is the title of a song written and sung by Brian Wilson for The Beach Boys. It was released as a single and it then appeared on the 1963 album of the same name, Surfer Girl. The B-side of the single was "Little Deuce Coupe." The single was the first Beach Boys record to have Brian Wilson officially credited as the producer.