He found her again after dinner. He was going out onto the main balcony, a favorite hang-out, and saw she'd already beaten him to it. "Hey," he said. "Great view, huh?"
She glanced at him, then back at the horizon, shaking her head. "I can't imagine getting up to see this every day," she said. "It's like something out of a movie. And when the light hits it like this, the city looks like it's made of glass."
He smiled, leaning on the railing next to her. "Now you see why it's more than just a research base."
"So much more," she agreed emphatically. "I mean, it's like the city is alive. She changes and compensates for whatever is happening externally, and... it's like she responds to my touch willingly. I feel incredibly at home here."
"You must have been born with the gene, then," he surmised. "Most of the others got the gene therapy, but they don't seem to have this kind of connection like you do."
"Do you feel this way?" she asked.
He looked out at the skyline, over the endless ocean. "Yeah. And, you know, sometimes it's frustrating. Sometimes I can tell there's a problem without really knowing why, but I'm no genius. I don't know how to fix the city if something's wrong. McKay always knows what to do, but Atlantis doesn't always respond to him like he'd want, and I like to think he gets jealous of me sometimes."
She grinned. "I don't think he likes me very much."
"I don't think McKay likes anyone very much," he replied. "You'll get used to it. You won't like it, but you'll get used to it."
She nodded, but looked distracted. "You think I'll be good here?" she asked.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, there's a hell of a lot of stuff you guys do," she said. "And a lot of it has an effect on both our galaxies. I know you've read my file, Colonel. Do you think I'll be useful here?"
He frowned, feeling his gut twist slightly. "You're talking about the NI7 mission."
"It was one of the most important missions I've ever been on and it almost didn't turn out very well," she reminded him.
"I know, I read it. But from what I saw, you were pretty resourceful when it came down to it. I think you'll fit in just fine around here."
She swallowed and looked like she wanted to argue the point, but apparently decided against it. "Thanks, Colonel."
"No problem. You'd better rest up, our next mission is in the next couple days." He gave her a quick pat on the shoulder, then turned and left the balcony. She'd fit right in. Who among his team hadn't made some sort of mistake at some point on this expedition?
. . .
"Everything ready?" Sheppard asked, addressing his team as they prepared to go through the gate.
"Ready as I'll ever be, I suppose," Rodney said loudly, making sure everyone within earshot could tell he was unhappy with the day's activities.
Sheppard ignored him. "It's not a hard mission, guys. We'll go there, hopefully read the tablets, and come back with some new information. Good?"
Teyla and Ronon nodded, with an added, "Yes, sir," from Lieutenant Cooper. Sheppard felt this was sufficient acceptance, then saluted Elizabeth and stepped through the gate.
The others joined him on the world seconds later. For a moment, they looked around the area, keeping their hands on their weapons. Once it was determined that no danger was apparent, Teyla spoke up. "How much experience have you had with other languages, Lieutenant?"
"Um, more than most," she said vaguely as the team led her across the grassy plain. "I'm fluent in Latin and I can understand most cuneiform. I was one of those assisting Dr. Jackson when he was translating a form of Goa'uld. I've gone over as much of the Ancients' language as you've been able to provide and Elizabeth walked me through the differences between that and Wraith. If Ancient is the base language, I can probably figure this out."
"Oh, that's wonderful for you. So much credibility," Rodney said sarcastically.
"Rodney, be nice," Sheppard said warningly.
"The tablets are up ahead," Ronon announced. He gestured to a pile of tan rocks rising out of the grass, and as she got closer, Lieutenant Cooper realized they weren't rocks, but partially-crumbled panels. They were flat, but slightly angled, sort of like a DHD, and had their surfaces divided into different sections of strange writing. There were three panels in all, in a triangular formation.
She frowned, looking at the panels, then at the surrounding area.
"Something wrong?" Sheppard asked.
She shook her head. "No... I'm just wondering if these are hooked up to anything."
"I didn't get any energy readings last time, and I'm not getting any this time," Rodney said shortly.
"Maybe there's no power," Sheppard suggested. "Can you read any of that?"
She brushed her fingers along the symbols. "It'll take some time, but I think I recognize a few things already."
"Good. Then get started."