Chapter 12 - Unresolved issues
Atlantis, infirmary, one week later,
Beckett had not been happy with Buffy's escape from his infirmary, but since Buffy refused to go back saying she was fine he had ordered her to bed rest and grounded her from any off world missions. Which she agreed to, for now at least.
Bored out of her mind Buffy sat in the infirmary being checked over by Beckett for the hopefully last time. Beckett had walked off checking on some of her test results. Buffy had stood up and walked over to the witches' body that was laying under a white sheet. Buffy knew Dr. Carson Beckett had been trying to determine what exactly killed the woman, in hope to learn more about the entity should they encounter one like it again.
"We still haven't learned much about what killed her. It looks like an overcharge of electricity, like if she was hit by lighting." Carson told Buffy as he saw her standing over the woman's lifeless body.
"There is nothing more to learn from her remains. We should dispose of them." Buffy told him.
"What about if we encounter another entity like before? Learning as much as we can from her body will help us be prepared." Beckett told her.
"We won't encounter one. I think it was from another reality or dimension…" Buffy said trailing off.
"Is that where you sent it?" Carson asked carefully.
"I think so, I mean Dawn told you guys that I did so it is probably back home." Buffy replied.
Carson was silent for a moment then said "I'll make arrangements to bury the body on the main land."
Buffy tore her eyes off the body and at him "The main land…" Buffy said slowly "where the military drove all the Athosians to when they suspected someone to be working with the Wraith." She told him.
"The Athosians chose to go there." Carson told her.
"It's not like they were given a reason to stay here." Buffy informed him.
"I know, I hold no love for the military but how could we know for sure none of them were working with the Wraith." Carson told her.
"Teyla told us, she gave us her word. I would have trusted that, she seems honorable." Buffy replied.
"Still, there was no way for us to be sure." Beckett told her.
"So your solution was to kick the Athosians out, after everything they have done for us and we did to them." Buffy told him, her voice holding a hint of anger as she remembered her friends and sister kicking her out after their encounter with Caleb.
"We helped them…" Carson started to say but Buffy interrupted them.
"If we hadn't come to them then Major Sheppard would not have found Teyla's necklace and activated it by touching it thus calling the Wraith." She told him angrily then frowned "Thus? I have hanged out with Giles too much" she muttered softly.
"We didn't know that would happen." A new voice said Buffy had already identified presence and person the moment she had walked into the infirmary.
"With all due respect Dr. Weir, with my track record I should have known. I mean I do remember warning the major about Teyla's necklace. My spidy senses told me not to touch it. Had I acted on them and just destroyed the thing the Athosians might not have been attacked by the Wraith and people now dead would still be alive." Buffy told her.
"You know that what happened was meant to happen. You were told so by your dream with Kendra." Dr. Weir told her calmly.
"Maybe, but I still think what we did was wrong. We shouldn't have jumped to conclusions and suspect any Athosian of being a traitor. Once we can't trust the people around us is when we create a rift between us and them. That rift is there now. Even between you and Teyla there is one, although she is to good of a person to let it ruin her relationship between her and our people. She sees the bigger picture, but it will be a long time before she can forgive you, if ever." Buffy told her.
"Is this about Teyla or about you?" Dr. Weir asked her.
"Teyla, I just understand what she went through." Buffy answered.
"Because you were betrayed by your friends?" Weir asked her remembering Dawn's words about Buffy being judged when making a mistake.
Buffy looked at the woman then said "Dawn, of course." Then she paused as she contemplated on telling them about it or not.
"Hey Doc, what's the verdict?" Sheppard asked as he came in to the infirmary.
"It had better be good news." Buffy threatened Beckett "I have been poked and prodded all week and I feel fine, even the scar of the wound is already starting to fade. Perks of slayer healing."
"Well, it still astounds me how fast you heal Buffy. I have been trying to discover an alternative reason for it then you telling me it's part of the slayer package. I haven't found anything yet, but you are from now on cleared for off world missions again." Carson told her.
"How does that work anyways? Do you feel the demon's essence in you?" Sheppard asked.
Buffy looked at him "I'm not evil, I have darkness inside me but even if I let it loose and let the slayer inside me take complete control over me it will only kill threats to me. I haven't killed anyone human intentionally so you don't have to worry about me, just about the Wraith should we encounter some." She informed him as she took him by the arm and led him out of the infirmary with her.
"Right" Sheppard said as he led himself be escorted out of the infirmary.
"You think her friends betrayed her?" Carson asked Weir when Buffy and Sheppard had left.
"I do, I just hop she will let us in enough to prove to her that we won't do the same to her." Weir replied.
Carson looked at the door Buffy had left through with Sheppard and then back at Weir "I hope so too, she is a lovely young woman who obviously has been through a lot." He told her.
"It's in her eyes." Weir replied then added "So old and full of pain. I have only seen that in a couple of people. Most are old veterans who have been in a war. To think and know all of what she's been trough. To think that she's the reason Earth is still there and not being overrun by demons…"
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Atlantis,
"Teyla told me you were training with her." John told her once Buffy had led his arm go and they were walking next to each other somewhere.
"Yeah, I've been teaching her martial arts from Earth and she is teaching me her people's fighting style" Buffy replied then added "she wasn't supposed to tell anyone though. I didn't want Beckett finding out and confining me to my room or something. So since I know Teyla a bit I know she didn't tell you so how did you find out about it?"
Sheppard looked at her smiling surprised before saying "Ok so she didn't tell me but I saw her leave the training room with you covert in sweat and figured you two had been training."
Buffy stopped and looked at him "I though I felt someone watching us yesterday. Huh." She said to him before walking again. "So why did you want to know I've been training with Teyla?" she asked casually.
"Well as you have no doubt noticed my fighting skills hand to hand are…" Sheppard started to say but Buffy cut in.
"Poor? Crappy?" she supplied smirking.
"I was going to say rusty but sure compared to you my hand to hand fighting skills are…not that good." Sheppard told her.
"Oh well, don't feel bad about it. I'm a slayer and have been trained and fighting hand to hand since I was 15." She told him.
"I don't feel bad about it" Sheppard told her "I just…" he started saying and stopped walking.
Buffy stopped walking as well and looked at him curiously "You just…?" she supplied.
"I was hoping you'd train me too." Sheppard told her seriously.
Buffy thought for a moment then said "Only if you teach me how to fly those puddlejumper space ships."
"Deal" John said studying her as he saw her face light up he felt a smile form on his face.
Buffy smiled "ok, I'll see you in the training room in an hour. We'll see what you've got." She told him before walking off to her quarters.
John watched her go, his eyes darting to Buffy's ass. He then mumbled to himself "what have you gotten yourself into now John." 'Liking a vampire slayer who could easily kick his ass and also happens to be Colonel O'Neill's daughter. I really need to learn how to prioritize' John thought to himself.
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Atlantis, training room,
As Buffy walked in she realized she was early, something that rarely happened…'maybe John is just late.' She thought to herself. Part of her felt excited that she was going to train John but she quickly pushed that part of her back.
Buffy took off her jacket and tossed it aside deciding to relax and focus herself with some Tai Chi while she waited for John. As she started moving slowly and graciously she became less aware of her surrounding and more focused on her moves. Soon thoughts of John had left her mind as she graciously and slowly moved her body in the way Angel had taught her so long ago.
John was late, he had come across McKay and Weir on his way to the training room and was held up by them. As he walked into the training room he froze as he saw Buffy in a white shirt and a pair of training trousers move graciously doing something he had once seen on TV. Intrigued by it and since she didn't seem to have noticed him, or maybe she was ignoring him. Anyways he stayed silent and watched the blond woman move.
Buffy turned and saw John standing there in a black sleeveless shirt and a pair of military issued pants. She swallowed as her throat went dry and looking in his eyes she could see the desire he held for her as she was sure he could see her desire for him. At that thought she recomposed herself and walked over to him.
"Hi, I didn't hear you come in." she told him like nothing happened just then.
John blinked, he was sure he saw something in her eyes a moment ago. He quickly recomposed himself as well and tossed his jacket that he was holding aside by hers before looking at her again "Well you looked…" he swallowed forcing the memory away "busy" he finished "I didn't want to interrupt." He added.
Buffy looked at him, amusement flashed in her eyes before she covered it up with her training mask. "Right. Well, let's get started. First off you have to remember the first rule of slaying. Don't die." She told him.
"Didn't you break that rule three times?" John asked her.
"Yeah well unless you have a friend who can revive you with CPR after being drowned, a powerful Wicca who can use her magic to rip you out of heaven and revive you into your body that is in your coffin buried under ground or have a full team of doctors working on you when you were shot and flat lined I wouldn't break that rule." She told him then frowned why did she tell him about Heaven and her coffin. Shrugging it off she continued "now, show me what you've got so I can see what I have to work with." She told him seeing his expression she added "Don't worry about hitting me or hurting me, cause you won't."
It wasn't long before Buffy had seen enough and moved fast sweeping his feet out from under him causing him to fall unto the ground hard and she pinned him to the floor by holding each of his arms down with her own and using her legs to hold his legs down.
Unable to move John gave up struggling and looked at the blond beauty holding him down.
Buffy smiled down on him until she saw something in his eyes that made her want to jump him right then and there. She quickly got off him refusing to give into those urges because the knowledge of where that could lead with her and possibly him hurt. She and relationships were not two things that meshed. She had accepted that after finding out her last boyfriend was a Goa'uld in disguise who wanted to father a child with her and take of the world in a really bad way.
John got up again confused by her actions "Is it just me or is there something between us?" the question was out of his mouth before he had the control to stop it.
Buffy looked at him "I can't be that way with you…or anyone for that matter. I refuse to put myself or anyone else through that again." She told him then changed the subject as that was the end of it "you rely too much on your strength when you fight, you must learn to rely more on speed and agility. Strength can be important but since you are not stronger then a Wraith it is something that comes second. Being able to move fast allows you to kill your opponent faster. Of course a Wraith is also faster then you are by nature, but they have become arrogant to think no human would stand up against them and fight they will most likely underestimate you. This is usually your best weapon. When you are in a space with an Wraith or vamp or something else that's evil you have to be aware of everything in it. You must know that when you roll away from your opponent that next to you is tree where you can break off a branch and use as a weapon, or dirt on the ground you can use to blind your opponent. Cheating and fighting dirty is not something to be ashamed about using in a fight." She paused letting this information sink in before she started showing him some moves and letting him try them.
John was, although disappointed focused on the advice and training she was giving him.
After their session he asked "So what were you doing before when I walked in?"
Buffy looked at him surprised "That? That was Tai Chi." Her mind went back to Angel teaching her and then to seeing him turning to dust in the LA battle.
"Tai Chi…I heard about that. Something to do with focusing your mind, right?" he asked.
"Yeah, it relaxes you and allows you to put your worries aside and put your mind and body in focus." Buffy explained to him.
"You'll have to teach me someday." Sheppard told her as his eyes locked unto hers before he snapped himself out of his thoughts and he went to collect his jacket. He then turned back to her "Thanks for the training." He said as he walked closer to her and stopped when they were face to face "I guess I'll see you around." He added.
Buffy looked at him trying to stay strong as she felt her resolve break when her hazel green eyes again locked with his dark blue ones. As turned from her to collect his jacket she let out a breath, inwardly scolding herself for acting like a teenager unable to control her hormones. But when he turned to her again stopping in front of her saying he'd her around and then looking at her again before turning towards the door. Her hand was on his arms before she knew it, preventing him from leaving.
Surprised John turned to her his eyes showing surprise and questions in them that were soon forgotten as Buffy pulled his head down by grabbing his shirt with her free hand. Their lips met, hungrily and Buffy moaned as John put and arm around her waist pulling her closer to him. The hand previously on his arms was now at the back of his head going through his hair.
Buffy pulled away when oxygen became an issue out of breath she whispered "This doesn't mean we're dating." Their lips met again, briefly this time as Buffy pulled away again "we're just getting this out of our way so it doesn't become an issue." He pulled her to him again and moaned after she pulled away and began kissing, sucking and nibbling on his neck and working her way to his collarbone. She pulled away again "This is a one time thing." She reminded him but he didn't seem to hear or care at the moment as he captured her lips again and started tugging on her shirt to get the garment out of the way.
When her shirt was off he gazed appreciatory at the sight before him before using his mouth the explore this new territory.
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Atlantis, training room, 2 hours later,
"God that was…" Buffy started saying but found it difficult to describe.
John looked at her down in her arms "Amazing" he finished.
Buffy grinned at him but then her mind seemed to click back on and said looked at her self then back at him "It was mind-blowing good." She said smiling sadly at him "but it is also over. We got it out of our system, now we can to focus on the job before us without being distracted." She told him her mind going briefly to Spike and wondered if she was doing the same to John as she did back then…she pushed the past and those memories back in the box she kept them in and focused back at John "you do understand, don't you?" she asked.
"Whoever hurt you before is an idiot." John told her.
"He's dead…I think all my exes are. Well Riley isn't but he's married now. And Scott was rebound guy like Parker, both not really a boyfriend." She told him.
"You want to tell me about them?" John asked.
"Not much to tell." Buffy lied.
"It started with my first love. Angel, vampire cursed with a soul. There was a happiness curse in the curse. He lost his soul on my seventeenth birthday. Killed people. Willow recursed him with a soul after he awoke a demon called Acathla who would suck the world into hell, literally. Only way to save the world was to kill Angel, soul or not. So I said goodbye and sent him to hell to save the world. I started seeing Scott after a few months. Then he came back, time moves different in the hell dimension he had been in so he had been there for hundreds of years. He was a monster. I helped him find himself again, Scott dumped me. After a while he and I started dating again. I kept him at distance because I knew what could happen this time. He left town wanting a normal life for me. Like that was ever gonna happen. I slept with Parker, who I after that found out only wanted me for sex. I hit him with a club later when I went cave girl cause of poisoned beer. Then there was Riley, I was still too damaged from Angel, I couldn't love and need him the way he wanted me to, so he left town as well. Then I died, went to heaven, came back and started having sex with Spike, a soulless vampire who believed to be in love with me. I broke it off when Riley came back and caught us. He was married by then. After a while Spike tried to rape me, he failed and went to get himself a soul. He got one and came back. I wasn't ready for a relationship anymore. Angel came back too, also wanted a relationship. I wasn't ready. Saved the world, told Spike I loved him, he didn't believe me and then he died, I traveled. Settled in Rome. Met the Immortal, started dating. I liked him, turned out he was a Goa'uld in disguise and wanted to father a baby with me to help him take over the world. Willow and I killed him. Then went to LA where I saw Spike and Angel both die and my sister ascended." Buffy looked at him, no she wouldn't tell him all of that. It could only end badly, everything else in her life had. Everyone left her eventually. Angel, Spike, Riley, Dawn, Hank, Joyce, Willow, Xander, Giles, the immortal, Faith, Cordelia and even Wesley once. Well there was one exception, her father hadn't left her. Not by choice though…maybe it was a matter of time. She thought darkly. After all Jack did have Carter now, maybe they'd have a new baby, then there would be no more need for her…no she wouldn't think like that. They wouldn't leave her. Sam Carter had become a friend and her father would never abandon her by choice.
"Buffy?" John's voice pulled her out of her thoughts.
Buffy's mind was set, despite the exception of her father she would not let him get too close to her, this was a one time thing. "I'll see you later on the mission." She told him as she finished getting dressed and left after one last glance at the Major, leaving a puzzled and disappointed Major behind.
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Off world, next day,
Buffy emerged from the event horizon first, Major Sheppard second, then Teyla, McKay and eventually Ford.
"Are you sure we're off world. This looks just like Earth, the trees, the grass…oh well expect the screaming man coming at us. I'm thinking Wraith attack." She told the other before she sprinted towards the sound.
"What screaming ma…never mind." McKay said as he too could now hear the screams of a man coming closer.
"Buffy! Damn! I am going to make her copy the rules and regulations of this situation my hand, 500 times." Sheppard complained as he ran after her, followed by the others.
Buffy quickly came upon the man who ran at her screaming for her to run. Buffy rolled her eyes then spotted 2 Wraith following the man. Smirking at finally some action she sprinted at them and kicked on Wraith hard in the chest sending it flying backwards against a tree.
"Sorry to drop in boys…wait I'm not." She said before punching the other Wraith hard and ripped the stun gun from his hands using it to hit the Wraith so hard he stumbled away from her and then shot the other still stunned Wraith she had kicked against a tree. She then used the gun to hit the other Wraith again before tossing it towards Teyla who was just coming into view.
Teyla caught the stun gun coming towards her and aimed it at the Wraith, then paused and lowered it.
Sheppard and Ford were coming up as well and saw her lower the stun gun "What are you doing Teyla, shoot it." Ford told her.
"I do not believe Buffy want me to." Teyla said indicating the battle.
Ford, who had not seen Buffy fight before, jaw dropped as well as McKay's jaw as they saw the tiny blond beat the living hell out of the Wraith. Ford almost felt sorry for the Wraith…almost.
Buffy was having fun, finally all her frustration since the shadow entity came out as she continued to beat the Wraith she had enough and knew she should probably go to the village where more Wraith had to be. She quickly snapped his neck and let the body fall dead before her feet. Ignoring it she turned to Sheppard and the others.
"Teyla, you, Ford and McKay should take that one back to Atlantis base. We should question it to see if we can learn more about the Wraith, their technology and their weaknesses. Sheppard, you're with me."
"This is the Major's team he gives the orders." Ford told her.
"Do as she says." Sheppard told him "It's a good plan. And we'll be alright."
"But sir-" Ford started to say.
"That is an order lieutenant." He told him.
Buffy watched them go then turned to Sheppard "Sorry, didn't mean to interfere with the chain of command. I'm just used to being in charge and doing things my way I guess." She told him.
Sheppard gave her a charming smile "Don't worry about it. Now let's go kill some Wraith."
Buffy studied him regret of her earlier decision going through her but was quickly pushed away as she readied herself to be the slayer, once again.
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Atlantis, gate room,
"unscheduled off world activation" Peter announced, "Receiving Ltd. Ford's IDC." He added.
"Lower the shield." Weir told him.
"Lieutenant? What happened? What's that doing here? Where is Major Sheppard and Buffy?" she asked.
"There were Wraith on the planet, Major Sheppard and Buffy ordered us to go while they took care of the rest. This one is alive but unconscious by one of their own stunners, Buffy told us to bring it here for study and interrogation." Ford explained.
"Are they crazy?! They can't take care of that many Wraith." Peter said.
"Well we didn't get the count of how many Wraith there were but I'd say Buffy can handle them." McKay told him.
"Are you delusional McKay she 5ft tall and a girl! What can she do against a Wraith?" he asked.
"Buffy Summers is a most skilled warrior who just took out two Wraith. I'd say she can handle herself." Teyla told him.
Peter looked at Weir for support who just shrugged "She is right, don't worry about Buffy. She can handle herself. I can't tell you why, that information is classified." She said looking at McKay and Ford as she said classified.
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Off world, village,
"I'm counting 21 Wraith." Sheppard told her.
"There are 23." Buffy told him. "Slayer senses." She told him as explanation. "You've got a plan?" Buffy asked him.
"Other then nuke the village?" he said smirking.
Buffy smiled "Other then that." She told him.
"Don't you have one?" Sheppard asked.
"I usually make on up as I go along. I'm trying to work together here instead of taking charge." She told him.
"I like it when you take charge." The words were out of his mouth again before he could stop them.
Buffy looked at him feeling her own arousal at those words but as much as she tried couldn't force her blush down or help herself from saying "I like it when you charge too." She groaned "Please tell me I did not just say that out loud?"
John gave her a smirk before changing the subject and he started explaining his plan to her, which they then together perfected.
Next chapter the plan in action, the other scoobies, SG-1 and SGA-1 meeting the Genii, which is something not going to go according to the eppie but my own way :D
Review please.