Jennifer slept poorly the next few nights. Taking a long shower one morning, she just barely was dressed and had minimal make up on when Laura arrived at her door with Todd in tow.
"Uh, hi, guys," she looked up, questioning why there were both there. "What's up?"
Laura laughed. "We're here to bring you to breakfast. Todd and I have a chat this morning. I mentioned you never eat, so we decided to come drag you to the mess."
Agreeing to go down, they walked together and eventually got their food. Sitting at a far table away, Jennifer hadn't noticed that Sheppard, Lorne, and Mitchell were eating already until they already picked a table. Following her gaze, Laura looked at her innocently. "Want to join them?"
Shaking her head, Jennifer sat down next to Laura with her back to the guys. Todd moved to sit across from them. Looking up, he noticed Mitchell's glare. Lorne didn't look to happy either.
"So," he said. "Although this is much more entertaining and you both are certainly far better looking than the guys I usually eat with, am I throwing my career out the window by sitting here? Because..." he stopped to chew, "I'm getting a death look from a colonel and there's a very unhappy major also looking like he's not too thrilled with at least one of us."
Laura began to turn around until Jennifer stopped her midway. "Stop," she hissed. "Can we just get through one meal without an incident?"
Todd grinned. "As messed up as this all is, I think I've got everyone's story straight. Actually, probably better than the both of you." He stabbed one of Jennifer's strawberries and popped it into his mouth. She didn't even notice. "Eat, doc. You have a mission in a few hours."
Jennifer groaned. "Don't remind me," she pushed her tray forward and put her head down. Moaning, she closed her eyes. "When did everything get so complicated?"
"Hey," Laura stomped on her foot. "Head up. And he's right. Eat. You know I'm on the secondary team that's going with you guys today. And that's all I need is for you to go and pass out on us."
Standing up, Todd grabbed his tray. "Well, ladies. Good luck. And if I get assaulted at the door while trying to leave, please let my mom and dad know I died with dignity." Warily eying Mitchell's table, he decided that it was safe enough to send them a wave.
"Seriously, did he just wave?" Mitchell growled. "The guy has always bugged me. I just noticed that now."
Snorting with laughter, John leaned back. "I'm sure it had nothing to do with him going on a date with your doctor."
"She is not," he hissed, "my doctor. And anyways, she's not interested in him. I went and talked with her last night."
"She told you that?" John asked.
Frowning, Mitchell shook his head. "No, but I could tell."
"Well, again, at least he didn't walk her back to her room. Now that would have drove me crazy all night in your position."
Thinking back, Cameron clenched his hand. "No, but he came back. And then I left."
He moved to stand up quickly. Both Lorne and Sheppard stood and pushed him back down. "Look," Sheppard said. "This has got to stop. Before you go on your mission today, you need to sort all of this out with her. And that's an order. I do outrank you here, Cam. Head of military and all. And by my infinite wisdom of women."
Lorne was taking a sip of water and almost spit it out. "Sure. Right. Infinite."
"Jennifer," Cam called over to her as they made their way down the stairs before reaching the gate. "Can we talk?" He noticed Sheppard a few feet away watching them.
"Now what? Am I dressed OK today, colonel? Or are these pants too "snug?" she asked snidely.
Knowing Sheppard could hear but everyone else was pretty out of ear shot, he pulled her a little farther away.
She continued. "Do you want me to forgot how you barged into my room last night, shouting about clothes, embarrassing me in front of Todd. You were out of control!"
Mitchell began to defend himself when Sheppard himself blocked him from walking closer to her. "What," he bit out, "exactly is she talking about, colonel?"
Realizing she may have blown things a little out of proportion, Keller swatted his arm away. "Relax, John, that didn't come out right."
"Oh, you're allowed verbal mess ups, but I'm not?" Cameron, lowering his voice, called out.
"Hey," Sheppard said, pushing him back. He noticed a few marines looking over at the exchange with curiosity. Lowering his voice as well, he murmured to them both. "Mitchell, I don't think I made myself clear. What," he said slowly, "happened last nigh?."
"Nothing," Keller said. "He just came to my room, we fought, he helped me take off a shoe, and then Todd arrived. End of story. And stop trying to play big brother, John."
"He took off your shoe?" Rolling his eyes, he shook his head. What in the name of every Ancient Atlantian did he do to deserve this? Satisfied that he wasn't going to be forced to order a court marshal, he backed away. "Fine. If that's all there was, then please. Continue. In fact, take your time. There's only about 40 of us who are waiting on you."
"OK, I was out of line last night. I'm sorry," he said sincerely. "I have a knack for not choosing my words right around you."
She looked away. "You think?" Knowing full well Sheppard was stalling the mission for them, she met Cameron's gaze. "I don't know what it is about us, but we just don't get along lately. But I'm willing.." she continued "and wanting to just start over. It's going to effect our mission and we can't risk the safety of anyone on the team because we can't get along."
"OK, then. I promise to stay out of your business. And you... " searching for the right words.
Sheppard walked forward. "Will not be so sensitive and female. Right, doc?" He smiled. "See, it just sounds better coming from me and not him? Cam, you can thank me later. Now, children. Kiss and make up," laughing when both of them looked over at him, shocked. "Kidding, kidding. Jeez. So serious. I meant, shake on it."
They both paused and then held out their hands. Taking her small hand in his, Cameron felt a jolt of electricity run through his body. Jennifer quickly looked away, so he couldn't tell if the feeling was mutual. They walked together towards the gate, noticing that Ronon, Daniel, as well as Lorne's team were waiting for them.
"Hey," Laura said, running from the side. "Was everyone waiting on me? I forgot a few things that go "boom" in case your luck doesn't hold out."
Jennifer glared at her and stepped through the gate.
The team made their way across a field. The sun was out full and strong. Laura stretched her arms, drinking in the rays.
"Could you imagine if we had a few drinks and some sand? Not to mention a few hunky pool boys. It would be so much more fun than escorting your pretty butt to the village to learn some new medicine from the boring doctor here."
Jennifer laughed. "He's not boring. I talked with him through the radio before another team returned from this world. He seemed eager to meet us."
Everyone, mostly except Mitchell and Lorne, who always were prepared for the worst, were pretty relaxed. The girls trailed behind the guys, laughing at their fantasies of being anywhere but here.
Ronon stopped. "Mitchell. I just saw-'"
Cameron was already turning, trying to both see what Ronon saw and backing up to shield Jennifer. Two separate weapons fired onto Jennifer and Laura, sending them crumbling to the ground. Ronon began firing. Cameron yelled for Daniel to get back to the gate and request back up. He began running, surprised no one was firing at him as he retreated. Ronon set off running after something he saw. The shooting stopped shortly afterward. Figuring Ronon got to them, Lorne and Cameron raced back to the girls.
Lorne felt for Laura's pulse. Sighing in relieve, he layed her back down. "Just stunned. How about Jen?"
Cameron nodded, his heart racing, cradling Jennifer's head in his lap. "Same. Why would they take down the girls and not us? Wouldn't you think they would take out the threat first?"
Suddenly, they heard the ring of weapons being charged. Out of nowhere, they were surrounded by a group of men, all pointing their guns at the two men. Lorne and Cameron both got up slowly and raised their hands.
"Step away from the women," one man, stepping forward, said. "We have no quarrel with you. These women are dressed as if they are unclaimed. We will be taking them back. You," he continued. "Will be free to go. We have already sent your big friend as well as the man who initially ran away back through the gate."
Two men stepped forward, picked up the girls, and hoisted them each up to a man on a horse to hold. Cameron felt he was back on the planet that resembled Camelot.
"What gives you the right to take them?" Cameron snapped.
Looking at the hands of the women, the man dressed most regally stared down at him. "They have no ring ornaments. Our people are grossly outnumbered. There are more men than women in our village, so we seek out women to bring back. They will make fine editions to our people."
Two men stepped forward, pointing their guns at the men. "We will escort you back to the gate where you will return with the others."
Having no other choice, Evan and Cameron turned and began walking while Laura and Jennifer were taken away.
Lorne and Mitchell kept walking until they didn't hear the galloping horses anymore. Cameron muttered to Lorne. "On three." Indicating with his hand, hidden from view from the men, he held up one finger, then two, then three. Both turned simultaneously, surprising the men, and quickly overcame them.
"OK. Now. Wait for back up or go get the girls?" Cameron asked. Knowing full well Lorne's answer, he picked up the men's weapons and threw him one. "Don't think I need to ask twice about that."
Jennifer woke up on a hard floor only to hear something ripping. She turned, and saw Laura on the floor next to her ripping something off her leg. It was flesh colored tape. Explosives.
"Cadman," she said, holding her head. "What happened? And what do you think you're doing?"
Laura didn't answer. She shushed her friend and began working. Soon, she hoped, she would have a way out of there. "Currently working on Plan A."
But there was another looming problem.
"Hey," Jen called out. "Why did they shackle my foot and not yours?"
Laura shrugged. "They probably thought I wouldn't escape without you. Fat chance of that happening, girlfriend," she joked, trying to not panic Jen. She went to the doors and began lining them up with explosives. Hearing a noise, she backed away and sat next to Jen.
The doors opened and both Cameron and Evan were shoved in. A priest followed behind them, pausing to speak with the guards.
Cameron walked over to the ladies. "Everyone OK?"
"Yes, just great, colonel. I love being locked up in a prison after being stunned in the middle of a freaking beautiful day. Totally ruined my pool boy fantasy I had going on," Laura muttered. "Sir."
Jennifer just nodded. He noticed her foot and bent down to see if he could somewhere get her out of it.
The priest entered the room.
"Well, we have a problem. It seems the men who were escorting you didn't want to give you both up so easily," he began.
"Gee, thanks, sirs. Nice to know we're wanted," Laura joked.
The priest looked up, surprised she would speak out that way. His eyes narrowed at her. "As I was saying, what claim do these men have on you?"
Laura sputtered. "Claim?"
Evan yanked her back, covering her mouth. "She's mine. A little fiesty, but that's how I like him."
Jennifer would have laughed at her friend's face if she wasn't so scared.
The priest looked confused. "Where is her wedding band?"
Evan looked calmly ahead. "Stolen. Just a few days ago. I'm working on getting a new one made."
"Let me see," the priest said. "If you can prove it, you both will be let go. No punishment. "
"Prove it?" Laura remarked. "How can we prove it? Are you seriously for real? What kind of quack-"
Lorne again covered her mouth, earning an approving look from the priest. "She has a small drawing on her skin. Our people call them tattoos. On her right ankle." He bent to show the man, tugging down her sock and raising her pant leg. "And a birth mark," he said, unbuttoning her shirt, almost giving Laura a heart attack. He pulled the material over her shoulder and revealed a small birth mark over her right shoulder. "Only a husband would know of this." Evan made no room left in his voice of doubt.
Buttoning up her shirt, Laura clamped her mouth shut. How in the world did he know all that?
"Very well," the priest said. "I will converse with the others on this matter. You, however, will probably want to tell me that her ring was stolen as well?"
Cameron shook his head, thinking on his feet. "No, not stolen. Just haven't been bought yet." Figuring he wasn't going to get away as well as Evan did, he nodded to Jennifer. "She's my betrothed."
Jennifer closed her eyes. This, she thought, was getting better and better.
"Is this true, young lady?" The priest asked.
She nodded, avoiding the priests eyes.
"Well, at least this one is more well behaved," the priest remarked. "I will return shortly. But know this," he warned. "If you are lying, there punishment is death. I trust you understand this."
The gate closed behind him. They waited until he was gone.
Cameron glanced at Lorne. "What do you think? Did he buy it?"
Laura snorted. "I sure as well didn't. Let's work on plan B. Here," she said, dropping a metal tool into Cam's lap. "Work on her chains."
"Where did you get this?" Cam asked, surprised.
Lorne muttered, "she tapes things to her body and gets it by anyone who checks. It's saved us more than once."
Cameron frantically began working on getting Jennifer loose. He could tell she was getting a little panicky. "Hey, so how's your day going?"
Looking at him incredulously, she leaned back on the wall. "Just swell, Cameron."
He grinned. "Hey, first names again. So can I call you Jenny Bean like Cadman does?"
"Absolutely not," Jennifer said, feeling herself relax a little. "So do you think this will work?"
He didn't. But he thought at least if Cadman and Lorne could get away, they would stand a better chance. "We'll see. If not, I'm not leaving you. Don't worry."
She shook her head. "Cam, if she blows the doors open, there's no point to staying here with me if you can get away."
He was silent. Looking down at his progress and seeing Lorne's gaze on him, he looked at Cadman. "You're set?"
She nodded.
Cameron sat down. "OK, plan C. Get yourselves both out of here. Keep on the radios. I don't think they've picked up on those yet. I have a feeling the priest believed us. Then figure out a way to get us the heck out of here if he doesn't end up letting us go."
Laura nodded, rushing over to hug Jen. "Sorry, girl. But we'll be back. And you're in good hands."
Jennifer nodded, wanting to cry. Cameron sat next to her, covering her body while Lorne did the same with Laura. Within seconds, the explosives sounded and they raced through the doors.