AN-Another update for this one. Updates will be a little slowly due to NaNo taking place, but will be updated at some point. Enjoy, and as always please review if you can.
You didn't think that was just lemonade in your glass did you?
Sitting around the campfire was a different experience for Elizabeth. At this time of the evening, she was normally still sat at her desk rubbing her eyes and looking at the clock to see if there still time for one more report. They hadn't expected to end up staying overnight when they arrived on the planet, but things seemed to transpire against them all day to stop them leaving. First the weather was an issue, storms had hit the planet just after they gated in knocking the power out to the DHD. Rodney and said he could fix it when he wasn't swimming in rain and mud. Tracking to the small village was a nightmare due to the rain and wind as well as the fact the path was no more than a dirt track.
The journey took three times longer than it should have and they were all wet, cold and muddy when they arrived to find the place near deserted. The only people left were packing up to head to higher ground and the surrounding mountains. There were apparent cave systems that the people used in bad weather to shield themselves. The villagers offered them a few supplies and rations to see them through for a few days, plus offered to escort them up to the cave system so they could wait the storm out.
When John, Elizabeth, Rodney and Ronon had stocked up their pockets with rations and grabbed a few extra supplies that had been bundled up to carry, they followed the remaining people out the village and up in the mountains. The walk was slow going and outright disgusting as Rodney pointed out on several occasions. Ronan looked ready to shoot him if he complained again, but after John pointed out he was there only way to get home he backed off. They walked in near silence for the remainder of the trek, John taking his place beside Elizabeth as this was so not her thing.
When they finally arrived at the caves they were all pleased to be out the rain. The cave system was very extensive and after searching around the group found a nice little cave that had somehow been separated into two small alcoves side by side. There was an open area in front of them that they could use to make a fire if they found anything to burn, but also a place to lay wet clothing out to help dry it off. After dropping all their gear together, John set about sorting out what they had and what they needed. Taking all the food and water supplies, he separated them out from the thermal blankets that they each and in their packs. Since none of them had been expecting stay out John was surprised to find a watertight bag in one of the packed with what looked like underwear and socks in. John was about to open the bag when it was snatched from his hands and thrown into one of the alcoves. John looked up to see Elizabeth turning a lovely shade of red as she blushed at have her secret underwear stash discovered.
"You're telling me there is no stay of dry clothes in your pack Colonel." Trying to make it so matter of fact she carried spares.
John just shrugged as he knew he had packed a dry t-shirt, boxers and socks. His plan being just for the basics. When their packers were empty John unwrapped the bundle they had picked up from the village. Inside was some drink of some kind, wood and kindling and some more blankets. Finally, they could make a fire and start to warm up.
"Let's split up here, boys take this side, Elizabeth take that side." Pointing to the alcoves behind him. "Let's get as much wet kit of as we can and see about getting it out and dried. I will change and start a fire, then we can see about food. Elizabeth, you want me to take watch while change? These caves aren't in the slightest bit private." Looking around at how open the place was.
The thought of getting changed had crossed Elizabeth's mind. She was not one of the boys and did have some sense of modesty. She was not going to ask for help and would have managed somehow, but John had offered so she would not say no.
"Thank you, colonel, that would be good." Turning to walk to the alcove where the small plastic bag had landed.
She was in the middle of peeling her jacket off when she heard John clear his throat.
"Elizabeth, do you have anything but underwear and socks in that bag? If not you're going to need something to cover up with after you change." Bending down to pick up a couple of the wool blankets that were in the pack from the village.
Taking the blankets she gave John a smile as she turned her back to him and started to peel off her wet clothing. Dropping it on the floor as she instantly felt the cold air hit her body when the wet material was removed. She hoped when there was a fire going it would warm up a little as she was freezing, more so now she was nearly naked. Retrieving the dry underwear she removed her wet bra and pulled on her clean one, glad she was turned with her back to John so he couldn't see the effect the cold was having on certain parts of her body. Socks and panties were off next and replaced with dry ones. She was very pleased that for some reason she had packed one of her knee length pairs of socks, less skin on show to get cold she supposed.
Dropping the wet underwear in the bag she picked up one of the blankets and wrapped it around her body as best as she could. She was going to freeze, she just knew it. Why hadn't she packed a clean t-shirt as well? Never mind it was too late now. When she was was covered as best as she could she turned back to see John still stood with his back to her.
"All done, please tell me it's going to get warmer in here or wet clothes will be the least of our problems." Waking up to where John still stood in his wet clothes.
"Soon as I get changed I will see about a fire unless you can make a start and build something." Looking between the pile of wood and kindling and Elizabeth.
"Can't hurt to try it I suppose." Tucking the blankets in so they didn't drop away as she bent down to gather together some wood.
She had a nice little fire going when John and Rodney came and sat either side of her. They were both wrapped in blankets and neither had any footwear on, both sporting bare feet. At least she had warm toes if not much else. Ronan appeared a few minutes later and sat opposite them bare-chested with a blanket around his waist. Elizabeth just looked at him in shock, if she was freezing she dreaded to think how he felt. John noticed her looking Ronan up and down and decided to put her out her misery.
"No he's not cold apparently, I already asked. No idea how when it's not that warm in here, even with a fire going. Let's hope the temperature doesn't drop too low at night time. Maybe we should see about food and hot drinks, may warm us up a little bit." John suggested to the group as a whole.
Rodney jumped at the idea and dove into the pile of rations, pulling out power bars and water. Looking around at the group he saw none of them seemed to impressed with his choices. John got up and moved around to the pile, taking the bottle of drink from the village and some packets of ration from their packs. Putting the bottle on the floor next to Elizabeth he sat down and looked at the rations. Giving Elizabeth first choice he was left with mac and cheese, not his favourite but it would do. Ronan had got up and retrieved a ration pack meal and a bottle of water before sitting back a little closer to the fire.
After eating his meal, John uncorked the bottle and took a quick sniff. All he could smell was lemons so he take a very small sip from the bottle. Let the liquid swirl around in his mouth he swallowed and passed the bottle to Elizabeth. He watched as Elizabeth took a drink before setting it back on the floor between them. John debated if he should ask Elizabeth if she knew there was alcohol in the bottle but decided not to, she was a smart woman and would know it wasn't just some lemon drink.
A few hours later as it grew dark Elizabeth decided it was bathroom break time. Looking at John she went to stand up and realised how light headed she was. Maybe there was more to the bottle of lemon juice than meet the eye. John stood up at the same time she did which happened to be a good thing as she swayed a little. Reaching out he steadied her till she was stood upright. Hearing her mumble bathroom he went and retrieved his weapon before following her away from their little camp and towards the entrance to the caves. As they neared the mouth of the cave John relished the village people must have some arrangements in place for bathroom facilities. Stopping the next person he saw he made enquiries and was told to follow a tunnel that lead in the opposite direction they were heading.
After a five minute trek, they found what they were looking for in the way of toilets. Pits had been sunk into the floor that somehow reached a flowing water source. The running water served as drainage carrying the waste away from the makeshift camp. The area was split into two which they gathered was their attempt at male and female bathrooms. John followed a man over to the right while Elizabeth followed behind a woman to the left. Elizabeth was still a little unsteady on her feet but managed to keep herself upright long enough to do was needed and make her way back to meet John. When she meet up with John they headed back along the winding tunnels till the came back to where Ronon and Rodney were now spread out on the floor facing the fire. John gave them directions to the new found bathrooms and told them how surprised he was at how well thought out the whole setup was.
The temperature in the cave was dropping rapidly now as the sun had set hours ago, the air turning colder every minute. John got up and piled more wood on the fire and moved so he was closer to Elizabeth. As his knee bumped hers he was a little surprised when she turned to him and he saw the red glow that was on her cheeks. She had drunk a fair amount of the lemon flavoured alcohol and it was now starting to show. Maybe we should bunk down for the night and get some shut eye, might not be so cold in the morning. Who's taking the first watch? Looking between Ronon and Rodney.
"I'll do it." Ronan offered as he stood up and retrieved a thermal blanket from the pile.
Turing to Elizabeth's he saw she was sat with a silly grin on her face swaying from side to side as if dancing to a song only she could hear. Even though she was a little on the drunk side he saw her shiver as she shifted under her blankets. Looking between Rodney and Ronon they nodded in agreement to a silent plan that had formed in John's head.
"Come on Elizabeth, bed. Let's see about getting you warmed up, you're sat there shivering." Reaching down to take hold of Elizabeth's elbow.
Guiding her into the alcove where her clothes were hung over some jutting rocks he sat her down before going to retrieve a couple of the thermal blankets. Placing one on the cave floor he arranged the other over it to make a double bed type set up. Sitting down he lay his blanket over the top, exposing his bare legs and feet. Getting Elizabeth to shuffle over he lifted one side of the bankers and got her to crawl in, making sure she used the blankets she had around her to open up so they had more covering them both. When she was settled in he quickly climbed in beside her, turning to face her as he lay down. It wasn't till he was tucked up with her did he catch on to the predicament there were in. They were both lying face to face off-world in a freezing draftee cave, the only real constant source of heat being the body in front of them. He would just have to take one for the team and pull Elizabeth to him so they both didn't freeze.
"Shuffle over towards me, we need to combine body heat before are asses freeze." Lifting his arm so Elizabeth could scout closer.
Elizabeth let out a rather girly giggle as she wiggled herself up to John and wrapped her cold legs with his. Afters waiting for what seemed like a lifetime she finally lay still. She had decided that his arm was a great pillow as she buried her face into his chest. Moving her head from side to side she rubbed her cold nose against John's t-shirt making her giggle again.
"What on this planet is there to giggle about? It's like minus twenty in here and you're freezing cold." Hearing her giggle again.
"I never expected the first time I got to cuddle in your arms to be a way to stave off hypothermia. Not that I am complaining as it's a very nice view and all but I was hoping for something with just a little romance in maybe." Moving so her body was flush with John's from her face in his chest all the way down to their toes.
"Sleep Elizabeth, now may not be a good time to be having this conversation." Ignoring the tingle in his stomach as she cuddled him.
"Maybe not, I don't think I should have drunk so many lemons." Elizabeth giggled again.
"You didn't think that was just lemonade in that glass, did you?" Watching as Elizabeth gave out one of her rare ear to ear grins.
"I may be just a little bits tipsy John." Her word slurring with a cross between alcohol and being tired.
"Maybe just a little bit. You sleep Elizabeth, we can deal with foreign lemon juice and you wanting to cuddle me in the morning." Placing a kiss to her hair just as she passed out and fell asleep against his chest.
No matter what Rodney said, John Sheppard had a better appreciation for lemons after Elizabeth let slip her little cuddle fantasy. Maybe when they got back they could see about turning fantasy into reality.