A/N I know this may seem slow going but this is relevant to what happens later I promise.

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The guessing game went on for what seemed like hours, each guess becoming more outrageous than the last. He had offered a few simple ones but had enjoyed watching just how excited the others were getting and how embarrassed she had gotten as they got worse and worse. It felt like being at home watching his nephews badger his sister about something until she relented. The thought made him smile realising just how close he had become to his team. And for him that included her aswell.

A sudden silence from above caught all their attention every pair of eyes staring blankly at the tarp above. It took some time for realisation to dawn on all of them but when it did four smiling faces turned to him. Part of him wanted to toy with them but he knew their time here was precious and looked back to them his smile mirroring their own.

"Go. Remember five hours." Waving off in the site's general direction he chuckled as she practically speed walked out of there Michaels trailing not far behind albeit at a slightly more reserved pace.

Standing slowly he looked around finding everyone's belongings tucked away beside their bunks. Smirking at the fact he had very little to do his eyes fell to a pair of shoes noticing for the first time that Parrish had not scrambled off like he normally did. Surprised to find the man still within the camp he chanced a glance to Stackhouse stood near the camp's entrance but he merely shrugged tearing a small piece of power bar off before excusing himself. Circling around him as stealthy as he could manage he peered over the botanist's shoulder reading the man's writing, quickly spotting he was making notes of everything he had seen thus far with the occasional diagram that looked more doodle than technical.

"You have got to be kidding me!" The sudden outburst from Michaels had him quickly moving from the camp to the site hand twitching on his side arm. Her voice filled the air with a very unlady like comment that had both his and Michaels' head spinning round. When he discovered the pit had filled to knee deep with murky water he completely understood her frustration. It was one thing to have a difficult task in a short span of time but a completely infuriating one to end up a step backwards.

"We are never going to get this dug out today. Moving the water is going to be difficult but the soil underneath will be near impossible." He wasn't sure if he was reading too much into her but underlying her words seemed to be a weariness that he felt had nothing to do with the water.

"I'll help you clear the water. Shouldn't take as long with an extra pair of hands." He tried to keep his voice sounding hopeful but he knew that time was against them. Resting one hand on the edge of the pit he jumped down into the murky water, Michaels following close behind making a larger splash. Turning to him he tried to scowl but there was no strength behind it. The smirk he received was unremorseful at best making him shake his head in disbelief.

It had looked simple enough. Using shovels and tubs they had battled to move the water out of the pit casting it several feet away into the bushes. But even after an hour the knee deep water was only mid calf. With every swing of his arms lifting the heavy water filled tubs to the outer edge of the pit the burn across his shoulders grew. Stopping he took a look at the walls of the pit spotting the different shades streaking down. Running his fingers down the strata he pulled his hand back feeling the sudden wetness from one colour strand.

"The water from the surrounding soil is leaking into the pit. It's why we're not getting anywhere fast," His voice was thick and heavy with frustration. "If one of us works on emptying the water and the other two dig you might get to soil that isn't completely sodden through."

"I agree. We might actually get somewhere before the rain comes in again," Taking her free hand he helped her jump down into the pit feeling her gaze linger on his chest for a moment as she steadied herself against him. "So who does what?"

"I'll dig you two carry on trying to move the water. See how we do." The short brief nod he received from both of them was enough for him. The heat was becoming unbearable the thick air making it hard to breathe as he dug blindly through the water into the waterlogged soil below. His shoulders stilled burned but with the shift in movement he was able to move freely again. One by one the shovels full of the heavy soil disappeared out of the pit a huge dark mound pilling higher and higher nearby.

It took some time and a soaked shirt before the water had cleared enough to see where he was digging. The soil had deepened in colour showing the start of the outline of the top step. He was exhausted and in desperate need of water. Wiping his brow with the bottom of his shirt he opened his eyes to a water bottle thrust almost the whole way into his chest. Grasping it from the petite hand he took a long drag relishing the water against his parched throat.

"We can take it from here if you like. I'm going to have to get in and around the stone on a smaller scale so this part is going to take some time." The soft wave of her voice seemed to dance to his ears mingling in with the noises of the rainforest.

"Are you sure? I can help out a little more if you need me to." The lure of a rest was almost too much to ignore but he was raised too well to let her down near the last hurdle.

"No Major. This is where it gets slow. I have to be sure I don't miss anything so its small scale now." Turning she lifted a smaller trowel from the edge waving it around with a big cheesy smile on her face.

Quickly he swallowed the mouthful of water he had taken trying his best not to choke on it as she tossed the tiny item to Michaels. The trowel almost disappeared in the man's hand the look on his face telling of his displeasure.

"I'll head back to the camp if you like, Sir. You are more than welcome to stay in my place," The big man's voice was almost pleading with him. "I can get something ready for us to eat."

"No I think I'll head back and keep an eye on Parrish. Stackhouse is probably ready to stun him by now. Have fun."

Lifting himself up and out of the pit he looked down at the two of them. She had knelt down beginning to move small amounts of soil away from the edge of the step her back to him. Glancing to Michaels he nodded before turning away barely holding in the laughter at the forlorn look on the man's face.

He had resisted the urge to check on her many times making himself turn around before he got too far but for some reason not this time. At just a few steps from the camp a huge rumble echoed across the sky halting his feet. As his eyes scanned the canopy he spotted the dark clouds for the first time through the tiny gaps. As if sensing his displeasure the first droplets began to fall. Unlike earlier however the drops were huge, crashing down into him like stones. Chastising himself for waiting he set of at a run almost literally bumping into her and Michaels halfway. He couldn't miss the questioning look she gave him as they struggled to balance in the sludge around their ankles.

"It's an hour early and twice as heavy as earlier. Let's hope it doesn't last as long or we could be facing a flood." His voice was straining as he shouted over the pounding rain. She looked at him just long enough to see the faint glimmer of fear on her face.

Reaching the camp he saw Parrish and Stackhouse desperately trying to fix the tarp. The rain had caused a tree to collapse, one which had been holding up one side of the tarp covering their camp. Rain was beating down into the far corner of their camp soaking through everything it touched. Before he could even move she quickly headed to a nearby tree glancing up at it. Watching her judge the tarp and the tree that had fallen he did the same. Understanding what she was doing he headed to her side. Planting his feet firmly into the ground he tapped her arm, silently offering her a foothold. He was glad she understood not wanting to scream and shout over the rain. Wrapping one arm around her legs he steadied her while she began pulling on one set of the ropes steadily lifting the tarp back into place.

He was glad the others spotted what they were doing pulling the remaining ropes around the middle of the tree pulling them taut. Their help took the weight away from her arms giving her the chance to tie the rope she had higher up the tree. The moment the first lot were fastened Michaels tossed the others up to her smiling when he watched her knot them as though it was second nature.

The water was streaming down her arms as she tied them off dripping down onto him. Thankfully the water was warm as by the time she had finished they were both soaked to the core. The short run to the camp had already made them wet but now his clothing was clinging to his body worse than before. Slowly he lowered her down her body brushing against his. Gripping his shoulders as she moved she found her balance on the slippery ground before slowly sliding her hands down his arms.

"Thankyou." Her words were barely a murmur her eyes fixed on his lips before she turned away heading deeper into the camp. He followed close behind watching her move, her clothing clinging to her figure so much it looked to be a second skin.

"I hate getting rained on. I'm all wet now." Parrish was grumbling again from the middle of the camp picking at his shirt darkened by wet spots. As his eyes lifted up he spotted the glare coming his way from him, moving to look to her wringing water out of her top the sudden flush of his cheeks was definitely not the heat. "Oh...erm....Major I didn't mean, I'm sorry I...." Waving him off he slunk down against his bunk happy the man had stopped trying to apologise.

He never could have imagined his uniform could hold this weight of water. It was dripping down to the ground streaks of water breaking free channelling their way down. Scrubbing his hand through his hair he watched the shower of droplets fall to the ground. Staring at his wet hand mindlessly for a moment he went to wipe it on his leg realising at the last minute that it would have been of no use.

Peeling off his wet shirt he tugged a clean one from his pack quickly pulling it over his head sending a few more droplets flying from his hair. Turning to look at the others he noticed them all attempting to dry off but as he looked to her he spotted the towel dangling from her bunk. Checking his watch again he noted the late hour knowing the light was about to fail them.

"Merry, get out of your wet clothing. There's no way anything more can be done until the morning." He wasn't sure how she would manage it with some modesty with the camp being full of men but knew she would figure it out.

"Will do, Major."

Rummaging through his pack his attention was brought back to her by Stackhouse's whistle. He turned in time to catch a glimpse of her bare stomach before she pulled her top down. The whole camp erupted in laughter as Stackhouse was hit square in the face by her wet t-shirt. Tossing it gently back a cheeky grin on his face Lorne raised his eyebrow questioning him silently hoping the man wasn't spying on her. The wide toothy grin he received back told him everything he needed to know. The two of them teased each other like brother and sister but seeing the look on his face truly confirmed it. He was thoroughly enjoying tormenting her.

As each of them dried off and settled they fell into light conversation the occasional titbit added by Merry and Parrish. He had gotten used to the 'scientists' entering their own little world come evening time too absorbed in the information to see anything beyond themselves. Parrish had grown to change, to learn that not everything was about him when they were out although the habit was hard for him to break. She however seemed to have an ear in the conversation whilst still having a focus on her work. Her hand was flying through a notebook as she made her notes Parrish doing likewise, recording what they had found that day.

Eating their dinner she filled everyone in on the happenings of the site while Parrish commented about his plants and such. Regardless of the fact that he had seen the majority of the happenings so far he was surprised by the ancient markings adorning the steps she had uncovered.

"So what do they say? Is there a cool toy inside?" Ever the marine it was no surprise that Michaels asked that question.

"I have no clue what it says," the sudden look they all gave her spoke of how much they believed her. "What! It's the truth I don't know. What I did manage to translate doesn't make sense at all."

"So, code?"

"Maybe or I'm just too dumb to notice something completely obvious."

"Yeah, right. If you're dumb what does that make me?"

"Stackhouse you are a very charming man with a great sense of humour. What more would anyone need?" He could almost feel the huge grin that covered Stackhouse's face.

"Parrish, why don't you give us a brief rundown of today. It looks like nightfall is going to hit soon." It was cruel to change the subject so sharply but he could feel how personal the path they were taking was going to get.

"Well, in brief, there are many new species, some that bare hybrids some that must be native. There seems to be some sort of order to the plantings as though they were done by hand and then left to overgrow."

"You are kidding me Doc. It's a literal jungle out there, everything growing everywhere." He knew his voice was tinged with sarcasm but the man's claims seemed outlandish.

"No it's true. It looks like sections were developed over time certain areas having formations that look like crop lines. Merry, this ties with the theory you had that Andrews dismissed. I've seen it on another planet with an observatory but he wouldn't even listen to me. He said you had put me up to it to discredit him."

"What theory?" He was completely confused. They had been to several buildings with her and not once had she mentioned a theory nor had anything been said in her reports.

"It's nothing." He watched her bury herself deeper into the notebook set on her lap her hand moving at lightening speed across the page.

"Nothing! If you are right then there is a race out there that worked alongside the ancients, cultivating plants and flowers spreading them further through the galaxy to help further support new life and old."

"Parrish it's a theory. And one only backed by coincidental evidence. He was right to tell me to drop it."

"You haven't have you?" The words even surprised himself. His brain seemed to have switched off its filter letting the words flow before he had thought about it.

"Not completely but until I can present information that says otherwise I have to leave it be."

"But this is proof." Parrish was waving his notebook the pages zipping back and forth.

"What was that?" She asked lunging forward for his book skimming through the pages. "Where did you see that?"

"Oh erm I don't know, let me see. Erm, erm it was near a tree not too far from here which looked like it was part of the Tamarix species but it's the wrong climate for the species."

"Yeah but this beetle feeds from it at its larval stage. It looks like a Buprestid beetle. It's a viable link between the two. How big was it?"

"Big, it was the size of my hand. Almost didn't see it. It was a green colour and just seemed to be absorbed into everything around it. Stackhouse spotted it actually."

"But how does a beetle sacred to the Egyptians and a tree that lives in desert like conditions survive in a rainforest."

"Sir. She really is one of them." Startled out of his amazement at the conversation before him he turned to Stackhouse seeing a look of faked horror on his face. Chuckling to himself he pulled up his cup taking a deep drink almost spitting it out when he saw her stick her tongue out at them.

"OK people its time to get some sleep. Stackhouse take first watch. I'll relieve you in four hours." As everyone started to move around things stashed away he did a final sweep of the edge of the camp with Stackhouse double checking every knot on the tarp, kicking the lower bushed gently in case of any hidden creatures inside. He knew the equipment that had gotten soaked through were nothing vital from the offset but looked through each piece just to be sure tallying everything in his head as he went.

Finally satisfied he headed to his bunk flopping himself down as his body began winding down. He was glad the new bunks were sturdier than the old ones although they were just as uncomfortable. Wriggling around he finally found a spot that felt good. Taking one last look around each part of the camp he could see Michaels already settled his long legs leaving his feet dangling off the end. Although he was no where near as tall he had suffered similarly with the old bunks.

He had the perfect eye line to her, finding her laid facing the opposite way to everyone else towards the back of the camp. Following her eye line he found her watching Parrish tipping water out of his boots as he readied himself for sleep. Her soft voice was doused with a sleepy tone as like him she wriggled further into the bunk.

"I'd keep them on if I were you. Don't want any nasty surprises in the morning."