A/N Thankyou for being patient. This is where the fun begins. Or at least I hope it does.
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When he headed back to the habitat he wasn't surprised by what he had found. The door was completely blocked, large chunks of stone criss-crossing covering the opening. In the shock from the explosions some of the soil from the walls of the stair well had crumbled down hiding away some of the steps. Shaking his head he lifted the doctor's small camera taking several shots closing in on sections closely to show the full extent of the damage.
Breathing a sigh of relief at not having anyone caught in there he began to make his way back, careful to avoid the puddles still littering the ground. The noises around him were growing, animals and creatures coming out after the heavy rainfall. The colours around him were becoming more vivid, splinters of sunlight spilling through the canopy awakening the jungle further.
Crossing into the camp it came at no surprise to see her stood pacing the small space. He stood waiting patiently for her to spot him not truly wanting to sour her mood. But when her eyes locked to him he hadn't needed to say a word.
"Sorry doc."
"Don't worry about it. You didn't do it." The way she all but flopped down onto her bunk spoke volumes. The way she had failed to spot his slip was enough to worry him. He understood she was down heartened by still having nothing to understand these people.
Sitting down he decided to look over everything that was left to do. He knew for her the rest of the mission was a bust but Parrish could still have work to do despite the million and one samples and photos the man undoubtedly already had.
Looking to Michaels and Stackhouse trying to gage how they were doing he watched them both follow a lizard the size of a dog circling the outside of the camp. Both of them were perfectly still, eyes trained on the creature as it moved. Reaching his hand down he silently unclipped his side arm turning to watch the lizard as it passed behind him. Nothing seemed threatening about the reptile if anything it reminded him of a stray dog searching for scraps. As it passed through the entrance of the camp disappearing from sight he re-clipped his gun in place looking back at the other two. Both just shrugged truly bewildered by what they had just seen.
"Parrish, do you think you could do with the rest of the time here?"
"In all honesty Major I have too many samples already. We could definitely do with returning with a bigger group for a longer period of time at some point but what I have will keep the department busy for months. There is so much here and don't think I've even hit the tip of the iceberg yet."
"OK. Well if you have done all you can we are going to head back. We will be a day early but there is no point hanging around for nothing. Let's pack it up."
Less than thirty minutes later they were headed home the trail they had used the first time needing a little bit of work to walk through. They were slower this time a mixture of the heat and helping to carry the additional samples Parrish had collected. They slowed down even more when Parrish stumbled over his own feet tripping on a vine before stumbling into a large bush. Michaels helped him up catching him as the man put weight on his foot only to go over in pain. Luckily it was just a sprain and a few grazes and after a quick wrap they were back on their way Stackhouse offering the support the doctor needed whilst he took Parrish's pack. The moment he lifted it from the ground he had to wonder just how the man hadn't toppled over with the weight.
"You know the plants are competing for the space we have created. The camp will be full of plants again within a day, the chance to grow and spread making the battle for survival even more intense."
"I'm glad I won't be around to see that." Turning to look at Stackhouse he chuckled at the man's expression.
"It would be a wonderful thing to witness. If some of these plants had no competition they could grow to be three or four times what they are right now maybe even more. Some obviously wouldn't survive long without other plants some needing support structures to grow." The team wide groan as Parrish continued rambling was enough to drown him out for a little while bringing them all to smiles.
Thankfully they reached the gate before the rain began again. Dialling the address to take them home he felt something hit the back of his hand. Speaking quickly to Chuck he waved his arm sending the team through ahead of him. As he took his final step towards the gate, a barrage of raindrops pelted down on him making him appear in the gate room with the thickest scowl.
He wasn't surprised to find Woolsey stood waiting for him at the base of the staircase. He almost sighed at the cool air that hit him chuckling when he heard a chorus of them from the team fanning out away from the gate as they cooled back down. The heavy thumps of the multitude of packs being dropped bounced to his ears threatening to unhinge his controlled expression.
"Major you're a day early." Woolsey's voice could never be anything other than official.
"Yes sir. The habitat was found but unfortunately collapsed. Thankfully no one was inside at the time. Dr Parrish has an abundance of samples of the plant life that he needs to get started on. I thought there was no reason to stay any further sir."
"Very well Major. Head to the infirmary. We will debrief in three hours." With that the man turned leaving the Major stood in the centre of the gate room. Startled at the abrupt ending to the conversation he turned heading down to the infirmary with a shake of his head.
He could hear a raised voice long before he even opened the infirmary doors. Dr Andrew's voice wasn't easy to miss.
"Yet again you come back empty handed. What was it this time? A bunch of scribbling on the walls about nothing but nonsense about stars and darkness? Or maybe this time there wasn't even something there. Am I right? Show something for this project or I'm pulling the plug. Or better yet I'll take over myself. At least then I know it will be done properly and that there will actually be something to show for the expense of my expertise. Don't forget you have an evaluation coming up and I'm sure Dr McKay will want to put in his two cents worth aswell. I expect your full report by the end of the day." By the time he had finished bellowing in Merry's face his face was beet red his breathing erratic. But she just stood there silently taking everything he had to throw at her. Leaning on the door frame he watched the scene unfolding trying to dampen the urge to clobber the man. He spotted the team slip from their beds, even Parrish ready to step in if it got out of hand but still she stood there silent.
Exasperated Andrews walked away grumbling to himself as he went, passing him without any acknowledgement. Watching him walk down the hall everyone parting to let him pass he shook his head in amazement at the man's ego. He seemed to think he was McKay at times.
Walking into the infirmary he watched her close her eyes taking a deep breath before dawdling back to the empty bed behind her hopping up onto it. When a nurse stepped up to her bed Stackhouse spoke up making everyone laugh, including the nurse breaking the heavy tension.
"Don't take her blood pressure yet."
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Walking to his quarters he thanked the Universe and everything else out there that his day was finally over. It had been a long tiring couple of days and all he wanted was to climb into his bed and sleep. He could almost hear the call of his cool sheets.
As the doors opened he was shocked by what he saw. There sitting on the edge on his bed was Merry. Looking around him quickly to see if anyone had seen her he sighed in relief finding the hallways empty. Unsure of just what was happening he stepped forward over the threshold allowing the doors to close behind him. The dim lighting made it hard to see but after a few moments his eyes adjusted. Watching her slowly stand keeping herself firmly beside his bed he felt his breathing hitch as he looked her over. She was dressed in a pair of figuring hugging shorts and his blue shirt, the shirt he had offered her that cold night in the mess hall so many months ago. With just one button fastened he could see glimpses of pale skin underneath in the dim light. Looking around he searched for evidence she hadn't come dressed like that but catching movement out of the corner of his eye he turned back, finding her softly stepping forward closing the gap between them. Her hair moved as she stepped forward tumbling lose down her shoulder curling around itself.
Looking at her now so close to him he was afraid to move. He didn't know what to think, he wasn't even sure she was real. But the feel of her hands as they danced up his arms was definitely real. Staying perfect still he let her move her arms up his shoulders to his neck her eyes following them as they moved with the smallest tilt of her head. Stepping between his legs she came up on her toes brushing her lips against his, her body sliding over him, moulding to him. Her lips were warm and soft against his, the brief touch leaving a tingling sensation behind. Pulling back she looked at his lips before meeting his gaze her eyes shining.
Holding his gaze her lips just a hair's breadth away she let her hands travel down him leaving a heated trail behind them. He went through every procedure he could think of in the vain attempt to ignore how his body was screaming at him begging him to move. His hands twitched eager to touch, to feel. He needed only to reach the smallest amount to touch bare skin.
Her usual green eyes were dark with desire but he saw the hesitation hidden there and he felt it too. Did he want to change everything they had? A friendship that even though stood on solid ground could crumble with the smallest mistake? As her hands slipped lower grasping at his belt, his name whispered against him he came undone. His mind emptied of everything but the need that swallowed him. Pulling her closer to him he kissed her with all he was worth, deepening it as his hands threaded into her hair. One hand broke free travelling down her back under the shirt seeking the bare skin beneath. When their tongues met he couldn't help but tighten his grip on her making her moan against him. Her skin seemed to hum under his fingers the further he slipped beneath the shirt.
With a slight tug at his belt he moved forward following her towards his bed still trying to touch and taste as much as he could. Lifting her in his arms he laid her on the bed crawling above her careful to keep the majority of his weight from her.
"You sure?" he asked the faintest glimmer of caution still in his mind. As if hearing his thoughts she pulled on his dog tags crushing his lips down onto hers. Her legs hooked around his hips pulling him further towards her. When he felt her hips rub up against him he was sure he growled his body reacting before his mind.
As they pulled apart he rested his forehead against hers desperately trying to search for some kind of control. Looking into her eyes he knew they mirrored his own. Heated desire mixed with confusion and exhaustion only adding more fuel to the fire. Eyes still on hers he let his free hand slide down watching her for any objection. Finding none he slipped the single button free dipping his head to the newly bared skin. He could feel the hitch in her breath every time he kissed and nipped at her skin the feeling powering him to go further, harder.
"Major Lorne." Sheppard's voice in his ear was the proverbial bucket of water startling him from his task. Lifting up he kissed her with every ounce of passion he still had left.
"I'm sorry," he whispered against her lips before reaching his hand to his ear. "Yes, sir." Closing his eyes he listened to the voice before replying less than a little enthusiastically. "I'm on my way sir." Opening his eyes meeting hers he slowly lifted himself from her. With a smile he kissed her again. "To be continued."
Straightening himself up, he smirked when he heard her head flop onto the pillow a small groan of frustration leaving her. It was a frustration he shared.