Chapter 21: That actually sounds like fun

"There's a resupply mission heading to M58-099 tomorrow," John told me at breakfast a couple of days later. The Mess Hall was busy as usual, the low hum of conversation lending as much privacy as anyone could expect in the open environment.

"Which one is that again?" I asked curiously.

"Doctor Mackenzie's research station," John clarified. "He's studying the native tribe there. Apparently it's a tropical paradise."

"And you're telling me this because?" I raised an eyebrow expectantly.

"Because someone has to take the mission," John pointed out, smiling at me hopefully. "We never did the whole honeymoon thing – and no I'm not counting a few days in Vegas with the rest of my team present! I just thought it might be nice ... we could do the resupply, stay overnight, maybe find a nice spot to kick back for a few hours."

"And Colonel Carter is happy for you to disappear for a couple of days when we only just got back from our last vacation?" I frowned, sure she'd have something to say about that.

"It's a mission," John insisted innocently, "just one with ... benefits."

"And what's my role on this mission then?" I knew there'd have to be one for John to get the okay for both of us to go.

"Jumper training," John replied. "You really don't have enough experience with space gates ... this planet's got one so it's the perfect opportunity for you to complete the advanced Jumper flight training module run by your friendly instructor - me! "

"That actually sounds like fun," I smiled, starting to feel excited about the idea. "When do we leave?"

"Leave?" Rodney turned up at that point, sitting down and looking at John curiously. "Are you going somewhere?"

"Re-supply mission to M58-099," John said casually. "Sabina's gonna do some advanced Jumper training as well."

"M58-099?" Rodney raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Isn't that the planet where the natives are very ... friendly?"

"They need supplies and I shouldn't ask the men to do something I wouldn't do myself," John said piously, trying to deny he had personal reasons for wanting to take the mission. "Things aren't as busy now I've handed over everything to Colonel Carter so I've got time right now."

"He hasn't had time to get behind since he took back some duties from Major Lorne," I joked, laughing when John sent a reproachful glare my way. "If I'm going off world tomorrow I better get organised."

I left the two of them talking, knowing Rodney would be giving John hell for using a resupply mission for his own personal gain. I didn't have a problem with that – there had to be some perks from being the wife of the military leader after all!

oOo

"Okay Sabina, take us through," John ordered.

It was the end of a busy day where John had lived up to his description on what the mission would be. We'd delivered the supplies and helped Doctor Mackenzie organise them, and then headed back out in the Puddle Jumper. John had then taken me through a series of space manoeuvres, simulating things like approaching the Gate under attack and coping with various systems failures. Finally we were done and heading for the planet to join Mackenzie for dinner.

"That was cool," I commented as I put us on approach back to the settlement. Glancing at John with a smile I couldn't resist asking "so, friendly instructor ... did I pass?"

"You did ... and I knew you'd have fun," John smiled happily. "The good news is that all the official stuff is done."

Once back on the planet Doctor Mackenzie welcomed us eagerly. He'd been on M58-099 for months now, most of that time alone with only the natives for company. Even for someone whose job it was to study that sort of thing, surely the chance to talk with your own people would be almost irresistible.

Dinner was a nice mix of foreign and Atlantis based cuisine served by natives who were as friendly and frankly uninhibited as Rodney had suggested. After the tenth native girl had paraded her ... assets past John I decided enough was enough.

"Thank you for dinner Doctor," I stood up abruptly, grabbing John's hand and urging him to get up too. "It's been a long day though so we'll be retiring now." Not waiting for either of them to protest I turned and walked through the village towards the hut Mackenzie had allocated to us earlier. And no I didn't drag John through the village – he tagged along all by himself. Maybe something in my tone warned him I'd had enough for one night!

"I didn't realise you were so tired," John said apologetically once we were finally alone.

"I'm not," I admitted. "I just got sick of all the nubile young things flaunting themselves at you."

"They weren't flaunting themselves at me," John protested. "They were just being really ... friendly."

"They so were flaunting," I countered. "Doctor Mackenzie even commented on it earlier – that I shouldn't take offence if the natives openly disrespected that we're married. They don't understand the concept because apparently they don't even have a word you could translate to mean marriage – it's all everyone for everyone here."

"Maybe I should have chosen somewhere else for this," John admitted reluctantly.

"The opportunity was here," I reminded him. "Who knows when something even remotely similar would have come up again? Besides this place really is a tropical paradise. I even like this nice little hut – it's primitive and there's no running water or power or bathroom facilities but it's got its own kind of charm."

"We'll go exploring tomorrow," John promised. "Check out the beaches, do some swimming. There should be plenty of time ... I think we can justify heading back late in the day."

"Yeah, well don't count on doing anything too early in the morning," I advised, walking towards him slowly with clear intent. Putting my hands on his chest I pushed him back until the back of his legs hit the sleeping mattress. "I've got plans for you tonight."

"Do tell," John let himself fall to the bed at my push, raising an eyebrow when I arranged myself on top of him.

"Well, I thought I'd start with this," I leaned down and kissed him with enough passion to get his complete attention. Breaking away I smiled at his expression – the one that said he was impatient for more but also wanted to see where I was going with this. "Then I was just gonna wing it."

"Always works for me," John quipped, flipping us over quickly so he could finish the kiss I'd started.

"Me too," I muttered, happy to lose myself ... and yes my momentary fit of jealously ... in the seductive power of John Sheppard.

oOo

"Man I feel relaxed," I commented from the co-pilot chair, watching lazily as John dialled the Gate so we could report that we were on our way home. "Who knew just one day on the beach would be so therapeutic?"

"Atlantis, this is Sheppard. We are on approach to the Gate," John announced, grinning over at me.

"Acknowledged," Rodney replied. "How was your little holiday?"

"It was great Rodney," I answered for both of us. "Especially once the native girls finally got the message that John was already taken."

"Tell me you didn't have women throwing themselves at you on your own honeymoon,' Rodney pleaded weakly. "That would be so like you Sheppard!"

"It wasn't a honeymoon McKay - it was a mission. And Sabina's joking about that last part," John insisted, turning to give me a 'what did you do that for?' look. "The natives were just very friendly and open with each other."

"When's the next supply run due?" Rodney quipped. "I can feel a block of free time coming on right now."

"These missions aren't for us to satisfy our own personal urges Rodney," John said piously.

"Says the man who just took his wife on a two day jaunt for a mission that should have taken three hours," Rodney muttered snidely.

Before John could come back with another taunt the Jumper suddenly shook as though we'd impacted something.

"What the hell?" John frowned in confusion.

"What is it?" Rodney demanded.

John called up the HUD, looking for more information. "I think somebody just took a shot at us. I've got a contact. They're closin' fast."

"What is it, Wraith?" Rodney asked anxiously.

"It doesn't look like it Rodney," I answered, leaning in closer to the HUD to try and make sense of the readings. "From what I can tell, this isn't something we've come across before."

The Jumper was hit again, this time causing enough damage to affect the HUD display. It flickered off and on but we still had information about our attackers.

"Whatever they're shooting us with just shorted my systems," John announced grimly. "I can't get weapons online."

"More shots firing," I announced, watching the radar as seconds later the Jumper was hit again. This time the effect was immediate. The HUD disappeared and then all the lights inside the Jumper went out, followed closely by the engines powering down. We would have been in complete darkness, save for the light being cast over us by the still open wormhole.

"You know John, I really didn't need a live demonstration to go with the training," I quipped, smiling weakly over my nerves.

"And I wasn't planning on giving you one," John retorted grimly. "Rodney?" John tried to see if the Gate connection was still working. "McKay?" The wormhole still shimmered but there was no response. "Atlantis, this is Sheppard. Do you read?"

"This isn't good is it?" I asked as we both watched the front view screen in disbelief. Space outside the window was being replaced slowly by what looked like some kind of cargo hold ... a really huge cargo hold on what was obviously a space ship. I'd been right too - from our 'in your face' inspection the vessel was of a type we'd never come across before.

Moments later we'd been completely engulfed, neither of us missing that recognisable jolt of a ship going into hyperspace.

"No," John confirmed grimly. "This is not good at all."

Author's Note:

Sorry - another 'set the scene' chapter ... hope it had some entertaining bits! Travellers proper will be covered in the next two chapters ... and of course I had to bring Sabina into that one! There is NO way I'm leaving poor John in that Larrin woman's clutches alone ... although he may still have to suffer before he gets them both out of this LOL.

Next Up? Fortunate Journey Season 4 Chapter 22