CHAPTER 40 – SOLACE IS FOUND IN PHOTOS

"This makes for some interesting reading, Nicole. I'm surprised, given your state of... artificial stimulation... that you were able to take in even this much? This gives us an excellent point of reference, a worthwhile meeting indeed."

John's eyes darkened and his fist clenched and this time the action of Nicole placing her hand over his, did not dispell the anger that coursed through him. He had read the report as well. He had gotten out of bed long before she had, a little restless and unable to sleep. He had found Sam in her office and together they had read the report. And both had sat back more than a little breathless by what they had read.

The Director of the FBI. That gave them their first name. Jonathon Winters. John flicked his gaze now to the whiteboard that Sam had in her office and the notes that had been made. They were building a pyramid of names, and Jonathon Winter's was placed in a line third from the top. Nicole had quantified that she thought he was one of the bigger fish... but not the biggest. In her opinion there were at least two more rungs up the ladder, and they had left the top two lines free accordingly.

The had tracked the Englishman, and the Russian and were still working on the other two men who Nicole had described. The Englishman was a House of Commons Lord – a high ranking government official who had opposed trade with the Middle East during the past twelve months. They had his file pulled, and John had spent some time going through it. This was the man who had dared to lay a hand on his woman. This was the man he would pay a visit to when the time was right.

The Russian, Petrov Chenovack – Russian military. His file was light, information coming out of the Soviet was still a little sketchy – but at least they had a name for their board.

Sam had made careful notes on the whiteboard in bullet point format, detailing what Nicole had learnt the previous night at the dinner. She had sent the information back to the SGC and General O'Neill was already wading through red tape to bring some more names to the table. They would lay mines under each name and detonate simultaneously. One hit, home run, perfect score.

He had spent two hours with Sam, and feeling a little more as though progress was being made, he had returned to his quarters to find his bed empty – the only sign that she had been there was the dress crumped unceremoniously in his rubbish bin. A moment's panic, and he had quickly pushed it down. Space. She needed space, and he knew better than anyone when to back off.

That hadn't stopped him looking for her, but he hadn't had to go far. Hair freshly washed and a camera at her face, a face now scrubbed clean of all the makeup, and looking much more like the woman that he was rapidly falling in love with. Love, thought John, a little taken back by the ease with which the word had popped into his mind. No, surely not love... something less sinister. Respect, serious like, yeah... that was more like it... no pun intended. No, not love. Love is forever, hearts and flowers. Not my style... not her's either? But she was with someone before... for a long time. So, perhaps hearts and flowers is what she wants? Damn... I'm confused.

"John?" She had heard him come out onto the balcony and had watched puzzled, as something had moved across his face – an expression that she did not recognise, one that scared her a little. She was on the top balcony of the highest tower in Atlantis, looking down over the still ocean and capturing a flock of sea birds that traversed the sky in a large formation.

He continued to stare at her for a moment, and she felt that he was not really looking at her, but trying to work out something in his mind. His eyes cleared then, and he smiled – moving quickly towards her. He moved in behind her and wrapped his arms tightly around her stomach, pulling her back hard against him so that she felt his arousal immediately.

"You shouldn't have left the bed so early... I could have done something about that..." He voice was cheeky and he rasped his chin over her cheek, feeling the scrape of his beard over her skin.

"Ouch... don't you have a shave once a day rule – or something?" she grumbled good naturedly.

"Someone woke up a little grumpy it seems... and as for 'doing something about that' – there's still time, Miss Harmon. It's barely..." he consulted his watch, "...9am. I've just come from Sam's office and she wants to touch base with the General before we all get together, so after lunch we'll meet back. We've started piecing things together... and I went through your report. I won't pull any punches, Nic. I wanted to kill that bastard. And I may still do that... when I get my hands on him."

"Yeah, I am a little grumpy. Something to do with gate travel, a long helicoptor ride, enduring the meeting from hell, being groped by some stuffy englishman, drugged... oh, and did I mention a ride back in some sort of aircraft that went so fast I have a vague recollection of vomiting. All over someones shoes. Don't ask me who it was... someone who escorted me from the restaurant to the transport.. I think. It's a little hazy from there. Oh, I forgot to add to the list... I woke up this morning and the bed was empty. So, yeah... a little grumpy!"

Her backside moved deliberately and rotated against his groin area and he groaned, muttering into her hair. "Is that punishment of some sort? 'Cause, I need to warn you, I'm highly trained to withstand torture in most forms."

"Most...Colonel Sheppard?"

She moved some more, then gasped herself as his hand that had been banding her stomach, dipped lower and cupped her there, radiated warmth and arousal through her body.

"Oh, so not fair..."

"Fair has nothing to do with it... you started it." His hand continued to stroke and she dropped her head back against his shoulder, allowing him access to her neck, which he nuzzled greedily.

"So.. who's gonna finish it? I'm really not the patient sort... Colonel."

"Yeah, I got that much, babe. I'm pulling rank here... we're going, now..."

It was after lunch when they returned to Sam's office as scheduled, and Nicole's mood was far less... grumpy. And if anyone noticed the additional spring in the Colonel's step, then they just put it down to him having a good breakfast... or something.

Unfortunately his mood had darkened a little at the mention of what was in the report.

Sam quickly brought the others up to speed and by the time she had finished, Lorne's face had darkened with anger as well and Sam knew that she had another champion at her beck and call.

Nicole gazed thoughtfully at the whiteboard, then in an inexplicable move, brought the camera up to the board, and just looked through the viewfinder.

"Nic...what are you doing?"

"Perspective, John. I see things differently through this lens. You should know that by now. For me, yes – it's about taking photos, but it's also something more. This camera, this lens? Puts a level of distance between me and the actual image. It allows me to see things clearer. With clarity. Does that make sense?"

She saw Rodney shaking his head and knew that the scientist in him would never accept such a whimsical notion and she attempted to explain the scientific side of her theory.

"I know this seems an anomaly to you Rodney, but think about it in these terms. Simplicity is the key to most good pictures. The simpler and more direct a picture is, the clearer and stronger is the resulting statement. For example – as a photographer , instead of photographing an entire area that would confuse the viewer, I will frame in on some important element within the area. Second, I will select different viewpoints or camera angles. Move around the scene or object being photographed. View the scene through the camera viewfinder. Look at the foreground and background. Try high and low angles as well as normal eye-level viewpoints. Evaluate each view and angle. Only after considering all possibilities would I take the picture. See beyond and in front of your subject. Be sure there is nothing in the background to distract the viewer's attention from the main point of the picture. Likewise, check to see there is nothing objectional in the foreground to block the entrance of the human eye into the picture.

A last point of simplicity, Rodney-tell only one story. Ensure there is only enough material in the picture to convey one single idea. Although each picture is composed of numerous small parts and contributing elements, none should attract more of the viewer's attention than the primary object of the picture. The primary object is the reason the picture is being made in the first place; therefore, all other elements should merely support and emphasize the main object. Do not allow the scene to be cluttered with confusing elements and lines that detract from the primary point of the picture. Select a viewpoint that eliminates distractions so the principal subject is readily recognized. When numerous lines or shapes are competing for interest with the subject, it is difficult to recognize the primary object or determine why the picture was made.

That, Rodney – is what I'm doing when I look at the board through my lens. Removing the clutter. And you know what I came up with? That line... the one above the FBI director? That belongs to US military."

John's startled glance was on her in seconds. "You know this... how?"

"By removing the clutter. Keeping the picture simple. If there is a large weapons deal coming up on the table, then military will be involved. I don't think they are at the top. But they will be damn close. Bet on it..."

Sam was nodding thoughtfully. "Makes sense Nicole... I don't know that I'd manage to pick that up by looking through your... lens... but whatever works is fine by me. Don't suppose you can throw some names our way... ?"

"Does the name … Fallon... ring any bells?" She threw it into the mix innocently enough and again John's startled eyes were on her.

"James Fallon? Homeland Security? Damn... ex military... You're sure about that, Nicole?"

"I may have been under the effect of some sort of narcotic, but a part of my brain must have stayed switched on, and as you know? I have a damn fine memory. That name came up more than once, and if I were you... I'd pencil him into that second line. For starters."

"Damn...I'm starting to see why these guys want you. You make connections, and piece together puzzles with extreme clarity, given that you were a little under the weather last night..." John was incredulous at what she had given them.

"Damn straight, Colonel. Now, I have a camera here that is calling my name, and photos being my specialty, if I can please be excused from this meeting for now, and could I possibly appropriate a jumper... oh, and if you don't want me to fly it myself... maybe a pilot to go with it? Anyone up for the job?"

And just like that the meeting was over. Both Lorne and Sheppard falling over themselves to offer their piloting services and Ronon chuckling quietly to himself. Life had certainly gotten more interesting since Miss Nicole Harmon, photographer – had arrived in Atlantis.