Anna bit her lip trying to stop the words that were threatening to bubble from her throat. She'd never said them out loud, never. They were wrong and shameful and whenever she thought about letting them spill from her mouth she felt sick, her skin flushing with the inevitable embarrassment. The closest she'd ever gotten had been with Marshall but she would never get to know if he could have forced them to finally leave her lips.
Her Pilot was sprawled over her, engulfing her in his body heat, the hard planes of his chest pressing against her back as he seemed to get impossibly closer. Strong muscular legs had her own caged in, one almost uncomfortably bent beneath her, the other stretched out but pinned to the mattress by his knee. His hands covered hers, removing them from the bed so she was forced to lower her head, turning her face to the side so she could breathe. Bringing both of their arms around Anna's chest he now had her nearly completely cocooned within his own body.
His breath gently caressed the ear that wasn't pressed to the pillow. "I know you're not ready to say it baby girl and I'm not gonna push. But I want you to understand that when you do its gonna feel so good, for both of us. This is what I need too Anna, this is what I crave" She could feel his hard on twitching slightly against the back of her thigh.
Keeping her mouth firmly shut she didn't even dare nod, didn't want to meet his gaze for fear of what he might see there, her carefully constructed walls were slowly crumbling despite her best efforts to block her Empath side. The pressure on her leg eased and it was encouraged to bend, bringing it up in line with the other so now his dick was brushing up against her very exposed folds. He rocked his hips gently, giving a quiet moan. Anna could hear him being slicked up by her steadily increasing arousal. "So perfect" He whispered. "Getting so wet for me without a single touch"
Her Pilot was speaking the truth, other than a few demanding kisses and the odd brush of hands against skin as he'd stripped her of her clothes, there'd been no other touch apart from the comforting hold he'd gotten her into. Anna stayed silent and still, she could escape this hold, it was one of the first things Teyla had taught her, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. For the second time in twenty-four hours she felt warm and safe, grounded, and Cameron Mitchell was the recurring factor. She arched her back slightly and exposed her neck to him, hoping he'd be able to read her as well like this as he could when they were fully clothed.
He dragged his teeth up her throat and she shivered. His voice dropped lower as his dick appeared to get even harder. "Yeah" He drawled. "I know what you want Princess. I've got you" Keeping one of his arms locked around her still trapping both of her own beneath it his other disappeared, then he was pressing into her folds, sliding home with near shameful ease into slick heat.
The bed dipped by her head as her Pilot braced his free hand against the mattress. "Feel so good my baby girl" A soft kiss was placed to the back of her neck. A small exploratory thrust, another quiet moan. Anna tightened around him and heard a hiss of breath. "Fuck, gonna be even better than that wonderful mouth of yours"
A few more thrusts, slow but deep, like he was feeling out her insides, finding the places he liked best, or she did. Anna could feel his hips slightly altering their angle on every push in until he found the place that forced a small sound from her throat. He growled low in her ear as she rippled around him and his movements became more forceful, his weight slightly disappearing as he put more of it behind his thrusts.
Anna was getting hotter, her skin slick with sweat that slid between them and joined her steadily increasing wetness, smearing over both their thighs. There was another well directed thrust and she made a quiet choking sound which she was sure would have been embarrassingly loud had the arm that was wrapped around her not now been locked tight across her chest.
Moaning her name her Pilot starting hitting harder and deeper, the hand by her head fisting the sheets. Now he was stroking that secret spot every time he sank into her and Anna's sight was beginning to blur, her muscles screaming that she needed to not be in this position any longer but overriding all that was the wonderful and addictive feeling of climbing, her body reaching out, grasping at orgasm.
His breaths grew more ragged, small sounds of pleasure interspersing the words of praise, and awe, and devotion. Her thighs instinctively tightened, hips trying to roll in their prison. Teeth grazed the sensitive juncture between her neck and shoulder, his laboured breathing moistening her already slick skin. "So good…so perfect…I've got you….let go for me…that's my good girl.." Anna squeezed her eyes shut tight.
The door opened and she looked up into kind blue eyes that crinkled at the corners. "Hello Anna, I'm Marshall, your Pilot" A hand was extended and she blinked at it before slowly reaching out.
A few more bricks toppled and her legs began to shake.
"You did well today Anna" He smiled at her. "You saved my life, my very own guardian angel" A finger ran through her hair and she held her breath, letting it out slowly as he turned away. Watching him speak with Jack she forced down her feelings, it wasn't like that. They weren't like that.
She whimpered quietly at the rising strength of his thrusts, the rushing of the memories. "Yes baby girl, come on, for me"
She tried to stop her hands from shaking as the techs helped her from the Viper. Leaning against it's cool surface as the questions washed over her she pulled in deep breaths, trying to stop herself from vomiting all over the floor. Then her Pilots voice cut through theirs, demanding they step back, leave her alone. She was steered from the landing dock towards his quarter's, the warm hand on the small of her back keeping her from spiralling away.
The arm encircling her chest grew impossibly tighter, another sliding around her waist, strong fingers gripping her hips. Anna was taking even more of her Pilot's weight, his hips now grinding into her's rather than thrusting. He moaned quietly. "My baby girl, all mine"
She knew her Pilot was watching her, ever since their close call he'd been worried, she could pick it up even through the blocks she'd put up against him. She forced another mouthful of dinner in and chewed slowly, putting off swallowing it. Everything made her feel sick at the moment. There was a quiet sigh and her plate disappeared to be replaced by a slice of blueberry pie. Looking up through her lashes at him he rolled his eyes back and waved at her to eat before turning back to his conversation with Steven. Anna smiled slightly and stabbed her fork into the thick sweet pastry.
The fingers slipped from her hip, hand running down over her skin, seeking out her clit, firm, slow circles. "I've got you Anna, let it come, I won't let go" She could feel her throat tightening. She didn't want to see this again. She screamed in her head. 'Don't make me!'
Anna felt her fingers curl into arms of her chair, the gel filled control pads nearly bursting under the pressure. This was impossible, the Krill that was being displayed for her shouldn't even be able to stay in the sky. "Deep breath my Angel" His voice stroked over her mind. "We can do this, you can do this. I believe in you Anna" Swallowing she reached out to briefly brush over his mind in affirmation then turned to her tasks.
A few minutes later the apprehension rose, her stomach rolled. "We have to leave"
"Two more minutes Angel, we need this data"
The screen warned her that they'd been spotted. The Krill was targeting weapons. "It's targeting"
"Nearly done, keep us moving Anna"
There was bile in her throat, foul-tasting. "Please, Marshall.."
"You're doing so well Angel"
"We have to leave" She whispered.
"Download complete in one minute…fifty-five seconds….fifty…"
"It's ok baby, I'm here" Her Pilot nuzzled into her neck, teeth gently scraping.
Anna stopped screaming. In the deafening silence of her mind she could feel the hate building. It spread through her body, setting her nerves on fire. As it gathered in her chest, coiled itself into a hot white fiery ball she sank herself deeper into the machine. He'd said he trusted her, they were partners but he hadn't listened. She hated him most of all. For betraying her, for leaving her. She felt his warm blood run down her face, seep into her flight suit.
"Viper One this is Viper Three, do you read?"
Opening her eyes and focusing on his empty ones she urged the battered Viper closer.
"Viper One, Sumner, Anna? Do you read me?"
He wanted the damn data, well she'd get it.
"Get out of here, you're not flight worthy. Viper One? You have to leave now!"
Shutting off the com Anna plunged into the Krill's systems. They would pay. All of them.
They were still now, her Pilots weight pinning her down, anchoring her within the swirl of emotions and the onslaught of images.
The Krill bowed under the pressure of her mind, slowly disintegrating as she ripped it apart from the inside. The other Viper's backed off, disappearing into the sky as they escaped the blast zone. She watched the flames roll over the small windscreen, her craft bringing up shields without her order. Staring at the wreckage as it floated aimlessly Anna thought about her choices then turned the Viper and gave it a vague order to head back to the city before burying her mind back into the systems. Her only escape from the sight of the man before her. The man who had been her everything, who she loved with all her heart and whose final act had been to betray her.
She struggled to breath through her climax, the physical bliss of release mingling with the searing pain of remembering. As her body shook under her Pilot a tear escaped her eyes despite her lids still being screwed shut.
Rodney may be a virgin but he'd read and watched enough porn to come to the slightly horrifying realisation that he was a true bottom. And when the nerves had dissipated from his first time in bed with another man he was also pretty sure he was going to a pushy one too. His hips canted up as he tried to push himself further into his Pilots mouth and the other mans deep chuckle vibrated beautifully around his dick.
He moaned quietly when an arm was placed over his hips keeping them pinned to the bed, John Sheppard was some kind of erotic torturer, with ridiculous stamina. There was a faint click and he snapped his eyes open, shivering slightly as cool liquid dribbled down his balls and was massaged over the outside of his prostate. His fingers scrabbled at the sheets as he felt himself swell even more, skin heating at the gentle suction around his dick and the slow firm circles between his legs. He licked the sweat from above his top lip.
As he slid out from his Pilots mouth he a gave a low growl of dissatisfaction at the loss of warmth and wetness. "Open your eyes baby" John's voice was soft but there was the faintest hint of amusement. Cracking open one eye he frowned at his Pilots slightly smiling face hovering above him and opened the other one. A chaste kiss was pressed to his lips. "You have the choice Rodney, we can stay like this or you can turn over. But it may be more uncomfortable how we are for your first time"
He gazed down their bodies, John was propped on his elbows, hips nestled snugly between Rodney's legs, their dicks occasionally brushing as one of them took a breath. He tried to picture them the other way around, himself on his knees, his Pilot spread out over his back, or kneeling himself, those wonderfully talented hands gripping Rodney's hips, pushing in deep. Rodney blinked the images away before they could shove him even closer to climaxing.
"Or we can stop right here baby, it doesn't matter"
He refocused on his Pilot, concerned hazel eyes gazing down at him. Rodney shook his head. "Like this"
John licked his lips. "Are you sure?"
He nodded. Rodney couldn't imagine being any more relaxed than he was right now and there appeared to be an entire bottle of lube currently running between his legs. His Pilot had definitely made sure he was as ready as he could be.
"You have to say it"
"Why?"
Another quick kiss. "Because I don't want to start worrying I misinterpreted anything later on"
He tried not to laugh. How anyone could misinterpret the way Rodney was laid out right about now was impossible to imagine, but it was a sweet thought. He nodded again. "I'm sure. Please fuck me like this"
John moaned quietly. "You have a dirty mouth for a virgin"
Rodney rolled his eyes at him and wiggled a little.
"Yeah, yeah" Muttered his Pilot and slid back down his body. There was another kiss but this time placed lightly to the tip of his dick. "If it's too much tell me to stop"
He licked his lips in anticipation, and a little nervousness, and nodded again.
"Rodney?"
"I will"
As the slow circling resumed over his prostate the head of his dick was engulfed again by his Pilots mouth, light suction and gentle licks, not enough to force him to cum but allowing Rodney to focus on something other than what else was happening. Adding a little pleasure to what was going to be, a least at first, a little uncomfortable. Moving his thumb to keep up the massage below his balls his Pilot slipped a finger lower, circling Rodney's entrance before the tip of it dipped in.
He felt himself clench a little and the sucking on his dick got a little harder in response, this was going to take all night if he couldn't reassure his Pilot. Taking a quiet breath he forced his muscles to relax, probably only opening himself up another couple of millimetres but it seemed to be enough for John to feel easier about sliding his finger deeper inside. Rodney felt his own breath hitch at the intrusion and the sudden wonder of how exactly he was going to fit anything more than a finger up there. Then it curled and brushed over his prostate.
And if the massaging on the outside had been lovely then from the inside the contact was exquisite. He bunched the sheets up in his hands again. "Shit" He muttered. There was a long low hum over his dick which was completely unfair, and also momentarily distracted him from the second finger nudging in alongside it's fellow. Rodney squeezed his eyes shut trying to focus on the mouth on his dick instead of the stretched, tight feeling of his arse. Then there was another gentle wiggle, more sparks of pleasure firing up his insides. He moaned quietly.
There was a slow twist, a gentle stretch and Rodney whimpered quietly, grateful his Pilot was all for taking it slowly, and knew what the hell he was doing. The suction disappeared from his dick. "How you doing baby?"
Really, his Pilot expected him to form coherent words now! He swallowed, trying to lubricate his dry throat. "Fine, don't stop"
A soft kiss was placed on his stomach. "Not going to" Another brush over his prostate and he clenched and released around the fingers in his arse, groaning quietly. "That's it Rodney, just explore how it feels. Take your time"
And Rodney's body couldn't be taking that much offence to the alien intrusion because his dick was still rock hard, and twitching over his stomach, leaving a little trail of pre-cum through the fine hairs scattered there. He took another breath, relaxed his muscles further, hearing his Pilot moan from somewhere further down the bed. "Doing so well baby" He whispered, and slid home a third finger.
Rodney felt his body jump slightly and an arm was once again placed over his hips keeping him still, and probably from painfully tearing himself free of the fingers now curled inside him. "Just breath" Then his Pilots mouth was otherwise occupied with sucking him off again and the three fingers were relentlessly making contact with his prostate. Rodney groaned and tried to squirm around, not sure if he wanted to get away or force himself further onto his Pilot's hand.
The fingers finally stilled, halting their sweet torture on his arse and he let out a breath, he was covered in a fine sheen of sweat that was mingling with the now warm lube and mixed in with his Pilot's saliva. It should have felt gross but Rodney just felt extremely turned on, and a little whoreish. He licked his lips, enjoying the feeling. Then John was carefully twisting again, small scissoring movements designed to open him up as much as possible.
He felt himself tremble against the mattress, hands forming fists and releasing on every twist of fingers. Feeling himself slip from his Pilot's mouth once more he opened his eyes, heavy-lidded, and sight a little blurred, watching as the other man slid back up his body, hand still buried between Rodney's legs. Soft lips pressed against his and he instantly opened up, tasting himself on the tongue that hungrily explored every inch of his mouth. Sliding his hands into John's hair he was rewarded with a moan, and the fingers pushed deeper into his arse.
Lost in the kiss Rodney parted his legs further, trying to give the man currently fucking into his mouth with his tongue as much room as he wanted. His Pilot moaned again and pulled back, blinking down at him, licking his lips. He ran his hands over John's shoulders, down his arms, at least the man now had the good grace to look as turned on as Rodney felt.
The hazel of his eyes was nearly gone, pupils so blown the iris' had almost disappeared, lips swollen and wet from the efforts on Rodney's dick and the bruising kiss they'd just shared. His breaths were heavier and Rodney could feel the hard on twitching against his leg. He licked his lips again. ""Ready baby? I've done all I can"
"Yes" Rodney nodded and ran a hand through his Pilots hair again, which the other man must have a thing for because he let out another quiet groan. "Thank you"
John smiled lazily. "My pleasure baby" Sitting back on his heels he gently removed his fingers and reached for the lube again, slicking himself up as his eyes got impossibly darker, never leaving Rodney's gaze.
He stared back at his Pilot, eyes occasionally flitting down to watch the other man stroke over himself, wanting to reach out and touch but not sure if he should. But then it seemed too late as his legs were encouraged to bend even more, John's thighs nudging under his, lifting him further. A hand was planted next to his head as his Pilot lowered himself slowly over him, the movement somehow forcing Rodney's knees up further and he softly moaned as the first brush of the other man's dick ghosted between his cheeks.
"If you say stop I will stop baby"
He nodded, looking up at him. "Ok"
His Pilot puffed out a little breath at the first gentle push and Rodney watched with fascination at the range of emotions that flickered over the face above his. This was what he'd never gotten to have before, never been able to see, the way people opened up during sex, the way their faces and eyes laid their feelings bare. Trying not to shift away from the discomfort of the slow intrusion of his arse by something that was definitely a lot bigger than three fingers Rodney drank in the sight of everything falling away to reveal John Sheppard. Not the Pilot, not the flyboy or the Air Force Colonel, but the man.
The next day.
Anna strained her ears, something had woken her up even earlier than her body clock usually did, she frowned, trying to block out the sound of her Pilots steady breathing that was very close to her ear. There was a quiet beep and a little flash of red, she rolled her eyes, it was her radio. Carefully dislodging the arm that was slung over her waist she wiggled to the side of the bed, fingers feeling around the space the light had come from on her bedside. It beeped again and she curled her fingers around the small earpiece.
As she placed it in her ear the arm returned, pulling her back towards the middle of the bed. "Where you going Princess?" His voice was slightly slurred, gravelly, sleep heavy. Kinda cute.
She gave herself a metaphorical slap for using the word cute, even if it was only in her head, and squirmed in his grasp. "Nowhere, its my radio"
"Who?"
"I don't know Cameron, I haven't answered it yet and someone keeps asking annoying questions" There was another beep and she heard her Pilot sigh before feeling him roll onto his back, his hold disappearing.
"Tell them to bugger off"
"That'd be rude"
"Answer the damn radio Anna before I throw it out the window"
"You wake up grumpy" She grinned at the retributory pinch to her side and pressed the earpiece. "Rayne"
"Anna" The voice on the other end was quiet but she detected the slight hint of panic.
She slipped into Athosian, their Pilot's were friends after all and she didn't want to reveal Rodney's business to the man currently laying behind her. "Sweetie whats wrong?"
"Um, he's uh, God I feel so stupid"
"What has he done hon? You need me there?"
"No, no..I. This is ridiculous but I.."
"Hey its ok, just breath ok? Whats up?"
"Um, well I woke up, and he's uh, he's not here"
"Your Pilot?"
"Yes" He was barely whispering now.
"Oh" Anna blinked in the semi-darkness of the bedroom. "Um, well I expect he's gone to get food or something.."
"No, all his stuff is gone. He's just, he's left. I'm so stupid"
"He's your Pilot sweetie, he won't just leave. I promise"
"But maybe he's changed his mind or something. Maybe I wasn't…good"
"Oh hon" She sighed. "If we ever get back to Earth I'm hunting down that asshole and killing him" Silence met her from the other end. "I'm coming honey"
Clicking off her radio she swung her legs out of bed, sitting up and rubbing the sleep from her eyes. They still felt a little sore from the shameful crying last night and her body was drained, wrung out. If this was what confronting and working through your grief felt like she'd rather choose the good old tried and tested formula called 'bottling it all up' over it anytime. The bed shifted under her and a soft kiss was placed on her shoulder.
"Everything ok Princess?"
"Um, yeah. I'm just gonna go and see Rodney"
"Now?"
"Uh huh, we quite often have coffee together in the morning"
"At 0600?" He slipped his arm back round her waist, pushing her hair to the side so he could nuzzle into her neck. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing"
"Liar" He released her. "Ok, go do your thing, try not to break Sheppard"
"Spoil all my fun" She muttered as she heaved herself off the bed and headed to the door.
"Uh, Anna?"
"Yeah?" She turned and blinked at him.
"Not to be bossy or anything baby but would you mind putting some clothes on first?" He grinned at her from the bed, her lovely warm, comfy bed. She fought the urge to get back in it and looked down at herself.
"Oh, right. Shit"
He huffed a quiet laugh as she flipped him off on the way to her bathroom. "Back to bed for you when you've done damage control"
Sticking her tongue out at him as the door slid shut between them Anna grabbed the sweats and tee she kept in here as sometime pyjamas, they weren't ideal but at least she wasn't naked anymore. Splashing some water over her face she raised her head and glared at the tired refection in front of her before reaching for her face cream, rubbing it in furiously until there was a small amount of colour on her cheeks. Literally showing her teeth the toothbrush and quickly rinsing her mouth she stepped back out and made her way over to the sock drawer.
"Princess, you wearing any underwear?"
"Nope"
"Really?"
"No one will notice"
"I've noticed"
Anna yanked on her last sock, hopping around on one foot so she could roll her eyes at him. "Not everyone is as perverted as you"
"Yeah, they really are baby girl"
Ten minutes after doing a runner before Cameron decided to get out of bed and attempt to physically force her into a bra, which she bet he'd never had the urge to do to a woman before, she was sat on her friends bed, back resting against the headboard and sipping her first coffee of the day. "Have you tried radioing him Rodney?"
"No" He snorted. "Way to look desperate"
"He's your Pilot and you want to check where he is. Nothing desperate about it"
"Bullshit"
Anna rolled her eyes at him as he joined her on the bed, mug in hand. "I'm just saying this could all be resolved with a little communication"
"He could have stayed and communicated. Maybe he doesn't know how to tell me"
"Um, tell you what?"
"That I'm not, you know"
"Oh shut up you idiot" Anna poked him. "What was last night like?"
"Not telling you"
"Oh come on, I'll tell you mine if you want"
"Euw, no thank you"
She grinned. "So?"
"It was..nice"
"Nice?"
"Um yes, nice. And maybe a little terrifying but definitely nice"
"You suck"
He stuck his tongue out.
"Was there any sucking?"
"Oh my God! Find some boundaries"
"What, and spoil all my fun?" Anna drained her coffee.
"Your fun is only fun for you" Rodney peered at her. "You look like shit"
"Gee thanks" Anna rolled her eyes. "And someone disturbed my beauty sleep, and was in too much of a panic to allow me to slap some make-up on"
"You hardly ever wear make-up, don't usually need it. You're disgustingly youthful and healthy looking"
"I am awesome"
"But you look about eighty this morning"
She glared at him. "Revenge will be mine"
He grinned then looked serious. "Why do you look like shit?"
Anna shrugged, everything was still a little raw and she didn't want to have another meltdown so soon after the last one. "Just didn't get much sleep" She attempted a smirk.
He rolled his eyes. "Don't try to make this about sex Rayne" He poked her. "Spill"
"It's nothing Rodney. Yesterday was just a little long that's all" She smiled at her friend. "But thank you for noticing"
"Yeah, yeah" He waved a hand. "Did he upset you?"
"Who?"
"Your Pilot idiot, the pushy asshole you've been paired up with"
Anna stuck her tongue out. "No, he didn't upset me, and he's not that bad"
"Do I detect a hint of defending one Colonel Cameron Mitchell?"
She flipped him off. "I know you think he's a bit of a bastard hon, and well, sometimes he is. But he cares, and he..uh, well, he got me through yesterday"
Rodney grinned at her. "You actually like him"
Anna scowled at him. "Can we please get back to your abandonment issues?"
"But your issues are so much more interesting"
"Rodney.."
He held his hands up in mock surrender before tugging her into his side, resting his chin on the top of her head. "Ok, ok. Just, tell me that you're ok, or are going to be ok? Did you dream about Sumner again?"
She took a breath, her traumatising flashbacks probably didn't count as actual dreams. "I'm ok, going to be better than ok after some more sleep. And no, I didn't"
"Really?"
"Really. Think my brain shut down after all the.." They looked up as the door slid open and her friends Pilot strolled in. He stopped and stared at the bed. Anna ran her eyes over him. "Oooh, nothing like a man after a run"
"Uh?"
"Anna, cut it out" Rodney pulled away and glared at her.
"Thats where you've been right?" She grinned at the slightly gaping Pilot, gesturing to his pants and vest that were stuck to his body with sweat. "For a run?"
"Um, yes" He raised a brow. "And you're here..?"
"Oh, we quite often have coffee together in the mornings. After today maybe a bit more often" She winked at Sheppard. "Very nice"
He folded his arms across his chest and raised a brow. "And does your Pilot know you're here?"
"Yep"
"Bullshit"
"Nope"
"Does he know you're here in your nightwear?"
"Yep" She grinned at him. "I left before the yelling started"
Sheppard grinned back. "You're gonna drive him insane aren't you?"
"Umhmm" Anna slid off the bed. "And speaking of which I'd better head back. Let you shower and stuff" She smirked at Rodney and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "See you at lunch hon" Going to slip past the other man she went on tiptoes to bestow a kiss on him as well. "A little tip, leave a note next time" Winking she made a run for it before Rodney found a way to make her dead with the power of his mind.
John settled his gaze on his Navi once he'd recovered from the presence that was Anna Rayne. Rodney was flicking through his tablet, head bent low, coffee grasped in one hand. He licked his lips thoughtfully then moved to the foot of the bed, crawling up and removing the two obstacles that his Navi was using to protect himself. He dumped them on the bedside and grinned at Rodney's glare. "Morning baby" He pressed his lips briefly against the other mans. "Sorry, I didn't want to wake you"
"Um, what?"
He rolled his eyes then nuzzled into Rodney's neck, the man still smelt faintly of them. "I like to go for a run early before it gets too busy. And you looked so peaceful" His Navi squirmed slightly. "Want me to wake you next time?"
There was a brief moment of silence. "How early?"
John grinned against his skin. "Sunrise, maybe just before"
"Don't ever wake me"
He snorted. "Noted" Pulling back he raised a brow. "Do I have coffee?"
"I will make you coffee if you shower" Rodney pulled a face. "Too sweaty"
"Anna seemed to appreciate it"
"Yeah, well, she's disturbed"
John smiled at him. "Aren't we all?"
"No, just her. Maybe you"
"Definitely Mitchell"
"Uh huh" His Navi shoved at his chest. "Now, go away, get clean"
John rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah" He stole a slightly less chaste kiss, Rodney tasted like coffee and..him. He hummed quietly. "How about you come help me with the hard to reach places?'
"Um.." His Navi's eyes flickered away from John's face.
"Then I'll make us both coffee" He nipped at his lower lip. "Come on, I'll do yours if you do mine" Rodney made a weird little noise and then looked slightly mortified. John grinned. "I'll take that as a yes"
Twenty minutes after she left Cameron sat up, running a hand through his hair and grimacing at the tugging on his body hair from the dried cum that he hadn't bothered to shower off. Apparently he wouldn't be achieving any more sleep until his Navi returned and he needed it badly, from the looks of Anna this morning so did she. When he'd finally managed to pull a few of his brain cells together last night he'd gently slipped out of her, rolling to the side and taking her with him.
Anna hadn't said anything but she'd remained in his arms without a sign of protest, silently pressing her face into him as he felt the hot tears run down his chest. He'd stayed quiet, letting her grieve in private, keeping her close until the breathing became more regular and the shaking stopped. Cam had lain awake for a while as she slept on, the longer he spent in his Navi's company the more convinced he was that the tests were right with their pairing but he couldn't shake the worry that he wouldn't be able to get her through this.
And if Anna couldn't move past Sumner's death they could well be grounded for the foreseeable future, the techs would have already picked up on it through her tests but they'd be hoping that Cameron would be able to make serious headway with the problem. It was too big a risk to have either an unstable Pilot or Navigator take to the sky, even more so when forced to engage in battle.
Pushing away those thoughts for now he ran his eyes over her bedroom properly for the first time, offering up a prayer of thanks when he spotted the small makeshift drinks station, and a very nice new coffee maker. He guessed he should be grateful his General was a sucker for sad puppy eyes. Throwing back the covers he reached for the sweats he had worn last night and pulled them on, ignoring his discomfort for now. Coffee first, then shower. With any luck his Navi should be back from McKay's by then and they could share water.
Padding into the living area to dig out some mugs he briefly debated radioing Sheppard to find out exactly what the problem was but quickly decided against it, for one his friend would probably not be too happy with the interference and he didn't want Anna to feel like he didn't trust her. That was going to be an important part of their pairing and Cam was hoping he'd already managed to build some between them, he didn't want to have to start from the beginning again.
Putting the bed back together as the coffee was dripping through, filling the room with an aroma that made his mouth water a little, Cam frowned as the door chimed. After momentarily hesitating opening it to someone who was probably here to see Anna he sent the silent order. He straightened as the visitor stepped through into her quarters, peering into the bedroom. "Uh, good morning Sir" His hand was half-raised in an undecided salute.
There was a gesture to signal not to bother with it. "Mitchell" General Landry made a quick sweep of the room. "Sorry to disturb you, Anna here?"
"Um, no. Sorry Sir. She's with Dr McKay" Cam waved a mug questioningly and he got an answering nod.
"Please Mitchell" He moved further into the room and took a seat on the corner of the bed. "Was hoping to catch up with Miss Rayne yesterday but I'm afraid the day the new pairings are announced is quite often a little chaotic"
He handed his CO a coffee and propped himself against the wall, if there was to be no saluting he guessed he didn't have to stand to attention whilst drinking his morning coffee. "Chaotic?"
"For ten happy pairings theres always one that has a meltdown"
Cam grinned behind his mug.
"And despite explicit instructions there's always someone who insists on forming a relationship before they get their results"
He raised a brow. "Really?"
Landry sighed. "Really. Nothing makes you feel like a complete asshole more than breaking it to some poor lovestruck Pilot or Navi that they need to ditch their partner"
"I didn't think the rules were that iron clad..uh, Sir"
His General rolled his eyes. "Drop the Sir Mitchell, we're having coffee, not on parade"
"Right, sorry S.." He cleared his throat. "Sorry, its kinda ingrained"
Landry snorted. "Give it a few months Colonel" He took a sip of his drink. "And yes, once the initial procedure is done with and you've flown together a few times an outside relationship is perfectly within either party's right. Rare to find one that works though. The bond takes a lot of time and effort"
Cam nodded. "So I've heard"
He was eyed curiously. "How are you getting on Mitchell? You're here and still breathing with no important body parts missing so I'm guessing ok?"
He huffed a quiet laugh "Yeah, ok. I think the tests did a pretty good job"
"You doubted?"
"Maybe, at first" He took a thoughtful gulp of his coffee. "Um, is Anna, well, the way she was before?"
A brow was raised. "Before Marshall?"
He hoped he wasn't crossing some kind of morale line. "Yes, if you don't mind Sir"
Landry ran a hand over his face. "From what I've seen, pretty much. Older of course, a bit wiser, more confident, although she always was one for pushing her luck with authority. Maybe a little haunted, but then everyone who has seen battle has that air about them" He sat back further and looked at Cam. "Don't try to be Sumner, you're not, and she's not the Anna Rayne that was paired with him"
Cam nodded again and chewed his lip.
"She's come a long way Mitchell, from that hospital bed and since she walked through the gate swearing not to ever come back"
"Why did she come back?"
"You'll have to ask her, she says it was because she had to get McKay away from the front lines and into a Viper but.." Landry shrugged. "She probably could have done that without the promise of her own return. I swear O'Neill would find a way to give her the sun if she asked"
Cam grinned before draining his coffee. He was going to need at least one more of those but best not to display a heavy caffeine addiction in front of his CO, relaxed conversation or not. "I've read the reports but they were pretty light on the details once she got back.." He trailed off not quite sure what he was asking but his General seemed to get it.
"Nice to see you taking an interest, too many Pilot's focus on the now, the way their own lives are changed after the joining" He waved his mug at Mitchell. "Do you mind? Keep meaning to cut back but the world seems to be conspiring against me getting a full nights sleep"
He snorted. "Sure. Gives me an excuse for more too" Taking the mug from him he turned back to the coffee pot. He heard the bed shift slightly.
"Theres not much in the files because Anna never officially debriefed. She was in no condition to on her return and after so long in the infirmary we thought it best to just let her go, not do anything that could push back her recovery. I was there when they pulled her from the Viper. It was fucked, I remember thinking there was no way in hell either of them could still be alive in that thing"
"The engineers worked on removing Anna first, Sumner had to be cut free. Eventually they had to shut the whole system down because she'd sunk herself so deeply into the craft. She was covered in Marshall's blood but the scariest thing were her eyes. It was like she couldn't see us, wasn't really there. They were worried they'd somehow left her mind behind, that she was still floating about in the Viper somewhere, and a few minutes later she fell unconscious"
Cam turned and offered the second coffee to his General, hand impressively steady considering what he was hearing.
"When Anna woke it was clear that wasn't the case but she still didn't speak for some time. She'd just watch you as you talked to her, eyes following you around the room. I won't lie, it freaked me the fuck out. Once her physical injuries had been treated she was moved to the Empath Wing of the Infirmary but after the first couple of days the CMO admitted defeat, neither her nor any of her staff could punch through the walls Anna seemed to have been working on since she'd woken up. They just let her be, allowed her friends to visit as often as they liked, played movies, music, anything"
"I give a hell of a lot of credit to those people, Teyla, Ronan, Chuck, even Caldwell called in when he could. They never made a big fuss, never gave up, just kept talking, or sitting with her reading, playing cards. Then one day I walk into the room and she's laughing at something Chuck had said and I think that's it, we've got our Navi back but then.." He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "..she says she wants to leave, go to Athos. That she can't fly again, she'd be too much of a risk. With her Empath side, which is unusual in Navi's anyway, it could be too intense, could lead to a bad accident"
"I spoke to Jack and he gave the go ahead. Then nearly a year later she strolls back into my gate room along with Dr McKay and says she's ready, if we'll have her back. Gotta give Rodney a nod too, I think he did a lot for her out there." Cam was studied for a minute. "Remember not to cut her off from her friends, and make sure you tell your own friends too. Navi's and Pilot's need people to go to who aren't each other, especially if their partner is lost"
He nodded, still processing. "Right, shit"
Landry huffed a quiet laugh and stood. "Told you 'cause you need to know but don't dwell on it Mitchell. It's in the past, and Anna is doing a good job of moving forward. If she continues like she is you're gonna make one hell of a flight team, an impressive squadron along with Sheppard and Lorne"
Cam nodded again. "Right. Uh, thank you Sir"
"Please let Anna know I was looking for her, maybe she'll deign to visit me later if her fancy takes it" Cam snorted quietly as the General placed his mug on the drinks station. "You're the last piece of the puzzle Mitchell, do what you do, let Anna do what she does, it'll work. The tests are never wrong" Landry moved towards the door, shooting a grin over his shoulder as he left. "And I hear you were already quite appreciative of her assets before the pairing"
The door slid shut and Cam blinked at it then rolled his eyes. "Fucking Caldwell"
Anna paused where the corridor split off towards her quarter's, the other way towards the mess. She sniffed and her stomach grumbled appreciatively. Checking her watch she grinned, it was still early and there was bacon. Jogging off in the opposite direction to her living accommodation the wonderful smell got stronger and stronger until she turned into the mess and it practically assaulted her senses. She felt her mouth water up a little bit.
Strolling over to the counter she smiled at the man behind it. "Good morning Len" The Head Cook had been on Atlantis since the beginning, had raised a family of his own in a war zone whilst catering for an entire military base, and he was loved as much as he was feared.
"Miss Rayne" He grinned at her. "Did the smell wake you?"
She rolled her eyes. "No, I happened to be in the vicinity"
"Ah, and how much are you stealing before the rush?"
Anna licked her lips and rocked back on her heels. "Um, enough for two, actually make it three. He is no way stealing any of mine"
"I've heard you can become quite violent when your bacon is threatened" Another grin as Lenny began to plate up for two. "Anything else Anna?"
"Um" She ran her eyes over the food. "Maybe some eggs, ooh and hash browns, my favourite" She eyed him. "Is there fry-ups because we're facing impending death or something?"
He snorted. "No, but we like to offer some comfort the day after the announcements"
"Don't ever leave us"
He held his hand up. "I swear" A brow was raised. "Mushrooms?"
"I love you"
"I know, unfortunately I can never return that love"
"It's a cruel world" She smiled at him as he placed the two plates on the top of the counter. "Thanks Len, just what I needed"
"No problem" He leant over the counter and she bent her head as he mock whispered in her ear. "There's apple pie for lunch"
Anna moaned quietly. "Have you seen the size of the flight suits?"
"You've got some room" He winked at her and waved a hand. "Now, bugger off before your breakfast gets cold"
Blowing him a kiss she grabbed the plates and headed back towards her quarter's, ignoring the curious, sometimes ravenous, looks that she was shot by passers-by. Giving thanks that the operation of door handles was not needed on the city she stepped back into her quarter's, her Pilot was propped against the headboard flicking through some files.
"Are those mine?" Anna raised a brow.
He looked up and matched her gesture. "Is that mine?" He pointed to one of the plates in her hands with his pen.
"You first" She grinned at him and placed the two plates on the desk before heading for the coffee pot. "You raided my coffee stash?"
"Hmm, it's very nice" She heard the bed shift. "And no, they're not yours"
"Are you looking for a replacement already?" Anna poured herself a coffee.
A warm arm snaked around her waist. "Not now you've brought me breakfast" Her Pilot pressed a quick kiss to her neck then stepped away. "No tomatoes?"
"Seriously?" She turned and rolled her eyes.
"Hey, I like tomatoes"
"I don't, they're so wrong" She wrinkled her nose.
"Wow, that's some kind of grudge" Cameron grinned at her and sat at the desk, unrolling some cutlery. "So, which one's mine before I get murdered for eating your breakfast"
Anna took a sip of coffee. "Mine's got more hash browns"
He eyed the plates. "Yours is nearly all hash browns"
"I like them"
"And let me guess, the cook thinks you're adorable?"
"I am adorable" She smiled serenely at him and nabbed her plate, sitting cross-legged on the bed.
"You're a pain in the arse"
Sticking her tongue out she went back to her breakfast, unlocking her tablet and scrolling through her messages. Emails from Earth weren't scheduled for another week when the gate would make its routine dial-up but there were always notes flying around the city's intranet, considering they were supposed to be at war there was a surprising amount of gossip to keep on top of.
"Landry came looking for you Princess"
She raised her head, frowning slightly. "Really?"
"Yep" Her Pilot took a sip of coffee. "Left you an open invite to go see him today"
"Oh, ok"
"Think he just wants to check in Anna, he was pissed he didn't have time to see you yesterday" Cameron raised another brow. "Is that a problem?"
"No" She stabbed a hash brown. She liked her time with Hank but this sounded suspiciously like it was going to involve more talking, proper talking. "I'll swing by later"
"Whenever you like? Just show up at the General's office?"
"I'm adorable remember" Anna went for another sweet smile that received a part-reprimanding part-amused look. "See?"
"I'm mad on the inside"
"Sure"
"So, did you have to beat up Shep?"
She frowned as she took a bite of bacon. "Oh, Sheppard. Um, no" She smiled over at him. "I believe Rodney has no complaints"
"Anna" He glared at her. "Please, no talking about Sheppard and sex in the same sentence, we've gone over this"
"I didn't actually say.."
"Princess, shut up"
"You asked"
"I thought your friend was in trouble or something"
"Ah, so sweet of you"
He flipped her off. "So, what was the problem?"
"Sorry, Rodney would kill me, I think he's already tempted"
Cam grinned at her. "What did you do?"
"Gave his Pilot a little heads up. Who is, by the way, incredibly hot in the mornings"
"You do this on purpose don't you?"
"Maybe"
Her Pilot dropped his cutlery back on his empty plate and snagged his mug before stretching out beside her with a yawn. Fingers trailed through her hair. "Whatcha doing baby?"
"Catching up on the latest on the rumour mill"
"There can't be that much going on"
"Umhmm" Chewing thoughtfully she tapped on her next message. It was from Chuck seeing if she wanted to spar. Hitting reply she typed an affirmative along with a request that it not be until 1100, she needed some more sleep or at least a lie down. "There is also quite the social life if you look for it"
"This is a military base Anna"
"And we'd all go completely insane if all we did was kill stuff and exercise Cameron"
"I'm pretty sure most of us are insane already"
"It is a requirement"
Her Pilot rolled to his side to place his mug on the bedside. "I'm hitting the shower Princess, wanna share?"
"Are you a water hogger?"
"Not on purpose"
Anna swallowed the last mouthful of her breakfast. It seemed he wasn't going to badger her about last night, at least for now, and she relaxed a little. "Ok, but no inappropriate touching"
"Spoilsport"
Anna tipped back her head enjoying the feel of the hot spray hitting her face as conditioner was rinsed out, long smooth combing strokes through her hair. Her Pilot had stuck to her no inappropriate touching rule but he had insisted on helping her get clean, so now she was smelling a hell of a lot better than she had before and her tight muscles had been kneaded into submission.
"All done baby girl" Lowering her face back down she blinked at him through the water. He smiled. "Better Princess?"
Anna nodded. "Umhmm" She was beginning to feel sleepy again.
"Good, time to catch up on some sleep" Stepping from the shower first Cameron slung a towel round his waist before reaching back in for her hand and gently tugging her from the shower. Anna shivered slightly at the loss of warm water combined with her increasing fatigue. Standing still as a towel was wrapped around her chest whilst another ran over her arms and hair she tried to stifle a yawn. There was a quiet chuckle and she glared at her Pilot, he grinned back. "Get your sweats back on baby then come snuggle"
She wrinkled her nose half-heartedly. "Snuggling is gross"
"You know you want to" Another grin then a quick chaste kiss on her lips before he left her in peace.
Anna stared at herself in the mirror for a moment then rolled her eyes and stripped off the towel. She should feel restless, edgy, because she hadn't been for her normal morning run but her limbs were heavy and, not that she was going to tell Cameron, but curling up in bed with him sounded preferable to anything else at the moment. Hurriedly pulling on her tee and sweat pants as her skin began to goose bump and the shivers threatened again she thought over last night.
She knew she'd made the conscious decision yesterday to take everything she could from this new pairing and she didn't regret it. It was unusual for her to find someone who got the balance right and so quickly, she'd tried a few times after leaving Atlantis last year but they either took it to mean they could do whatever the hell they liked to her or they veered too far the other way and made her feel suffocated. Eventually she'd just settled for the odd bit of straight up sex when it was offered, and the other person didn't look like the hunchback of Notre Dame.
But Colonel Mitchell had been chosen especially for her, and well apparently, as he'd successfully pushed her to confront her feelings about Marshall and he'd known just how to prise open the smallest crack in her defences. And ok she had already been feeling a little worn thin, a little bruised, but still, no one had managed to do that before, not even the trained Empath's in the Infirmary. She straightened and stared back into the mirror, worrying her bottom lip with her teeth. Helping her get over the death of her first Pilot was all very well, maybe he was worried the echoes of the trauma would affect their chances in the air, but she hoped that was where he stopped.
Anna didn't just have Marshall Sumner shaped walls built up in her head, there was more in there. Stuff she didn't want to remember, and she knew Cameron wouldn't want to see. She tilted her head before nodding to herself, maybe a little reinforcement was necessary. If he'd made even the slightest dent in those structures by the time they joined officially it could mean a full scale demolition.
Treating her teeth to a more thorough brush than she had earlier this morning Anna then padded back into the bedroom and reached for her tablet. Sitting on the side of the bed she set her alarm just in case she fell into a too deep a sleep for her body to wake her as it usually did when she knew something was scheduled.
"Wanna save the gossip until we both don't look like death?"
She propped the tablet up on her bedside and turned her head to roll her eyes at him. "Setting my alarm"
Cameron raised a brow from his pillow. "Got somewhere to be baby girl?"
"Sparring with Chuck later" She reached for her comb and hairbands, nothing like going to sleep with wet hair to cause you to wake up looking like two birds had taken up residence there.
Her Pilot frowned. "Don't you want to rest today?"
"I am resting. Usually I'd have been for a run already" Anna began to pull one half of her hair into a plait. "And it's still only eight thirty, gives me plenty of time for a sleep beforehand"
Propping himself up on his elbows he watched as she finished the plait and started on the other side. "Is he good?"
"Yep"
"As good as you?"
Anna smiled at him as she finished up her hair. "Yep. But after nearly a year on the front lines I have no issue with fighting dirty"
He grinned and flicked a plait. "Very cute"
Anna scowled at him. "I am not cute"
"Yeah, you really are" Cameron tugged back the comforter. "Come on, if you insist on beating up Chuck then you'll need a nap first"
Rolling her eyes again she slipped under the covers, letting him pull her into his chest. She sighed quietly as the warmth began to spread through her body and her lids grew heavy. She licked her lips enjoying the feeling of that moment when you knew you were slowly slipping away into sleep.
Anna stared into the darkness behind her lids. They'd been gathered around her bed again, she'd heard Dr Beckett explaining to them that physically she was fine, they didn't have a reason for her continued sleep. He'd tried to keep the weariness out of his tone at having to give the same speech he had done for the past week but she'd picked up the undertones.
Anna had woken some days ago. It had been night, the infirmary lit with a soft glow, the hums and beeps of machines surrounding her. As the on duty nurse had come to check on her as her heart monitor had picked up on her brief panic Anna had snapped her eyes shut again. She'd thought over her actions lately and had come to the conclusion she was still pretending to be unconscious because she was a coward. She was scared of the inevitable questions, of having to go back to the real world without her Pilot.
But Chuck's whispered plea for her to wake this morning had tears threatening behind her closed lids and she'd felt a pang of guilt for keeping her friends so afraid. Anna sighed quietly and slowly opened her eyes. It was night again so her waking would probably not be detected straight away. She ran her gaze over the room, most of the patients were asleep, the nurse stood by her small workstation studying something on her tablet. As they rested on a young marine who she vaguely recognised from the city's halls he turned his head, their eyes briefly locking.
He sat up then winced, holding his head, she took in the small cut above his left eye. Allowing her gaze to drift away she heard his call for the nurse and then the woman was staring down at her. "Anna?" She smiled. "Welcome back sweetie. Can you tell me how you feel?" Empty, broken, still pissed with the world in general. Anna kept her thoughts to herself blinking up at her. The nurse frowned, shining a light into her pupils, looking over the machines.
"Anna, can you speak?" Another concerned look at Anna's silence. She hesitatingly patted her hand. "I'm just going to get Dr Beckett Anna, please stay with us" As she bustled away Anna lazily focused on the marine again. He raised a brow, blinking back at him she let her eyes wander off again. She could still hide for a bit longer and she needed more time. She wasn't quite ready for the Empath Wing yet.
As the nurse began to make her way back to the bed with Dr Beckett in tow their attention was caught by the alarm on another bed, shooting her a quick concerned look Beckett turned away and hurried over to the patient who was laying still in his bed as the shrillness of the alarm rung out in the otherwise silent infirmary. As the long steady beep of his heart monitor echoed through the room a few minutes later Anna silently offered up a prayer for him but refused to shed a tear for another lost in a war that never seemed to end.
Cameron woke with a jump as his Navi yanked herself free from his grasp, her alarm persistently ringing out before she reached over and hit it off. He frowned at the slight shake in her hand. As she sat with her back to him, feet already on the floor and hand seemingly running over her face he reached out, brushing a finger over her shoulder. Anna flinched slightly. "Princess, maybe you should get some more rest?"
She shook her head, slightly ruffled plaits swinging slightly. "No, I need to do something"
"Whats wrong baby girl?" He rested his chin on her shoulder, wrapping an arm round her waist. "Bad dreams?"
Another muted shake of her head. "No, just my alarm made me jump that's all" Anna twisted her head and smiled at him. "Don't usually need it"
Cam brushed his lips over hers. "Maybe that's telling you something?"
"Don't drink so much? Tell your best friend to piss off when they radio you at 0530 in the morning?"
"I agree with both those things but that's not what I meant and you know it" He shifted round so he was sat more next to her. "Last night would have triggered a lot of shit Anna, you're gonna feel a little raw for a while, get nightmares, flashbacks.."
"Well, doesn't that sound fun? And like it's all your fault"
"Baby girl.." He shot her a reproachful look. "You know why it had to be done. Why you can't keep it tucked away anymore"
"Because you want to fly"
He raised a brow at the quick retort. "No, well kind of. But I want you to feel better as well, you couldn't continue to operate like you were, as an Empath you know that deep down. And yes I want to fly. But I want to fly with you, and I think you want to fly again, and I think it'll do you a whole load of good too. But they may keep that from you, from us.."
"If I'm certified?"
"You're not crazy" He frowned at her. "Just stubborn"
She folded her arms across her chest and pouted. "Am not"
"Don't even try going down that route young lady" He grinned at her. "I'm immune"
"No way"
"Yes way" He sighed, tucking an escaped strand of hair behind her ear. "I forced it out, so at least let me be there for the shitty bits ok? Let me help you fly again"
His Navi looked curiously at him, eyes briefly flickering to somewhere else.
Cam raised a brow. "You reading me again?"
"No"
He rolled his eyes. "And?"
Tilting her head slightly Anna then leant forward and he found himself being softly kissed. Keeping his hands in his lap so as to allow his Navi to control their contact this time Cam slightly parted his lips to signal she was welcome to take this further if she so wished. Her tongue ran languorously between them once before she pulled back.
Anna nodded. "Ok"
Anna rolled one of her Bantos back and forth in front of her whilst she waited for Chuck. Despite the rather disturbing wake up call from her nap she was feeling a little better, if slightly apprehensive about what the next few days would bring. She had a suspicion her Pilot was right and there'd be a few more upsetting dreams, plus sudden and violent flashbacks but in a round about way he had confirmed her theory that there was still a chance she wouldn't fly this run.
It had been a part of the reason she'd walked away the first time, knowing that once the techs started digging around in her head they'd ground her instantly. So far there hadn't been any mention of that which probably meant she was currently walking a fine line between a pass and fail. And they were no doubt expecting Cameron to push her further into the pass category.
He could very well do that, the chances being greater if she chose to work with, rather than against, him. When she'd reached out to her Pilot earlier there had been concern, fondness, a slight hint of exasperation, a little lust. She guessed the last two would be something she would probably always pick up from him if the beginnings of their partnership was anything to go by but the all round feeling she'd gotten from him had surprised her. It seemed he really did care, and not just about getting into the sky. Hence the unplanned kiss, which he'd sat back and taken, not even grumbling when she'd cut it off and gone to get ready to meet with her friend.
She was shaken from her thoughts as the door to the gym slid open and Chuck strolled in, grinning at her and moving towards the mat, dumping his bag next to her. "Rayne, ready for an arse kicking?"
Anna flipped him off. "No chance Harrington"
He smirked at her and shed his hoody. "I don't know, you look a little blah"
"Blah?"
"Yeah, your face is all blah"
"Bite me"
"Not looking like that"
She glared at him. "Well, aren't you even more of a pleasure than usual"
He raised a brow. "Too far?"
"Perhaps a touch" Anna stood and faced him on the mat, Bantos relaxed in her hands.
"Feeling delicate?"
"Feeling angry?"
Chuck rolled his eyes. "Perhaps" He initiated a slow exchange of blows as a warm up.
"Why?" Anna raised a brow as she leant away from a mis-directed swing. "And should I have worn my gum shield and helmet?"
He snorted. "Doesn't usually bother you"
"Wouldn't want you to get shot"
"Ah yes, your new and rather protective friend"
"I'd flip you off but I'm busy fielding your aggression"
He grinned and side-stepped a stick that was heading towards his knee. "Off your game Rayne"
Anna stuck her tongue out. "So, why the rage?"
"Not rage"
"Is that so" She smiled at the quiet hiss as her stick made contact with his thigh.
"Bitch" He muttered.
"Thank you"
"Not rage" His jaw tightened as the pace picked up. "Frustration"
"Sexual?" Anna spun and felt the disturbed air whistle past her ear.
"Maybe"
"Spill" She flicked a stick from his hand and grinned.
Chuck scowled and stepped away, holding his now empty hand up to signal a breather. "My new Pilot is hot"
"Agreed"
"And completely not interested"
Anna raised a brow again. "Really?"
"Yeah" He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I mean, its fine. We get on, had a really nice day together yesterday but every time I left myself open to any touch he seemed completely oblivious. I thought maybe he just hadn't noticed so I kinda upped my uh, signals and..nothing. He just dropped me at my quarters and said he'd meet me for breakfast if I wanted"
"Not everyone just jumps into bed together hon"
"You did"
"Yeah well Rodney says I'm a whore so.." She shrugged. "But I didn't before and Sumner never initiated anything, never gave a hint of wanting more"
"You were young Anna, even for a first time Navi, and it was a totally different situation. My first Pilot hung on a bit too but.." He furrowed his brow. "..maybe Lorne isn't interested in men"
She shook her head. "Uh uh, I have been reliably informed that the pairings are based on dating compatibility too, you know the whole strengthens the bond, improves flight thing. They wouldn't have matched you with a straight guy"
He gaped at her slightly. "No shit"
"Uh huh, shit"
"Huh" He looked thoughtful. "I mean, I always knew it was kinda secretly encouraged, expected even but..really? They match you with someone you'll want to go to bed with?"
"Apparently"
"Your Pilot told you?"
She nodded. "Yeah"
"Oh" Chuck chewed on his lip. "Maybe he just doesn't find me hot"
"You are hot"
"Not to everyone"
"Of course you are" She rolled her eyes. "Talk to him Chuck. There might be a really simple explanation, maybe he's old-fashioned or he doesn't want to presume, scare you off"
"I was being pretty blatant Rayne. Shit" He went to retrieve his fallen Bantos. "Not sure I can go through the next few months without any kind of contact"
"Give him time if you can't bring yourself to talk to him sweetie. If it's still like that in a couple of weeks and he hasn't said or done anything then bring up relationships outside the bond. See what his reaction is, if he agrees you can at least find a bit of comfort with someone else"
"Maybe" He signalled they could begin again. "But those are always risky, and I have a feeling the closer I get to him the more I'll like him"
"Maybe that'll be the same for him too" She grinned as they resumed their sparring. "Failing that just wait for him naked or something"
"Because being rejected whilst naked isn't mortifying at all"
"No one can reject you naked"
"What if he laughs?"
"Why would he laugh? Do you have a funny shaped.."
"Shut up" He narrowed his gaze and shifted styles, throwing Anna momentarily off.
Righting herself and matching his pace she smirked as best she could whilst concentrating on not getting her teeth knocked out. "You so do"
"Fuck off, I do not" He stepped back as she upped her attack.
"Coming to movie night?"
"Is it Aliens again?" Chuck clenched his jaw as she pushed him further back towards the wall.
"Yep, someone bought him the entire collection in HD"
"They should be taken outside and shot"
She snorted. "Oh come on, they're always good for a laugh, and its nice to watch something you've already seen. Doesn't matter if you get distracted" Anna waggled her brows and stepped up the pace.
"Don't think I'll be getting distracted" His breath became a little more laboured. "Shit" His back hit the wall and he brought his hands up in surrender. "Shit, you fight dirty"
"So do you"
"You're dirtier" He rolled his eyes as Anna backed off, letting him move towards his bag. Grabbing a bottle of water he took a long pull of his drink. "Can I come sit with you?"
"Sure, but you should sit with Lorne. Maybe there could be snuggling"
Chuck made little gagging noises. "Snuggling is gross"
"Yeah, but sometimes it leads to less gross things" She looked at him questioningly before reaching for her own drink.
"Maybe" Her friend sighed again and drained his drink.
"Come on hon" Anna smiled at him. "I'll give you one more chance to prove your manliness and then we're meeting Rodney for lunch"
"Who's Hank?" John watched his friends Navi slip through the tables of the mess after excusing herself.
"Seriously Shep?"
He turned his gaze to his old friend. "Um, yeah?"
Mitchell rolled his eyes. "You're an idiot"
His own Navi snorted quietly, bent over his tablet. John glared at the top of his head.
Mitchell grinned at him. "The man in the big glass office? The one who must be obeyed? Your CO?"
"Oh" He raised a brow. "She calls him Hank?"
"I have come to the conclusion that Anna has no concept of authority figures, or their titles"
"So what does she call you?" He smirked at the other man as he flipped him off. Rodney tore his gaze from his work and opened his mouth to give his own reply. John smiled at him. "Don't even think about it Dr McKay"
His Navi glared at him. "Oh come on"
"No" John raised a brow. "So, she's just popping in? Without an appointment"
Rodney grinned. "Anna also has no concept of appointments" Mitchell rolled his eyes at him. "And I have come to the conclusion that authority figures like to indulge her"
"Oh" John shared a quick look with Major Lorne.
"Say it and die Sheppard" Mitchell raised challenging brow.
"Can I think it?"
"No"
Lorne huffed a quiet laugh.
"Shut up Major"
"Oh, yes Sir" He raised his mug to hide his mouth and winked at his Navi. "Thinking it though"
Chuck bit his lip and closely examined his lunch.
"For fuck's sake" Muttered Mitchell.
"Why does Mitchell look like he's about to implode?" John looked up as Colonel Caldwell slid into the seat recently vacated by Anna, a pretty redhead taking the chair next to him.
"He's talking to Sheppard, duh" Lorne grinned.
Caldwell snorted as the other two Pilots death glared him. "I see we're all getting along wonderfully" He waved his cutlery at the woman next to him. "Lieutenant Laura Cadman, marine and my Navi. Say hello Laura"
"Hello Laura" She smiled serenely at them.
Rodney grinned at her. "Welcome, you're gonna fit right in"
Caldwell rolled his eyes. "Yeah, like you and Rayne weren't enough trouble"
"Hey" Chuck pouted. "I'm trouble too"
"Course you are sweetie" Rodney patted his hand, getting a rude gesture in return.
John grinned at his Navi. "Play nice Rodney" He looked the newest Navi at the table over. "So you're a marine too? Isn't that unusual?"
"I'm a late bloomer" Laura twinkled at him. "And there's no way I'm dropping my rank, I got beaten up way too many times to get it"
"Good for you" Chuck waved his fork at her. "So this is your first run?"
"Umhmm" She took a sip of coffee, nodding slightly. "Been at the mountain for a year"
"Laura was second in command of SG-3. She'll come in handy" Caldwell smiled at her as she rolled her eyes.
"Cool, whats it like?"
"Going through the gate?" She raised a brow at John.
He nodded.
"Pretty awesome. More boring missions than you'd think though, mainly interspersed with running for your life from variously shaped aliens"
He grinned. "Didn't think marines ran away"
"They do when there's an eight foot slavering dog that's invulnerable to bullets galloping towards them"
"Ah" He peered at her. "Did that really happen?"
"Yep" She took another sip of coffee. "In the end I just blew it up"
Caldwell smiled slightly, forking up some pie with one hand while the other that was slung over the back of her chair played with a strand of hair.
John eyed her suspiciously. "Really?"
"Umhmm"
"How did you do that if you were running away?"
"Well, I changed direction and threw some C4 into its open mouth"
"Awesome"
"Yeah, until it exploded and I got covered in sh.."
"Yes, thank you Laura" Caldwell raised a brow. His Navi stuck her tongue out but silently started in on her own pie. "So, my squadron appears to be missing a Navi?"
"Your squadron?" Mitchell eyed him.
"Yep, if all goes ok with the final joining you're looking at Viper Squadron One. Plus Rayne when she deigns to join us"
"She's with Ha..uh Landry" Mitchell grinned at him. "Seriously, squadron one?"
"Yes, it appears despite your best efforts to display an image contrary to the fact, you are all indeed awesome"
"Awesome"
"Which basically means you're going to be the first ones to get shot at" Caldwell grinned back.
"Well, you can't have it all"
Anna took a seat in the chair opposite him. "Afternoon General" She smiled. "Am I interrupting?"
"Yes, thank you"
She grinned at him.
"I'm sorry I missed you yesterday hon" Hank tipped back in his chair. "And for the crappy timing, I tried to change it but the techs weren't having any of it"
She shrugged. "It's ok. You can't run the whole base around me"
"True" He eyed her. "You sure everything is ok?"
Anna rolled her eyes. "This line of questioning is getting a little boring"
"Anna" He frowned. "I need you to be ready for this, we need you and Mitchell"
She nodded. "I know, I'm sorry. Guess I'm a little worn down by all the nurturing"
Her friend snorted. "Indulging himself is he?"
"You could say that" She sighed. "And its kinda nice I suppose. I just, I guess Ive gotten used to looking after myself"
"You can still do that Anna, just let people help ok?"
"I feel like I'm still a burden, and people keep eyeing me like I'm about to explode of something"
"Are you?"
"No" She scowled at him then smoothed her expression. "Um, are they really gonna let me fly this run?"
He raised a brow. "Strange question"
"I get the feeling it's not a certainty"
Hank nodded. "It's a close thing. You know they don't let us see everything the tests reveal but I think they're concerned about the way you've dealt with Sumner's death, and your time on the front line"
Anna swallowed down her anger. "This is why I left Hank, I hate that they poke about in there, think they know what's best"
"They generally do though" He smiled a little sadly at her. "And I admire anyone who goes through this testing period, it must be tough. Knowing there's nowhere to hide" She nodded silently. He looked at her curiously. "You're not hiding anything are you Anna?"
"Like you say there is nowhere to hide" She went for innocent.
"You're a strong Empath, one who managed to block Keller and her staff when you were still battered and bruised. And you know how these tests work"
"I think I'm a little insulted Hank"
"I have to be sure hon. It's not just you on the line up there, you know that"
"I know" She smoothed her pants over her legs before grabbing her mug. "There is nothing there that wasn't before, except for Marshall and I'm moving through that. Anyway the tests were devised by the Ancients, and use their tech, nothing can withstand them"
"Ok" He gave a little nod. "Mitchell alright?"
"Annoying but bearable" He raised another brow. She sighed again. "I reluctantly quite like him"
Hank grinned at her. "Good. And his behaviour?"
"He's pushy, nosy, bossy and incredibly ungentlemanly"
He huffed a quiet laugh, taking a sip of coffee.
Anna rolled her eyes. "However he cares, wants to understand, has a halfway decent sense of humour and is kinda cute" She eyed him over her mug. "You tell him that and I'll kill you"
He held up his fingers. "Scouts promise"
"Is he good?"
"Excuse me?"
She grinned at him. "In the sky? Is he good?"
"Oh" He cleared his throat. "Um, yes. They all are, you know that. We don't send amateurs out there"
"Hank?" She raised a brow.
He sighed. "Right, fine" The General drained his coffee. "Yes, he's very good. As are the two that made it through with him.."
"Sheppard and Lorne?"
Hank nodded. "They trained together, although Lorne was a year below them at the Academy. They've got a good chemistry, work well together. Took on some tough missions before they joined the programme"
"Any disasters?"
"Ask your Pilot"
She raised a brow. That wasn't the answer she'd been expecting.
He rolled his eyes. "Afghanistan, bad intel. That's all you're getting. But it wasn't any of their faults, you know how it is"
"Unfortunately" Anna wrapped her hands around her mug. "Must have sucked"
"They appeared to have moved past it. Weren't happy at the time though. Your Pilot nearly lost his commission, smacked his CO one"
"Awesome"
"Insubordinate" A faint smile tugged at his lips. "But it was done with the best intentions, and I have to say I'd have probably done the same in my younger years"
"You little firecracker you"
He flipped her off and Anna grinned. "I believe that's where our conversation ends before you descend further into inappropriateness" He opened his laptop again. "You going to movie night?"
"Yep, you?"
"Not this time, the new pairings have escalated my paperwork"
"Sorry"
"For once its not you hon" He smiled at her. "And glad to hear you're going. Make the most of your downtime ok?"
Anna nodded. "Sure"
"Now piss off, I'm busy"
"Yes Sir" Ripping off a textbook salute Anna slipped from his office.
Strolling into the rec room Cameron ran his eyes over the crowds, the couches that were usually spread out had been pushed into vague rows with a few large chairs dotted in-between them. He hadn't had chance to catch a movie here yet with all his time and energy focused on preparing for the dozens of tests he'd had to sit through but he had made it down for a couple of quiet games of chess with Sheppard.
He'd pulled on jeans and a black tee for tonight guessing it wasn't really an occasion that called for uniform and it looked like he'd been right. Some people were even in sweats and he was pretty sure there were a couple in pyjama's. Swinging his gaze to the back he smiled slightly, it seemed his friends had requisitioned two of the couches. Lorne and Chuck were already there seemingly discussing something important if the Navi's hand gestures were anything to go by, a rather large man sporting dreadlocks sat the other side looking suspiciously like he was disguising a grin.
This must be the infamous Ronan he'd been hearing so much about, he certainly looked like he'd be capable of surviving the Krill if anyone could. Anna's trainer and friend Teyla was sat on a large cushion by his feet, head tilted to listen to the conversation and smiling softly. On the couch next door sat Sheppard and McKay, Rodney rolling his eyes at something his Pilot was saying earning himself a grin and a playful punch to the arm.
Cadman leant forward to the side to murmur something into Rodney's ear and he glared at her. She smirked back before receiving a light tap on her knee from her Pilot who was sat propped against the arm of the couch, beer lazily hanging from his fingers. Caldwell tipped his head, mouth forming words that Cam couldn't hear but caused Sheppard to grin again, and his Navi to wrinkle her nose in disgust.
"Earth to Colonel Mitchell"
He blinked and looked down at his side. His Navi smiled up at him. "If its ok do you mind if we not watch the movie from here?" He rolled his eyes, Anna had asked if she could meet him here, she'd wanted to see Hank and then have an hour or so to herself. He'd reluctantly agreed, Landry's earlier words of advice still ringing in his ears. He took her in. Anna was now in soft black leggings, a long pink fluffy jumper and thick pink socks.
"Never had you down for a pink girl" She stuck her tongue out. Cameron grinned back. "Come on Princess, looks like we're taking the floor"
"Only cause you were late" She followed him through the masses, smiling an occasion greeting.
"So were you"
"But I don't mind sitting on the floor. And being late is part of my charm. You're supposed to be all efficient and stuff"
"I am?" He nodded at his friends and propped himself against the other arm of the couch that Sheppard and McKay were on.
"Yes, it's all your uptight military training"
McKay snorted above him. He flipped him off. "We are not uptight"
"Uh huh" She settled in between his legs, wrapping her hands around the mug she'd wandered in with. "I bet you iron your underwear"
"Anna, shut up"
"I think I've found my new role model" Cadman grinned down at her as her Pilot rolled his eyes at Cam.
Anna smiled. "I'm very flattered. How you doing Laura?"
"Good" The other Navi winked at her and leant in to mock whisper in her ear. "I've even been excused from sitting on the floor today"
His Navi smiled into her drink whilst Caldwell sighed. "Laura, you are not funny"
"Uh huh, I'm hilarious"
Anna nodded. "She is"
"Mitchell.." Caldwell glared at him, apparently wanting him in some way to step in with his Navi.
He grinned at his superior. "Hey, don't look at me. I think she's kinda funny too"
"Idiot"
As the noise of a hundred different conversations began to hush and the lights dimmed he looked up as another two figures padded silently over to their group. He nodded at Colonel Carter and the bespectacled man with her as they joined Teyla. Apparently it wasn't past the leader of AR-1 to sit on the floor too. He knew Carter vaguely from years ago and had heard a lot about her achievements since joining the programme.
The woman was a force to be reckoned with and had done a lot in Pegasus to bring them closer to some sort of success out here. Of course there'd been the rumours about her and O'Neill, some saying that's why she'd taken the post out here eventually but Cam knew a bit about whispered half-truths and purposefully career-ruining lies. For him the reports that detailed exactly what she'd done to bring her team home safe time and again was enough to gain his respect. He wasn't sure he'd be able to do the same, couldn't imagine being in charge of a lead team and the pressures it must bring.
His Navi snuggled in a bit closer and Cam brought his arms round her waist, bending his head to whisper in her ear. "Ok baby girl?" Anna nodded silently. Pressing a soft, subtle kiss to her hair he leant back and let himself get drawn into the images playing on the screen. Ronan had good taste, he loved these films.