Navigator

by MillieMaeB

Anna & Sumner were the pair, the ones you wanted in the sky with you. Their connection to each other & the Viper was unheard of, the enemy seemingly falling from the sky before them. Then Sumner is killed & Anna is broken, leaving Atlantis, swearing to never return. But a year later she does, bringing Rodney McKay with her. Can they & their Pilots finally bring an end to the war?

3. Chapter 3

Anna padded softly down the deserted corridor, her running shoes making no sound on the smooth surface. She had told her Pilot she was going for a short run before bed and perhaps that is what she intended to begin with but she knew full well this idea had been an annoying niggle in the back of her mind since she had discovered she would once again be taking to the sky. This sector of the city was silent, bathed only in the dim glow of the emergency lighting but in two weeks time it would be filled with engineers and techs, Pilots and Navis.

The air would be filled with the hum of engines and the crackling of the comms. The hurrying of personnel and the smell of sweat and oil. When the runs began this sector would come alive and there would be nowhere to hide. Anna stopped in front of the large grey doors, tracing a finger over the lettering there. The docking bay had always tested her blocks, the joy of every successful mission, the despair of every bad one, it all permeated the walls and floor, the equipment, even the Vipers themselves. Reflected emotions had that power, to linger, to raise goosebumps even on the arms of those who weren't an empath. The first time Anna had stepped into that place she had physically shook, the bile rising in her throat, eyes pricking at the sudden threat of tears in sympathy for those who had come before.

This place was both familiar and unknown, she had no idea how she would react the next time she walked into the space behind these doors. And if she suffered some kind of breakdown on the day of their first run it would be back to the therapists and the tests, and the prodding and poking. Anna wanted to fly, she wanted Cameron to be able to fly, and she wanted to fly with him. She took a deep breath and gave the nod to Atlantis. The doors slid open, the faintest whisper of a sound. The escaping air caught a few tendrils of her hair, the brush of them across her neck forcing a small shiver from her body. Anna closed her eyes and inhaled, taking in the staleness, the Vipers had not flown for nearly four months, on standby whilst a fresh batch of Pilots and Navis were tested, paired up.

Keeping her eyes firmly shut she licked her lips, prodding gently at her emotions. Sensing nothing to so far worry her she raised her lids and took a step forward, jumping slightly when the lights raised as Atlantis picked up the presence of a member of her new flight team. Politely requesting they be dimmed Anna moved in further, hearing the swish of the doors as they closed behind her, another request for some privacy being received with a faint buzz as they locked. She exhaled quietly, looking over the railings and down into the cavernous bay.

Spread out before her were the seventy-four active Viper's, Anna knew there were more but currently the city could only realistically keep these ones running at full efficiency. Plus there were the three identical bays at the base of the city which still held quite a bit of water, with the war still raging there just weren't the resources to work on draining it and trying to repair the flooded craft. Luckily the small Jumper bays had been at the top of the city's spires and the first wave of the expedition had no problem in locating and utilising the rescue crafts.

She had often tried to picture Atlantis before it had been sunk, just the idea of the number of Vipers that would have been active was mind-blowing. The fact that the Krill had seemingly run the previous occupants out sometimes seemed impossible. Along with what had to have been a fleet of over three hundred Vipers there had been eighty of the Jumpers, plus the weapons they called drones which the techs believed had been fired from the small raised squares that ran along each pier. Paired with the shielding and cloaking tech the city must have been an impressive war base, especially if it had been taken into the sky. Her and Chuck had snuck down to the engine room one day, water lapping at their ankles, where he'd explained to her in hushed tones that the whole city could fly but no one had ever wanted to risk trying it. She'd run her fingers over the gently pulsing red lights, tracing the arms of the ornate chair that sat centre stage, a warmth spreading through her arm, the whisper of home echoing in her mind.

The Krill were strong, and good at adapting, close up they were also kinda terrifying too but even with a depleted fleet the expedition had been making slow progress against them and Atlantis had been kept safe. Anna began to make her way down the steps. During the weeks after Marshall's death she had often thought about that hybrid, they had never seen anything like it before and Hank had said they had not engaged with anything like it since. Perhaps it had been a throwback, perhaps that is what had eventually driven the original Lanteans from their home. If there had been enough of those things it could be a possibility, a small one but still one all the same.

She paused, foot hanging off the top step, fingers curled around the hand rail. There was a light touch to her shoulder and she whirled.

---

He smiled down at her. "We are forming a traffic jam Anna"

She blinked. "Oh, um, sorry" Turning she placed her foot to the floor, shivering slightly at the first contact. She had not been ready for this place.

"Are you ok Anna?"

She nodded, not turning. "Yes, sorry" Coming to a stop far enough away from the stairs to allow the others to pass she stood, unsure what to do next. White-coated personnel hurried around her.

"You don't have to be sorry, it can be overwhelming the first time" He appeared in her eye-line. "We're front and centre.." He smiled. "..will be leading them out"

Nodding silently she followed him as he weaved through the Vipers before halting beside the sleek craft that was indeed placed to be first through the bay doors. Anna reached out, hand tentatively trailing over the cool surface, trying to distract herself from the crashing emotions.

"Beautiful isn't she?" Anna turned to look at him. He smiled again. "Yes, we all refer to our Vipers as a 'she', just like any car, plane or ship"

"I have always wondered why is that?"

Her Pilot raised a brow. "I am sure there are many inappropriate yet inaccurate answers"

Anna smiled slightly despite herself.

"Factually I believe it stems from a time when men thought they were the dominant sex, their vehicles were an extension of their own personal lives, the need to control, ride, fix, care for. Personally I like to think it's because she keeps me safe, gets me to where I want to be and because I need her like I need air, because we've been through a lot together and still get along, most of the time"

"Oh" She tilted her head. "Will it be a she to me?"

"That is for you decide" Another small smile.

Anna nodded again and turned back to the Viper, her reflection blurred in the brushed metal. Stroking her hand down again Anna padded slowly to the nose of the craft, fingers running over the sharp tip. "At least if we run out of ammunition we can impale our enemy"

There was a quiet snort. "A last resort Navigator, I wouldn't want to be attached to a burning Krill"

She flashed him a quick grin before continuing her path around to the other side, eyes and hand taking in the smooth curve of the right wing. There was another roll of emotions and she closed her eyes, trying to subtly breathe deeply.

"Anna?"

She swallowed, pushing back the bile. "Yes?"

"Are you ok?"

Opening them again she turned and attempted a smile. "Of course"

He folded his arms across his chest. "No lying Anna"

She stared at him for a moment trying to figure out if he was just taking a wild guess or he could actually read her that well already. A brow rose at her and she sighed quietly. "I am fine. I was just a little unprepared for this"

"For meeting your Viper?" His lips quirked up slightly.

Anna shook her head, keeping her voice low. "This place, this room"

Her Pilot frowned. "You're referring to your empath side?"

She nodded silently.

"There is nothing wrong here Anna, its just the normal everyday routine"

"I know" She looked at her hands. "I..I can feel, whats come before"

There was a pause. "Past emotions?"

"Yes"

"Anna?" He sighed. "Look at me Navigator" She raised her eyes. "Can you explain to me? I need to know about things like this"

She chewed on her lip before resigning herself to the inevitable. "Human emotions are very powerful, a place where intense feelings have been experienced by a lot of people can absorb them, take on their characteristics"

Her Pilot eyed her. "And here?"

"There is joy, also fear, excitement, despair, grief"

"Can you block these?"

"I am trying, but sometimes they are just too powerful. It won't only be the expedition, the people from Earth, but the original occupants of the city. They lost many, lost a war"

"Do you feel it on other parts of the city?"

"Only if I drop my barriers. But here, this place has seen a lot"

"Anna, you need to find a way to deal with this, especially when we begin our runs. You need to be focused"

She nodded again. "I was unprepared, it will get easier with each time"

"If it doesn't you must tell me"

Those blue eyes were boring into her again, she fought the urge to squirm under their perusal. "Of course"

"Have you ever felt this before?"

"There are certain places I avoid, hospitals, churches.."

Marshall nodded his understanding. "Ok, so no day trips to those places" He smiled suddenly. "Just keep me informed Anna, it's important ok?"

"Ok"

"Now.." He kicked over a small set of steps. "Want to take a look inside?"

"I thought that wasn't allowed?"

"I think perhaps with your..ability it would be best" The top of the Viper silently rose, two steps dropping from its side. "Please.." He gestured for her to step up.

"Um, ok. Thank you" Stepping up cautiously Anna peered into the space before dropping down into it. Two chairs faced each other, sleek metal seemingly bound by strips of a different substance, a faint blue glow illuminating the headrest and the places where the occupants hands would rest. She had seen pictures but the real thing was beautiful, and practically screamed at her to sit in it. The one placed towards the back of the Viper would be hers, facing her Pilot, who would sit with his back to the tiny windscreen, flying with the aid of his connection to the craft and the many screens she knew would pop up between them during flight.

Behind his chair a console sat dark and quiet, her presence would not activate it, the Viper would wait for its Pilot before making any moves to engage its flight sequence. She lightly touched her chair before stepping back at the echoes of another Navi.

"Anna?" In the small space her Pilot had been forced to take a seat in his chair, the control deck now humming quietly behind him. He looked up at her questioningly, in the small well between the two chairs Anna could stand upright, just. "You can sit if you want. We won't take off I promise"

She fought the desire to roll her eyes. Anna had been entranced by the idea of flying ever since Jack had shoved her into the class full of trainee Navis, two weeks and thirty minutes late. "It's not that. I just..can feel them"

His brows rose. "Lindsey?"

Anna smiled at him. "I'm an empath, not a telepath"

Her Pilot rolled his eyes. "Lindsey Novak, my last Navi"

"Oh, yes. I think so" She dipped her eyes. "Sorry" She couldn't pick up any feelings of hurt or death but it was unusual for pairings to be separated for any other reason.

"Don't be. She didn't die" She raised her eyes again and he smiled at her. "She fell in love"

Anna frowned. "Oh"

"The bond between Pilot and Navi is a very intense one, and once the runs begin there is not much time, or space, for anyone else" She nodded politely, not wanting to interrupt but eager to learn more. "She had to choose, between flying with me or staying with her partner. She chose them"

"It hurt?" She tilted her head questioningly.

"A little" Marshall smiled a little sadly. "We were together for a long time, saw a lot, felt a lot. But I could never bring myself to stand in the way of her happiness. And she still writes, she's a very important person now" A small grin. "Sit Anna, please" He gestured to the chair and she hesitated before taking a seat on the small step in front of it. She wasn't quite ready to feel the full force of this other Navi, another who had played such an important part in her Pilot's life. He hid a small smirk, unsuccessfully, before leaning forward, elbows on his knees, looking down at her.

"I was recruited to the programme when it first began, along with O'Neill, Landry and Caldwell. Senator Hammond was then a mere Colonel.." He twinkled at her. "..and I a mere Captain. Working alongside the elite of the sciences we opened the gate, formed teams, began off-world exploration. Within a year we had discovered the existence of a gate network in a completely different galaxy, the next few months being dedicated to finding a power source that would enable us to travel there. I remember standing on that ramp beside my friends, watching as the MALP disappeared into the horizon, waiting for the all clear from the control deck. Hearing Walter's voice over the comm saying we had a go sent shivers up my spine"

"A new galaxy, a legendary city that supposedly sat at the bottom of an ocean somewhere on Earth" He sat back in his chair. "We had five months grace before the Krill discovered Atlantis was back, and in that time we indulged in explorative missions, opened up the city sector by sector, blissfully unaware of the threat. Then we began to hear whispered rumours off-world. An old enemy returning, laying waste to sparsely populated worlds but always getting closer, getting closer to the allies we'd made, getting closer to the city"

"By then we'd discovered the Vipers but were utilising the Jumpers instead, seeing no need for the battle craft. But as we grew more concerned Hammond ok'd the initiation of their activation, and that's when we realised we needed not only Pilots but Navigators too. It still took a good few years before we totally understood the true meaning of Pilots and Navi's, Lindsey was my first Navi, my only one before you Anna. She was very special, but you are my true match"

She stared up at him. "You…Lindsey didn't get tested?"

"No Anna, we didn't have tests then. We didn't know. I was very lucky that we worked so well together, so well that we weren't pulled out, ordered back for the proper tests. This is new for me too Anna, I look forward to seeing how we fly, what the tests really prove" He smiled down at her. Anna swallowed and pulled her knees up to her chest, she hoped she was ready, ready to replace this Lindsey, ready to fly, ready to face the Krill who had taken so many.

A finger ran through her hair. "Do not worry Anna, it will work, I promise. You're very special Anna, very talented, smart. I am honoured to get the chance to fly with you"

---

Rodney peered at his screen, eyes briefly flitting to his Pilot who was seemingly asleep, sprawled out on the bed, book held loosely between his thumb and forefinger. He had been working on the little problem of the extra weight of the Vipers power supply when the lights in his quarters had flickered and his screen had changed from the complex equations to this. He chewed on his lip, staring at the image in front of him. It was obviously security footage and he wasn't sure how it had gotten rerouted to his tablet but apparently whoever had done it wanted him to do something about it.

He vaguely knew where this place was so it shouldn't be a problem but he was unsure about interfering in this. He watched as his friend slowly climbed into Viper Two, the steps folding behind her, hatch closing over her. He tried to swallow quietly, softly rising from his seat, keeping one eye on John as he edged his way out of his quarters, letting out a relieved sigh as the door shut behind him. He really didn't want to have to explain this to someone who wasn't completely in Anna's trust yet.

Nodding a greeting to the few personnel he met on his way Rodney took a quick look around him before turning down the corridor that led to the Viper holding bay, grateful for the fact that his Pilot had chosen to bring him down here on that first day. Not hesitating he approached the doors, sending an order for them to open, momentarily surprised as he heard the lock disengaging before they slid open. Pushing it from his mind for now he jogged down the steps and towards the craft that he had seen his friend stepping into, hoping it would open up for someone who wasn't registered as a member of its flight crew. He really didn't fancy having to radio Mitchell for this one, if Anna's Pilot knew she was coming here there was no doubt he would already be present.

Rodney stopped by the nearly invisible join where the steps were supposed to drop down, sending a polite request whilst trying to convey the urgency of him getting in there. It silently opened up and he tried not to think about why. Lowering himself into the craft he took in the sight of Anna, perched on the small step that led to her chair, knees bent up to her chin, eyes staring at the chair opposite her. She didn't seem to have registered his arrival. He kept his voice soft. "Anna? Are you ok?" Not a muscle twitched, she didn't even blink. "Shit" He whispered. "Anna, can you hear me, please hon?"

A single tear dropped from her bottom lashes, a damp trail running over cheek. He crouched down, following her gaze, finally registering the fact that both chairs were lit up, plus the Pilots console. She shouldn't be able to do that. Rodney swallowed. He'd been privy to her nightmares and she'd touched lightly on the flashbacks, explaining that they'd stopped a few weeks after she'd arrived on Athos but he'd never witnessed one. His friend seemed so far away, untouchable. "Anna?" Nothing. He licked his lips. "Ok Anna, I'm here. Whenever you're ready"

Rodney sat back on his heels, determined to still be there when she came back. Ten minutes later he jumped as his radio crackled in his ear, nearly knocking himself out on the roof of the Viper.

"Viper Squadron One to the briefing room"

The radio clicked off immediately. He cursed quietly, that must mean there was some kind of emergency. He eyed his fellow Navi again, leaning forward, careful not to touch as he examined her other ear. No radio. "Crap" He reached out, hand hovering over her arm, snapping back as his radio came to life again.

"Rodney, where are you?" His Pilots voice was cold, clipped.

He winced, John would have been woken by an emergency call, only to find his Navi gone. "I'm with Anna. I didn't want to wake you"

"What are you doing?"

"Just met for a coffee. We're on our way. I'm sorry"

There was a moment of silence. "Ok baby. Don't be sorry. I was just worried that's all. Don't be long"

"I won't. Thank you John"

"Ok Rodney. And wake me next time ok? Or leave a note"

He smiled despite the circumstances. "Ok"

The radio went silent again and he went back to Anna, this time not pausing in wrapping his fingers around her arm. If they wanted to avoid questions they had to move fast. "Anna, you need to come back now. I'm sorry but there's going to be a whole world of shit and awkward questions if you don't" Her eyes slid shut. "Please hon" He shook her arm slightly, hoping she didn't try to kill him.

Anna's eyes opened and she slowly turned her head to look at him. She licked her lips. "Rodney?"

He attempted a smile. "Hi, welcome back"

She blinked. "Shit, did I zone out?"

"Yeah, you could say that"

"Shit" She shook her head slightly. "How are you..here?"

He sighed. "We'll have to talk about it later, they've just requested our squadron in the briefing room. And if we're not there in the next five minutes…"

"Right" She ran a hand through her hair. "Right, shit" Her hand went to her ear. "Crap, and I don't have my radio"

"I just spoke to John, said we met for coffee. And we're on our way" He waved a hand meaningfully at the hatch.

"Ah right, ok" She raised herself up. "Ok, crap"

"Are you going to be alright?"

"Yes" She shook him off. "It's fine, just a stupid flashback. Stupid memories"

"They're not stupid" He squeezed her into a hug briefly as the Viper opened up. "We can talk later"

"Maybe"

They climbed out of the craft. "Definitely. That did not look like a happy memory"

"Actually, it kinda was" Anna smiled slightly at him. "I'm sorry Rodney"

He frowned at her as they ascended the stairs. "What for?"

"For dragging you down here"

"You didn't"

They both stopped and stared at each other. "I didn't?"

"Uh, no"

"Um" She frowned. "God, I'm going insane"

"Well if you are so am I" He rolled his eyes. "Can we at least get this meeting done? And be on time so our Pilots don't launch a full-scale man hunt?"

She snorted weakly. "Yeah, sure"

---

Cameron eyed his Navi as she slid into the seat next to him. "Where you been Princess?"

"For a run" Anna shot him a brief smile. "Then I met Rodney for a coffee and a chat"

He raised a brow, keeping his voice low. "You didn't take your radio"

"Borrowed one"

"I hope you're not lying Anna"

"Never Cameron"

He rolled his eyes and opened his mouth to reply when Landry cleared his throat.

"AR-1 have missed their check in, by nearly ten hours. AR-2 have done a sweep of the planet they were visiting, based on the information they gathered Captain Ford has requested they return on Jumpers" Their CO swept his gaze around him. "Ford's team all have the gene but none of them are Airforce. We need Pilots which is where you come in"

Caldwell straightened in his chair. "Jumpers haven't been used on the city for a long time and we're not an official squad yet Hank, haven't even been joined"

"The Jumpers don't require bonded Pilots and Navis Steven, you know that" Landry shot him a look. "We need the flight skills, and Miss Rayne's and Dr McKay's experience with the craft will be beneficial. Also all of your team has excellent ground skills"

Their squadron leader laced his fingers together. "And again I ask the reason for the Jumpers?"

Captain Ford tapped the table lightly. "We believe they have been captured by the people of MX4-972 and held in a place that is heavily guarded. The only access we can identify is about four floors up, the Jumpers can get us there, cloaked and shielded. The Vipers just won't suit this kind of mission"

"They have tech?"

"On the outside it seems pretty primitive, large castle, surrounding villages, bonfires outside the walls..you get the picture" Caldwell nodded and Ford smiled back. "But to have taken them they have to have something, and our readings show some kind of tech being used but we can't identify what. It's an unknown which makes me want to just pull them out of there, as little fuss as possible. The Jumpers should allow that"

"Do we know anything of the people there?"

Ford shook his head. "We scheduled a visit there because we've heard that they are a flourishing, and welcoming, settlement. As far as we could tell there were no connections to the Krill, they'd just managed to stay off the radar but.."

"Now you think they may be working with them?"

Cameron watched the two men. There were stories of entire worlds turning to the worship of the Krill, providing them with information, and prisoners, in a vain attempt to stay alive. But ultimately it always ended the same, the Krill didn't like any life that it hadn't created itself and its own informers and sources were often found dead or dying on uninhabited planets.

"There is no hint of Krill tech or DNA but they've obviously aligned themselves with something pretty powerful, and unknown to us"

"So it's a get in, get our people, get out?"

"Yes" The leader of AR-2 nodded. "We can worry about the research later. I just want my people back"

Caldwell licked his lips then nodded. "Very well, we need to go to Athos?"

"No" Landry shook his head. "We've already requested and received two Jumpers from Dixon. They're in the bay at the top of Spire One"

Caldwell snorted quietly. "Confident were we?"

"You're not the only team Steven"

The two men stared at each other for a minute until Caldwell sighed. "Annoying bastard"

"I will write you up Colonel"

"Want my team or not General?"

Another stare down.

"Oh for fuck's sake" His Navi rolled her eyes. "Once we've quite finished pissing all over the briefing room do you think we could go rescue our people?"

Cam groaned quietly. "Anna.."

McKay snorted.

"Rodney.." Sheppard glared at his Navi.

"Oh come on, it was funny.."

"Not in front of the boss"

Landry grinned at them. "It seems you're working just fine without the joining. Now go away, bring my team back"

---

They stood in front of the Jumpers. "Bloody bastard"

"Anna!"

"Cameron, he sent us the most beaten up pieces of shit he had"

"Anna, please.."

Caldwell huffed a quiet laugh. "She's right Mitchell. I'm surprised they still fly"

"Great" He ran hand through his hair. "McKay?"

"I'll see what I can do but we haven't exactly got a lot of time" AR-2 were due in the bay in fifteen minutes.

Sheppard smiled at him. "Do what you can genius. Not forgetting we're awesome Pilots"

Cam rolled his eyes at him the same time as McKay did before watching the Navi move over to the first Jumper, disappearing up the ramp muttering to himself, Anna close on his heels. "You think it'll make a difference Shep?"

"If anyone can.." His friend shrugged.

"Right, genius" Cam rolled his eyes again.

---

Anna curled into the co-pilots seat whilst her friend plugged his tablet into the control console, perching on the end of the pilot's chair. Waiting until he was no longer frowning or muttering to himself under his breath she reached out and tapped his arm. He turned to face her. "Got a minute Rodney?"

He frowned but nodded. "The programme will run itself, will take about ten minutes"

She nodded. "Cool, you are a genius"

"So I keep telling everybody" He grinned. "So?"

"Um, earlier. How did you find me? If I didn't ask you to come?"

"You remember asking me?"

"No" She shook her head, chewing on her lip. "But sometimes I used to do things you know, when I was zoned out. I'd come to in different places, or halfway through a conversation"

"Creepy"

"Yeah, tell me about it" She began to pull her hair into a tight bun in preparation for the trip off world. "Um, so how did you, you know?"

Rodney eyed her. "I don't really know. I mean I know, but I don't know why, or how"

"You're starting to sound like me"

He flipped her off. "I mean.." He dropped his voice, checking the back of the Jumper for any suddenly appearing Pilots. It remained empty, muffled voices from the bay drifting in. "..I was working on my tablet then the screen kind of flickered and then…there you were, climbing into the Viper"

Anna felt her skin goose bump. "Shit, really?"

"Yeah" He nodded. "It was like I was suddenly tapped into the security cameras"

She briefly closed her eyes. "If someone is watching me…"

"I don't know hon. But if they were I don't understand why they'd want to let me in on it. Or why they would be in the first place" He raised a brow. "Unless you're a Krill spy planning on murdering us all in our beds"

Anna rolled her eyes. "Please, if that was true I'd have done it by now. You'd be a piece of piss to assassinate"

"I feel so much better now, thanks"

She smirked at his glare then looked serious. "But really, I mean, those cameras are everywhere…shit" She tied off her bun. "Shit"

"Are you doing something you're worried about others seeing?"

"You mean apart from sneaking down to the Viper Bay?"

"Please, John and I did that a few days ago"

"You rebel you. He's a bad influence"

Rodney frowned at her. "Anna.."

"No Rodney" She huffed. "I'm not doing anything wrong..but I don't really fancy becoming the Pegasus' version of The Truman Show"

"That movie freaked me out"

"Tell me about it" She sighed quietly as the tablet beeped to confirm the completion of the programme. "Would you mind working on it when we get back please sweetie? I would at least like to know just who it is who is so interested in my activities. I may start dressing under my covers"

Rodney snorted. "So wrong" He unplugged his tablet and stood. "And of course I will, I have no desire to be shown you changing next time"

"I'm a little insulted" She grinned. "Anyway, haven't you already seen me naked?"

"Yeah, it was horrifying"

Anna flipped him off before turning to exit the craft.

---

Cam smiled down at his Navi as she reappeared by his side. "Hows our ride Princess?"

"Pretty fucked but it should do the job we want it for" Anna ran a hand over the side of the second craft. "I'd be tempted to request keeping these here" She eyed Caldwell. "Could come in handy, and we'd take much better care of them"

"Lets get this done first huh Anna?" Caldwell grinned at her. "But I may put forward a requisition, if only to see Dixon's face"

She grinned back. "Awesome"

McKay rejoined their small group. "Um, so actually they're not too bad, look worse than they are. Not saying I'd want to take them into a full scale battle but they should be completely fine for what we need. I've made a couple of adjustments, strengthened the cloaking and shielding which seem to be our most pressing needs, we'd have to relinquish some of that if were forced into firing the weapons though"

"Ok, good job McKay" Caldwell nodded at him. "Mitchell and Sheppard fly, Navis in the copilot's seat. You'll need their knowledge of the craft. Lorne, Chuck, Laura and I will join the ground forces. You are only to exit the Jumper if everything goes completely to shit. Hopefully it'll be an in and out job" His Navi smirked at him. "Don't even say it Laura"

"Say what?"

Cam grinned at her. "Everyone's thinking it, don't worry"

"Shut up Mitchell"

"Shutting up Sir"

---

Three hours later.

Anna walked towards the gate of the castle, allowing her feet to drag a little, her hair loose and swinging around her shoulders. When the ground party had failed to check in after an hour her Pilot, Sheppard and Rodney had left the Jumpers, stepping from the open ramp at the back straight into the castle's upper floors. Her uneasiness at watching them leave had grown and now she had decided that she must make a final move. To return to the city and gather back up could mean she was too late, something had to be done quickly.

Stripping off her jacket and holster Anna had released and ruffled her hair, smudged a little dirt over her face and BDU's hoping to disguise their similarity to any troublemakers clothing and slid her two knives into her boots, ensuring their hilts were hidden from view. She was counting on the lost little girl look to save her from any searching tendencies the guards would have. At least those that went as far as her footwear. Approaching the front door should back up her cover story, no one invaded by ringing the doorbell surely? She curled her shoulders a fraction more as a guard approached.

"Halt, identify yourself"

She dipped her eyes. "Please, my name is Anna, I seek only food and shelter for the night"

"You are lost?"

Anna nodded, keeping her gaze averted. "I have wandered many worlds, yours is the first where I have seen light, smelt food"

"Where do you come from?"

"I come from the world Sateda, it has been many years since I have seen my home"

"You come from the Krill?"

"No! No" She twisted her fingers. "I was taken before then, sold. My Master has tired of me" Anna was pretty confident she knew a slave world when she saw one, she just hoped this little piece of new information piqued the guards interest.

There was a pause. "He has abandoned you?"

Anna let her eyes fill with wetness before raising them. "He requires another, he tires of my..girlishness" She inwardly winced. Was that even a word?

Apparently he understood what she was trying to say. "A fool indeed. We welcome all those who are lost"

"Thank you" She whispered. Anna widened her eyes. "It is such a wonder, your home"

He smiled down at her. "Inside is more of a wonder. Please.." He gestured her to walk with him and she fell in step, making sure she kept slightly behind him. "You are an exquisite example Anna, I am sure if you wish to stay you will be none too short of offers"

She allowed herself to flush. Anna could do base instinct if it was required. "You are too kind. Please, would you tell me of your world?"

"I'm afraid that is not my place Anna, but I can promise that it would very much suit you" They passed through the large gates, stepping under an archway and making their way down a long corridor. "If you wish I could see if our leader would meet with you? It is required of anyone who seeks more than one night here"

"I..I would not be out of turn?" More twisting of her hands.

"Of course not" Another smile, and he really was very handsome. They neared the end of the corridor. "Please, wait here. I shall enquire"

Bowing her head she watched him from through her lashes as he stepped through the doors, closing them softly behind him. Managing to keep herself still and serene until he returned Anna raised her head questioningly as the doors once more opened and he reappeared, closing them behind him again.

"Anna, you are welcome to meet our leader"

"Thank you" She dipped her head before stepping forward, pausing as a hand wrapped around her elbow.

"Heed this Anna, talk as you have, listen to his words, but do not partake in his drink or food" She raised her head sharply in surprise. He looked down at her with a serious expression upon his face. "I want you to make an uninfluenced decision"

She frowned slightly. "Oh"

"I shall be on guard outside the door. You may call on me once you are dismissed"

"You warn me because you wish me to partake of your own drink?"

He smiled at her, a curious look flickering over his face. "It would please me but no, I give this warning to many who cross the threshold"

Anna nodded. "I understand, thank you"

The guard nodded. "Now go, or he will become suspicious"

Nodding again she slipped through the doors, pulling them closed behind her, before raising her eyes. Another handsome, if slightly older, man was sprawled in a chair at the head of a long table, the remains of a meal and an half full carafe of drink sat in front of him. He beckoned to her. "Welcome Anna, please, come sit"

Smiling shyly she approached, sliding into the seat to his right. He leant forward and smiled. "Now, my child. Tell me how you come to be alone and wandering strange planets"

"Yours is not so strange" Another shy smile.

He laughed, heartily. "Thank you, I think. Now please.."

"My Master, he tired of me, banished me from his home…" She allowed her fingers to flicker over her bare throat, catching his eyes follow the movement. His tongue darted out briefly. "Took his Collar.."

"A distressing experience for any who are trained to serve"

Anna nodded, eyes to the table. "I have had good training…not that it was needed"

He hummed quietly. "A natural. Tyson mentioned your excellent reactions, and he is a man not easily impressed, or tempted"

Another light flush to her cheeks. "Thank you"

He chuckled. "I like you Anna" He poured himself another goblet. "So, I am going to tell you a little about me, my world, our history. Then you may make the decision to join us, or to merely enjoy shelter for one night" He sat back. "My name is Cassius Bayde. I have sat in this throne for one hundred and twenty moons"

"This world, my home, has no need to fear the arrival of the Krill. You would be safe here Anna, we are well hidden, and we flourish without their influence. We know the Krill for what they are, scavengers, parasites, feeding from those more powerful than them, inside the armour they are nothing more than insects that can be crushed under foot. They used trickery, betrayal, to become the most feared beings within Pegasus" Anna tried not to show her surprise at this opening to what was supposed to be, essentially, a sales pitch. This was obviously something Bayde felt passionately about. "There was a race who came before them, one who was wise, strong, sought to free us, who made the mistake of trusting the Krill"

"For many moons we lived under the rule of the Ancients, a name they blessed unto themselves, believing that they were already Godlike, wiser, stronger, with morales that we should match up to. Some worlds flourished under their regime but some, like mine, did not. They had no conception of a more primitive, as they called it, way of life, tucked away in their city" Anna's heart beat a little faster, this could be very useful information, as long as he didn't discover she probably lived on the exact same city. "Crops, heat, shelter, water filtration, prevention of diseases. They thought that all we needed was technology and wisdom"

"Is that not what all worlds need?" She kept her voice soft.

"It depends what kind of wisdom is being imparted"

Anna nodded, not wishing to question too much in case he stopped his rather informative speech. She fingered the control for the Jumper in her pocket, easing her fear for now.

"Their desire for betterment and accomplishment in fact destroyed many worlds, wiped out entire settlements" He poured another goblet and slid it over to her. She nodded her thanks and curled her fingers around the stem but left it on the table. The guards words ringing in her ears. "But they made a mistake. One that sealed their fate, and saved the rest of our galaxy from their terrifying reign. The people known as the Itarayan were wise and noble, they were peaceful, dedicated to the gathering of knowledge through exploration and study. The Ancients identified them as an excellent resource for their quest for enlightenment, ascension. But in their experimentation they altered the Itarayan's DNA, morphed them into another race altogether. They became..Wraith"

Anna frowned, forgetting the part she was playing for a moment. "As in spirits?"

Bayde smiled at her. "I see our worlds have different meanings of the word Wraith. No, not spirits, they became strong, with heightened healing, vast intellect. But they had one genetic fault. Wraith needed to feed from other living beings to continue, a hand placed against your chest would draw your life force from you. But they took only those who deserved to no longer have life, who plagued our galaxy"

"Of course" She murmured.

"And their judgement was sound" Bayde leant forward again, forearms leaning on the table. "They rose up against their oppressors, their creators, joining with the Krill. It did not take long for the Ancients to be beaten back. But once they had been forced from their precious city the Krill turned, battling against the Wraith whose numbers had been severely depleted during the long war. It has been many moons since the last of the Wraith was destroyed, the Krill seeking the city of the Ancients ever since, knowing the knowledge they need to finally become all powerful resides there"

"In their quest for this knowledge Pegasus has suffered greatly, even more so since the city rose from the waters, strangers roamed our worlds. It is now our purpose to once again raise the Wraith, the only beings that could fight back against the continuing rise of the Krill"

"I have heard tales that the Krill suffer in the face of their current enemy"

Bayde smiled, dark and dangerous. "They hold them off, nothing more. And while they sit safe in their city our people die. The Wraith are our only hope"

"But they are gone?" Anna eyed him, the man was clearly teetering between slight eccentricity and complete insanity.

"We know how the Ancients created them" He leant back in his chair once more. "The Wraith will come again"

"I am sure it will be most wondrous" She smiled shyly at him, hoping he hadn't seen her couple of slip ups.

However Bayde appeared to have been completely focused on his own tale, this Wraith who had become an obsession. "It will my child, it will" He smiled slightly before refocusing on her. "So, now you know our purpose here, the beliefs you would be expected to follow it is up to me to offer you a place with us. And to detail your duties should you accept"

She nodded silently.

"You may join me or, as is his right, you may accept the offer of Tyson's ownership. His standing is somewhat lesser than mine however, your life would differ greatly. In my House you would be treasured, nurtured. Want for nothing" He smiled at her again and Anna fought the urge to shiver. Despite his words Anna had a feeling he could be a cruel Master and, if she really was a lost and lonely slave, she would be forced to pay many times over for any luxuries she enjoyed. "Tyson would demand that you be by his side whilst he performed his own duties. You would be under obligation to join him at the gate, and in the cells"

In her head she jumped up and down, clapping her hands in a disgustingly girlish manner. On the outside she kept her posture relaxed. "I am honoured to receive two such generous offers so soon after my arrival. I am sure serving yourself would bring much pleasure but I must be honest to my training, my dynamic. I would be more suited to your guard"

Bayde sighed, eyeing her still full cup. For a terrifying moment she thought he was going to become angry, or force his ownership upon her. "As you wish Anna, a great pity indeed. Please know that my offer will always stand. Perhaps some time spent with Tyson will change your decision"

"A generous and kind offer Master Bayde. I shall remember"

He nodded. "Very well" He waved a hand. "Bring Tyson"

A slave seemed to emerge from the very wall of stone, gracefully making their way to the heavy doors. Anna took a sly look, she was beautiful, and in seemingly good health, then she moved past them and the lines across her back shimmered in the candlelight. Anna swallowed, cruel indeed.

---

Anna knelt on the cold stone floor trying to give the impression that this was as natural as breathing to her and that it also gave her pleasure. She may have a secret little submissive streak but there was something about kneeling before another that made her want to get to her feet and punch them in the face. Her hair was lifted from her shoulders. "Keep it upon your head Little One"

Bringing her own hands up she pinned the now rather tangled mess to the top of her head, raising her face as her chin was encouraged up by a finger. Cool leather wrapped around her throat, Anna tried to stay relaxed, the collar was thick and tough, unforgiving. It was pulled tight and she failed to hold back the quiet whimper. There was a quiet hum of satisfaction behind her, another pull on the material and Anna bit her lip, concentrating instead on the light tugging and soft sounds of it being fastened, the snip of excess material, the click of a lock. She hoped she was going to get the opportunity to find her friends and get this thing off before it permanently embedded itself into her skin.

"Perfect Anna. Very good" He stepped in front of her and she instantly dropped her eyes. "Excellent" He ran a thumb over the collar, pressing in firm. "You may release your hair" As she felt it tumble back over her shoulders and fall either side of her face he began to speak. "I must perform my check of the cells this evening Little One, then we shall get you clean. Your rules will be clear, I do not have many but I expect them to be adhered to Anna, if they are broken you will be punished. They will be given to you once we are both washed and fed"

"You will spend this night in my bed. You wear my Collar but each slave and Master has the grace of one day to change their decision, after tonight both of us will be clear on whether this will become a permanent arrangement. Please try not to disappoint me Anna, and I shall do the same for you" His hand slipped into her hair, grabbing a fistful before twisting it around. "I look forward to your tears Little One, your begging" He pulled her hair tight, Anna swallowed. Trust her to hook up with the crazy sadist. His mouth pressed against her ear and she let herself shiver, to him this was the foreplay, to gauge her reactions, to get himself ready.

Her new Master growled quietly. "I see I read you right Anna" His teeth dragged over her collar. "By the end of this night you will bear my mark inside and out, I will own you slave"

She swallowed around her new piece of jewellery. "Yes Master" She whispered.

Another low growl and she was being pulled to her feet by her hair, scrambling to get up before she was left with a bald patch. He chuckled darkly. "Let us get these tiresome duties done with. I will not wait much longer"

---

John propped himself against the bars of their cell and sighed. At least his Navi was with him, both Mitchell and Caldwell were looking a little stressed. They knew Anna wouldn't still be waiting patiently in the Jumper for them, which meant she was either back on the city requesting back up or, a more likely scenario, currently sneaking around the castle trying to find them. Cadman was also apparently still a free agent seeing as she was a definite non-presence in the jail. In the cell next door Captain Ford and his team were standing around the door, trying to decipher the lock, still.

They'd also had no luck locating AR-1, their trackers were no longer giving off a signal and there was not even a hint of their presence down here, or in the few areas they'd managed to search between them before getting captured. Ford had been right, these people may like to give the impression of primitiveness but they had some seriously awesome tech, including some weapons that rendered you unconscious, and left you with a pounding headache. He licked his lips then swallowed, trying to lubricate his dry throat.

"How's it going Rodney?"

His Navi turned from their own locked door and frowned. "It's nothing I've seen before, definitely not Krill. Without the data I…" He spread his hands.

"S'ok" John smiled. "Was worth a shot"

"I officially hate this place" Rodney scowled at the door before making his way back to John.

"Yeah, you and me both" Chuck ran a hand through his hair, his eye beginning to purple nicely. "And I really hate the word experimentation being bandied about, in my experience that is not a good thing to be threatened with"

His Pilot eyed him. "This happen often does it?"

"You'd be surprised"

Lorne rolled his eyes. "And you usually escape by.."

"Um, sheer luck? Having bigger guns? The cells were made from wood?"

"Idiot" Lorne grinned at him.

"Ford" Caldwell raised a brow. "Anything?"

The Captain shook his head and made his way to the bars that separated them. "Like McKay said, without past data of this tech we're blind. We can keep trying but they took anything that could help us. As all good crazy captors do"

Their squadron leader rolled his eyes. "I thought I was done with being locked up be creepy natives"

"I bet you've missed it really Sir" Ford grinned at him and got the finger in reply. "On a more serious note, you think these experiments could be why we can't pick up AR-1?"

"Could be" Caldwell ran a hand over his face. "Shit. We really need to get out of here"

"How about we just go with brute strength?" Mitchell raised a brow. "I mean all of us together has to have some weight behind it"

"I don't think these are just your average steel bars" Rodney moved back to his recently vacated spot by the door. "It feels different"

John nodded. "Yeah, its not cold. In fact I'm getting kinda warm like this"

"Then maybe you should stop leaning against them Sheppard?"

"Why, its nice. And a cold would really suck on top of being taken prisoner"

"You're a fucking idiot"

"Thank you" John smirked at his friend before straightening as the sound of approaching footsteps reached his ears. They spread themselves around the cell, the next time the door was opened their guard was getting dragged in here with them and having the shit kicked out of him. He went for relaxed as the heavy wooden door swung open then he frowned, peering closer. He shot a look at his team as an unconscious man was dragged in by the shoulders, a smaller figure hunched over his prone body. Mitchell raised a brow. Caldwell shook his slightly, placing a finger to his lips.

Obviously finding whatever it was they were looking for in his pockets the figure straightened, hair falling back from their face.

"Uh.." John blinked at the familiar figure.

"Anna?" Mitchell stepped forward and she turned to face them. He hissed quietly. "What the hell?"

There was a thick black leather strap across her throat, the skin surrounding it looking distinctly red and swollen, she was filthy, her hair tumbling down in a knotted mass and minus most of her uniform. At least she'd managed to keep her vest top and BDU pants on, Mitchell looked like he was about to explode as it was.

"Long story" She waved a hand. "No time now" His Navi proffered a small metallic oblong."Ready to get outta here?"

"Yes, please" Chuck grinned at her. "Nice look for you"

She grinned back. "Thanks, I'm seriously considering keeping it"

"Not the time for wit Rayne" Caldwell glared at her. "You seen Laura on your travels?"

Anna nodded. "She's standing guard at the outer door"

"Has she got a new look too?"

"Shut up Chuck"

"Oh, yes Major"

Ford snorted quietly. "You'd make a good gate team"

"We haven't even gotten in the sky yet Captain, give us chance yeah?" John grinned at him, stepping from their cell. "Thank you Miss Rayne"

"My pleasure Colonel" She handed the key to Caldwell who went to release AR-2.

"Princess?" Mitchell tipped her head, turning it so he could look at her neck. "What is this?"

"Exactly what you think it is"

"Jesus. Why?"

"It was the easiest way to get them to trust me" She widened her eyes. "Please, I'm so lost, so hungry, blah, blah.."

"You're shitting me"

"Nope" Anna smiled before reaching into her boot and producing a knife. "Would you mind Cameron? I didn't want to risk doing it myself and its a little tight"

John watched his friend swallow, take the knife. "Want me to do it Mitch?"

"With your shakes, I don't think so"

"Hey, I'll have you know that's all fixed now" He winked at Rodney. "Promise"

"You're hilarious"

"Uh huh"

AR-2 joined them as Mitchell slid the blade gently under the very tight collar, a few cautious swipes finally causing the blade to snick through the leather. He peeled the material from her skin and John winced in sympathy at the bruising and grazes underneath.

"Ow" Anna scowled.

"Yeah, looks it Princess. Hope you killed him"

"Nope, just rendered him unconscious" Anna smiled up at him.

His friend pointed at the man on the floor. "Him?"

"Umhmm. No killing him Cameron"

"Why?" Her Pilot growled.

"No killing already unconscious people Mitchell" Caldwell raised a brow. "We'll come back when he's awake, then kill him. Now, I presume my Navi needs the same procedure"

Anna shook her head. "Nope, she's all collar free. Ran into her on my way down here. Think she's been down to the lower levels. Sounds pretty bad down there"

"I thought we were on the lower levels?" Ford frowned.

"Apparently not"

Relieving the prone guard of his gun and three knives they moved as quietly as the could through the door, Cadman turning to watch their progress from her post at the other set of doors that led back into the main castle. She smiled and nodded. "I was on my way I promise"

"Yeah, yeah. You want to stay on the dirty BDSM planet"

"Oh yeah, its my dream" She grinned at Chuck as her Pilot briefly examined her.

"How did you escape capture Laura, and Anna's fate?" Caldwell gestured to the other Navi's neck.

"Ouch" Laura wrinkled her nose. "I was by a small door when the guards spotted us. Slipped through and hoped it didn't open up into nothing, or the toilet"

Caldwell raised a brow. "You couldn't have taken a few of us with you?"

"You were my cover"

"Wow, that is so selfish"

"Yep" Another grin. "But moving on from my typical only child traits, the door actually led to a spiral staircase, really narrow, cut from stone. Not a place you want to come face to face with an enemy. Luckily it was deserted, I think they use some other way to get down there, it's probably an emergency exit or something" Her Pilot nodded. "Anyway when I finally reached the bottom I thought I'd just discovered some unused storage rooms and went to turn back, find you lot. But then I heard this noise. It was like a high pitched screech, with little clicks interspersed" Laura shivered a little. "Down there, in the near darkness it was actually a little creepy"

"However being a big brave marine I kept going. Once I spotted the first of the rooms I thought they would bring you down there too, figuring it was some kind of prison complex, maybe a bit of torture thrown in.." She paused as footsteps passed the still closed doors. Ford raised the gun he'd taken from the unfortunate guard but they appeared to continue past them, not hesitating. Laura dropped her voice a little lower. "There are prisoners down there, I found AR-1 but I couldn't get them out. Even if I could have I would have needed help, they're all unconscious, they don't look good"

"Shit" Whispered Ford.

"I watched them for a few minutes, they were all definitely breathing. Making a note of their position I continued down, still hoping to run into you guys" She licked her lips. "There were a few more occupied cells, all full of sleeping prisoners and then…there were like these holding cells, dropped into the ground. Electrified edges. All of them were empty bar one. I don't know what it is but it was what I'd heard on my arrival. It's big, size of a man, black, kinda shiny…"

"Shiny?"

"Yes, like a..bug"

"A giant bug?"

She nodded.

"Really?" Rodney eyed her.

"Really. I know it sounds ridiculous but that's the only way I can describe it. There were smaller bugs too, looked kinda similar. There are three rooms with them caged up, row upon row of them"

"Jesus, these people are mental"

"Agreed" Ford attempted a small snort. "Can you get us to AR-1?"

Laura nodded. "Yes, they'll need to be carried unless they've miraculously woken since I left"

"We should manage between us. Although the Satedan could be a problem"

"He'll be a dead weight"

"Yeah, and where do we go from there. Eight of us carrying four unconscious recently escaped prisoners is not going to be easy to hide"

"Um." Anna pulled the small device from her pocket. "We'll just need to get to the fourth level. Then I'll call us a cab"

---

Cameron threw a blanket over the two guards they had encountered on their way to the fourth floor, it seemed that in a shoot out against others with the same weaponry as them these people's training was seriously lacking. They had gotten too reliant on having the superior tech. He smiled slightly at the thought of the headache they'd have when they awoke, and the imagined reaction of Anna's brief Master when he discovered his collar fastened tightly around his own throat. His Navi's skin still looked really sore and he'd caught her wincing slightly earlier as she'd swallowed. If the bastard had done her any permanent damage he was coming back to personally kill him, orders or no orders.

"Mitchell?" Caldwell raised a brow, shifting slightly under the weight of the large Satedan. Thankfully when they'd returned to the cell Ronan had been half-conscious, his bigger mass obviously coping better with the effects of the stunners. He had needed only Caldwell's and Cameron's support either side of him, his steps becoming easier as they'd moved as stealthily as they could through the castle. "You ready?"

He nodded, stepping up onto the wide ledge that ran the length of the window, offering a hand to Ronan who took it, a little begrudgingly to Cameron's mind. Hauling him up at the same time as Caldwell pushed they both stumbled slightly into the back of the first Jumper, Sheppard's and Lorne's hands reaching out to steady them. They would have to collect the second craft from its hiding place near the gate before they dialled out. Settling in next to his Navi he tucked his feet in, away from the still prone bodies of the rest of AR-1.

As Caldwell moved to the front to sit beside McKay blankets were pulled from the top hatches and placed gently over the unconscious team, one wrapped over the shoulders of Ronan. He grumbled quietly.

"Don't be stubborn Ronan" Anna smiled at him. "You can be smug about being the first to wake at least"

Cam shared a quick grin with the man opposite him before Sheppard returned to watching his Navi. Their leader had murmured a request to his friend to have his Navi upfront in case his experience with the Jumpers was needed, receiving a subdued nod of agreement in reply. It was a sensible and straightforward request, and one that Caldwell had not actually been required to run past the other Pilot but it seemed the Colonel's experience in these matters, his understanding of the first shaky beginnings of a bonding Pilot and Navi, and an entire flight team meant he got the importance of it. A small gesture that showed respect.

"How you doing Ro? Need food? Some water?" Ford smiled tentatively at him.

"Water" Came the rumbled reply. "Please"

"Sure" The Captain smiled again, reaching above him for a bottle. "Here. Was it just the stunners?"

The Satedan nodded. "Yeah" He drained half the bottle. "Wasn't ready"

"I expect no one ever is big guy" Ford wedged himself between the floor and ceiling of the Jumper, a hand placed against the roof to steady himself as they set a course for the gate. "How many hits?"

Ronan almost imperceptibly shrugged. "Four, maybe five"

"Ouch" Anna briefly squeezed his hand. "Did you see the bugs?"

The Satedan frowned at her. "No. Heard something when I woke up the second time though"

She nodded. "Screeching, clicking?"

He nodded again. "Yeah"

"But you don't remember being in contact with them? Didn't wake up with any bites, itching?"

"Anna?" Cam frowned at her.

"That thing Cameron, the giant bug thing. I think it used to be human"

He and Anna had done a quick sweep of both the sunken holding cells and the bug rooms, the creature he'd seen had resembled a man in size only. The thing had pincers for fuck's sake. He raised a brow but Ford got in before him. "You do?"

She nodded. "It was scared, confused. A prisoner itself. And you said they talked about experiments"

"They're turning people into bugs? You really think so?"

"I can only tell you what I felt Aiden but I can't usually read animals, especially insect life. And I didn't get anything from that room full of the mini-me's"

"Well, that's certainly a new one if they are. But why, they raising a giant bug army or something?" The Captain frowned thoughtfully.

His Navi shrugged. "Like I said, I can only tell you what I feel"

"Yeah, ok" Ford nodded. "So Ro, any sign of a bug bite? Injection site?"

"Don't think so" Ronan shook off his blanket, checking his arms as Anna peered at his neck.

"Can't see anything"

"We'll get you a full check up anyway. Hopefully they hadn't gotten to you yet, were just keeping you unconscious" Ford swayed slightly as the Jumper came to a stop.

Sheppard stood, albeit cautiously, careful not to kick the still sleeping members of AR-1. "I'll take the other Jumper" He raised a brow at Caldwell who nodded.

"Take your Navi, I doubt we'll run into problems now but Anna and Mitchell stay put on this one"

The hatch closed behind AR-2, minus their leader but plus Sheppard, McKay, Lorne and Chuck. Ford took a seat. "Anything else you spotted?"

"The bug rooms.." And Cam forced himself not to shiver, the places had freaked him out. "…there was a lot of references to Iratus"

"The sun guy?"

He grinned. "That's Icarus dumbass" Ford flipped him off. "I'd take a guess that's what they've christened those little guys back there"

"Iratus" His Navi furrowed her brow. "It sounds..familiar"

"Yeah, wax wings, flying into the sun.." Ford smirked at her.

"Idiot" She rolled her eyes. "No, not Iratus" Anna chewed on her lip. "It wasn't that exact word…" She tilted her head. "Oh.."

"Oh" Cam twisted to look at her. "What's oh Princess?"

"Bayde, their leader. He spoke to me about this extinct race, the Itarayan"

"Oh" He smiled at her. "And?"

"They were changed, by the people who used to live on Atlantis, their DNA altered. They became these things called Wraith"

"Well, that sounds..strangely ominous" Ford eyed her. "These Wraith still around?"

His Navi shook her head. "No. Um, they teamed up with the Krill, that was how the original residents of the city were finally beaten. But then the Krill turned on them, took advantage of the hit they'd taken during the fighting. Bayde said the last Wraith died many moons ago"

"What is it with evil leaders and moons?"

Ford snorted. "So you think these bugs have something to do with the Itarayan people?"

"Maybe" She frowned again. "Or maybe they're to do with the Wraith, what the Itarayans became. He said that the Wraith would come back. That they'd save the galaxy from the Krill"

"He's trying to make Wraith, reproduce what the others did?" Ford sighed. "Great. I wonder how far away that giant bug thing was from the original"

"Pretty far away I think. It wasn't in that cell because it was a threat" Anna attempted to run fingers through her hair and quietly cursed as they got stuck. Cam snorted, she glared at him. "Bayde seems to have this perfect vision of a future with Wraith in it. But they sound like they were just as dangerous as the Krill. Apparently to survive they had to feed on your life force and he talked about them doing it through their hands"

"And bugs don't have hands. Nor did that thing back there"

"Right" Ford sighed again. "Awesome"

---

General Landry looked around his briefing table and sighed inwardly. His lead gate team looked exhausted, Captain Ford had a cut above his eye and grazes on his hands, Chuck Harrington was sporting a rather impressive shiner and Anna's throat was bruised and reddened. "Well, I think we can label that mission less than successful"

Colonel Carter snorted quietly. "Actually Sir despite the uh, physical side effects of our visit to MX4-972 we have managed to gather some information that could prove to be useful. Miss Rayne's talk with their leader has given us an interesting, and as yet undiscovered, version of what happened to the people who occupied the city before us"

"Ah yes, this Wraith" He tipped back in his chair. "Anna, please go over what was said for the benefit of us all"

She nodded and swallowed carefully. "He referred to the people who lived on Atlantis as the Ancients, from his words it sounds like they were trying to achieve another level of knowledge, ascend even but it came at at cost for other worlds in Pegasus. He mentioned one specifically, the Itarayan. According to him they were peaceful, wise, intent on discovering more about the galaxy through exploration. Until the Ancients got hold of them" She took a tentative sip of water. "Something went wrong with the experiments, changed their DNA, turning them into Wraith"

"The Wraith must have been pretty impressive. As soon as they joined the Krill the war turned in their favour until eventually they ran the last surviving Ancients out of their city. But then the Krill turned on them, and because they'd taken such a heavy hit in the fight the Wraith couldn't withstand another attack so soon. They were destroyed, wiped out"

"We think the Ancients are the same as those the Earth based teams keep hearing rumours about Sir" Carter leant forward. "If so it could explain what happened to them, where they ran to"

Hank raised a brow. "Earth?"

She nodded. "Yes Sir. If this is true it may finally give us a full understanding of the ATA gene. The Atlantis Tech Activation gene is only present in a minority of the human race, we thought it was some kind of anomaly but with this new information, and if we're correct in our assumptions, it could mean that those with it are directly descended form the Ancients"

"So their genetic make-up allows them to live in the city just as their ancestors did?"

"Yes Sir" She took a gulp of coffee. "And fly the Vipers, the Jumper's"

"But if they're long gone why do the Earth teams keep hearing about them?"

"I don't know Sir" She shrugged. "Maybe they actually achieved ascension or maybe they moved on, settled on a different planet"

"After knocking up a few humans?"

Hank hid his grin behind a mug whilst Major Lorne sighed. "Chuck, shut up"

"Never" The Navi grinned at his Pilot who glared back.

Carter cleared her throat, wiping the small smirk from her face. "With our weeks downtime Radek and I will search the databases using the new information and the references Wraith, Itarayan and Ancient. If Bayde was telling the truth they surely must be detailed somewhere in the older logs"

Hank rubbed his chin. "Ronan, Miss Emmagan, you've heard no stories of these Wraith, the Ancients?"

The two Pegasus natives shook their head. "Both Ronan and I have spoken about this new information. For us the Krill have always been the threat, there was never any mention of these Wraith. Perhaps it is not surprising if they did indeed die out so many years ago. Even the memory of Atlantis had faded in the minds of our people, it's occupants long forgotten" Teyla smiled. "A pity, perhaps we could have benefitted much from their knowledge"

"Perhaps or perhaps you were one of the more fortunate" He smiled gently at her before turning back to include the rest of the table in his next question. "And what do we want to do about these people who seemingly want to bring the Wraith back, and who attempted to turn AR-1 into giant bugs, we think?"

Carter smiled slightly. "From the brief description that Anna was given I would say the Wraith would be a viable threat to the Krill should Bayde succeed with his experiments but they would also threaten our presence in Pegasus. If we are indeed descendants of the Ancients, and their original enemy, I doubt they would view us a potential allies"

Anna nodded. "And he definitely views them with rose-tinted glasses. His people will not have actually seen a Wraith for many generations, they have become a sort of infatuation, a solution to a problem. He sounded very…focused on their eventual return"

"Then we put a stop to it?" He raised a brow.

"He still seems to be pretty far away from his end goal Sir. But he is also using people in these experiments, keeping them locked up, altering their very DNA" Carter frowned. "I think we go back. At least remove the Iratus bugs"

He tapped his pen on the table. "Agreed. Who knows how many have already been subject to these experiments, it sounds like he has been doing this for a long time" Hank nodded at his Military Commander. "We have some time. Rest, do your research. We'll schedule a military coup for a fortnight's time"

---

Cam pulled on sweats and stepped out of the bathroom, stopping as he caught sight of his Navi peering under her bed. He raised a brow. Anna straightened and ran her fingers over the edge of the bedside before opening a drawer, giving it's insides the same intense perusal. "Lost something Princess?"

She jumped slightly and slammed shut the drawer. "No"

He frowned. "Then why the thorough search of your room?"

"Um, actually yes. I lost a uh, earring"

"An earring?"

"Umhmm" Anna smiled up at him. "Are you done in the shower cause I still smell of the BDSM planet"

Cam sighed. "Please stop calling it that"

"But it was"

He glared at her. "Well then you should have taken me up on my offer of a shared shower. And you don't wear earrings"

"Yes I do" She looked at him through her lashes. "I'm hurt you haven't noticed"

"Quit it baby" The only reason he hadn't pushed the shower was because despite the jokes currently flying between the squad members about the place they'd just visited he was actually a little concerned about his Navi's 'collaring'. He inwardly grimaced at the word. He still wasn't sure how far Anna's submission went but it had never been something he'd particularly felt the urge to do even with his little possessive streak. However if it was a secret desire of his Navi's today could really affect the progress she'd been making.

Cam sat on the edge of the bed, tugging her to stand between his legs. "You must be tired baby girl, your lying isn't as good as it usually is" He smirked up at her scowl. "What are you looking for?"

"Nothing" Anna folded her arms across her chest.

"Anna.." He eyed her. The bruises were darkening nicely around her throat, he pinched the bridge of his nose before sighing resignedly. "Ok baby. You go have your shower. You want a hot drink?"

"Really?"

"Really" He pressed a soft kiss to her stomach and, yeah, his Navi really did still smell of that fucking place. "I just worry baby. But it's been a long day, I get it. Go get clean, I'll make coffee, stick a movie on ok?"

She stared down at him and sometimes Cameron really wished he had her empathic skills, her face could still be frustratingly blank when she wanted it to be. Anna nodded. "Ok Cameron, thank you"

"S'ok Anna. I'm always here"

She nodded silently and turned away, padding over to the small en suite. He ran a hand through his hair and sighed again before grabbing his tee, pulling it over his head. Flicking on the coffee machine he moved to the desk, opening up the laptop and scrolling down the list of movies that sat on the city's newer databases. Selecting one that was between his and her preferences Cam poured two mugs as he heard the shower shut off. Dumping a load of cream and sugar into his Navi's coffee he turned to see her throw back the comforter and lower herself gently onto the bed.

"You ok Princess?" He raised a brow, making his way over.

"Yes, why?" Anna nodded her thanks as he handed over her drink.

"The way you're moving…was it just the collar? Did he hurt you?" Cam perched on the edge, pushing some damp hair from her face.

"No, just a quick scuffle for his gun" She smiled over her mug. "His skills sucked for a guard"

"And you probably took him by surprise"

"You could say that" Another smile. "And I am awesome"

"Uh huh" He manoeuvred himself further onto the bed, propping his back against the wall. Luckily there hadn't been much call for hand to hand fighting but the bloody stunners left a nasty hangover, and he ached from being dumped into the cell in an unnatural position whilst unconscious. "If it was anything more than the collar I won't be angry baby girl, I understand what you were doing, and appreciate it. It was an impressive move, even if it was also a risky one"

"It wasn't anything more, I just needed access to the cells, that's all" She let him pull her closer. "I wouldn't have let him, would have found another way"

Cam pushed away the stomach churning images. "Ok baby, just…don't sit on anything that's bothering you ok?"

His Navi nodded, took a sip of drink. "Ok Cameron" She coughed. "Ow"

He frowned at her. "What did Carson say about your throat Anna?" Cam had been subject to his own invasive check-up at the same time as Anna's, he'd still been able to keep an eye on her but she'd been too far away for him to hear what was said.

"No permanent damage, no infection. Just to rest it as much as I could and take my painkillers"

"And have you taken your painkillers Princess?" There was a pause. "Anna?"

She wriggled against him slightly then grumbled. "They're huge Cameron"

Cam tried to bite back the grin and got an elbow to his side. "Hey!"

"It's not funny"

"Not laughing baby"

"Yes you are" She scowled into her coffee.

He tipped her head so he could smile down at her. "If anyone else said that you'd laugh"

"Would not"

"Yes, you would" He brushed his lips over hers. "Where are they?"

"Not telling you"

"Don't be a child" She stuck her tongue out. He rolled his eyes. "Where are they?"

Anna stared at him for a moment then sighed. "In the drawer on your side"

"Very clever"

"Thank you"

Shooting her a quick look Cam leant over and slid open the drawer, taking out the plastic bottle. Removing the lid he shook a tablet out into his hand. "Huh, well, I'll give you that one baby girl" How Carson expected someone with a severely bruised throat to swallow that was beyond him. He examined it then placed it on the side, pushing off the bed to get his knife from the holster that was still tangled with his discarded BDU's. Sitting back on the edge of the bed he carefully snicked the end off the tablet and poured it's contents into her coffee. Checking the prescription label he repeated his actions. "Drink up Princess"

"Thank you" Anna took another cautious sip, settling back again.

"Welcome" He opened the drawer again and retrieved the whisky bottle, doctoring his own drink with some self medication.

"Don't I get some too?"

"Not with those drugs in your system Anna" He placed the bottle on the bedside and scooted up next to her. "And this is purely medicinal, not all of us got given the nice strong painkillers"

"Not all of us escaped without a scratch"

"Hey, I'll have you know I got shot"

"And took a lovely nap"

"Being stunned does not equate to taking a nap baby" He pressed a kiss to her hair. "And I'm too old to lie in that kind of position for so long"

She grinned into her coffee. "What are you now, like forty?"

"Pushing it, and you know full well I am nowhere near forty"

"Nearer than I am"

"I'm glad to hear that your little adventure today hasn't dampened your wit" He took a gulp, enjoying the whisky laced coffee travelling down his throat, warming his insides.

"Thank you"

Cam rolled his eyes to the world in general before half-focusing on the movie being quietly played out on the laptop. Anna shifted a little, placing her empty mug on the bedside and stifling a yawn. "You want me to turn this off baby girl?"

She shook her head. "No, it's nice to have a little background noise"

Anna curled in next to him, legs tangling with his, head resting on his chest. He brought his arm round so he could run fingers through the now tangle free but still damp waves. "No plaits tonight?"

"Cant be bothered"

"Do you want me to do it?"

"Can you plait?"

"I can try"

"You can stay away from my hair then"

He grinned down at the top of her head. "Well, I'll look forward to seeing your morning hair then"

"I have awesome morning hair"

---

Rodney scrolled through the information being displayed for him on his screen. He'd tried every trick he knew to try to trace where the images of Anna in the Viper Bay had come from but it just kept leading him back to Atlantis's mainframe. He frowned at his tablet, silently cursing out the city in general. Running a hand through his hair he shot a look at the man next to him, his Pilot was stretched out on the bed seemingly asleep, still wrapped in just the towel he'd slung round his hips after his shower. John's face was relaxed, his breathing even and shallow, fingers laced together and resting upon his chest.

Placing his tablet off to the side Rodney twisted, propping his head in his hand so he could look down at his Pilot, eyes taking in the details of the body that was slowly becoming as familiar to himself as his own. It had been only a week since he'd first met his Pilot but he couldn't imagine ever meeting someone who he was better matched to, or who he would find as entrancing. Once again the tests seemed to have proved themselves very efficient. Rodney tilted his head a little, gaze sliding over the towel, white starkly contrasting with the tanned skin covered with a light dusting of dark hair. Strong thighs, tight calves, the silver scar on John's knee that Rodney now knew he'd gotten falling off his first horse when he was a boy.

He also now knew his Pilot had a rather high sex drive and a tendency to act upon his desires almost immediately, Rodney was becoming increasingly familiar with the storage cupboards on their level of the city. He smiled gently, reaching out a hand before hesitating. The urge he'd had to touch the other man that first night was still there but it seemed John was still working on the premise that his Navi was nervous, didn't know what he wanted, wasn't sure what to do and so was still taking the lead. Rodney had been spoilt for attention these past few days and had been subject to some very interesting..moves.

But being a virgin at thirty-five meant Rodney had a lot of time to think about what he did want, in either the giving or receiving context, and he'd also watched a lot of porn. There had also been that very frustrating summer of being a member of some chat room where other men had described in intricate detail what they wanted him to do to them but had never actually been present for him to be able to do it. Rodney knew what he liked, was pretty sure he knew what other men liked, and now the fear of not knowing the reality had disappeared he was starting to get..well, specific urges.

His eyes flickered up to the long thin window set into the wall of his quarter's, the sun had set fully now but there were no stars to be seen. It was pitch black, no light being sent through the glass. Licking his lips nervously at the beginnings of an idea he requested the lights be dimmed, he'd probably enjoy this a lot more whilst being able to hide a little. If he'd learnt just one thing about his Pilot it was that the man liked to watch, and sometimes it made Rodney want to squirm away, or hide under the covers.

Draining the last of his whisky in one gulp he shifted back to his side, careful not to cause the bed to shift too much. Exhaling quietly, if a little shakily, he slid lower and looked down the body next to him so he couldn't see his Pilot's face and John wouldn't be able to see his then he reached out again, gently trailing his fingers up the nearest muscled thigh. Splaying his fingers wider they dipped under the bottom of the towel, cool cotton above his hand, warm skin underneath his palm. His thumb brushed the crease that ran down the inside of his Pilots thigh.

Rodney swallowed but kept up his slow stroking movements, the breathing above his head staying steady and quiet. It was going to be highly embarrassing if John slept through this. He pushed on with his exploration, skimming over a hip bone, running over the inviting V at the base of his Pilot's toned stomach. The towel loosened slightly, falling open as Rodney slid his hand across and down, travelling to the other leg, gently tickling at the fine hairs. There was a slight twitch of a knee and Rodney strained his ears but the room was still filled with only the sound of their breaths. John's shallow, his own a little raspier.

Still skirting the place which he was pretty sure would cause his Pilot to fully wake Rodney shifted again, gently catching at the towel so his Pilot was now completely exposed, open to whatever Rodney chose to do, however far he wanted to take this. He licked his lips, reassuring himself that John would never push him to do anything he was uncomfortable with, reminding himself how much trust he had for the other man. He sat up cross-legged, still with his back to his Pilot's face but at an angle where he could see and reach everything.

John was half-hard now but Rodney knew all too well that part of a mans body could operate quite well without any brain function needed, the small touches would have been enough to at least wake up his dick if not the rest of him. He stretched out his hand again, trying to quell the slight shake as he made the first light touch to the other man's balls. They were loose and soft, the heat of John's body pouring off them. Rodney swallowed and increased the pressure of his caress, rubbing over them gently. The dick in front of him twitched slightly on his Pilot's stomach and there was a near imperceptible hitch in the breathing behind him.

Trying not to picture what was going on nearer the head of the bed he switched to soft cupping and rolling movements, other hand wrapping fingers round the nearly fully erect dick, lifting it from John's belly, lightly squeezing and stroking. Rodney couldn't believe that despite all the sex he'd been having this was the first chance he'd gotten to touch his Pilot like this, take his time, explore how it felt. He lengthened his strokes, wondering how the dick in his hand could feel so powerful yet also so fragile at the same time, and so different from his own. The skin was soft but underneath it was hard and getting harder, little pulses under his palm.

A quiet moan signalled his Pilot's wakefulness but John still said nothing, didn't even reach out for a touch. Rodney gave thanks for the other man apparently knowing what he needed, or for being a lazy bastard and just sitting back to enjoy. Although to be fair it had been his Pilot doing most of the work lately, Rodney figured he was entitled to a little selfish pleasure. In the dim light he watched with fascination as the foreskin slid back and forth over the head of the dick in his hands with every stroke, the way it seemed to swell under his every touch, enjoyed the sound of the slightly heavier breathing of his Pilot.

He ran his thumb over the exposed head now slick with moisture, dipped into the sensitive skin that sat just below it. His Pilot's hips twitched, a small puff of air escaping from the other mans mouth as he did it again. Rodney filed that useful piece of information away for later before dipping his head on the next downstroke, tongue darting out to gather a quick taste. There was another gentle appreciative moan and John's legs spread a little further apart. With the intoxicating taste of his Pilot still sitting in his mouth Rodney took it as a silent invitation and moved between them.

"Baby, you sure?" The words were whispered, obviously being careful not to destroy the mood Rodney had going on, but the strain behind them was clear.

He wondered what would happen if he backed off now. Not that he had any intention of doing that. He'd obsessed over this long enough, jerked off in the shower to the fantasy of having his Pilot's dick in his mouth too many times to turn back. Rodney nodded, keeping his eyes lowered, not sure what he'd see if he looked up. "Yes" He murmured, then slid his lips over the head of John's dick and sucked gently. He could feel the body heat, smell the musk combined with his Pilot's shower gel, and the dick in his mouth was sticky and salty…and perfect.

Rodney flicked his tongue over that sensitive spot and a long low moan came from above him. Releasing John from his mouth Rodney pressed a wet kiss to the exact same spot before scooting down further so he could look up and see very detail of the dick in front of him. Ignoring it for now Rodney began to run long, slow, lazy licks over the inside of his Pilot's thighs, soft open-mouthed kisses, enjoying the smell and the feel of the other man's skin. As he once again moved upwards he placed his open mouth on one ball, then the other, more kisses and licks as John began to moan quietly again. Propping himself back up on one elbow Rodney wrapped his hand around his dick so he could return to running slick trails with his tongue under the head.

His Pilot stiffened in his grasp and drew in a long breath. "God, that's good baby" He sighed and spread his legs further apart.

Rodney was surprised that now he was over the first hurdle, so to speak, he felt pretty comfortable and confident. His Pilot was making all the right noises and was as hard as a rock in his grasp, and Rodney was taking a lot from the fact he knew how all of this felt being dealt out on his own dick. And ok so they all had their little weaknesses, some secret favourite move that he probably wouldn't know yet, but he'd consider his first blow job a success if he could just keep making John make those little noises, and there was an eventual happy ending.

He replaced his tongue with a loose circle of his fingers, small slides up and down the head whilst he ran his tongue down the rest of the shaft before pursing his lips against the velvet skin and sucking gently. John hummed contentedly. Rodney frowned, he didn't want contented, at least not yet, he wanted more of those moans and groans, was greedy for them, addicted already. Rifling through his memory banks he pulled back, opening his mouth and sticking out his tongue, placing it along the underside of his Pilot's dick. Firming up his hold on John he slid his dick back and forth across his tongue, and was rewarded with a soft moan, the muscles in the other man's body flexing and relaxing in an involuntary rhythm.

John's breathing became heavier and heavier. "That…feels so good baby"

Unable to actually answer his Pilot, and not sure if he was supposed to anyway Rodney just treated him to a few more slides before going back to his previous position, propped on his elbows, face over his dick. Thoroughly wetting the head with his tongue he then opened up his mouth wide again but this time taking him inside, moaning at his taste, the weight of him on his tongue. Unsure how much of his Pilot's dick he could take in especially for his first time Rodney slid his mouth slowly down, stopping when he'd managed to engulf a little over half and he felt so full he wasn't sure he was going to be able to give any kind of extra pleasure with his tongue. He groaned quietly and John twitched in his mouth. Rodney would have grinned if was able, the vibrations must have travelled through the dick in his mouth.

He inhaled through his nose then hummed. John groaned and Rodney was rewarded with a small burst of taste. He felt the pre-cum dribble down his throat and he quickly tried to swallow, he didn't think a coughing fit would have quite the same effect as a hum. Realising he had, for now, hit his limit Rodney began to move, clasping the base of John's dick he slid up and down, trying to put a little suction in when he could. This was obviously a skill that needed much practice, and coordination. His Pilot's body started to squirm around him, feet sliding up and down the bed. He was moaning and his breathing was deep and rapid.

As wonderful as having his Pilot seemingly at his mercy for the moment was Rodney's jaw was starting to ache and he didn't want to accidentally catch his teeth on the sensitive skin. He pulled off and went back to licking his dick all over, there was a small groan which he wasn't sure was from pleasure or disappointment, or frustration. He moved down further, licking at the balls that were now hot and high, pulled tight. He sucked on one gently then the other before moving to nuzzle into the crease of His Pilot's thigh, enjoying the muskiness, the way John flinched as Rodney nipped at the sensitive juncture.

Once again taking his Pilot's dick in hand Rodney ran a slick stripe up its underside, stiffening his tongue as he reached that wonderful little spot below the head, flicking over it before running a firm circle all around the head. John groaned again. "Baby…"

Taking that as a warning that maybe Rodney needed to get the fuck on with it he once again engulfed the first couple of inches, flooding his mouth with saliva as best he could, surrounding the dick in his mouth with warm and wet. Sucking down the spit he pulled more of John in, moving his tongue over him as best he could, letting it sneak out and dart over the part that he couldn't quite fit in. The second time he did it his Pilot shuddered a little, knees arching off the bed. The other man was close. John drew in a breath. "Pull off if you need to baby"

And so his Pilot had given him permission to bow out now if he wanted, or to avoid having to swallow down his cum, but right now Rodney couldn't think of anything he'd rather do. Shaking his head as best he could he rose up, gathered the clear liquid that was smeared over the head, pooled in the small open slit, and hummed again. John quietly cursed and he could just about see his Pilot's hand fist the sheets. Not wanting John to lose his momentum towards what Rodney hoped would be a decent orgasm he immediately took him in again.

Settling into a rhythm of drawing the skin of his Pilot's dick in as he took him deeper and them pulling it slowly tight as he moved his mouth up the shaft Rodney listened to the breaths that were coming in short gulps and gasps. Finally braving a look up he almost stopped his movements in surprise. John had pulled a couple more pillows under his head and he was watching him with an expression of sublime amazement, almost like he couldn't quite believe what he was seeing, or feeling. Those beautiful eyes that were now dark and heavy lidded met his before sliding down so could John could see his own dick moving in and out of Rodney's mouth. He licked his lips and groaned again. "Damn baby.." He whispered.

Rodney moaned long and low again before sucking even harder. His Pilot's head dropped back and his body tensed then rolled, legs flexing either side of him. John sucked in one long breath and blew it out again with one long moan of release. Rodney tried to remain relaxed as the dick in his mouth became impossibly harder and the head swelled large, the slickness of pre-cum filled his mouth, coated John's dick. He reached down as best he could and stroked over his balls. His Pilot gasped again and arched up, his dick throbbing before the first stream of thick liquid shot into Rodney's mouth.

John drew in another breath, holding it for a second before another groan of pleasure escaped his lips, more of his cum hit the back of Rodney's throat, he tried not to choke, to hold it in until his Pilot was done. The other man thrust gently up and another, lesser, spurt of cum joined the rest of his release and he shuddered, moaning quietly as once more his dick pulsed and the last of his climax dribbled into Rodney's, now quite full, mouth. He gently slid off his Pilot, trying to keep as much of his release as possible in his mouth, swallowing quickly as soon as he could. He loved the taste of his Pilot but the texture was a little…well, it would take some getting used to.

He licked his lips, that surely wasn't bad for a first go, even if he did have the benefit of Anna's, rather graphic, description and the experience of being on the receiving end of quite a few awesome blow jobs this week.

"C'mere baby" Rodney looked up at his Pilot who was lazily sprawled out on his pillows still, hand gesturing him to move up the bed. Crawling from between his legs Rodney moved up, stretching out beside him. John rolled his eyes and tugged him over. "Here idiot"

As his Pilot languorously sought out his own taste in the depths of Rodney's mouth the Navi moaned quietly, rubbing his hard-on over the thigh between his legs. Now he just had to hope that his awesome (John's word) blow job hadn't done him out of sex tonight, or at least some kind of reciprocation.

---

Chuck peered at his reflection in the small mirror and sighed quietly, there were two types of black eye, one that drew admiring looks and one that made people visibly wince when they saw you. And this was definitely shaping up to be a fine example of the latter. He prodded it gently then groaned, yeah nice move Harrington. Grabbing the washcloth he'd soaked in cold water he wandered back out into his quarters. He looked around and sighed again, his decidedly empty quarters.

His Pilot had stuck to him like glue whilst they were off world and Chuck had even decided to be a little grateful for the punch to the face as Evan had fussed over him in the Jumper, cupping his chin and gently examining him before handing over a cold compress. He'd then been subject to an even more enjoyable and thorough examination as his Pilot had checked for other injuries, quietly asking if he needed anything, if there was pain anywhere. Chuck had just wordlessly shook his head, surprised at this sudden contact from a man who had gone out of his way to avoid it for the past week.

But once the Doc had cleared him, handing over some aspirin and telling him to rest, Evan had become distant again, escorting him to his quarters, telling Chuck to radio if he felt unwell before turning on his heels and disappearing down the corridor. Pressing the cloth to his aching face Chuck wondered if being a big self-pitying girl who'd quite like to snuggle up with their Pilot after being stunned and then punched in the face counted as feeling unwell.