I never expected that I'd have the opportunity to live with such a group of wonderful people.

-E-

"And the villagers don't mind us rummaging through their ruins?" Sheppard asked Rodney. The ring spun behind him as the operators dialed it from the platform above.

Eva glanced back and saw Doctor Weir gazing down at them. A small smile played across her lips, undoubtedly from listening to the conversation between Rodney and Sheppard. Rodney was adamant the villagers would be fine with it, while Sheppard wasn't so sure. Both voiced their opinions rather loudly, and she caught an amused smile from Doctor Beckett.

"You'll learn to tune them out, love."

"I don't know," she replied, eying Rodney as he stood red-faced in front of Sheppard who was clearly just messing with him at this point, "it's kind of amusing."

"Jus' get some food, and it'd be dinner and a show."

She returned her gaze back to Beckett with a confused arch to her eyebrow. "A what?"

Beckett shook his head apologetically. "Something from earth. Watching shows for entertainment with food. Dinner and a show."

"Ohhh." It reminded her of the grand theater at the heart of her city. Electricity hadn't been widespread, because the Surian Order had believed that comfort did not outway the cost to the environment. It was one reason why the cities were so separated. Exploring the Ancient Ruins had gifted their scientists with many insights into power generation that didn't harm the environment. But the theater always had power, thanks to her father. He'd valued culture.

Of course, now she lived in a city built by the Ancients. There was no waste, and, as she gathered from Rodney, that was because of the ZPM's.

The 15 year-old girl in her desperately wanted to explore every corner of the city, understand the architecture, discover the many secrets lurking in the database. She couldn't resist the thrill that rose in her every time she remembered exactly where she was standing.

Her father would have loved this city.

She shoved that thought down before it had a chance to grow into something darker.

The wormhole formed in the ring, whipping out like a drop of water hitting a pond, pulling her out of her thoughts. Sheppard whirled on the pad. "Let's move, people!"

She checked her gun before reholstering it.

"You ready?" a voiced asked behind her. She turned around to see Ronon, walking just a bit behind her and to her left.

"Ready for what?"

He grinned. "It's a Rodney mission. They have a tendency to blow up."

"Literally?"

"He blew up a solar system."

She eyed Ronon up and down, trying to decide if he was joking. Destroying an entire solar system seemed a bit far fetched, even for someone as brilliant as Mckay. She was about to ask him a question when the icy feeling of walking through the wormhole hit her. It felt as if someone drenched her soul in ice water. Then it was over.

Warmth beat down on her from the sun, and she was suddenly grateful for the light material of her shirt. A light breeze was the only relief against the heat, and even that didn't provide much. She shaded her eyes with her hand, deciding to ask Sheppard about the dark glasses he was sporting once they returned to Atlantis.

Grass crackled beneath her feet as she moved towards the welcoming group, and Ronon emerged from the ring behind her. He stopped next to her and she couldn't resist leaning into him and quietly asking, "Did Rodney really blow up a solar system?"

He looked down at her and she was suddenly struck by exactly how tall he was. She barely reached his shoulder. The fact that she had to crane her neck only exemplified their close proximity. He lowered his head towards her and softly replied, "He really did."

The bare skin of her arm brushed against his side as she twisted to look at the villagers talking with Sheppard, Rodney, and Beckett, standing on her tippy toes to get a better view. "How the hell did he do that?"

Ronon's answering shrug jostled her a bit, but not enough to cause her to lose her balance. "Do you want me to get you a box?"

She crashed down on the flat of her heels and looked back up at him, barely resisting the urge to look at him mouth agape. His eyes twinkled with mirth. "Alright, laugh it up big guy. But I could still kick your ass if necessary."

The twinkle deepened and warmth that found its roots from somewhere else that wasn't the sun spread through her. "I'm pretty sure I could hold you still with one arm."

Eva narrowed her eyes. "I'd like to see you try."

"Hey Bonnie and Clyde!" Sheppard hollered, causing the both of them to face forward once they realized Sheppard meant them. "Village or ruins?"

"Ruins," Eva replied without thinking. A glimmer of the girl seeped through.

"Ruins," Ronon said after a moment.

"Ok, you two with Rodney then. Beckett, Teyla, and I will be at the village, negotiating trades. Meet us there in six hours at the pub. Tyras says it's easy to find once you hit the main road." Sheppard glanced around before whispering, "And don't let Rodney boss you guys around or break anything."

Doctor Mckay strode up to them. Sweat gleamed on his skin. "Ok, heavy lifters, this way."

Eva arched an eyebrow at him. "I prevented you from bleeding out back on that rock."

"And for that, I'll be eternally grateful," he sighed. "Now let's go before we waste our time bombarding our skin with unnecessary amounts of radiation."

She brushed past him, shaking her head. Ronon bumped lightly against her as they walked along the path and rolled his eyes at the Doctor walking behind them.

"Hey, no secret warrior eye talk up there!"

She glanced back at Rodney, but he was engrossed in his tablet, having already forgotten that he'd just yelled at them.

"So, Ronon, know any good drinking songs?"

-E-

AN: Apologies that this update is coming a little late. I had to say goodbye to a beloved pet this past weekend, and getting back into the groove has taken some time. Thank you all for your patience and for being wonderful. :)