Most people do not like having to watch the Stargate during the lunch hour. It is dull and everyone else is off stuffing their faces. For once, the technician on duty had something interesting happen to him.
The technician watched the power readings with a frown on his face. Something was not right. A mild amount of energy had been diverted from the ZPMs to a dome shaped room a few hundred metres away from the command centre. He tapped away, trying to stop the diversion.
Just as he thought he was making some headway, the system threw him out and a loud voice boomed throughout the whole city,
"Hear me all, those who are in Atlantis! I am the one who can tell you your fortunes. Come seek audience with me in the Room of Twilight."
As everyone hurried to the command centre, the technician gleefully explained what had happened. He pointed out the domed room, which was clearly the Room of Twilight.
"Huh, a fortune teller," Major Gemini didn't sound impressed.
Dr Capricorn was worried, asking,
"Is it at all possible that we have Wraith or Genii in the city?"
Everyone looked around at each other uneasily. This was how Loke realised that the only person missing was Loke Lucy. He wouldn't put it past the scientist to pull a stunt like this. As Lucy ordered that no one go near the room, Gemini knew it was an order he would disobey.
He was definitely checking it out.
"Wish me luck, Ford," Loke muttered aside to his lieutenant.
Gray smirked,
"Have fun, sir."
Loke Gemini approached the Room of Twilight with a mind to poke fun at whoever had set up the elaborate joke. Those suckers didn't know the meaning of the word 'humour'.
"Alright, grand and magnificent fortune teller!" He shouted, entering the empty domed room, "Have your fun."
"Hmmm…" Said a mystical voice from the walls.
Loke crossed his arms, nonplussed at not seeing the joker,
"Look, if this is some kind of joke, Lucy, can you get it over with?"
"I am not this Lucy of which you speak, Loke , Gemini," Answered the voice, sounding a little offended, "I am a psychic Ancient. What is it you wish to know? Who will win the war against the Wraith?"
"Well that's easy. See, we're going to kick ass."
"Or…will Lucy ever share your feelings?"
This got him. Gemini stopped, the snide remark that had been poised on his lips evaporating. He tried to think of some denial, trying to hide his interest. But it seemed the "psychic" had won this round.
The voice sounded amused,
"Oh, don't worry. I'll help you out there. Tomorrow you will have an opportunity to tell her how you feel. You will be in one of the south passages."
"I don't have to believe you," Loke snapped.
"Well, no…but if you still think I'm Lucy, annoying I may be but you actually would believe me."
"So you're someone I know, huh?"
"Um…what I really meant was…I'm going to have another customer. You won't get a better chance. You'll be all alone."
Putting on a scowl to hide his assistant Loke , Gemini left the room. He was desperately trying to plan what he would say to Lucy. And he only had one day to do it…
Loke made his way to the mess and sat down at a table where his lieutenant was working through his appetite.
"What did it say?" Ford wanted to know, noting the odd look on the Major's face.
Gemini glanced up,
"What? Oh. Nothing."
At this point, Lucy joined them, carrying a tray of fruit that had been shipped from the mainland. She set it down, speaking casually,
"There is talk of an Ancient in the city."
Loke coughed and looked away. Gray raised his eyebrows,
"Yeah, supposed to be telling the future. Gemini went off to it this morning."
"And what did this Ancient say?" Lucy asked curiously.
She and Ford looked expectantly at the Major. Loke shifted awkwardly,
"We don't even know if it is an Ancient yet. For all we know, it could be Lucy being an ass."
It was just typical that Loke should come over as Loke was saying this. Sensing an approaching conflict, Lucy said quickly,
"I am sure that if Loke was the Ancient, he could not keep the joke for long."
"If I was that psychic, I wouldn't tell anyone about their future," Loke said firmly, shaking off his offence.
Loke smirked,
"'Cause no one should know too much about their future, right, Doc?"
The physicist cringed but did not challenge him with an argument about Back to the Future. Ford mused,
"I wonder who it is. What did they tell ya Major?"
"Erm…"
"It appears that Major Gemini does not wish to share his experience," Lucy commented, "I will go myself to this Ancient and report back on what is said."
Loke rolled his eyes,
"Sure, what a valuable use of your time."
Lucy entered the room and studied its dome ceiling intently, looking for some sort of space where the mystery "Ancient" could hide. She spoke clearly,
"I seek to hear my fortune."
"Welcome Lucy ," The voice greeted, "What is it you want to know?"
"What fortune can you give?"
"You are smarter than the last one who was here…the fortune I can give relates to romantic involvement."
Lucy shook her head, smiling. Loke was right – it was a waste of time. She had often approached those who claimed to have foresight and their incompetence at predicting her partners was laughable.
"Don't be so hasty," The voice cautioned, "I know all."
Lucy turned to go, but the door shut of its own accord. She raised her eyebrows. Perhaps an Ancient really was around somewhere. She asked,
"Well, then, will you try to tell my romantic fortune?"
"A..Ah, very well, Lucy . Soon the one you like will admit his feelings for you."
Lucy frowned for a moment. She didn't think she liked anyone…did she? An image of Loke , Gemini sprang to her mind. She chuckled,
"There is no chance of that. His affections are reserved for Dr Capricorn."
"Are you blind? He likes you. Alright…tomorrow when you two are alone in a south corridor of the city, he will tell you about his feelings."
"If this is true," Lucy looked thoughtful, "Then you truly are an Ancient."
"I look forward to seeing you again, Lucy ."
The door zipped open and the leader left, not daring to hope that the voice's words were true.
The sky was darkening when Lucy returned to the mess hall. Word of her visit had spread and soon everyone clustered around her table. Loke Gemini made sure he could hear what she said while keeping a reasonable distance away if her words got dangerous.
"Did they tell you when we're going to get more ice cream?" Loke asked sarcastically.
Everyone shushed him, expectantly waiting. Lucy immediately sympathised with Loke. She really didn't want to embarrass the Major, who she could see trying to look like he wasn't listening. She spoke quietly, noting with amusement how everyone leaned in closer to listen.
"I believe that it is an Ancient," She told them, "It says that it specialises in romantic fortune."
he choked on his food and quickly left the table. No one noticed his odd action, clearly intent on Lucy's report. Ford asked eagerly,
"So what did it tell you?"
"Oh, please," Loke said mordantly, getting up and leaving himself, "I'm the only one around here who can identity an Ancient."
Lucy kept the blush from her face, merely saying,
"It was for my ears only. Anyone who wishes to seek their own fortune may go there themselves."
Clearly, no one was brave enough to attempt it. Who wants to be plucked for information on their love life anyway?
The next day arrived in a brilliant blaze of sun. Loke Gemini woke with it, humming with nerves. He pulled on his favourite black jumper and walked haltingly to the command centre. On the way, he met Dr Capricorn, who was smiling at some personal joke.
"Good morning, Loke," He greeted, "Heard about ye going to the 'Ancient' yesterday."
Gemini scowled,
"Didn't everyone?"
He was saved any further prying when they reached the command centre. Lucy was already there, conferring with Lucy in a low voice. Upon their arrival, Dr Capricorn opened her stance and said,
"What appears to be an Ancient infirmary has been discovered on the south side of the city. You might want to take a look at it, Carson."
"Aye, I will," The doctor nodded, "In a few minutes."
Loke cleared his throat,
"Er…Dr Capricorn…Lucy and I can go on ahead. We won't touch anything."
Lucy gave them the go and soon it was just Loke and Lucy trekking off to a south corridor. As they walked, Gemini become more and more nervous and the Athosian leader kept glancing at him expectantly.
"We're almost there," Loke said tersely.
He cut his brisk pace, slowing to an uncertain dawdle. Lucy too slowed, trying not to look apprehensive. She asked carefully,
"What is it, Major?"
"Erm…"
Real intelligent, Gemini! Loke thought angrily.
"Well…Lucy…maybe you should call me Loke," He winced at his failure to come straight out with it.
He couldn't let this opportunity slide. Who knew when he'd next get it? The psychic seemed to hint at this being a one shot. Lucy lifted her eyebrows,
"Alright…Loke. Is there anything else?"
It was almost like she knew. Loke shifted his feet awkwardly. He tried again, voice almost cracking,
"Well…uh…I really admire you…not just as a member of my team but…oh screw this. Lucy, do you want to have dinner with me some time?"
"I'd love to," Lucy answered, smiling, "For the record, M…Loke, I also 'really admire you'."
Loke Gemini grinned back.
"Cool," He said.
He was relieved that he'd taken the chance. Lucy was pleased and also awed of the Ancient psychic. Its words had been true.
At that moment, he appeared at the end of the corridor, telling them to get a move on. When he'd swept past them, Loke lightly kissed Lucy on the cheek then followed.
"Check it out," loke nudged, "Lucy and Gemini are sitting by the window."
Lucy sighed and looked. His eyes bugged out of his head. Loke and Lucy were sitting by themselves and had silly smiles on their faces. Loke groaned,
"Oh no…"
But he was getting curious. The supposed Ancient had somehow managed to convince them to get together. There was a chance…