072. Fixed; The Way Things Were
Title: The Way Things Were [2/3]
Fandom: Stargate Atlantis
Characters: Amelia Banks
Prompt: 072 Fixed
Word Count: 1.285
Rating: PG - minor swearing.
Summary: I don’t get even; I get very, very confused. Why can’t things go back to the way they were before?
Notes: Part 2 of a short series. Probably going to be a 3parter. Sorry it's been 3 weeks since I last posted a fic, but I've been working on my other SG1 fic - Gift of Grace. Its on my fanfic.net account, if you want to take a look. LDT
[ Part 1]
[ Part 3]
*
I want to avoid him but fate and that villager just don’t seem to be on my side. That morning we went on with our chores as if nothing had happened and I vaguely hoped that things would go back to the way they were after a few days but as soon as the sun had set and the harvest was finished for another day, he just wouldn’t leave me alone! He kept coming over to me and wanting to talk.
Who knew that an Air Force officer could want to talk so much and at dinner it was the same deal.
“Mind if I sit here?” He asked me, already going for the empty space beside me. I briefly noted the villager watching us as I looked up to him but otherwise, it seemed I had no choice.
“Sure.” I regretted that my voice sounded more strained than I wanted it to. He definitely noticed. I tried to offer a smile as a consolation but somehow I didn’t think he bought it.
“Listen, I know you have been avoiding me...” He started and I focused on my food to avoid sighing or rolling my eyes or some other rude gesture. “And I get it.” That shocked me into looking up at him. “It’s understandable... these people think we got married that night - that’s got to put a damper on things, right?” The attempt to make the conversation light was lost on me and I picked at my rice-like substance as I brooded.
We sat in silence for a while after this as he waited for me to say something in return and I waited for a miracle to happen that would get me out of this mess without totally screwing things up.
“I really don’t want to admit this...” I confessed, though mostly to myself and with a determined expression, looked up to meet his gaze. “I don’t think this is going to work... actually, I’m pretty sure this isn’t going to work.”
“Why’s that?”
“Because...” I sighed, wincing at the prospect of what I was about to say. “I don’t even know what your name is! How is that meant to be the start of a long and happy marriage when I don’t even know the simplest thing about you?”
He seemed to be in shock, or he was contemplating what I had just told him. Either way it was definitely disconcerting to me and after a few moments, I unconsciously started to fidget in the growing awkwardness.
“My name is Leuitenant Nathan Coles.” He swiftly held out his hand and the action made me slightly dazed. “It’s nice to meet you.”
There was nothing else I could do but comply, shaking his hand while staring, dumbstruck at him.
*
“I have made room for you,” The villager helpfully told me once dinner was over and people were slowly drifting back to their homes. I was in shock and gawked at her for a little while. That seemed to give her the wrong impression though and she shoved me - rather pointedly - towards the small hut that had just been erected.
I stumbled through the flap that acted as a front door and when I looked up, I wished I had the chance to escape back to my old room. Leuitenant Coles was standing there, eyes wide as he held a blanket in his hands. Then realisation seemed to dawn on us both.
“They’re forcing us together.” Coles supplied though we both knew it.
“I guess so.” There was a cold silence that followed and I could see his eyes flickering from the bed and myself. He stepped away from it, indicating to the floor.
“I’ll take the floor,” He said, not meeting my eyes. I didn’t want to be rude but truth be told, I definitely wanted the bed more than I wanted the floor with its rocks and gravel. I looked up at the bed. It was big enough for the both of us, no matter how much I wanted to deny it and avoid any more uncomfortable moments between us.
“Don’t be silly...” I started and he paused in the middle of spreading out the thin sheet on the dirt. “It is a big bed.” He stared at me and I started to fidget under his scrutiny.
“Well, if you insist... but no spooning, okay?” The twitching of his lip betrayed his narrowed eyes and I couldn’t help but smile. He seemed to be an alright guy.
“Oh, dammit...” I muttered sarcastically and his grin broke out from the hold.
We both got settled quickly though I felt as if I was about to fall out of bed from the amount of distance we both kept between us.
“Well, uh, goodnight,” I said, rolling over so that I faced away from him. There was a short silence and I felt the bed move a little. I turned my head and saw he was looking at me. It was actually kind of cute the way he was biting his bottom lip.
“Thanks...” He said, picking at the sheet now. “For saving me from the awful back cramps I was sure to get from the floor.” He smiled up at me and I just shook my head.
“Hey, it was the least I could do... you are my husband after all.”
And there it was. That uncomfortable stillness that I was afraid of. I mentally cursed myself as he rolled over and I turned my head back. We both closed our eyes but I was sure that I wasn’t the only one that didn’t sleep that night.
*
It continued like this for many days and I was starting to feel the fatigue after just one sleepless night. I was almost on the brink of collapse when I figured enough was enough - I needed to straighten something out with my new companion.
“Lieutenant?” I asked, suddenly unsure after I approached him at dinner. He looked up, one eyebrow raised. “...Nathan.” He relaxed. “Um, can I talk to you?” I looked around us at some of the curious bystanders and he instantly knew what I meant. He put his food down and followed me to a more private area.
“Listen, I just wanted to clear a few things up.”
“Like what?” He seemed confused by my meaning and that made me just more confused.
“Like the fact that the deadalus is due to arrive at this planet in a few days and I need you to know...” I paused. He almost looked concerned for me but I looked away, choosing instead to look at my feet. “That I don’t intend for this charade to continue when we get back to Atlantis.” I said it quickly but it didn’t lessen the harsh undertone of my words.
I turned my gaze on him again when he didn’t answer right away.
“Your fixed on this, aren’t you?” I nodded once but it was enough. His faced dropped.
“Yeah, of course, I totally understand...”
“So... you won’t tell anyone?” He gave a rueful smile and shook his head. I noticed how some of the dirt flew from his hair, leaving slightly blonder patches than the rest. I wondered what he looked like clean.
“Thank you,” I said, turning to leave. I stopped, however, and turned back. “We’re still friends, though, right?”
That brightened up his face which in turn made me a little bit happier for what I had just done. “Yeah, of course. We...”
His sentence was cut short, however, when the dark sky suddenly lit up and the faint sound of engines could be heard from above. I whipped my head up and felt the whiplash and the joy of seeing the familiar grey exterior of the earth battle cruiser.
The Deadalus had arrived... and early too.
Thank god.
*