Under Unnamed Stars by _ceci15_ (Harlequin Challenge)
Title: Under Unnamed Stars
Author: _ceci15_
Rating: PG 13
Summary: The loss of Lieutenant Ford has unexpected repercussions when someone comes looking for him. Not the whole story--just a slightly expanded back cover write up and the little excerpt they always put under the front cover. Many thanks to Maryellen who made it so much better.
The back cover:
Capable and quiet, Meredith Lincoln would never have given up her routine nursing job to join the Atlantis Expedition, had it not been for the mysterious disappearance of her cousin. She and Aiden were siblings in everything but birth. When he disappeared from the expedition team under puzzling circumstances, the military provided only vague unsatisfying answers.
The invitation to join the expedition stunned her. The thought of traveling alone to another galaxy terrified Merry; she had never shared her cousin's love of adventure and excitement. But she could not turn down the opportunity to investigate Aiden's disappearance. She packed a few things, kissed her grandparents good-bye, and set off across the galaxy.
Now, after a month in the Pegasus Galaxy, Merry has no answers; only more questions. Aiden was not the only member of the expedition to die or go missing. She uncovers evidence of a long trail of mysterious deaths. As she continues to investigate, Merry doesn't know how much longer she can keep her relationship to Aiden a secret. Each piece of information she discovers leads to new questions and her list of possible suspects keeps growing:
Elizabeth Weir, the beautiful, icy ruler of Atlantis. Dr. Weir rules the city with an iron hand, keeping watch from her crystal office overlooking the control room. She seems to have only two passions - power and her unsuspecting military commander. Merry is certain if Aiden got between Dr. Weir and either obsession, she could have disposed of him without a second thought.
Doctor Carson Beckett, the Chief Medical Officer on Atlantis. The shy Scottish doctor is Merry's boss. Carson seems like the consummate caring medical professional, but Merry finds herself unable to trust him. She is certain that Carson knows more than he lets on about Aiden's disappearance. Complicating matters is the growing affection he appears to feel for Merry. Is he falling for her, or is it a cover for something more sinister?
Teyla Emmagan, leader of the Athosians. Teyla's constant smile and raised eyebrow make her almost impossible for Merry to read. There are stories whispered around the city linking Teyla genetically to the enemy, yet she is treated like a respected ally. The exotic alien warrior is rumored to have taken Aiden to her bed. Did she love him? The speed with which she has acquired a new lover seems to suggest not.
Doctor Rodney McKay, the expedition's Chief Scientist. An astrophysicist, McKay is brilliant, arrogant, autocratic, and abrasive. Merry is confused and fascinated by the occasional acts of compassion and bravery that hint at hidden depths in the apparently self-absorbed man. McKay was part of Aiden's offworld team and Merry feels he could provide vital answers if she can find the right questions.
Lieutenant Colonel John Sheppard, Commander of the military forces on Atlantis. Sheppard's easy charm, good looks, and laid back attitude mask an inner darkness. What demons is he hiding? John Sheppard was closer to Aiden than anyone else on Atlantis and is the key to finding out what happened. Aware of the danger he may pose, Merry still finds herself irresistibly drawn to the handsome pilot. Could she be falling in love with her cousin’s killer?
Finally, Merry must face the possibility that Aiden is not dead, but that he engineered his own disappearance. Is he hiding, and if so, why?
After an "accident" nearly claims her life, Merry realizes that someone in Atlantis knows her secret and wants her dead. She must decide who to trust. Only one choice will lead to love and the answers she needs. Can she find it in time?
Excerpt from inside the front cover:
Was he her salvation or her destruction?
"I need to talk to you, alone." John caught her arm and drew her out onto the balcony with a smile. They stood; looking over the moonlit water for a moment, then John pulled something from his pocket and held it out to her. "Care to explain this?" All trace of his earlier humor had vanished.
Merry bit back a gasp. John held a picture of Aiden and her, taken three Christmases ago at their grandparents’ house. They were arm in arm, laughing at something their grandmother was saying. Aiden had carried that picture in his wallet, behind his ID card. She was afraid to consider how John had gotten his hands on it.
John gripped her shoulders tightly and pushed her back against the railing. "Who are you really, Merry?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous. "What was Aiden Ford to you?"
Merry felt frozen in place. No one had seen them come out here. With just a little more pressure, he could push her over the edge. If the fall didn’t kill her, the ocean surely would. "John, please, you’re hurting me." When that had no effect, she relented, "Aiden was my cousin. He was like a little brother to me. I only want to find out what happened to him."
John dropped her arms. In the cold stranger facing her, she could see no sign of the man who had kissed her so tenderly only the night before. "You should never have come here," he whispered hoarsely. "The odds are that you won’t survive." He turned abruptly and left her there.
Author: _ceci15_
Rating: PG 13
Summary: The loss of Lieutenant Ford has unexpected repercussions when someone comes looking for him. Not the whole story--just a slightly expanded back cover write up and the little excerpt they always put under the front cover. Many thanks to Maryellen who made it so much better.
The back cover:
Capable and quiet, Meredith Lincoln would never have given up her routine nursing job to join the Atlantis Expedition, had it not been for the mysterious disappearance of her cousin. She and Aiden were siblings in everything but birth. When he disappeared from the expedition team under puzzling circumstances, the military provided only vague unsatisfying answers.
The invitation to join the expedition stunned her. The thought of traveling alone to another galaxy terrified Merry; she had never shared her cousin's love of adventure and excitement. But she could not turn down the opportunity to investigate Aiden's disappearance. She packed a few things, kissed her grandparents good-bye, and set off across the galaxy.
Now, after a month in the Pegasus Galaxy, Merry has no answers; only more questions. Aiden was not the only member of the expedition to die or go missing. She uncovers evidence of a long trail of mysterious deaths. As she continues to investigate, Merry doesn't know how much longer she can keep her relationship to Aiden a secret. Each piece of information she discovers leads to new questions and her list of possible suspects keeps growing:
Elizabeth Weir, the beautiful, icy ruler of Atlantis. Dr. Weir rules the city with an iron hand, keeping watch from her crystal office overlooking the control room. She seems to have only two passions - power and her unsuspecting military commander. Merry is certain if Aiden got between Dr. Weir and either obsession, she could have disposed of him without a second thought.
Doctor Carson Beckett, the Chief Medical Officer on Atlantis. The shy Scottish doctor is Merry's boss. Carson seems like the consummate caring medical professional, but Merry finds herself unable to trust him. She is certain that Carson knows more than he lets on about Aiden's disappearance. Complicating matters is the growing affection he appears to feel for Merry. Is he falling for her, or is it a cover for something more sinister?
Teyla Emmagan, leader of the Athosians. Teyla's constant smile and raised eyebrow make her almost impossible for Merry to read. There are stories whispered around the city linking Teyla genetically to the enemy, yet she is treated like a respected ally. The exotic alien warrior is rumored to have taken Aiden to her bed. Did she love him? The speed with which she has acquired a new lover seems to suggest not.
Doctor Rodney McKay, the expedition's Chief Scientist. An astrophysicist, McKay is brilliant, arrogant, autocratic, and abrasive. Merry is confused and fascinated by the occasional acts of compassion and bravery that hint at hidden depths in the apparently self-absorbed man. McKay was part of Aiden's offworld team and Merry feels he could provide vital answers if she can find the right questions.
Lieutenant Colonel John Sheppard, Commander of the military forces on Atlantis. Sheppard's easy charm, good looks, and laid back attitude mask an inner darkness. What demons is he hiding? John Sheppard was closer to Aiden than anyone else on Atlantis and is the key to finding out what happened. Aware of the danger he may pose, Merry still finds herself irresistibly drawn to the handsome pilot. Could she be falling in love with her cousin’s killer?
Finally, Merry must face the possibility that Aiden is not dead, but that he engineered his own disappearance. Is he hiding, and if so, why?
After an "accident" nearly claims her life, Merry realizes that someone in Atlantis knows her secret and wants her dead. She must decide who to trust. Only one choice will lead to love and the answers she needs. Can she find it in time?
Excerpt from inside the front cover:
Was he her salvation or her destruction?
"I need to talk to you, alone." John caught her arm and drew her out onto the balcony with a smile. They stood; looking over the moonlit water for a moment, then John pulled something from his pocket and held it out to her. "Care to explain this?" All trace of his earlier humor had vanished.
Merry bit back a gasp. John held a picture of Aiden and her, taken three Christmases ago at their grandparents’ house. They were arm in arm, laughing at something their grandmother was saying. Aiden had carried that picture in his wallet, behind his ID card. She was afraid to consider how John had gotten his hands on it.
John gripped her shoulders tightly and pushed her back against the railing. "Who are you really, Merry?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous. "What was Aiden Ford to you?"
Merry felt frozen in place. No one had seen them come out here. With just a little more pressure, he could push her over the edge. If the fall didn’t kill her, the ocean surely would. "John, please, you’re hurting me." When that had no effect, she relented, "Aiden was my cousin. He was like a little brother to me. I only want to find out what happened to him."
John dropped her arms. In the cold stranger facing her, she could see no sign of the man who had kissed her so tenderly only the night before. "You should never have come here," he whispered hoarsely. "The odds are that you won’t survive." He turned abruptly and left her there.