Discrete by Kitkat (Return Challenge)
Title: Discrete
Author: Kitkat (kitkat3979)
Category: Gen, with hints of slash and het. Return Challenge
Word Count: ~ 500
Rating: PG
Characters: Elizabeth, Jack
Spoilers: The Return
Summary: Elizabeth is a tactile person.
Notes: Thanks to lemonbella for the beta.
As a civilian, and as designated leader of the Atlantis expedition, Elizabeth can hug whomever she wants, even high-ranking members of the American military. It’s a guilty pleasure, but Elizabeth is a tactile person, and she’ll take the opportunities for contact as they present themselves. Hugging Jack O’Neill is certainly a golden opportunity.
She can’t, in good conscience, sleep with any expedition members, even those not originating from Earth. It’s a shame really that John has claimed both Teyla and Ronan for his team, as that brings both of them under her authority, even if indirectly. They’re both beautiful; each of them an advertisement for Darwin’s theory of evolution, played out in a galaxy where most people don’t live beyond thirty five, and sexual attractiveness is the sole indication of good health and reproductive capacity. Unfortunately, due to John’s insistence, they’re both off limits.
Halling’s occasional visits are enough to keep her sane, but he has his own responsibilities on the mainland now Teyla is gone, and they don’t see one another as often as she would like. She seems to crave his touch more than he craves hers, and she’s sure that he doesn’t sleep in a cold bed in the Athosian settlement. Still, as the idiom states, beggars can’t be choosers, and sometimes Elizabeth is only too happy to beg. She doesn’t dare ask for more than the visits he can make to the City, as the answer would likely be no.
She thinks that most of the expedition has forgotten that she’s a woman. She’s praised, raised on a pedestal above the basal needs that drive even the Atlantis expedition - some of the best that Earth could afford to send. It’s flattering, and humbling, but sometimes Elizabeth doesn’t want to feel flattered or humble. She wants to feel glorious and gorgeous, and it’s difficult to feel that way when she’s alone in the cold confines of her suite. She’s down the hall from John and Rodney, and she pretends not to know that they are only ever in one room or the other. She’d love to assign the superfluous quarters, but knows that there’s a need to be discreet, because Caldwell would be far too happy to assume military command.
So she takes this experience while she can, blaming her enthusiasm on the giddy happiness at being home, in her City, running her palms over Jack’s tense shoulders and her fingertips down his spine. She leans into him for a moment, celebrating their victory against the Replicators by pressing her lonely body against his.
He relents for a moment, wrapping large hands around her back and pulling her close. He’s uncomfortable with the intimacy, and it shows with the almost-smile as he walks away, but it’s worth it.
She’s home, and the city is hers again. For the first time she realises that this might be worth the sacrifices she’s made, and will keep making. For now she will take the reins of Atlantis, and the small intimacies she can steal, and be content.
ETA: This now has a new title, and 1 small error fixed, thanks to wonderful feedback from
saphanibaal.
Author: Kitkat (kitkat3979)
Category: Gen, with hints of slash and het. Return Challenge
Word Count: ~ 500
Rating: PG
Characters: Elizabeth, Jack
Spoilers: The Return
Summary: Elizabeth is a tactile person.
Notes: Thanks to lemonbella for the beta.
As a civilian, and as designated leader of the Atlantis expedition, Elizabeth can hug whomever she wants, even high-ranking members of the American military. It’s a guilty pleasure, but Elizabeth is a tactile person, and she’ll take the opportunities for contact as they present themselves. Hugging Jack O’Neill is certainly a golden opportunity.
She can’t, in good conscience, sleep with any expedition members, even those not originating from Earth. It’s a shame really that John has claimed both Teyla and Ronan for his team, as that brings both of them under her authority, even if indirectly. They’re both beautiful; each of them an advertisement for Darwin’s theory of evolution, played out in a galaxy where most people don’t live beyond thirty five, and sexual attractiveness is the sole indication of good health and reproductive capacity. Unfortunately, due to John’s insistence, they’re both off limits.
Halling’s occasional visits are enough to keep her sane, but he has his own responsibilities on the mainland now Teyla is gone, and they don’t see one another as often as she would like. She seems to crave his touch more than he craves hers, and she’s sure that he doesn’t sleep in a cold bed in the Athosian settlement. Still, as the idiom states, beggars can’t be choosers, and sometimes Elizabeth is only too happy to beg. She doesn’t dare ask for more than the visits he can make to the City, as the answer would likely be no.
She thinks that most of the expedition has forgotten that she’s a woman. She’s praised, raised on a pedestal above the basal needs that drive even the Atlantis expedition - some of the best that Earth could afford to send. It’s flattering, and humbling, but sometimes Elizabeth doesn’t want to feel flattered or humble. She wants to feel glorious and gorgeous, and it’s difficult to feel that way when she’s alone in the cold confines of her suite. She’s down the hall from John and Rodney, and she pretends not to know that they are only ever in one room or the other. She’d love to assign the superfluous quarters, but knows that there’s a need to be discreet, because Caldwell would be far too happy to assume military command.
So she takes this experience while she can, blaming her enthusiasm on the giddy happiness at being home, in her City, running her palms over Jack’s tense shoulders and her fingertips down his spine. She leans into him for a moment, celebrating their victory against the Replicators by pressing her lonely body against his.
He relents for a moment, wrapping large hands around her back and pulling her close. He’s uncomfortable with the intimacy, and it shows with the almost-smile as he walks away, but it’s worth it.
She’s home, and the city is hers again. For the first time she realises that this might be worth the sacrifices she’s made, and will keep making. For now she will take the reins of Atlantis, and the small intimacies she can steal, and be content.
ETA: This now has a new title, and 1 small error fixed, thanks to wonderful feedback from
saphanibaal.