Hallways, Staircases and Elevators

[SilverRider]

Between level 5 and 6

She wasn’t sure what she was meant to do when he threw the puppy dogs eyes at her, if it was at any other time she would have grinned like a fool, but not today and now; and listened.

She gave a short laugh, “The ‘we’ part was never up to me Black. I’m not the one who’s squarely convicted that my ex is trying to win me back. I’m not the one who wanted to turn my back on what there was. I laid things out fair and square. I care for Travis, but I’m no longer in love with him. You’re the one who needs to get that through your head.”

Seeing the jacket, in his hand, Davis nodded, “Foreston,” was all she supplied “Need to pick up my pass from Blue’s office.” Knocking on Simon’s door and see if he was willing to fix this broken record or at least mend it. But was he aware of her being alive. She would cross that bridge when she came to it.

[aintright]

<<In The Stairway Somewhere between Sharp and Blue>>

Zach could feel his blood pressure rising. Why did he let her under his skin like he did? She could turn him on and off like a circuit breaker. Claire could make his current flow like, grrrr.

He paced in a circle on the landing. When she laughed the switch went on but, probably not the right one. "First of all darling 'WE' is always up to 'BOTH' parties. And maybe you didn't see it but, I saw how he looked at you and yes he would like to have you back. I also saw how you dumped me in my tracks to run off to your little secret rendevous. I was out at the courts Claire." He had stopped pacing in a cirlce and was staring down into her face. Black's temples were bugling and his jaw was clenched. She had laughed at him as if she was simply dismissing him. He took a deep breath to difuse his rage.

"So I am just expected to believe you are in love with me then? That I am the 'BAD' guy? To Foreston? Are you nuts? There is a sniper out there for crying out loud. Who are you going with? Blue won't allow it. I won't allow it." He regretted the last words as the rolled off of his tongue.

[SilverRider]

Between level 5 and 6

Her head snapped at him, her eyes threw daggers and cold icy stares, her jaw gritted, “I made my part on ‘we’” she motioned between them, “clear from the word go. I told you where I stood, if you did not take that into account than that’s not my fault. I saw how he looked; I can read that man’s face like a closed book. I know what he wants. He knows and I know it’s not going to happen. There’s a four year gap between the time I last saw him and when I saw him the other day.”

Her eyes going from ice to fire, “Dumped you?” she repeated, like she had been shoved, all while her voice rose, “Secret rendezvous?” She couldn’t believe she was hearing this out him of all people, “you actually have the nerve to accuse me of something like this.” There was no making him understand. Ripping her jacket from his hand she circled around him and took few steps up, hearing his question, she took the steps back down and went face to face with him.

Dangerously with already on the edge, she growled, “If I had no feelings for you, I would not have done the activity in the elevator with you. I’ll repeat it again, I don’t do casual s*x. For god sake listened to yourself, your sounding like a whine child Black. As for whom I’m going with its none of your concern if there was someone keeping my company. I was under impression Simmons required your urgent attention.” Her jaw flinched to keep her anger in check, also as a warning for Black not to push it, “You won’t allow it? Since when? I might be emotional broken but I’m still capable of holding and firing a gun. Sanely.”

[aintright]

<<In The Stairway Somewhere between Sharp and Blue>>

So no denying that they all understood Oxford's intentions. He stood firmly in place as he allowed her to rant. He could hear the fire in her voice. Instead of fueling his rage it quenched it. She was so incredible when she was on fire. Absolutely beautiful. Zach barely felt the jacket ripped from his clutch, we was so lost in his admiration.

"Dang it Claire this has nothing to do with the physical thing. Do you really think that is all that I am after?" He shook his head and ran his hand over his face. Looking down at the blazing eyes. Black had hold of her shoulders. "Have you missed the whole point? You 'ARE' of my concern. If nothing else I thought we were friends, we had each other's backs. Are you that quickly removed from the team? From me?"

He stopped and his head jerked back when she asked about Simmons. "Simmons? ... Brihanna? ... What urgent? ... What the heck are you talking about? ... What does she have to do with anything?" His forehead bent down to meet hers. A huge heaved sigh released. The low affectionate voice that followed was spoken with ardor. "Wow, we really are a mess aren't we?"

[SilverRider]

Between level 5 and 6

She kept on glaring, even as he spoke, “You’re the one who’s shoving of Travis down my throat over and over again. If that isn’t giving me the impression that it’s only physical I don’t know what is. I’m not even sure what the whole point is anymore. Just because I stepped back from SG1, I never removed myself. Your doing a fine job of reminding me. Keep one thing in mind I’ll always have SG1s’s back.”

Count to ten, she ordered herself, and breath steady, and that exercise got throw quickly when Zack went by the person’s first name, a new wave of anger flooded inside, “You. Reading. To. Her.” She said each word carefully. “And on first names already? You work fast Black.”

Shrugging away from his touch, “She has everything to do with everything. You were so busy with Travis jealous trip that at no point you mentioned this Miss Simmons. I, at least had the decency to tell you about Travis.”

Taking a step back, she inhaled, “This mess might take a while to clean. So don't wait on it.”

[aintright]

<<In The Stairway Somewhere between Sharp and Blue>>

He listened to her as she spoke. Maybe she was right and it was more physical than he wanted to admit. At this very moment all he wanted was to be far away on some deserted beach. Lost in a sand dune as the waves lapped at the shore. The warm breeze caressing her hair as he coddled her in his arms and listened to the calming sound of her breathing. The very scent of her as she stood so near had his senses pulsating.

He was ready to succumb to her wiles. To tell her she was right, he was wrong. Beg for her forgiveness.

"You work fast Black.”

There was a small constriction of his veins in his neck as he slowly rose his head. Their eyes locked.

Zach allowed her to totally finish before he started with a low, harsh, guttural tone, "Maybe there isn't a point." His stare was drilling, almost threatening. "Maybe it is beyond cleaning." There was a signal fire in his eyes that gave off a warning that the line had been crossed. "Maybe it wouldn't be worth the investment of your time." Throbbing shoulder, throbbing head, throbbing heart, "No need to worry your pretty little head. There will be worlds between us. SG1 has an off-world mission assignment. I won't be around to cause you any annoyance."

As Claire backed away his tongue made one final slashing cut, "You are free to go."

[SilverRider]

Between level 5 and 6; then on to level 3

His drilling stare did nothing but ignite her anger further. Firming her jaw, “Maybe it’s beyond cleaning,” Davis agreed, fisting her hands into her pocket where they weren’t likely to take a swing at him. He would never get it. When and if he ever did, years would have gone by. Regardless of being older than her, he didn’t seem to be as wiser than a male at her age, “and it’s not my time that seems like a waste of investment.” She snapped back, already feeling the cracks in the scars that once had been caused by Travis; now by Black.

Her doubts had been right. Her heart hadn’t been ready to be placed in the line again. Not when it was still grieving over the loss of her father. She might have acted on her pain, needing someone to sooth it and he had been someone she could have counted on. After his final lash, she knew she had to get the heck out of here.

“Geeez thanks,” she quipped, emotionlessly, then turned to take the step up the stairs, nearly bumping into McKinnon on the third floor as she headed towards the exit.

“Hey Davis,” Lance greeted then went baffled when the lieutenant didn’t reply, but stalked off instead, “What’s crawling up her butt.” He wondered then shook his head before climbing down the levels. Asking Kim would be good if she knew.



<<Clarie to Blue's Office>>

[aintright]

<<In The Stairway Somewhere between Sharp and Blue>>

He watched as she slipped past and up the stairs. His chest heaved and his desire was to put a hole through the wall but, his injured shoulder advised against it. He paced about the landing in a circle, once, twice, thrice. That woman will be the death of me.

He stopped placing the good arm outstretched against the closest wall. His head dropped forward. "Stop moping and tend to details Black." Setting the radio to the SG1 setting he pushed the call button, "Sharp, this is Black. You there?"

[Colonel Sharp]

"Yeah, I'm here. What's up?"

[SilverRider]

Between level 5 and 6

More bafflement followed when he saw Black standing and fuming; then looked back up to where he had seen Davis. Putting the two and two together he grimaced. A nasty exchange might have taken place. Getting in the middle of it wasn’t going to be a bright idea. Walking past Black didn’t seem appealing either. So he slipped from where he was and into the Sub level 5; and just in time to hear Kim’s wise words.



<<To Sub level 5 Lounge>>

[aintright]

<<In The Stairway Somewhere between Sharp and Blue>>

Zach had heard quiet footsteps on the stairs behind him. His heart raced a little in hopes. Even if it was to find her fists in his face. He waited until they were beyond him to see if it was Claire returning. Nope. Kim's major. Great. Glad the man hadn't stopped. Yet, he was certain to get an even larger earful from his concerned XO.

Slapping his hand against the wall in frustration.

"Yeah, I'm here. What's up?"

Swallowing hard to clear his voice. The last thing he wanted to come across as was a tattle tale. "Just a heads up. You may want to pull in the reigns on your little girl. She thinks she is heading to Foreston on her own." He paused to try and add a little life to what now sounded like one whose wind had been sucked from their sails. "I updated her on the sniper situation to no avail." Thinking incorrectly that he had turned off the mic. "But, she is to damned pig headed to listen. Or of course I could be wrong. Her dashing Captian may be escorting her." Made its way into the airways in his gruff under his breath mutter.

Black began to move in the direction of the armory as he waited to see if Sharp was going to respond.

[Colonel Sharp]

"Can it, Black, I got it covered. Go get you're gear on. Ashwood and I 'll be down there in a minute."

[aintright]

<<In The Stairway Somewhere between Sharp and Blue>>

With a small cock of the head. "Yes Sir, Black out." Guess I had that coming. It was worth it, at least he could leave with peace of mind that she wasn't out traipsing about the trail alone. He wasn't going to dare to remind the Colonel that he still didn't have clearance from Carrie. It could be dealt with at deprture if it came up.

Standing straight he ran his hand down the back of his head, running it across the back of his neck. He made mental inventory of what needed to be done. No need to return to quarters, all his attire and gear could be found in the armoury. If he timed it right he could stop by the infirmary on the way to the gate. He gave the book still in tow a little squeeze and made a speedy move down the stairs. The shoulder was still a little shakey. Nothing he couldn't suck it up and deal with.

((continued in armoury))

[Northern Girl]

>> From quarters >>

Tim flung the door open and started to put his jacket on as he entered the stairs taking it two steps at a time, towards the Mess hall, buttoning his jacket in the run.

[aintright]

<<A New Toy!!>>

LuBan was lost in her thoughts as she descended the stairs. She clutched the small book close to her chest and hummed a small tune. Her ipod cranked out one of four versions of Amazing Grace she had saved onto it. She began to sing out loud.

Rounding the wall to the next level a huge grin crossed her face, "Sarge, if I didn't know better I would say you were stalking me." A small snicker followed.