Show of hands…who had the fish?
They'd been craving fish'n'chips but a new 'catch of the day' has a surprising side effect; a neurotoxin which alters the personnel's inhibitions. Silliness, sarcasm and sexiness ensues.
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Dr. Elizabeth Weir rushed out of the transporter on the command level, nearly stepping into Teyla who drank greedily from a large bottle of water as she walked. "Oh," she smiled. "Sorry. I need to look around before I come charging out of those things."
The Athosian only nodded, and took another long drink.
"Thirsty?" Elizabeth brow rose in question.
"Yes," Teyla returned the smile. "I am afraid the dinner last night contained more salt than I am accustomed to having. I awoke incredibly parched."
"The Colonel's fish and chips night. I'm sorry I missed it. Was it good?"
"Yes. Very." Teyla fell into step with the other woman as they took the steps. "The group seemed to enjoy themselves as well."
Sheppard enlisted the help of his girlfriend, the expedition's marine biologist, to arrange a special fresh fish and chips dinner for the crew. They had all the fixings and snacks to go with a pub setting. Getting permission to serve beer in the mess took a little doing, but they eventually agreed to a drink maximum. He set up a projector and showed the recently transmitted Super Bowl. The Colonel set out to throw a good party.
"That's good to hear." Elizabeth smiled. It wasn't often they could do something so fun to boost morale.
"Coming through!"
Both women turned to the sound in time to see the topic of their conversation roll quickly around the corner on the Gate Room floor. Coming up on the four steps leading to the main floor, he squatted, popped up… and ollied onto the open expanse. "Yes!"
He swerved the board smoothly around. He waved a hand at both awestruck women. "Be there in a sec!" John kicked off once more, gaining speed and dropping down the steps he'd just jumped, disappearing back around the bend.
"What the…?" Elizabeth stood there not knowing what to say.
A few moments later, the transporter doors opened. Sheppard practically ran out, carrying his board. "Did you see that?" He laughed.
"Yes. I. Did." Elizabeth turned, not amused.
"That was awesome." He turned back to where he pulled off the trick. "I caught really good air that time."
"That time?" Weir crossed her arms.
" Well, I almost ate it outside the mess… no pun intended." He chuckled. "Even if it is kinda funny."
"Colonel." Weir's voice snapped. "Are you feeling ill?"
"What?" His smile faded as he noticed her scowl for the first time. "Uh, no."
"Then perhaps you can explain to me why you would think skate boarding through the Gate Room would be a good idea."
"Um," His mind raced for an excuse. "Sorry. I got nothing."
She only glared.
"Sorry," he pursed his lips, frowning a little. "You're right. I guess I got a little carried away. Won't happen again."
"Good." Elizabeth nodded. "Now put that thing away before coming to the morning briefing."
"Right away." He turned, hurrying down the stairs. As soon as he made it around the corner, he tossed the board down, jumping on. The smile bloomed across his face again as he zig-zagged down the hall towards his quarters.
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Major Lorne walked into the conference room with an odd smile on his face. Sheppard, McKay and Ronon were the only ones there. He'd leaned closer to them rather than take his seat. "Is it just me, or are people acting a little weird this morning?"
"I don't know," Sheppard shrugged. "I think people are just in a good mood, that's all."
"Yeah," Lorne smiled ruefully. He'd drawn the short straw. "Sorry I had to miss the party."
"Someone had to be on duty." John smirked.
"Whatever." Lorne rolled his eyes. "Okay, I guess that's it."
"Why?" Ronon tilted his chair back on two legs.
"Carrie Goodman, the little gal from the med lab, just grabbed my ass." Lorne shyly chuckled.
"Really?" John's brows shot up. "Did she say anything?"
"Yeah," The Major's cheeks actually turned pink. "But I'm not telling you guys what she said."
"Then what the hell are you doing here?" McKay leaned forward.
"We have our morning briefing." Lorne stated the obvious.
"Oh. Well, yes, there's that." McKay bobbed his head.
"I just thought it was weird." The Major took his seat.
Ronon almost laughed. "So, she's going for want she wants. What's wrong with that?"
Before anyone could answer, Teyla and Elizabeth finally joined them. Sheppard felt the corner of his mouth draw down at the look of frustration on Elizabeth's face. It wasn't terribly obvious, but he knew her well enough to see the signs. She was not a happy camper.
"Sorry we are late." Teyla slipped easily into her chair.
"Seems there are a number of personnel who decided they just didn't want to show up for duty this morning." Weir shifted in her seat, and turned on her tablet.
"They're not sick are they?" McKay squeaked. "I mean, there's not some sort of outbreak or anything, right?"
"No. No one is ill." She glared at the report in front of her. "There seems to be a city wide malfunction of everyone's alarm clocks."
John sunk a little further into his chair. If a bunch of people were late to report for duty the morning after his party, he was definitely catching the blame for it. Damn.
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"Carson!" McKay turned the corner to the infirmary to see the doctor struggling with a hall full of gurneys. "What are doing?"
"These were supposed to come down from being cleaned and decontaminated, but turns out I'm a wee bit understaffed this morning." Beckett smiled from the corner of his mouth. "But I have to say, I came damn close to sleeping in myself."
McKay pulled one of the gurneys toward himself. "Me too. Let me give you a hand." Rodney began pushing one, as Beckett continued to push the other.
"Aye, thank you for the help. The fast I get this done the better."
Rodney pushed his gurney with a little more speed. Carson kicked up his pace, keeping McKay from taking the lead. The two men looked at each other sideways, instantly smiling. Their shoes slapped against the stone floor, going faster.
The corner approached. The doctor took the corner with more grace, but did him little good as Rodney plowed into him, bounced off and kept going. "Cheater!" Carson called.
The doctor reached McKay again on the straightaway. Pushing off hard, he leapt on top of the gurney and slide past the scientist. "Whoo-hoo!"
Rodney, deciding that looked like much more fun, followed suit. He wasn't quite as graceful, but still managed to ride down the hall at top speed. "Yeah!"
"Look out!" Two of the nurses dove out of the way, but laughed at the grown men, belly down on the makeshift sleds. One of the nurses, Casey, chased after them, pushing on Beckett's stretcher. "Go get him, Doc!"
"Not fare!" Rodney whined.
"I got your back, McKay." One of the female marines began pushing at a full run.
The loop around the level gained people by the minute. Scientists, medical staff and military alike lined the halls. Sides were picked and relays of runners and riders formed. Everyone shouted and called out bets, even though no one knew who was winning or what the rules actually were.
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"Hey," Ronon jogged up to Teyla and Toni Beck. "Where are you two headed?"
"The gym. It's my turn today. I'm teaching Teyla some more yoga." Toni smiled. She'd become friends with the Athosian woman over the few missions they'd worked together, as well as the past several months of dating the Colonel. "Care to join us?"
"Yeah, uh. No."
"Then what brings you this way?" Teyla arched a brow.
"He's bored." Toni playfully shoulder checked the big Satedan.
"Am not." He pushed her back.
"Are too," She smacked his shoulder hard. "Tag. You're it!" And she darted down the hall.
"Ow." Ronon scrunched up his face. "What was that all about?"
A wide smile crossed Teyla's face. "A game of chase they taught the Athosian children. The one who is 'it' must chase and tag another to make someone else 'it'."
"Oh," Ronon nodded thoughtfully, then he grinned wickedly and smacked her on the shoulder. "Tag." And sprinted away.
Toni slowed to jog as she turned another corner. Sheppard walked the other way, but turned at the sound of footsteps. "Hey!" She paused in front of him long enough for a chaste kiss, but more – and much faster – footfalls caused her to scurry behind him. He held fast to her hand. "What's going on?"
Toni jumped when Ronon barreled around the corner. She playfully spun John in front of her for protection. The big man didn't slow down, he only said "It's Teyla" as he went by. Toni wasted no time and darted after him.
"What the hell?" John watched them go. He felt a sharp, painful slap on his ass. "Ow!"
Teyla flew by, "Tag! You're it, Colonel!"
"Damn," He bolted after them. As he turned the next corner into an atrium where several corridors intersected, he saw many people none of which being the three he wanted. A familiar blond came close, looking quizzical. "Cadman."
"Colonel. Great party last night."
"Yeah, yeah, Thanks." They were hiding. He knew it.
"Something I can help you with?" She smiled at the frantic, almost silly look on his face.
John stared at her hard for a moment. Ah, what the hell. "Yep." He wacked her on the shoulder. "Tag. You're it!"
Laura Cadman watched her commanding officer sprint away. Suddenly the sight of Dr. Beck, Ronon and Teyla running through the room made perfect sense. "Son of bitch."
Nearly twenty minutes had passed since John tagged Cadman. He'd heard lots of footsteps and yells as he snuck around the halls. It sounded like the game had grown significantly. He saw a familiar face dart around the corner. "Teyla!" It came out sounding like a whisper, but was plenty loud. "It's not me."
"Truly?" She edged closer.
"Scout's honor."
Teyla smiled. "I was caught by Lieutenant Willis, but I was able to get Toni. That was several minutes ago."
"How many people do you think are playing?" He chanced a look over the railing to the area below.
"Nearly everyone in this area of the tower."
"Wonder who's It." As the words left his mouth a big blur swooped down from the railing above. He felt a sharp whack on the top of his head.
"Me." Ronon landed in a crouch, laughing. "Should've kept quiet."
He started to run off and John tackled him at the knees. A full on wrestling match broke out as the two men fought for the upper hand. People began poking their heads out, drawn to the sight like a car wreck.
"Colonel Sheppard! Report to the Control Immediately!"
They all froze at Dr. Weir's voice.
John knelt with one elbow twisting around Ronon's knee and his head locked under the big man's arm. "Uh-oh. Busted."
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