Flying Lessons

Summary: What if Dr. Weir had the same ability to control Ancient Technology as Sheppard? Weir/Sheppard mostly friendship.

Spoilers: None really, but up to Suspicion to be safe.

Disclaimers: Stargate Atlantis and its characters do not belong to me.

Author's Note: This is part of what I'm starting to consider my Conversations Universe. You'll probably need to read Conversations and Ends and Means before reading this one. This is mostly a development of Weir and Sheppard's friendship, but it does have shippy undertones like in my other stories. If you don't agree with that pairing, you probably shouldn't read this. If you do choose to read this, I hope you enjoy it.

"Dr. Weir, please come to the chair room." Dr. Rodney McKay's voice is heard over the main communications system. Another voice, with a distinctive Scottish accent, is heard in the background, but what he's saying can't be made out. "Uh...Major Sheppard, you too."

Dr. Elizabeth Weir and Major John Sheppard meet each other just outside the "chair room". It is aptly named because it holds two command chairs like the one found in Antarctica. They have made several unsuccessful attempts to activate a weapon similar to what is on the puddle jumpers and what saved Earth from the Apophis attack. McKay has come to the conclusion that it will take two people who, not only have the Ancient gene, but have an upper level control of Ancient devices. Since there are no other members of Atlantis that can match Sheppard's uncanny ability to control all Ancient technology, they still lack a way to protect Atlantis from a direct attack by the Wraith.

"What have they done now?" Elizabeth asks John.

"We probably don't want to know."

The two walk into the room to find McKay and Dr. Carson Beckett standing over a computer console. They seem to be in the middle of an argument, which is nothing new.

"Is there something you wanted Rodney?" Weir sounds a little impatient. John knows that she hasn't gotten much sleep in the past few nights. The emergencies with the desalinization tanks and then the ventilation system have taken their toll. He should probably make sure they get this over with quickly so he can make her get some sleep.

"Ah. Dr. Weir, Major Sheppard! Thanks for coming so quickly. We were hoping you could help us out with a little experiment."

John and Elizabeth both roll their eyes. McKay's eyes are gleaming excitedly, so this can't be good.

"Could you please sit in the chair?" Dr. Beckett motions towards the chair closest to him.

Sheppard takes a step forward, but Beckett holds up a hand to stop him.

"Not you Major. Dr. Weir?"

John turns to Weir with a look of total confusion on his face. Elizabeth's only displays exasperation. She runs a hand tiredly over her face.

"Dr. Beckett..."

"Elizabeth please. Just sit in the chair."

She walks over with an exaggerated sigh and sits. The chair reacts immediately – there is a distinct hum as it comes to life. Elizabeth springs from the chair in shock.

"What the hell?!" Sheppard's outburst matches the look of total horror on Weir's face.

"Yes!" McKay exclaims. "I was right."

"What do you mean you were right? I was the one that found the second gene!"

"I meant I was right about the chairs! Why do you-"

"Both of you shut up!"

The two men fall silent at Sheppard's commanding voice. He's a little worried about Weir. She is still staring at the chair like it's going to swallow her whole. He walks over and touches her arm lightly.

"Dr. Weir?" No response. "Elizabeth? You okay?"

She turns to him, her eyes wide with shock. John gives her a little shake and hopes he doesn't end up having to slap her or anything. He has a feeling she'd slap him back in response. Luckily, there's no need to test his theory because she seems to mentally shake herself out of her stupor. She points at the chair.

"How did I do that? I shouldn't be able to do that. How the hell did I do that?!"

Weir turns to Beckett who grimaces.

"We never tested you for the ATA gene back on Earth."

"But you had my blood sample."

"Well, it turns out that we never tested it for the gene."

"Why not?"

"We started screening the team for any long term health defects before I discovered the gene. Turns out we never went back and re-tested the samples that had already been screened."

"So Dr. Weir's been able to control Ancient technology this whole time?" John asks.

"Oh it's better than that!" McKay responds, clapping his hands together with glee. "She should be able to control them as easily as you. Which means we should be able to use both of these chairs now."

"I think I need to sit down." Weir starts to sit on the command chair, realizes what she's doing, and walks over to sit against a desk.

Sheppard turns back to Beckett.

"If you didn't test her back on Earth, how did you know she'd be able to activate the chair?"

"Quite by accident actually. I was starting to believe that your gene sequence may contain two portions that allows you to easily interact with Ancient technology. I meant to compare your sequence against those already known to have the first ATA gene naturally, but the computer ran it against the entire team roster. Two of your genes matched Elizabeth's."

"You mean we're related or something?"

Sheppard pales and there's a groan from over by the desk.

"No. No. Nothing like that. But it could mean that your family lines may have, thousands of generations ago, began with the Ancients."

"So can we try both chairs now?" McKay asks excitedly.

Beckett and Sheppard both look over at Weir who is sitting with her head in her hands.

"I don't think that now is a good time, Rodney." Beckett starts to steer McKay out of the room. "We need give Dr. Weir some time to process this new information."

McKay's protests can be heard out in the hall as Sheppard walks over to Weir.

"You okay?"

"I so do not have the mental capacity for this right now." She responds without lifting her head.

"Then lets get you to bed. This can wait until morning."

John helps Elizabeth up and steers her toward her quarters. He stops short of tucking her in, but figures that sleep won't be a problem when she flops, face down on her bed fully clothed. She's asleep before the door closes behind him.