AN: thanks to lorellipsis for the beta :)
Written for the icaw Ice Hotel challenge
Rodney McKay was happy when he heard that he was going to leave the base in Siberia to work in an Ancient outpost. As soon as the plane landed in Antarctica, he began to wonder exactly how much he'd upset Samantha Carter to be punished in such a cruel manner.
The base was quite small and there were no signs of Ancient technology, so he felt it was legitimate to ask, "Is this a joke?" Nobody answered, all continuing their usual routines. Rodney asked again, "What's this, some sort of joke?"
A man stopped and looked at him, trying to recognize him. He didn't, so he said, "Hullo. If ye have nothing else t' do here, please leave. We're quite busy." Rodney tried to hide his discontent. The only person who had bothered to answer him was a Scotsman and quite a rude one, for that matter.
"Unlike you, I have a purpose here," Rodney said, offended. The man stared at him and Rodney continued, "Apart from moving boxes from one place to another."
The Scot's face turned from puzzled to apprehensive. "Are ye Rodney McKay?"
Rodney's face lit up, happy that he was already known here. Things weren't going to be that bad, after all.
"Yes. As a matter of fact, I am. It's good to know that I'm already…" He tried to find the word that suited best, but was interrupted by the other man.
"Ye should know everything about th' Ancients, then. If ye would help us a bit, we could be ready to leave sooner."
"Leave? Go where?"
"To th' outpost." The Scot handed him a box and led the way to another room.
"Wait!" Rodney almost shouted, trying to get the other man's attention.
"Aye? Oh, I forgot. My name's Carson Beckett." He offered his hand and Rodney shook it, after dropping the box to the ground.
"You're laptop was in that box, so ye should be more careful."
"Now you tell me. Anything else I should know?"
"Ah…. no."
Rodney could swear he heard the other man chuckle. "What's so funny? Why are you…" he waved his hands trying to suggest his disappointment that he wasn't properly answered.
"I knew we had another Chief Scientist coming in, I just didn't know who."
"How did you know my name, then?" Rodney asked, puzzled.
"Samantha Carter worked with us for a while…"
"That woman! Do you know what she did to-" Rodney stopped. The man appeared to be trying not to laugh. "Of course you do."
"I should warn ye that it's quite cold at th' outpost."
"Are you mocking me?" Rodney demanded, glaring at the smiling Scot.
"No, I'm just… telling you the facts."
"Oh. So, what else should I know?"
"You'll have your own quarters, an office, wonderful scenery and Five Star services." Beckett grinned and Rodney promised himself he'd get his revenge.
"Is that so?"
"Aye."
"Well, take me to the Ice Hotel, bell-boy." Beckett started laughing, oblivious to Rodney's sigh. "I expected that someone important would be waiting for me, though. I appreciate you talking to me, but you should get going before your superior sees you here and you get into trouble."
"I'm just waitin' for my tip."