Disclaimer The characters and entire Stargate Universe are not mine... unfortunately
First of all apologies to those who were reading "Just a Little Problem" that muse has yet to return from holidays... but maybe during these holidays I'll be able to string together something for that... however, this story is already finished and Beta-ed (thanks Jaymi!!) so I'll put up the new chapters as soon as possible (I'll try and update it at least once a week)... oh and there are some spoilers... late season two throughout the story, it's set just before "Michael". Anyways it is Sparky (which becomes apparent later on) and please, PLEASE enjoy it (in my defence the premise for this story came to me at about 3am in the morning).
Anyways I have rattled on long enough and so without any more ado I give you the first chapter of "Perspectives" (PS. SUBTLE HINT - - - PLEASE REVIEW!!!)
Perspectives
Chapter One – In a galaxy not all that far away
The brilliant blue of the Stargate broke into its usual fractured nothingness as it disengaged behind one Doctor Rodney McKay. As per usual he wasn't listening to any of the small talk that was occurring around him but deeply immersed in the readings that his hand held energy reader was churning out.
Nothing.
Zip.
Nada.
Boring.
McKay sighed. He hadn't expected anything. For all intents and purposes this planet was uninhabited and, apart from the 'gate not one other building, primitive or otherwise, had been found on their last journey there. The planet was however what McKay could almost call pretty, if pretty was a scientific term and he could get away with saying it. The lush foliage of the trees went on for miles, only edging around the river that wound its way throughout the forest.
This prettiness was actually the reason for their visit. McKay glanced over to the other reason.
Doctor Elizabeth Weir very rarely went off world. It was her belief that as leader of the Atlantis expedition her role was to ensure Atlantis stayed safe and that any team that got in trouble off world was found by the safest route possible. Some would say Elizabeth's job was a dream job, others would say it would be a nightmare. Elizabeth was content with it, but it seemed that stress, however she tried to hide it, was catching up with her. It was just after they had nearly lost several ancient gene baring members of their team that Carson Beckett, the resident doctor, had decided that enough was enough.
'Carson, I've told you I'm fine.'
'Which is why you have just poured tomato sauce into your orange juice?'
Elizabeth looked at her glass and sure enough the thick sauce sat swirling in her drink. Damn it. She opened her mouth to make an excuse.
'And don't even think to try and say that you were making a bloody Mary or something and knew what you were doing.'
Elizabeth shut her mouth as John Sheppard, the head military officer sat down next to her. He contributed to her downfall by adding:
'You also called Major Lorne "Lieutenant" yesterday. It gave him a bit of a scare. He thought he'd been demoted while he was off world.'
'I did?' God, I can't even remember doing that.
'That's it Elizabeth, I've been patient long enough –'
'Carson I'm fine.'
'No you're not love. I've seen enough random acts of insanity coming from you over the past couple of years, but this last week you have barely come out of your office. This is the first time I've seen you eat something that apparently is nutritious all week.' Carson was still dubious about the actual food content in some of the dishes served by the commissary. He turned to Colonel Sheppard, 'John, you found that lovely little planet didn't you. The one with the trees.'
'I've been to lots of planets with trees on Beckett.'
'I meant that one you went to just before this incident with the Genii.'
'That planet with the trees. And not much else.'
'Aye. Well I'm pulling rank and telling you that you and Elizabeth, and who ever else of your team wants to escort her, are going to that planet where you will stay until Elizabeth can realise that she is actually pouring three tablespoons of sugar into her coffee without someone telling her.'
Elizabeth suddenly swore as she realised that she had been holding the sugar pourer over her coffee cup and nearly its entire contents was now congealing on the bottom of her cup. Maybe Carson was right. She needed a break. But like hell she was going to go down without a fight.
'Three days.' She told Carson firmly. The Scot however was just as stubborn as she was when he wanted to be.
'Twelve.'
'Four.'
'Ten.'
'Eight.' Carson gave her a look. 'Fine. Nine.' Shaking his head in resignation, Carson agreed. He turned to Sheppard. 'Regular check-ins and all that, if someone gets hurt mildly I'll come to you. Only if there is a life threatening situation are you allowed to come home. I'll tell Caldwell the situation and keep tabs on him. He won't be doing anything untoward whilst you are gone.'
That was a week ago. Now Doctor Weir was being babysat, she hated that word; she didn't need to be looked after like a kid, on this planet. She wanted to be upset that Carson had finally hit her over the head with the book. However she knew that Carson was genuinely concerned for her and she had always loved the clear air that came with a forest.
'What do you think?' John broke her train of thought.
'It is pretty.' She could feel her anger at her military officer and CMO dissipate as the wind played with the trees. The breeze also played with her hair and seemed to take away the stress of the two years on Atlantis. Everything was under control back there. Caldwell understood what was happening and she trusted him. She smiled, surprised as she realised that her reservations with the man had disappeared. It was as if the Goa'uld had finally done something helpful, he had been the only one able to understand what she and John had gone through when they had been taken over by the alien version of Mr and Mrs Smith.
She adjusted the shoulder strap on the bag that held her laptop. After a minor disagreement she had finally gotten Carson to let her take her computer, three spare battery packs and a solar powered recharger. She'd also managed to pull rank and had taken a few of the DVD's that the Daedelus had brought from Earth. So with that and solitaire, and the knowledge that she kicked John's butt at space invaders – go figure, she was determined to try and enjoy herself.
'So where are we going to be staying?'
'Well if Madam will just follow me, I'll take you for a tour of the facilities, and then we'll decide where to set up camp.' John held out his hand with a flourish and beckoned Elizabeth towards a rough path that led them towards the river as McKay walked, still addicted to his hand held device behind them.
