Out On a Ledge
By Mickey

Status: Completed 05/14/2009

Season: 2 or later

Archive Permission: Ask first.

Word Count: 484

Author's Notes: Written for the stargatedrabbles list's March 5th challenge use either or both of the following: a situation where your characters are stuck on a ledge or the phrase "Do we really have to get so dramatic?"


"Do we really have to be so dramatic?" John asked, cutting off yet another rant from Rodney. "I mean, come on, you act like we're a hair's breath from death."

"Dramatic? You're saying I'm being dramatic? We are stuck on a ledge here! Or have you failed to notice that? A very small, very high ledge might I add!"

The look on Rodney's face was priceless and John had all he could do not to bust out laughing. Looking past his friend, he saw that Teyla and Ronon were also trying hard not to laugh. True, the ledge they were on was extremely high up and not overly spacious, but their predicament was nowhere near as bad as he was making it seem. The ledge, while small, had enough room for them all to sit comfortably with their backs to the cliff wall, plenty of elbow room between them, and still have their feet a least a foot away from the edge. The phrase 'drama queen' came to mind. He stifled a laugh at that thought.

John considered making his point about the space to Rodney, but realized it would do no good. Rodney didn't listen well at the best of times, and when he was in full panic mode -forget it. He wouldn't waste his time even attempting it. Instead, John went for distraction, "This is all your fault anyway."

Rodney, who had still been muttering, stopped and glared at John. "My fault? How the hell is this my fault?" he demanded.

Trying not to smile at Rodney's look of utter disbelief, John started ticking off points on his fingers. "To start, it was your idea for us to come here. Number two, you are the one who insisted we take that so called path because it looked like a good short cut that would shave a whole mile off the trip. Three, you are the one who lost your footing because you weren't watching were you were going, and caused us all to slide down that path and land here. It's a miracle no one was hurt, or killed. It's starting to get dark and with the slope of this cliff it will be too dangerous to attempt to climb up tonight. We're stuck here for tonight, so quit your damn bellyaching."

While his words may have sounded harsh to those who didn't know him, or at least couldn't see his face, Ronon and Teyla could see the twinkle in his eyes and picked up on the slight joking tone of his voice.

Rodney sputtered. "Yeah . . . well-" he began. After a minute, he clamped his mouth shut.

John laughed, unable to refrain any longer, as Rodney began to mutter unintelligibly and practically glued his back to the cliff wall before sliding into a sitting position.

As Rodney began to complain loudly again, John sighed. It was definitely going to be a long night.

THE END