*Meredith*
The city was… breathtaking. Beautiful and magnificent. Ever since her father had revealed to her the true nature of his and her mother's work, the idea of Stargates had enchanted and intrigued her. Upon learning of the city of Atlantis however, she had been enchanted a thousand times more so. Coming to the city itself was a whole different realm. And it really was. Though Atlantis now rested far into the Pacific Ocean, 30 years after it had journeyed from the Pegasus Galaxy, it was returning home.
"Hello, I am Lieutenant John Emmagan Sheppard. Welcome to Atlantis, personnel." Meredith drew her gaze away from the brilliant Ancient Architecture and focused on the dark-haired man addressing the sea of future Atlantis personnel that had come through the gate from the SGC with her.
"Atlantis will be leaving shortly, as you all are aware, to return to the Pegasus Galaxy and continue the intent of the original Atlantis expedition- to learn more about the universe around us." Meredith watched the Lieutenant crack a small smile before continuing. "So it would be greatly appreciated if you all took to your rooms and fastened your seatbelts until we are safely in the air." As the crowd remained quiet, the Lieutenant ran a hand through his messy hair and sighed. "Hard crowd to please, I see. Alright, please find your chambers. If you get lost, well, just call for help over earcoms."
Meredith touched the small metal button in her ear at his reference to the devices her father had helped inadvertently create to serve as a communication unit that only required thought to engage the system.
"Lieutenant!" Meredith watched her father, the great Dr. Rodney McKay, make his way through the crowd of Atlantis personnel trying to get to their rooms to stop in front of the Lieutenant. Though her father was only going to be on Atlantis for the three required weeks to reach the Pegasus Galaxy and one more upon arrival in order to help her adjust to the position of Head of the Science and Research Department, she knew her father well, and that he could create incredible amounts of trouble in one month. So she followed her father to where he had just reached the Lieutenant.
"I'd like to see John Sheppard." Meredith heard her father say.
"That would be me. "The Lieutenant replied.
"No-no-no-no-no. I mean John Sheppard the first. Damn him, naming his kid after him so he gets to be called 'the first'". Rodney tacked that last part on as an afterthought, muttering.
The Lieutenant bit his lip before speaking again; sounding as though he was having trouble keeping his temper in check. "My father is General John Sheppard, and you will treat him as such."
Rodney McKay rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I'm sure he loves all the prestige, but let me tell you, Bratlett, I have known your father and saved his life a million times before you were even born. I can call him whatever I like. Hell, I could even call him Johnny-boy!"
Meredith's eyes widened at her father's blatancy, and now verging on the edge of humiliation, she elbowed her father. When the old man noticed her presence, he grumbled about "finding him myself" and walked up the Gateroom steps and out of her sight.
Meredith turned her eyes apologetically back to the Lieutenant. "I am very sorry for my father's behavior. Being known as 'the great Dr. McKay' has gone to his head, sir."
The Lieutenant's grim face relaxed at her words. "Aah, I was warned about your father, miss. I suppose that makes you our new Head of the Science and Research Department?"
Glad that crisis had been averted, Meredith allowed herself a half-smile and dropped a mock curtsy. "At your service, sir. However, may I warn you that I am not nearly as capable of doing the impossible as my father is."
The Lieutenant returned her smile and bowed. "Call me John, miss. Though I would love your name so that I may refrain from calling you Dr. McKay or miss."
Meredith frowned, realizing her lack of manners at properly introducing herself. "Meredith. My name is Dr. Meredith Rose McKay, PhD in Astrophysics, Computer Science, and first PhD graduate in Ancient Technology, something my father was highly envious of."
"Well, Meredith." John Sheppard II picked up her bags. "If I may have the pleasure of escorting you to your room via transporter?"
"Of course." Meredith smiled and watched him go, quickly following him, though unsure of how to tell him of her fear. She knew that the General and his family, as well as a few gate teams, had remained on Atlantis for the past thirty years, effectively caretaker. That meant John had lived his life here, and knew the city much better than what she knew of its vast technology. Though she knew the properties and schematics of the city, she knew nothing of its physical presence, and did not exactly like the idea of being transported from one point in space to another. When they reached the transporter, John stepped in nonchalantly, and waited expectantly for her.
"Coming?"
Meredith took a few hesitant steps forward. "Does it hurt?"
John looked confused for a second before realizing what she meant. "The transporter?" He laughed. "No!"
Slightly reassured, Meredith stepped in beside him as the door closed. He entered the destination and turned to her mischievously. "I was lying. It actually hurts like hell!" Meredith's jaw dropped a good foot as, frightened, she tried to process what he was saying, but within moments they were transported painlessly and the door opened.
"Not so bad, huh?" John gave her a cocky grin before leaving the transporter. Meredith managed to close her mouth before following him to her room.
"Here you are, miss, stay here until we have exited the atmosphere." Meredith just frowned at him.
"John Sheppard, I could slap you for that stunt you pulled!"
"But you didn't." Again with the cocky smile. "You know what, Meredith? I like you. You've got brains and a little hidden spunk. My father, the General, is placing me in charge of the First Atlantis Reconnaissance Team, also known as AT-1, as soon as the current leader retires when we reach the Pegasus Galaxy. I'd like to have a scientist on my team, as your father was on my father's. Care to join?"
Meredith remained quiet. She knew little of Atlantis, and had only been through the Stargate once. She needed to time to get adjusted before making such a commitment. But John seemed to sense her thoughts.
"Just think about it, okay? I know you're brilliant, and we'll have plenty of brilliant fighters as well on the team. It would be a pleasure to have your services as well." John bowed again and turned, walking back the way he had come.
Meredith watched him go before entering her room, convinced that somehow she would end up agreeing anyway.