MSG – 3
A month later.
"What made you think that you could negotiate a truce with these people?" Rodney McKay implored as Sheppard's team trudged back to the gate.
"Because they are bickering over … tiddlywinks," the accused answered throwing his hands up in the air.
"Tiddlywinks? Oh please!" McKay grumbled. "How about we use grown up wah-" He tripped over a tree root and nearly fell flat on his face.
"It worked didn't it?" the man questioned. When there was no response from McKay, he turned around to see Rodney flailing around trying to catch his balance. "Hey, need a hand?" the man asked reaching out for Rodney's arm.
"Get your hands off me," Rodney snarked, jerking his arm away from the man. "I hardly need a CPA to come out here to rescue me from ah…. ah….," Rodney stammered as he lost the balance battle and landed on his ass in the mud.
"Coming from someone who can barely balance his checkbook, a CPA is exactly what you need," Evan R Lawson smarted back. Despite Rodney's protests, he helped him to his feet anyway.
"I'll have you know, I hold a PhD in math and am perfectly capable of balancing my own checkbook," Rodney remarked trying to brush the mud off his pant leg.
"Oh, is that why you put me on that special project last week … checking over your tax returns for the past five years?" Evan said flippantly.
"That was a test to see how trust worthy you were," Rodney replied defensively.
"Right," Evan remarked slowly with a sly grin on his face. He crossed his arms at his chest smugly. "So Mr. PhD, if you have so much experience with math, why is it that I found a handful of deductions that you missed and I dunno … could have increased your returns by thousands of dollars." Evan waved his hand around to make his point.
"Scientific math is my area … not accounting," Rodney replied with an indignant tone.
Ronon watched the verbal foray silently before shaking his head. The banter between the two wasn't anything new. It had started the minute Mr. Woolsey had informed McKay that General O'Neil assigned Evan as Rodney's personal assistant. McKay had done everything to dismiss Evan from that detail to no avail. On most days, their relationship and the nonstop chatter was amusing. Evan could match McKay's analytical babble almost better than Sheppard… and when the McKay speak became too scientific, Evan knew exactly how to cut through the junk to say it in plain simple terms. It was clear to everyone on Atlantis that Evan annoyed the hell out of McKay and that in itself made Evan a likeable guy.
Although he had spent most of the past month confined to Atlantis, Evan was off world this week at Mr. Woolsey's request. Major Teldy's team, SGA-4, had reported the villagers in Mrtville on M47-191 needed help with their economic system, Mr. Woolsey felt Evan, the resident CPA, would be the perfect person to address the issue and make recommendations for improvement. He had a productive couple of days when SGA-4 was escorting him. Then SGA-1 was assigned to help Evan complete the assignment and present the plan to the leader. That is when all hell broke loose, which was partly … actually mostly Rodney's fault.
Ronon felt his lip curl up over his teeth and the urge to snap Rodney's neck burned in his throat. "How much longer are you going to let that go on?" he growled in Sheppard's direction.
"I was kinda enjoying it," Sheppard replied turning to look back at the two bickering men. He chuckled as the two argued like two ole ladies.
"I'm not," Ronon informed him with a look that spoke volumes.
"Relax, Chewie," John remarked casually. "It's kinda fun to see someone match wits with McKay and get away with it."
"They are fighting over a woman," Teyla said flatly catching both men off guard.
"A wha… what did you say?" John coughed.
"McKay and Lawson have the same taste in women?" Ronon guffawed.
"Apparently," Teyla nodded looking at the two men as they continued to argue as they walked.
"How do you figure? All I hear is finance and accounting terms," John remarked adjusting his grip on his P-90.
"Divya."
"Divya? She's hot," Ronon grunted.
"Yeah she is extremely …. hot," John commented slightly miffed about Teyla's revelation. "But she's hardly McKay's type."
"Or Lawson's," Ronon added.
"Divya and Evan are only friends," Teyla said. "McKay has a crush on her."
"And he and Evan are fighting about it?" Sheppard questioned.
"Yes, Evan is rather protective of Divya," Teyla replied with a smile. "Remind you of anyone you know?"
John was quiet for a moment before answering Teyla. He knew exactly where she was going with that … a small innuendo about their relationship over the past five years. "Yeah, I guess I get that," he replied winking at Teyla. "Rodney! Get a move on before the sun sets!" John yelled to McKay completely changing the subject.
…~…
"Hank?"
The voice echoed down the corridor from the mess hall and Dr. Lawson stopped to look back toward the doorway. The brunette walking toward him had a huge smile plastered across her face and was er … beautiful.
"Oh my god, I can't believe it," the female said with a stunned expression on her face. "Dr. Hank!" She practically jumped into his arms and pressed herself against his body in a straggle hold hug.
"Ugh, hi?" Hank said, not embracing the woman. "Do … I … know you?" he asked when she finally let go.
"I should say so… you saved my life!" the woman exclaimed.
"Okay," Hank replied slowly trying to place the face. The standard base uniforms gave everyone that look like everyone else appearance, so he couldn't quite put a finger on who she was. "I don't…"
"At Boris's party? Memorial Day weekend?" she said supplying him the missing information.
"Oh!" Hank blurted out remembering the night that sealed his fate in the Hamptons. "April," he added sheepishly as the name finally came to his lips. "What'r'ya doing here?"
"I'm part of the expedition," April replied.
"Part of the expedition?" Hank repeated with a questioning look.
"I'm a geologist," she said shrugging her shoulders. "I don't like to tell the Hamptonites because they give me a weird look…like it's a crime to be smart and pretty." She smiled nervously.
"No, that's not a weird combination," Hank said with a less than reassuring tone.
"Oh really? Then why are you staring at me like I have the plague?"
"I'm not," Hank said shaking his head and flashing his award winning smile on her. "I'm just surprised. You've been in the city for a month and I haven't seen you?"
"No, I just came through the gate yesterday. I saw you in the mess hall this morning," April replied.
"Ah, the gate," Hank said glancing up just as a marine walked by and completely eyeballed April. "I can't get used to that thing yet."
"Yeah, it takes awhile," she agreed. "I've been part of the Stargate program a year and it still kinda freaks me out." April touched her hand to her ear and then mumbled something into the mic. "Okay, I gotta go Hank. I'll see you around?"
"Yeah, I'm here for the next eight months," Hank said.
"Good, because I never got over that feeling," April remarked with a sly grin and turned to walk the other direction.
…~…
"What's your problem with Evan?" John asked McKay over his dinner tray. It was just John and Rodney sharing the evening meal. Teyla was with Torren in her quarters and Ronon was spending time with Amelia.
"What'd'ya mean what's my problem?" Rodney grunted. "Did he say something?"
"No, it's just that everybody on the base as noticed that … something is up between the two of you," John explained trying to say it but not say it to his overly sensitive friend.
"Noticed what?" Rodney guffawed. "I haven't worked with Lorne for days."
John rolled his eyes. Of course, Rodney would think he was talking about Major Evan Lorne because he probably couldn't remember that Evan was Evan Lawson's name. "Not Evan Lorne … Evan Lawson," John said plainly waving his fork at McKay.
"Oh him?" Rodney scowled. "Let me get my list. Where is it?" Rodney mumbled fumbling with his pockets. "Oh....guess I forgot it… because I just wanted to have one conversation that didn't revolve around that annoying little twit."
"Evan is not a twit," John said taking a drink of his water.
"Don't tell me you jumped on the Evan is great bandwagon," Rodney grumbled rolling his eyes.
"He did file an amended tax return for me and netted me an additional refund," John commented. "He has a lot of great attributes."
"Like what? He can count? This is a scientific expedition not an accounting seminar," Rodney replied.
"Well, apparently someone with more clout than you thought he was worthy of the expedition," Sheppard remarked.
"Yeah, right," Rodney grunted. "I heard O'Neil let him come along because of his brother and that Indian woman."
"That Indian woman?" John repeated with raised eyebrows. "She has a name."
"I know her name," Rodney retorted.
"Do I sense some hostility?" John asked when he saw Rodney flick at his food with his fork.
"Some? That's all I've been experiencing since we landed on this god-forsaken planet," Rodney grumbled furrowing his eyebrows. He dropped his fork and ran his hand over his forehead.
"Wanna talk about it?" John ventured.
"Which part? The part where Jennifer dumped me and transferred out of the program or when the engines crapped out and we missed the LZ by … I dunno … a couple thousand light years and landed on a planet that we have never been to or was ever charted by the Ancients and weirdly enough in a part of the Pegasus Galaxy that never even existed on any star chart until we landed here or that O'Neil hired some number crunching freak to be my lackey out of pure amusement," Rodney ranted throwing his arm up in the air.
"Actually I was referring to your infatuation to Divya," Sheppard said. He stabbed a couple of green beans with the fork and stuck them in his mouth.
"Oh that … there isn't any infatuation," Rodney answered quietly. He picked the fork up and moved the vegetables around with it. "She's not interested."
"Do you know why?"
"Yeah, because she's interested in that geek Lawson," Rodney yelped.
"Rodney … she just got out of a relationship," Sheppard said quietly. "A rather complicated one I might add."
"How do you …?" Rodney mumbled glancing up at John sharply. "Oh, I see, out kirking again?" He dropped his fork on his tray in disgust.
"No," Sheppard answered. "It's my job as military leader of the base to have conversations with new staff members … especially ones that will be going off world and patching up my men."
Rodney stared at him wordlessly for a few minutes and then picked up his coffee cup. "And she told you that? Freely?" he asked quietly.
"That and a few other things," John replied with a smile.
"Like what? That she wants to have my babies?"
"Uh, no," John said. "She definitely did not say that."
…~…
"What'd'ya doing for dinner?" Evan asked Hank as he walked into the infirmary.
Hank glanced up and watched his brother walk toward him. Evan's ability to adapt to the situation impressed him. Hank had the medical department and the non-traditional illnesses of the Pegasus Galaxy to keep him busy. He had worried about Evan the past few weeks, worried that he was bored and up to no good. Then Mr. Woolsey assigned him to an off world mission and suddenly Evan had a purpose again. Tonight he looked about the best that Hank had seen him since they left the Hamptons.
"Ah, nothing," Hank answered. He sat back in his chair and stretched his arms behind his head. "How was your off world adventure?"
"The off world adventure to the medieval village went great," Evan said straddling the stool next to his brother. "I even solved a century old political debate."
"You … solved a world crisis?" Hank repeated cocking his eyebrow.
"Well, sort of," Evan backpedalled. "Major Teldy and I had been listening to the townspeople bitching all week about their neighbors down the street. So I just pointed out how ludicrous the dispute was and suggested a truce," Evan shrugged acting like it was nothing.
"You suggested a truce and what? Did it work?"
"Yeah, it was working great until Dr. McKay stuck his nose in it," Evan scowled shaking his head at the memory. "If it wasn't for my ability to bullshit fast while making absolutely no sense whatsoever McKay would have started a civil war."
"Why do I get the impression that you and Dr. McKay are still not getting along?" Hank asked shutting the lid of his laptop.
"It's not an impression, it's the truth," Evan grumbled. "Going off world with Major Teldy's team was probably the best thing that ever happened to me. In fact, I asked her if I could go off world with them more often."
"Really?" Hank responded, not sure how he was supposed to act. He had been off world a few times himself and while it was a fascinating experience to visit new worlds, he wasn't quite sure if Evan was … well, ready for that. "What'd she say?"
Evan rolled his eyes and chuckled. "She thought I was hitting on her," he replied with a grin. "And honestly I wasn't at the time, I swear. I just like hanging out with her team because it makes me feel useful."
"Evan, everyone thinks you're useful," Hank started to interrupt.
"No Henry, you have no idea. You and Divya spend most of your day in here treating patients or looking at fungi through a microscope. McKay hates me, Conan the Barbarian tries to kill me in the gym a couple times a week and Captain Sniper nearly shot me at weapons training. Major Teldy is the only one that has treated me decent … except for Mr. Woolsey and that guy … creeps me out."
"Woolsey is a little stiff," Hank nodded standing up from the stool. "But he did ask for your help."
"Yeah, his only redeeming quality at this point," Evan agreed reluctantly. "So about dinner?"
"I could eat," Hank replied waving to one of the med techs that he was leaving.
"Where's Divya?"
"Oh, I think she has a date," Hank replied grabbing his Atlantis issued jacket.
"Please tell me it's not with the McKay dork," Evan grumbled steepling his hands together.
"No, don't worry," Hank replied shaking his head. "McKay is not her type."
…~…
Rodney McKay was definitely not Divya type, but John Sheppard had certainly sparked her interest, even if it was just to share some ice cream and a walk after dinner. As the two made their way along the south pier, Sheppard watched Divya watch as the sun slowly set in the sky.
"Are you certain that is not west," Divya questioned the Colonel as the sky turned a warm shade of rusty red.
"Yeah, I'm sure," John replied slowly. "I told you yesterday that nothing in this part of the galaxy falls into the normal laws of physics."
"I know you said that … but I find it just odd," Divya commented looking up at him. "Of course I'm saying that still not believing I'm in a different galaxy far away from Earth."
"The ten day trip on Daedulas didn't convince you?" John laughed at her. "Or every day that you walk through the Stargate?"
Divya chuckled and pointed her spoon at him. "Don't get me started about that Stargate," she said with a serious expression on her face. "I still don't understand how that works either."
"Well, that makes two of us, but I don't need to get hung up on the how. I just need it to work when I dial it and run through," John replied taking the spoon out of her hand. "You shouldn't point this at the military leader of the base. I am armed," he reminded her.
"As if I could kill you with a plastic spoon," she joked taking the spoon back from him. Their fingers lingered at the contact and John stepped closer to Divya to whisper into her ear.
"You could kill me about twenty five ways and make them all look like natural causes," he whispered huskily. "And I'm not exactly speaking medically either."
She felt the heat of a blush creep over her face as she watched him step back and cup her cheek. "That is an interesting proposition," she stammered trying to find her voice over the school-girl crush she was feeling for this man with the wild hair.
"Well, I'm all about the interesting," John replied brushing his thumb across her delicate skin. He noticed her shiver and slid his hand across her shoulder. "Why don't we head in?" he commented directing her toward the city.
"Sounds like a good idea," Divya mumbled not sure what else she should say.
The two walked quickly to the south entrance and entered the city near one of the underground passages. Divya could feel Sheppard's hand in the small of her back and the heat of his body against her arm. Once they cleared the doorway, Sheppard pulled her down a couple of hallways out of the prying eyes of the security camera. When they were clear, he pressed her up against the wall, brushed his lips across her face, planting an innocent kiss on her lips.
"Thanks for the walk Divya," he whispered as he pulled back from her.
"Any time Colonel Sheppard," she said quietly holding his gaze with her eyes.
"You know, if we're going to be kissing, you don't have to call me Colonel," John remarked trailing his hand down the side of her face. He felt her hand touch his resting at her waist. "Call me John."
"Okay John," Divya said. "But remember that I said …"
"Shhh," John shushed her by putting his finger to her lips. "I know exactly what you said Divya and I just asked for a walk and some ice cream. I couldn't resist the kiss. I promise... scouts honor… that I won't press you."
"Okay," Divya replied relaxing against his body. "Will you walk me to my room?" she asked looking around the corridor.
"Naah, my whole purpose of dragging you over here was to dump you, so Major Lorne or Major Rivers could be the heroes and miraculously find you out here," he joked.
"Right," Divya replied with a coy grin. "Then I would have to break more hearts rejecting them."
"How is it that you never rejected me?" John asked her as they started to walk down the corridor.
"I did reject you," Divya reminded him. She stopped and leaned in, dropping a quick kiss on his cheek. "You just don't take no for an answer."
"Well, I'm demanding like that," John said, cupping her head in his hand and brushing his lips across hers. He felt her reciprocate and was ready to ramp it up with her when a panel in the wall next to Divya hissed and popped open. John went on the defense immediately, quickly putting himself between the panel and Divya and pulling his 9 mil from his holster. When the dust settled from the sudden movement, John had to blink several times to understand what he was seeing. And he didn't believe his eyes.
"Crap."
TBC