Chapter Seven
Rodney stared at the device determined to unlock its secrets. He stood in the Ancient lab, trying to focus on the task at hand and not on what had taken place ten feet behind him two days earlier. He grumbled to himself and headed toward a console and placed the device in a slot. He typed a few of the crystal like keys, watching the screen in front of him.
"We tried that the other day," Zelenka said, coming up beside him. "It didn't work."
"I'm going to try everything," Rodney said, narrowing his eyes at the screen. "Besides, there might have been something you missed."
"Right," Radek said. "Cause we haven't tried anything in past few days."
Rodney glared at Zelenka, but said nothing. He needed to figure out what this thing was used for. He turned back to the screen, wanting it to show him something, anything.
"Come on," he whispered. When nothing popped up, he growled and typed some more on the keys. There had to be a back way into the device.
"It's no use," Zelenka said, leaning against the console. "We tried that, too."
"You obviously didn't try hard enough," Rodney snapped, trying another combination of keys.
"Did you get any sleep?" Zelenka asked.
"That is none of your business," he said, his eyes focused on the screen. The screen finally showed the data from the device. He wanted to dance around the console, but he refrained as he scrolled through the data. It was in Ancient and would take awhile to translate.
"Looks like you found what you wanted," Radek said, his voice full of surprise.
"All it takes is determination," Rodney said, not able to keep the smile off his face.
"No, with you, it's stubbornness."
"Thanks," Rodney rolled his eyes and copied the data to his computer. "I'm going to get this translated and see what this thing was for."
"Good luck," Radek said.
Rodney smiled at him, excitement building. He was so much closer to solving this device's secrets. He couldn't wait to tell Elizabeth.
The computer beeped and Rodney shut the machine down. He pulled the device out of the slot and left the lab.
Elizabeth sat in her office, reading reports from the various Offworld teams. Her mind wandered to the previous day and her face warmed. She blinked several times to get herself to focus on the reports. It didn't work as her thoughts drifted further into her memories. She closed her eyes as she remembered the sensations caused by Rodney's hands.
A throat clearing caused her to jump. Her eyes flew open and focused on John Sheppard. Her face flushed in embarrassment. She set her reports aside, cleared her throat and folded her hands on top of the table. She looked up at John and nodded.
"John," she said, clearing her throat again. "How are you?"
John smiled and stepped further into the room. He placed his hands behind his back, his eyes dancing.
"You seem to be riveted to those reports," he said, grinning. "Anything interesting?"
Elizabeth's face burned and she ran a hand through her hair. She stared at the table top to gather her thoughts and to get herself under control.
"Is there a reason you came by, John?" Elizabeth asked, looking up at him.
John stood in front of her desk, his arms folded across his chest. The smile turned into a grin and his eyes sparkled as if he knew something. Elizabeth raised an eyebrow, wanting him to tell her what was going on.
"I know that distracted look," he said. "You have something on your mind other than those reports. Were you thinking about a certain temperamental scientist?"
Elizabeth stared at him, blinking rapidly in surprise. "Excuse me?"
"You're thinking about someone," John said as he sat across from her. "Your face is red and the faraway look in your eyes suggests it. McKay?"
"Why do you care?" Elizabeth asked, not understanding why John would be so interested in her love life.
"I think it's great, you've finally decided to date someone. I thought you would be by yourself for awhile."
Elizabeth shook her head, trying to keep herself from smiling. "Yes, I am, but that's not the real reason you're here."
John shrugged, his eyes still sparkling with mirth. "You're right, but..."
"John," she warned, raising both eyebrows.
"All right," Sheppard said, chuckling. "I came by to tell you the Athosians were able to plant the fruit trees. Tatiana said the trees will take a few weeks to start growing."
"And a few years before we can pick the fruit," Elizabeth said, sitting back in her chair.
"Yeah, but it's a start. We'll be several years older before we can make some wine."
"If we are still here by then."
"We'll still be here, Elizabeth," John said, standing. "I'm not going anywhere and neither are you. Now, have you told Rodney about your feelings, yet?"
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "It is none of your business, John."
John smirked as if he knew the answer already. He left her office and she sighed. She hadn't told Rodney about her feelings, but something told her he already knew.
At least, I hope he does, Elizabeth thought as she picked up the reports.
A wave of nausea came over her. She took a deep breath to keep her breakfast down. She lost the fight and ran to the trashcan in the corner of her office. She released the contents in her stomach. Had she caught something?
She sat back on her knees, wiping her mouth. Her stomach rolled again, but she was able to keep the remaining contents inside. She ran a shaky hand through her damp hair and slowly got to her feet. She took a deep breath to calm herself then headed for the infirmary. If she did catch something, she needed to find out what it was and deal with it.
"Carson," Elizabeth called as she hurried into the infirmary.
The doctor turned from his most recent patient then paled when he saw her. He rushed toward her, taking her to the nearest bed.
"What's wrong?" Carson asked as he helped her onto the bed.
"I think I might have a virus," she said. "I threw up in my office. I'm nauseous."
"When did this start?" Carson asked as he touched the sides of her neck.
"A moment ago," Elizabeth answered, her stomach protesting again. "Could it have been something I ate?"
"Possibly," Carson answered. "I'm going to run some tests to be sure."
Carson placed a thermometer under her tongue as he checked her pulse.
Elizabeth sat as still as she could, but she wanted to run to the nearest bathroom. She felt faint, warmth spreading through her body. She closed her eyes, wanting to lie down.
"You have a wee bit of a temperature," Carson said. "Let me draw some blood and see what's causing this."
"Am I sick?" Elizabeth asked, concerned. She couldn't be ill. She had too much to do.
"I'd like to keep you here," Carson said. "If you are, I can treat you quickly. Plus you look like you're about to faint."
"I feel like fainting," she replied, placing a hand on her head.
"Lie down," Carson said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Let the nurse draw some blood and we'll run some tests."
Elizabeth lay back on the bed as the tawny haired nurse pierced her skin with a needle. She clinched her hands into fists. She focused on something other than the pain.
"All done," the nurse said, folding Elizabeth's arm over a cotton ball.
Elizabeth smiled as the doctor left. She sighed as Carson moved to the side of her bed. She hoped she was as sick as she felt. She probably looked awful.
"We should have the results in a couple of days."
Elizabeth nodded, knowing she was in good hands for whatever ailed her.
"Get some rest, lass. I'll let you know if we find anything."
Rodney stared at the screen before him, translating the notes he found from the device. It was slow and tedious, but he was making progress. He had learned when and how the device was made, but not what it was for. It was frustrating being this close to the answer, yet so far away.
"Come on," he growled as the words scrolled before him.
"How is it going?" Zelenka asked, coming up behind him.
"Slow," Rodney snapped. "That's how it's going."
"No need to bite head off," Zelenka said, crowding Rodney.
"Will you back off," Rodney snarled, glaring at the other scientist. "This is frustrating enough without someone hovering over me!"
"Sorry, thought I might help," Zelenka stepped back, giving Rodney all the room he wanted.
Rodney turned back to the words. His sight blurred slightly and he shook his head. He rubbed his eyes and ran a hand through his hair.
"Are you all right?" Zelenka asked.
Rodney swallowed the retort he wanted to give and sighed. He rubbed his face and glared at the screen.
"I've been working on this for the past six hours," he said. "The words are starting to blur together."
"Then it's time to take break," Zelenka said. "I'll continue where you left off."
Rodney didn't want to take a break. He had a feeling he was close to finding the answers. He blinked at the screen, his sight still blurring. He shook his head.
"Fine," he grumbled as he stood. "Call me if you find anything."
Zelenka nodded and Rodney left the lab.
