Rating: T
Spoilers: Season Four: AU version of Quarantine and beyond
A/N: I don't own Stargate. Please read and review. Thank for your continuing support. Please continue to read and review. Thank you to Shadows-of-Realm for the beta.
Chapter 7- Trio Part 1
Jennifer sat at her desk staring at the piece of paper with the results of her blood test she had drawn before the trip to M5V-801 with John and Rodney the previous day and now she was to return to the planet in forty-five minutes with Rodney and Sam. For the last few weeks the physician had been feeling more tired than normal and for two days she had been feeling nauseous for most of the day. There had been a stomach bug circulating around the city and thought she could be infected by that. When she almost fainted yesterday, Marie insisted that someone should run a blood test. She sighed heavily as she tried to absorb the new reality the results bought to her. It was definitely not the news she had been expecting and this was not only going to impact her. The only reason the doctor came back to her office was to check the results and now she wished she had waited until after the mission. "He is going to freak. I'm freaking out right now," Jennifer muttered to herself. How can I be pregnant? You know how. The question is 'why is this happening?'. She had no idea how she was going to break the news to Rodney. They had only started speaking on friendly terms a week ago, far from the close friends they had been before.
A knock on her office door snapped Jennifer back to reality, but when she looked back, it was one of the last people she expected to see. "Dr. Brown, how can I help you?" Jennifer thought that the woman had already left for the special project she was assigned to.
"I need someone to sign off on my medical clearance before I can leave," Katie held up the papers in her hand. "Everything okay?" she asked, nothing the CMO looked dazed.
"Um, Dr. Cole can sign those for you. I have to get ready to go back," the physician looked down at the off-world gear she still wore. Her eyes stopped on her midsection, wondering if anyone had noticed any weight gain. Those ideas were pushed away as figments of Jennifer's imagination as she knew she had not gained any weight. "How long will you be gone?" she asked, putting the print out of her test results into her pocket.
"Okay," the botanist said softly. Katie knew that Jennifer had gone on a mission with John and Rodney the day before and it looked as if that mission was not over yet. "About eight months." She hoped that was long enough time for the air to clear and for Rodney to figure out what he wanted. The quasi-couple had said their goodbyes before the physicist left on his mission yesterday. Katie would not even classify it as a goodbye as Rodney had came to her quarters and stood in the doorway and babbled on about needing time, being confused and some other nonsense.
"That's a long time," Jennifer reached for her pack of supplies. Close to the time I should be giving birth. "Good luck," she headed for the door.
"Wait. Do you mind if I ask you something?" Katie did not know the doctor well, but the woman had spent the night with John and Rodney and she wanted another woman's opinion if she thought something was odd between the two men.
The blonde paused, wondering what she could want to know. "What is it?"
"I just wanted another woman's opinion on something. I know you spent last night on that mission with Rodney and John, but did you notice anything odd about them?" the confused woman bit her lip, hoping that she had been imagining things.
Jennifer looked at Katie with shock. She had not expected a question like that from here, "You mean other then they act like two ten year olds instead of grown men with each other?"
Katie frowned that the other woman had not noticed anything. She thought that maybe she had been imagining things, but she had heard what Rodney said to Teyla the day he had the panic attack in the mess hall. I think I am in love with my best friend and I don't know what to do. "Forget about it. Never mind."
After that response, the CMO understood what she was hinting at, "Ohh. What would make you think that?" Jennifer laughed to herself as if Katie had any idea of the real truth she would not be bringing up this subject.
"That night Rodney had the panic attack, later I heard him tell Teyla that he thought he was in love with his best friend…I don't know why I am telling you this. I just thought that since you were with them last night you might have noticed something. Just forget I mentioned anything."
Jennifer had to be amused at the irony of the conversation. "I didn't notice anything between them," she was unable to look at the departing scientist in the eye. I'm the friend he was talking about and he spent last night talking with me. He wasn't even with John. Keller could see why she would jump to that conclusion, Katie thought John was the only best friend Rodney had and she knew nothing of her friendship with the Canadian. "I need to be heading out now. Dr. Cole is with a patient and she should be able to help you with what you need."
"Thank you, Dr. Keller," there was a profound sadness in her eyes. Katie had thought Rodney was the one, but he had his head and possibly his heart somewhere else. She hoped his head was just confusing his heart and that he would realize what he was missing when she was gone.
The CMO closed her eyes as she left the infirmary. She had no idea what the next eight months would bring as it all depended on Rodney's reaction to her pregnancy. Jennifer was going to head to the gate room to wait for Carter and McKay, but a wave of nausea sent the pregnant woman running to her quarters. By the time she had composed herself and it felt like she was not going to vomit anytime soon, Jennifer was almost five minutes late.
"You're late," Rodney snapped his fingers impatiently, not noticing the slight green pallor to the woman's face.
"Thank you for stating the obvious, McKay," she rolled her eyes and turned her attention to the other woman, "Sorry I'm late."
"It's okay. Are you alright?" Sam noticed the paleness in Jennifer's face.
Jennifer nodded, "It's nothing." Her eyes fell onto Rodney, fear filling them for a second. Things were just getting back to normal between them and this was going to change everything.
"Well you know me; master of stating the obvious," he said with a corny smile.
Dork. But Jennifer really liked that smile of his especially when he was trying to be coy about flirting. "Such a charming quality," she lightly swatted his arm.
"Are you two ready?" Sam asked the two department heads.
The duo nodded and Sam gave Chuck the signal to dial the gate.
Jennifer had trouble keeping up with Rodney and Sam as they exited the gate, another wave of nausea washed over her. She hoped that the morning sickness would not last her entire pregnancy and right now she had a slight loathing for the one responsible for her condition.
Rodney turned around when he realized they were one short, "What's taking you so long? You sure you are okay? You look like me when I had food poisoning two months ago."
The younger blonde remembered that night well as she was the one who took care of and stayed with him until he fell asleep. "Fine," she said through gritted teeth.
Sam echoed Rodney's concerned sentiments, "Jennifer you really don't look so good. Do you want to go back?" She was worried about Jennifer. "You aren't coming down with that stomach flu, are you?"
I wish it were that. "No," her glare left no room for further debate.
"I think you need to exercise more. Maybe it is all the back and forth that is getting to you because you aren't used to it," Rodney meant it as a joke, but the death glare she gave him told him to back off.
Jennifer shook her head, "You are telling me to exercise more? That is original." She poked at his side, "See, nice and soft."
"I do exercise," he squirmed to get away from her finger, which was ready to poke him again. "Hey watch where you put that finger."
"Really? I think your last physical says something else," the doctor smirked and looked over at Sam who seemed to agree with her. And I know you better than that.
It was Rodney's turn to scowl, "That is privileged medical information. You should not go sharing it so freely, doctor."
"I doubt it comes as a surprise to Colonel Carter, am I right?" Jennifer asked.
"Not in the least bit. We all know you better than that, McKay."
Rodney gave a sarcastic laugh, "Yes, laugh it up, ladies. That is not the point. I can handle myself if I need..." The ground gave out from underneath him and he plummeted twenty feet to the ground below.
"Rodney!" Jennifer yelled out as he disappeared from sight. She felt the acidic vomit rise and catch in the back of her throat. Her thoughts went to the worst possible outcome first, as side effect of spending too much time with Rodney. Please be okay. Don't be dead. Not now.
Carter pulled Keller back from the unstable ground, "McKay! Can you hear me?"
Both women were relieved to hear a groan from below. It was a sign that Rodney was at least conscious.
Thank goodness. Jennifer still felt her heart pounding. "Don't try to move. Is anything broken?"
"Don't think so," Rodney sounded as if he had the wind knocked out of him, but otherwise he was uninjured.
Sam motioned for both of them to get onto their stomachs so they could look over the edge and check on McKay.
"We are going to head back to the get to get some help. Don't move. We will be back soon," the base commander tried to assure the man everything would be okay.
"You go back. I'm going to stay and keep Rodney company and make sure he is okay," Jennifer looked down the hole. "You sure you are okay?" the concern for him was clear.
"Just perfect. Ready to run a marathon as soon as I get out of here," the reply was laced with typical Rodney sarcasm.
"He's fine," the young woman looked back at Carter.
"I'll be back as soon as I can with help. Don't get any closer to the edge," Sam warned as she started to edge back when the ground under both women gave way.
Sam groaned as she found herself on the ground next to Rodney and saw that Jennifer managed to land half on top of the man.
"Is everyone alright?" the older woman sighed as she sat up, brushing some dust off of her.
Rodney took in a sharp breath as Jennifer landed partially on him, "Got to stop meeting like this. I remember being in this position not too long ago," he whispered into her ear, a hint of pain in his voice.
"A comedian now are we?" Jennifer did not move off her landing spot. "Thanks for the soft landing," she teased him. "What's wrong?" The doctor was worried about the pain in his voice. The closeness was almost intoxicating, like opposite polarities being drawn together by force.
"Think something is broken now," he said through clenched teeth. "Your knee," Rodney nodded down to where the joint was pressed between his legs.
"Want me to kiss and make it better?" she whispered. Why the hell did I just ask that? The doctor felt her face turn red as she had meant to say that to herself, but he had started it with his comment about this being a familiar position. Jennifer winced as she rolled off Rodney. "You drive me crazy, McKay." It was the good crazy most of the time.
"A bit," the astrophysicist curled into the fetal position, "Glad I don't plan on having any kids."
The pregnant woman chose to ignore his comment. A little too late for that. "Is anyone bleeding?"
Sam shook her head, "I'm fine."
"Not bleeding, at least externally," Rodney groaned as he sat up. "Looks like we found the mining facility," he pointed to the Genii symbol on the wall behind him. The pain was still there as the scientist stood up and offered his to Jennifer to help her up.
"Thank you," Jennifer took the help offered. She frowned as she took in their surroundings. "How are we going to get out of here?" The sick feeling was coming back and she had to keep herself from getting sick.
"Two doors," Sam looked between both. "I suggest we go with the non-red one. Safer choice."
Rodney examined the panel next to blue door, "Don't think this is going to work. Needs a password, but more importantly the lock is electronic and in case you didn't notice there is no electricity here." He looked back at Jennifer, worried that she looked ill. McKay watched as Sam head toward the red door. "Are you sure you are okay? You really don't look well." The concern he felt was genuine. "Do you want to sit for a few minutes?" he put his hand on the small of her back.
Jennifer nodded, "I'll be fine. Don't worry about me. We've got to work on getting out of here."She tried to give Rodney a reassuring smile. His evident concern was touching, but she did not want the Colonel to notice anything between them.
"I could use a little help here," Sam had been trying to turn the crank to open the door, but she was not having much luck.
Rodney shook his head, "Sorry." He joined Carter. "Here let me try." The door did not budge for him either.
Sam noticed a metal bar out of the corner of her eye, "Wait. Try this." The bar would give them the extra leverage they needed to open the door.
"Crap," Rodney muttered after they got the door open and he looked down into what looked like a bottomless abyss. He could see a few other rooms similar to the one that they were in and a gleam of sunlight across the chasm about thirty feet down. "Well that's out unless we can fly."
Carter pulled the door shut in disgust and looked around for something else they could use to get out. She threw her hands up in frustration, quickly trying to figure out what to do.
"How about the boxes," Jennifer nodded toward the boxes scattered around the room. "Can't we stack them and one of us climbs out?"
"I don't think they are strong enough. I broke three of them when I fell," Rodney countered.
"Well it is worth a try at least," the CMO was not going to give up hope. There was a life growing inside of her and she was not going to give up.
He shrugged and looked her over, "Your idea. You try."
"What? No. I'm terrible with heights," Jennifer shook her heading, realizing she should have kept her mouth shut.
"But you are the lightest of us," Rodney nodded and realized the error in her words. He looked over at Sam, "Not that I am saying you are fat. You're not. It's just that she is smaller and not as heavy. You two are built just differently," he made gestures with his hands to show the differences in the shape of both women.
"Nice one McKay," Jennifer slapped the back of his head, annoyed with his comment. Not the lightest for long.
"We get your point, Rodney," Sam shook her head. The man did not know when to shut up sometimes. "As much as he sounds like a jerk, McKay does have a point."
"See I told you so," Rodney rubbed the back of his head. "Let's get started in stacking these boxes. Then it's up you go," he made a sweeping upwards gesture with his arms.
You owe me one, McKay. Jennifer shot him a hard look as the three started stacking the boxes.
The boxes were about ten feet high and Sam was about to hand Jennifer another when the boxes under her feet started to groan under her weight as well as the weight of the other boxes.
"I think you should get down from there. That doesn't sound right," Rodney looked panicked that the boxes were going to break.
Jennifer heard the noise and she started to climb down when the boxes under her broke and she fell hard to the floor, landing on her backside, "Ouch." That was going to leave a mark and make sitting difficult for the next couple of days.
"Are you okay?" Rodney rushed over to check on Jennifer.
"Fine," she closed her eyes to block out the pain. "Nothing that sitting on a pillow for a few days won't cure."
He laughed, knowing she was fine when she said something that could have easily come from his mouth. "Good to hear," Rodney offered a hand to assist her.
"What are we going to do now?" Jennifer was glad for the help.
Sam was relieved that Jennifer was unharmed, "I'm going to check the lockers and see if I am find anything."
Rodney snapped his fingers, "I'll help." He pointed to the second set of lockers. The scientist looked at Jennifer with concern on his face, wanting to make sure she was okay.
Jennifer nodded her head, "Don't worry about me." She smiled, liking this side of him. Part of her found it adorable when he acted like this.
"Alright then," he turned and headed to the locker. "Find anything?" Rodney called over to Sam. "Oh, lookie here," he appeared with a pair of what looked like grappling hooks.
"Just a folder with some papers, but they are in Genii."
"What do you have there?" Jennifer asked.
"Grappling hooks or at least something that can be used as them?" Rodney carefully studied the metal hooks in his hands.
"Now we just need some rope."I didn't see any. Going to have to improvise. We can use our jackets and tie those to our shirts and if we need to." Rodney continued to work with the hooks.
Jennifer had begun to remove her shirt when she noticed Rodney looking at her. Figures. "You've seen this before. Maybe one day you'll see it again." she mouthed just to tease him.
"Found some rope," Sam had no idea that she had interrupted a moment between them.
Rodney looked disappointed as Jennifer pulled her shirt down. "Um, right," he cleared his throat. He knew better than to let those thoughts invade his mind.
"One problem... the rope is thin so we are going to have to tie some knots in order to climb," Sam tossed the rope on the box in front of her. She hated the idea of being trapped, but it also bought a kind of rush she had not felt since her SG-1 days.
"I'll leave that to you, ladies," Rodney abandoned the hooks. He knew he was the only one of the three who was able to read Genii.
"Excuse me?" Carter raised an eyebrow. She did not like that he was not going to help.
"Do either of you read Genii? And besides three people cannot tie the same rope," he looked at Sam as if she were one of the members of his staff who made a stupid mistake. "You two have fun."
Jennifer hated the silence as she and Sam tied knots into the rope and Rodney was in a corner, reading the papers left behind by the Genii. "There has to be something to keep my mind off of being stuck in here," the CMO sighed. And something to keep my mind off being sick. She took her frustration out on the knots she was tying.
"You have employee reviews due soon? How are you finding your people?" Sam asked.
The CMO smiled slightly, "We're getting along well. They are smart people some of the best I've ever worked with." Even though I was considering leave up until last month. Jennifer gaze casually fell upon Rodney. "I've met some pretty amazing people. How about you Colonel? How are you finding life on Atlantis?"
"It's different not going on missions. After ten years of doing it, it's hard to watch sending teams out," Carter frowned. "Sorry. My mind always defaults to work." it was a force of habit after all the years of working with mostly men. "How about you? Do you like living in another galaxy?"
"It's different I'll give you that. Some days I really miss home, but there are some that make it worthwhile," a slight blush came to her pale face. "Sometimes you find the unexpected from unexpected people."
"Really now?" the Colonel asked. She knew that blush meant that the woman had someone very specific in mind. "Does that mean you are seeing someone?"
Jennifer lifted her eyes to see if Rodney was paying attention to them, but it seemed he was too engrossed in his papers to notice. "I don't know," she shook her head. "No. It's kind of complicated."
That was not the answer Sam had been expecting and she wondered if something inappropriate could be going on. "Someone from your staff?" she asked, hoping that the young doctor knew better than that.
"What? No," Keller shook her head. "It's nothing like that. He's not on the medical staff. I know better than that. It's just that I don't know where we stand. Men can be idiots when they don't know what they want."
Carter knew the other woman's pain, "I know what you mean. Why can't they just say what they want?"
"Are you seeing anyone?"
Sam nodded in the affirmative, "Yes, but he's in Washington. So I understand complicated." With Jack being busy in Washington and her in another galaxy, it left little time for any type of communication.
"Long distance. That must be hard?" Jennifer asked.
"It is, but he plans on retiring soon. It helped that we were friends before. What's this guy that's got you so confused like? Do I know him?"
He's ten feet behind you, oblivious to our conversation. "Friends first doesn't always work. I think it makes it harder for me. But he's pretty amazing," Jennifer stopped herself before she said too much. "I'm not going to gush over someone. I sound like some teenager with a school girl crush."
"It's alright," Sam tried to reassure her. "You must really like him then?" She wondered who this guy was that managed to get the CMO all worked up. If he was not on the medical staff that left only the scientists or military personnel.
"That transparent, huh?" Jennifer covered her mouth, fighting off the urge to vomit.
"Not the stomach flu?" Everything made sense for the base commander now. There were only a handful of conditions that could make a woman sick like Jennifer was. "Are you pregnant?"
"I am."
"When did you find out?"
"Just before we came here. It's why I was late. I wish it were the stomach flu. Morning sickness is not fun," Jennifer sighed. She thought the hardest part of this would be breaking the news to Rodney especially after his comment earlier.
"How far along are you?" Sam was not expecting this development.
"About six weeks." Jennifer was glad McKay was sill entranced with the Genii documents. "This is the last thing I expected. We only had sex once. How do I tell someone who doesn't want kids that he is going to be a father?" She looked up in time to see Rodney's shocked face.
"Excuse me?" Rodney stood there shocked at Jennifer's last line. He had come to tell them that he found nothing in the documents, but he heard something that he never expected to hear. The papers the man had been holding dropped to the floor. "Not funny," he was in denial. I did not hear what I just heard.
"Rodney..." Jennifer was at a loss of what to say to him.
Panic washed over the scientist, his head processing thoughts so quickly that he became dizzy. "I...I...I'm just going to go over there and pretend I didn't hear that. When I fell, I hit my head and I'm unconscious. This is all a dream...no nightmare." Without realizing it, Rodney had backed up to the red door as he felt the wheel come into contact with his back. "You've got to be kidding me. How did this happen? You aren't testing me because of what I said when you crushed my testicles before? Sheppard put you up to this because Katie left today. He is a dead man when we get back. Kids and I don't mix. I am oil and they water. Or this is a ploy to get me to say no to you? You found out that it was you I wanted to be with and instead of saying no, you come up with the one thing to know to scare me off," Rodney did not care that Sam heart his rant. The idea of him as a father created a new level of fear and panic McKay had yet to experience until this moment.
Without warning one of the tremors, felt daily on the planet shook the unstable room they were in. The door behind Rodney swung open and because there was no warning, the scientist fell backwards out of the room. He barely had time to grasp hold before he fell into the dark eternal abyss of the mine.
To be continued...
A/N: Evil? Blame my beta for putting the idea in my head for taking this direction. I had planned on following close to the episode until this evil seed was planted and left to grow.