"That is your genius plan? You're going to shorten the time to run to the gate? What kind of crazy solution is that?"
Jen stared wide-eyed at the foursome in front of her. She'd expected a little bit of crazy in the plan… this was Pegasus after all. Pretty much everything in this galaxy required a touch of crazy. But this? This was completely idiotic.
"I mean seriously! What is this… plan D for Dumbass?" she asked, gaping at the gathered men.
"Hey," Ellis exclaimed.
Ignoring the lieutenant, Jen narrowed her gaze and glared at Evan. "Did you hit your head or something?"
Evan rolled his eyes. "It's a perfectly valid plan."
"Valid?" Jen dropped her hands to her hips. "It's not valid. It's sheer lunacy."
"Come on, Doc," Browne winked at her. "Wouldn't be as much fun if it was easy."
"Right. Just like it's going to be easy for me to have you all locked up for psych evaluations when we get back," she huffed.
"Aha," Ellis smiled. "So you admit you agree we'll get back?"
"I…what? No! You just...you…okay, no. " She frowned, and stepped closer to Evan. She couldn't believe they actually considered this as a viable option. She couldn't believe he actually considered this a viable option. "Ten minutes is not enough time to run there, dial the DHD and get through the gate before you turn into a freezy pop."
"Freezy pop?" Evan's eyebrow shot up.
"You know what I mean," she grumped.
"It's plenty of time. Technically we can cover the distance in just over seven minutes, but adding another for terrain issues, dialing the DHD…" he shrugged. "Ten should be just about right."
"Just about right," she repeated. She rubbed her temple. Of all the lame, idiotic, stupid ideas. Now they wanted to give themselves even less time? She could tell by the expressions on their faces that they'd already all decided this was what they were going to do. There would be no changing their minds. "I suppose I'm the only one who sees the potential flaws with this?"
"Pretty much," Sanchez nodded.
"Yup," Ellis agreed.
She turned back to Evan, who was fighting a smirk and failing badly. Of course this had probably been his idea to begin with. The man had the same death-wish-planning gene Colonel Sheppard carried.
Stupid Majors and their stupid plans.
She pointed over her shoulder towards the Ancient console. "And you're sure you can make it do that?"
Jen was pretty confident they already had confirmed it, but a tiny flicker of hope wondered if maybe they hadn't checked and the plan wouldn't work.
Browne reached behind her and pushed a selection of keys. A split screen appeared. Jen studied the two solutions. Damn. According to the system they really would be able to divide what remained of the ZPMs power between both options; make a run for the gate and heat the inside of the building. The system would send the power equally to the shields, and the building.
"We couldn't figure out how to adjust it either way," Browne noted. "Ten minutes a side was all we could get it to accept."
Jen stared at the blinking numbers. If it worked… and it was a big if…they would reach the city about the same time as the heat in the building finally shut off. Give them five minutes to get a jumper back through the gate, another few minutes to figure out a landing spot, she should have about ten minutes after the heat died before they could return. Would the Ancient structure have enough insulation to keep the freezing temperatures at bay? How much insulation would it take? How did you deal with hypothermia when it was nearly instant?
But most importantly, even if they did return in a jumper, how would she get out of the building and into the ship if the air outside air could freeze her solid in a matter of seconds?
Evan leaned over her shoulder, his breath soft against her ear. "Didn't we just have a talk about this solo act of yours?"
Jen flushed, cursing her inside voice once again. Then her face warmed further to remember his promise about a future discussion once they returned to the city.
He moved in front of her, drawing her full attention. "Browne and I are going to the gate," he said firmly. "Sanchez and Ellis are staying with you. And don't even think about arguing."
"What if I want to argue?" Sanchez mumbled, frowning at Browne.
"There's nothing to argue about, " Browne smirked at the captain. "You run like a girl." The Lieutenant then winked at Jen. "No offence, Doc."
"None…taken? I…think." She shook her head quickly and shifted her attention to the two pairings. "Okay so why are you… we… splitting up?"
"It doesn't take four of us to dial the DHD, Doc," Browne commented.
"And someone's got to stay here and keep you warm once the power goes out," Ellis smirked.
"Oh. I suppose that someone is you?" Jen blinked up at the Lieutenant who'd moved to stand at her side.
"And me," Sanchez added.
"Drew the short straws?" Jen looked from one to the other.
Ellis rolled his eyes at Browne. "Pfft. Any idiot can go for a run." He dropped his arm around Jen's shoulder and pulled her into a one-armed hug. "Now keeping warm with a sexy doctor," he whispered in her ear. "…that takes skill."
Jen tipped her head back and stared up at the Lieutenant. "Does that really work for you?"
"You tell me." Ellis wiggled his eyebrows. "Did it work?"
Evan cleared his throat.
"Apparently not." Ellis dropped his arm and released her.
Evan glanced at his watch then turned to Browne. "We have about two minutes until the shield fully collapses. Lose the extras."
Jen stiffened. Two minutes.
Time had run out.
Sentiments, emotions, questions all bounced through her head as she watched the two men get ready for a potentially suicidal run through a frozen winter-land. She thought of a dozen things she wanted to say… should say… but in her mind the statements were hollow and empty. A lame response to someone who was about to risk everything.
Evan unclipped his P90 and handed it to Ellis. He tugged at the Velcro straps securing his vest and pulled off the protective gear, dropping it onto the floor near the console.
Browne repeated the motions and added his gear to the pile.
"Clock starts as soon as the tremor stops," Evan said to Browne. He angled his chin towards the console controlling the shields. "We'll need to know exactly when we're good to go."
"You got it," Sanchez nodded, stepping towards the control panel. "Thirty seconds until the shield collapses," he called out.
Jen followed Evan towards the far side of the control room. He stopped next to the door leading outside.
"Twenty five…" Sanchez continued.
"Evan," she began, then couldn't find the appropriate words to finish.
He shook his head and half-grinned, but the smile faded quickly. "Jen."
"Twenty," Sanchez called out.
Jen bit her lip. Don't lose it. Don't lose it. "You owe me a conversation," she exhaled.
"And we'll have it," he nodded. "Promise."
"Fifteen," came the call.
"Ellis, close this door as soon as we're through. Sanchez, keep an eye on that shield power." Evan ordered.
"Roger that," Ellis answered, walking over to stand next to the door control.
"Ten seconds," Sanchez called out. "Tremor's about to hit."
Evan herded Jen away from the door as the Captain counted down from ten. "Well be back in twenty minutes. Stay warm, and stay away from the outside walls."
Jen nodded, hunching her shoulders as Sanchez reached zero.
A rumbling crunch reverberated across the roof. Without hesitation she reached for Evan. He slid his arms around her waist and leaned against a corner console, supporting them both. Jen wasn't sure if she wanted to laugh or cry. The building could very well collapse on their heads, yet the only thing she seemed able to focus on was how much warmer Evan felt without his vest in the way.
The vibrations ended abruptly in a loud crashing bang that shuddered through the entire building.
"Shield has fully collapsed," Sanchez said, his voice easily filling the silence. "ZPM is shifting power… now."
Jen took a deep breath and quickly pushed herself away from Evan. A bright light flooded the room, making her squint. She covered her eyes and turned towards the now open doorway. Frigid air flowed into the room, breaking her skin into goosebumps.
"Out ya' go," Ellis waved towards the outside. "We don't have enough power to heat the planet."
Evan glanced at Browne. "You heard the man."
The Lieutenant grinned. "Sorry boys, but I gotta fly." He shook his head and dashed out the doorway.
Evan took a quick step towards the door, hesitated, then turned back to Jen.
He placed his hands on her cheeks, pulled her forward, and kissed her.
Too shocked to breathe, Jen found herself completely frozen. She barely had time to register the fact that Evan Lorne was kissing her in the middle of some near-death experience and in front of his team before he pulled away.
He released her with a wink.
"For luck," he grinned, then he turned and sprinted out the open door.
.
