Disclaimer: I don't own Atlantis.

A/N: What if the Genii... I refuse to tell you. Read and find out. Character death mentioned. This story is 469 words long.


What If...
Sleep When I'm Dead

Rodney slumped into his bed and pulled the covers around him. He was grimy but he couldn't ever be bothered to shower. He was exhausted, so tired. He didn't think he ever worked that hard in his life. He wiggled around a bit, until he was comfortably curled, knees pulled up to his chest. A small shrill sound entered his ear. He left out a small cry and closed his eyes.

"Doctor Mckay? Respond." A harsh sounding man demanded.

"I'm here." He whispered his voice hoarse, he tightened the blankets around his shivering frame.

"Get your ass down here." He pulled himself out of bed and groaned. Every muscle in his body hurt.

"Coming." He pulled a dirty blue shirt off the floor and threw it over his head.

The man laughed brutally, "Be quick about it." The earpiece went dead. Rodney pulled on his pants. His arm caught on the belt buckle and he winced. He shoved his jacket over the long red scar on his left arm. He dashed over to his bathroom and slashed water on his face. He just needed to wake up. His eyes caught a reflection of himself in the mirror. His eyes were swollen and his hair hung around his ears. He turned away and found himself making his way to the labs.

He entered the lab. Three soldiers and a scientist turned to face him.

"What's going on here?" He asked, ignoring how his voice seemed to wobble slightly.

"We found errors and deletion points." The scientist said, sounding grave and joyful at the same time.

Rodney gulped, "What are you talking about?" He stormed foward and turned the laptop around. "Oh." It was quite obvious.

"The question is Doctor," The man smiled and the soldiers loomed, "Are you the one responsible?" Rodney paled.

"Oh course not! I would never be that stupid." The scientist frowned.

"I believe you. But, that means we have a traitor among us. Do I have to remind you what happened to Colonel Sheppard?" Rodney winced and glanced down, refusing to look at the man. "Do I?"

"No." He said sharply.

"I asume you will take care of this problem, then." The man asked.

"Of course." Rodney turned to go.

"Rodney." He winced again and closed his eyes. His entire body was tensed. "One of the systems in the control room are malfunctioning again."

"Right, I'll go fix that." He slumped, defeat lining his every feature.

He could sleep when he was dead.