Specialization10
Moira's reverie was interrupted by a tray being placed across from hers. She looked up to see John sitting across from her. She smiled. He was clean-shaven. He had donned a black fleece shirt that looked warm and cozy. Matched his black pants. She playfully frowned. "You are three minutes late, colonel. Care to explain? Did you have trouble with your ordnance?"
He smiled. "No. I was busy. Actually I was cornered by Rodney. You're lucky I wasn't an hour late. What is it with you scientists and talking? Endlessly? Guess you'll have to punish me, doctor. In some kinky, salacious manner."
"You wish, soldier. Maybe I'll just spank that fine, fine ass."
He laughed, began to eat. "How's the foot?"
"Sore. So no stairs," she reprimanded. Resumed eating. "Or tables." He nearly choked on his food, but swallowed. "Or walls."
"Damn," he sincerely regretted. "Oh well. I'll find some way to keep you off your foot. On your back. On that pert little ass."
"Hilarious, John." She drank some soda, smiled. "You know, sweetie...we'll need to stop at your room first."
"Oh? And why is that?" he asked, smiling. Recognizing her playful, flirtatious tone. The love in her sparkling brown eyes. The soft smile containing merriment.
"I've got a problem. A problem you engendered."
"Me? And what particular problem is this, Moira?"
"You've stolen my possessions, John. I have several unmatchable sets of–"
"Good! Just the guy I need to see!" Rodney joined them, sitting next to Moira. "I wasn't finished talking to you!"
"Are you ever?" John quipped, causing Moira to snort with laughter.
"Ha ha. No. I need several new diagnostic tools and I've been told you were the–" Rodney began, ready to launch into full rant. He set the tracking device onto the table next to his tray.
"Rodney, not now," John complained, eying his friend. "Moira and I are in the middle of–"
"When are you not?" Rodney quipped. "Dinner, I meant," he added at John's narrowed gaze, "and yes, so am I. Anyway, I need you to sort of push this," he shoved a list towards him, "order of supplies up the food chain to the top of the list for the SGC. Sooner rather than later, and then I need you to–"
"Fine. Done."
"What? Just like that?"
"Yeah, just like that." John took the list, stuffed it into his pocket. "Amazing, isn't it?" he winked at Moira who smiled.
"And he can chew gum and walk at the same time too," she added, causing him to scowl.
Rodney laughed. "Now that is amazing! Didn't you even want to look at it? Or discuss–"
"No."
"Rodney," Moira said, eying the scientist, "you really want John to question everything on that list, and to have to explain exactly why you need all your necessary equipment?"
"Well, no, when you put it like that."
"That's why I'm having to do right now," she complained. "I'm trying to explain to the colonel here what I need to complete my own research, and how my equipment's maintenance is essential for the success of our mutual ventures. But he insists on checking and re-checking over every bit of equipment personally. And all the scrutiny and explanations and–"
"Tell me about it!" Rodney commiserated. "You'd think we were asking for unnecessary equipment! As if our work here isn't vital to the success of this mission! Hey, I would have thought he'd give you whatever you wanted."
She sighed. "You'd think so, but no. He doesn't listen and when he does he ends up doing what he wants anyway. Isn't that true, John?"
He smiled. "I only do what you want me to do, whether you realize it or not, Moira. And yes, oh yes, I will personally inspect every single piece of your equipment. Over and over until I am completely and utterly satisfied. So...you were telling me about yet another problem?"
Moira smiled. "Yes, colonel. I was. One you have caused due to insufficient supplies and hoarding of vital materials."
"Hoarding? Hmm...I disagree. Those materials you want to claim are not all that vital," he argued, realizing what she meant. Entering the game as she challenged him.
"Maybe not to you, but they are to me," she refuted. Considered. "Certain pieces don't match, and I really need the requisite parts to complete the entire set."
He grinned. "Ah. I don't think so, Moira. Those particular parts were damaged, weren't they? Ruined. Too sodden to use effectively, whether in conjunction with their counterparts or not."
She frowned. "Even so, John, they are useless to you now. Not nearly as...as functional as before. But to me they are, in conjunction with their counterparts. So I'd like them back, please. I don't like mixing and matching unmatchable pieces."
Rodney looked from one to the other. "What the heck are you two talking about?" He saw their locked gazes, challenging expressions. Their enjoyment of the conversation. As if it was a game. Their obvious flirtation.
John ignored him. "Hmm...you do have a valid point there, O'Meara. There's nothing worse than one piece not matching another on the same, the same...application," he decided on the word. "Still, I would suggest completely foregoing the one in favor of just utilizing the other. As I suggested earlier today. Are you complying now?"
"No. I need both because they complement each other, Sheppard. No matter how much you'd prefer it if I did without the one. Both are vital components and I won't go without either. So return what you've requisitioned."
"What are you two talking about, really?" Rodney asked, dumbfounded.
John glanced at Rodney. "Supplies. What else?"
Moira nodded. Matching John's innocent expression with her own. "Yes, supplies. John?"
He sighed. Made a show of pouting, of annoyance. "Fine. But I'm still taking them if I find them satisfactory. Deal?"
"Deal. Thank you, colonel."
"Any time, doctor."
Rodney sighed, shook his head. "You two are just off in your own little world, aren't you? Fine! I need those supplies by yesterday, Sheppard!"
"ASAP, got it. Go," John ordered.
"Fine, I'm going!" Rodney stood, moved to another table.
"Damn, Moira, that was well played," John commented with a grin.
She laughed. "Damn, John, it was! Seriously, I need my panties back."
"Panties? Who was talking about panties, baby? I wasn't." He laughed.
She lightly kicked his ankle. "Hilarious, John!"
"It was, Moira! Delicious. But I meant what I said. We'll just institute a revolving door policy on your sodden underwear, shall we?"
She sighed. "What is it with you and my–"
"Supplies? Equipment?" He smirked. "Guess who needs an ordnance check now, baby?"
She shook her head. "Geez, sweetie, can't you lock that thing down for at least an hour?"
He laughed. "No. Not today. Not with your mouth, baby. Hmm...then again with your mouth–"
"Shut up!" He laughed as she flung a roll at him. "Fucking soldier!" she fumed under her breath.
"You will be. Hey!" he protested as she flung another at him. He caught it, tossed it back onto her plate. "Play civil, Moira. No, don't. Eat your dinner. You'll need your strength."
"Damn it, John, we need to slow it down! Don't you listen to me at all? Nothing kinky!"
"Depends on your definition, baby. Of kinky. And we will slow it down, just not today."
"Oh, don't stop your silly game on my account," Rodney grumbled, joining them. "I just forgot the device in my haste to leave your silly, gooey display of affectionate–"
"Here, Rodney, sorry, we..." Moira's words fell as she grabbed the device. Paused to look at it. "Is this the tracking device? What is that blue light?"
"What blue light?" Rodney snatched it from her. Examined it. "There's no light."
"What? There was! Right there!" She pointed to the tiny addition.
"It's not lit now. Hold it again," Rodney suggested. Glanced at John who was watching. All merriment gone from his face.
Moira took it. Held it on her palm so Rodney could see. "Nothing now. Maybe it was a fluke, or I hit something in it to–"
"No." John took it from her, rising to his feet. He dropped it to the floor. Smashed it under the heel of his boot. Again.
"John!" Moira and Rodney exclaimed at the same time. They watched as John stepped aside to reveal the crushed remains of the object. Bits of wire and crystal amid the shards of metal. He stomped on it again for good measure, obliterating it.
"Remember what you said, Rodney? A locator beacon? We just found what set it off." He raised his eyes to Moira. Rodney did the same.
"What?" Moira asked, looking from the destroyed object to John. To Rodney. To John again. "Me? I...what?"
"Son of a bitch," Rodney noted, but frowned. "But how? Why? It doesn't make sense, John. I mean how...why...obviously he would know she was in Atlantis. Where else would she be? And even so it only activated once. Presumably it sent a signal but my scans detected no such option."
"Not where. When." John looked at his friend. Looked at Moira. "When. And I'm damn sure it sent a signal. Why else put it there in the first place? The question is why. Why now? And who the hell is helping him?"
"What? What would Ford want with me? I mean, I mean..." Moira stammered. Eyed the destroyed device on the floor again.
"Who knows? He's crazy, remember?" Rodney said. He emptied his tray, knelt to carefully scoop up the remains of the device. "Could be for anything. For his arm. For leverage against John. For access to the city. But you're right, John, the bigger question is who is helping him? With this kind of sophisticated and advanced technology. And precision. I still don't understand the point of it, though. Like I said, of course she's in the city. Now. Do you think he's heading here now?" Worry crossed his face.
"No. He won't come near the city. We would detect him instantly. He knows that." John rubbed his chin, thinking. Watched as the scientist stood, set the tray full of mechanical pieces on the table. "See if you can pinpoint any kind of signal from that thing. Any location. It's a start, at least."
"And you're sure he's not coming here? Now?" Rodney repeated. Glancing round the cafeteria as if he expected Aiden Ford to walk through the doorway.
"No. Not here. Not now. Not him."
"Then who?" Moira asked. She stepped closer to John, suddenly rattled.
"I don't know. But now that the device is destroyed we have the upper hand. For now."
"All right. I'll see what I can do. It's a long shot. A very long shot, given that you've practically annihilated the thing." Rodney grabbed the tray. Grabbed the last of his food. Balanced the two as he left the cafeteria.
Moira touched John's arm, gaining his attention. "John? It doesn't make sense. Rodney's right. Maybe it was just a, a test. A joke. To rattle you. You said yourself that Ford is playing some kind of game with you, right? Maybe this was the next, um, move."
"Maybe. Don't you worry, Moira. He won't get near the city. Or you. We'll figure this out. Let's go." He began to lead her out of the cafeteria. "Didn't you have some, er, components you wished to collect?"
"What? Oh...yes," she smiled, freeing his arm to limp at his side. "Yes, colonel. Vital ones."
"I wouldn't say vital," he muttered with a quick smile.