Disclaimer - I do not own SGA nor am I making a profit from this.
Colonel Sheppard knocked at Mr. Woolsey's door before entering the office coming to a stop in front of Woolsey's desk.
"Colonel, I presume you were able to get Dr. Kovack to the brig without Ronon being alerted to the situation?" Woolsey asked wearily, he'd not gotten much sleep after the scientist's revelation and despite it still being morning Woolsey was feeling exhausted.
"Yes sir. Ronon's a bit suspicious something's going on he's not aware of but for now he's letting it ride," Sheppard explained feeling how Woolsey looked.
"Colonel I've decided to pay a visit later today to the SGC. I can't see how I can have a private conversation with either General Landry or General O'Neill about this without someone alerting the IOA. For now I believe we should limit the people at the SGC who know about Kovack and Coolidge. Besides, I really don't want to tip Coolidge off we know," Woolsey informed Sheppard. "I also believe my appearance at the SGC can be explained easily on Atlantis, re-called by the IOA will suffice. It will be harder to explain why a General is leaving the SGC to come here. People would be suspicious," Woolsey continued he watched as Sheppard nodded his approval and agreement.
"I think you're right Sir. I just wish I could go with you," Sheppard sighed frustrated at the lack of options facing the men.
"That would arouse suspicion in everyone Colonel. I need you here keeping everything on Atlantis in order including Ronon. I'm going to try a get a few hours sleep before I leave this afternoon. I have a feeling things will get complicated. I intend to be no longer than two days Colonel. I'll be in touch of course, I'm not sure how much I'll be able to keep you appraised of, I may have to wait until my return before we do anything about Dr. Kovack." Woolsey replied getting to his feet and moving around the desk.
"Understood Mr. Woolsey, I'll see you when you're ready to leave," Sheppard acknowledged Woolsey.
Teyla entered the gate room looking up to Mr. Woolsey's office for any sign of the Colonel. She'd looked for him in the gym to be told by Ronon he was with Woolsey this morning. Something felt wrong and Teyla was having trouble putting her finger on it. Teyla ascended the stairs to the control room; she nodded and smiled at the technicians she knew until she came to a halt outside Mr. Woolsey's office. Seeing only Colonel Sheppard inside the office she quietly called out for his name, "Colonel Sheppard. May I have a word please?"
"Teyla, of course come in," Sheppard left the chair behind the desk to stand with Teyla before joining her on the softer chairs.
"Thank you John," Teyla smiled, sat down facing Sheppard directly.
"I am concerned there is something wrong which you are not telling us John. We were supposed to be leaving for our mission this afternoon and yet I am informed we are on stand down. Is there anything I can do to help?" Teyla gently probed.
"I'm sorry Teyla I should have told you. Mr. Woolsey's been ordered back to the SGC something to do with the IOA. There's nothing wrong, probably one of those boring IOA sessions. With Woolsey off world I can't be off world so we're on stand down till he gets back. Reckons it'll be a few days at the most. You know you should take the opportunity to get a ride over to New Athos. Catch up with your people," Sheppard casually remarked.
"If you are sure then I would very much like to see my people," Teyla replied feeling relieved the worry was for nothing.
"Have a word with Major Lorne, I'm sure he can arrange for a jumper to take you when you're ready," Sheppard smiled, he wasn't sure having a diplomat and good friend like Teyla off world was a good idea at the moment. Yet Sheppard knew if the Athosian grew suspicious she'd be as bad as Ronon in her attempts to get at the truth.
Sheppard headed into the mess hall, he wanted food and an excuse to leave the paperwork behind for a short while. What could drive anyone to want to write reports all day for a living was beyond Sheppard. He filed his tray, heading toward a table. He spotted Ronon's familiar form, sighing he was aware he couldn't ignore the man. That really would be suspicious.
"Hey," Sheppard uttered as he sat down on the chair beside Ronon.
"Sheppard, heard Woolsey's going to the SGC," Ronon immediately responded.
Sheppard groaned inwardly did nothing get past Ronon. "Yeah, some IOA stuff wasn't really paying attention. Can't have both Woolsey and I off world so we're on stand down," Sheppard repeated what he'd told Teyla earlier.
McKay dropped his tray onto the table occupied by Ronon and Sheppard, he sat down before sniping at Sheppard, "Sheppard, want to tell me why my scientist in the brig today?" McKay was angry at being a scientist down yet again.
"He deserved it McKay," Sheppard replied trying to buy for time as he came up with a plausible excuse, damn it he'd forgotten about Rodney.
"Who's in the brig?" Ronon asked suddenly interested in the turn in conversation.
"Kovack," McKay snapped still looking at Sheppard for an explanation.
"He was in the bar last night and started getting offensive, he was drunk. Normally I'd have left it at that but he kept on. That's when he got personal; he annoyed me so a day in the brig might just persuade the man to avoid the bar and me for some time," Sheppard lied, grateful he'd remembered to warn Major Lorne and Dr. Zelenka on pain of 'life in the brig' to mention to nobody about the previous nights events. Even when asked.
"Told you Sheppard, you can't trust that one," Ronon growled his dislike of the man evident once more.
"Yes well, that's all very good but it still leaves me short staffed in the labs," grouched McKay.
"You always complained the man didn't fit in and never did his fair share Rodney," Sheppard bit back angrily.
"Maybe he didn't but I'd like to be kept in the loop Sheppard when it comes to my personnel," McKay retorted.
"Your personnel? I thought Mr. Woolsey was the head of the civilian expedition?" Sheppard snorted, he was tired and in no mood for Rodney's ego.
"You know very well what I meant Sheppard," McKay snapped again, he was aggrieved and not in the mood to drop the conversation despite the black look Sheppard was giving him.
"McKay, leave it. The man's in the brig. End of story," Sheppard hissed his anger showing.
"Fine," McKay muttered sensing Sheppard was truly angry.
"Teyla told me she's going to New Athos," Ronon interjected sensing Sheppard's mood needed changing.
"Yeah, told her about Woolsey. Said we had a few days leave so she ought to see her people. Why don't you go with her Ronon? Get you off Atlantis for a bit?" Sheppard urged hoping the offer would be immediately taken up.
"Might actually..." Ronon nodded seeming to relish the idea. "Have to ask Teyla, see if she'd mind," Ronon added.
"Can't see why she would," Sheppard replied, a feeling of relief washing over him as the idea of Ronon being off world while they sorted out Kovack and Coolidge became more appealing by the second.
Sheppard rocked back and forth on the chair in Woolsey office, he was waiting on Woolsey who'd informed him he was getting ready for his departure. He was lost in his own thoughts when something out of the corner of his eye caught his attention. Standing leaning on the door frame was Ronon. He was smirking at Sheppard that had to be a good sign thought Sheppard idly.
"Hey buddy, what's up?" Sheppard inquired casually.
"Spoke to Teyla, gonna head off with her to New Athos be gone a day and night. Teyla has classes she doesn't want to cancel so we're heading out now. Thought you might wanna know," Ronon told Sheppard as he stood upright and turned to walk away.
"Ronon, wait up," Sheppard called out.
Ronon turned back to look at Sheppard as he came out from behind the desk, "You know the drill Ronon, make sure you keep in contact okay?" Sheppard requested as he watched Ronon's eyes narrow, making Sheppard feel he was being scrutinized by the ex-Runner.
"Sure, anything else?" Ronon asked, Teyla had been right. There was something going on and it seemed Sheppard was only too happy to see him and Teyla off world. Maybe he ought to stay behind and find out what.
"Nah, just wish I could be going with you guys. I'm up to here with paperwork," Sheppard tapped the top of his head with his hand.
Ronon stared in confusion at Sheppard; this must be another Earth thing. He'd ask Orla he thought, Ronon froze, the thought of Orla not being there still had the ability to poleaxe him.
"Ronon you okay? Look like you're about to pass out," Sheppard stepped forward worry etched on his face.
"I'm fine," Ronon gruffly answered his face becoming a stoic mask once again as he walked away from Sheppard.
Sheppard sighed watching Ronon walk away, he'd lay money on that thought being about Orla. He'd seen the pain in Ronon's face a few times since Orla's departure. Each time the man clammed up and walked away from everyone and everything.
Mr. Woolsey entered his office immediately acknowledging Colonel Sheppard. "Colonel, I'll need Dr. Kovack's laptop and memory stick, it's the only proof we have he's been sending emails containing classified information," Woolsey reasoned reaching for the laptop and memory stick he'd locked away in the desk drawers this morning after Major Lorne had retrieved it from Dr. Kovack's quarters.
"Some good news, Teyla and Ronon are headed out just about now to New Athos to visit Teyla's people. At least we have a day to find out what we can," Sheppard informed the Atlantian leader.
"Good, I still want the Marines and force field left in place, just in case," Woolsey replied earnestly.
Woolsey and Sheppard walked out of the office into the control room. Woolsey called out for Chuck to begin the dialing sequence for the SGC. The two men descended the stairs to the gate room; they stood watching as the Stargate's chevrons locked into place.
"Remember Colonel, I may not be able to talk openly with you until my return. I'll be back as soon as I can," Woolsey repeated his earlier claim.
Woolsey looked up at Chuck who nodded his confirmation the SGC's iris had been lowered allowing the man to enter the wormhole.
"I'll see you in a few days Colonel," Woolsey nodded grabbing at his small suitcase with the laptop inside a carry case in the other.
"Good luck Sir," Sheppard called out as he watched Woolsey's form engulfed by the Stargate's liquid center.
TBC... Please review
