Evelyn POV
I threw my tablet down on the bench and ran out of the lab, having just heard over the radio from Zelenka what had happened. I tore ass down down the corridor and into the transporter, having it send me towards the gateroom. I had to see them, now. It couldn't wait.
I made it to the gateroom and was throwing myself down the stairs two, three at a time, as many as I could without tripping and dying. John looked up first, smiling at me as he saw me tearing up the flooring on my way over to them. I skidded to a halt in front of the two men. Sheppard opened his mouth to say something but mine opened in a snarl before he could.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" I screamed, reaching over and smacking McKay in the back of the head, hard.
"Ow!" he exclaimed, reaching for the spot I'd just hit. "What the.."
"Shut up," I said through gritted teeth. I'd never been this angry before in my entire life. "Do you have any idea what the hell you've done?"
"Yeah, I know," he started and I whacked him in the chest. "Ow!"
"I'm not finished," I told him. "I am astounded by the sheer arrogance and recklessness that came out of you today, Rodney. I don't care you destroyed a solar system, I care you almost got yourself and John blown up, because you were so stuck up your own ass, you believed you were better than the Ancients. You haven't even figured out how to make a ZPM on your own, why the hell did you think you and you alone, were capable of coming out on top where others had so drastically failed? Do you understand why I'm so angry with you? Am I even getting through that thick skull of yours?"
He paused, looking at me, a little shocked. I imagine Weir would be tearing him a new one soon about the solar system he partially destroyed and the planet he blew up, but he had absolutely no idea why I was ripping him a new one if it wasn't for the same issue.
"Answer me!"
"No!" He yelled back. "I don't know. I'm sorry okay?"
"You fucking better be," I told him and punched him hard in the chest.
"Ow!"
"Rodney," I said, taking a deep breath. "Did I ever tell you about my brother?" He shook his head. "He was 7. I was meant to be looking after him but I had better things to do and I left him to his own devices. He was messing around and he got shot. He's dead, Rodney. And I haven't cared about anyone else this much since. I don't want to lose anyone else like that. So don't you dare, don't you dare ever put me through something like that again."
"I-I'm sorry," he said, taken aback. "I didn't mean to worry you."
"No, because for someone who's as remarkable as you, you don't seem to do a lot of thinking, do you? All you care about is Rodney McKay and how much smarter he is than everyone else. You are selfish, arrogant and conceited," I said, shoving him each time I listed a new trait. "and I don't even want to look at you for a while."
He nodded and I breathed out heavily. I ran a hand over my face as he paused for a moment, looking out of breath, before walking past me and up the stairs, headed for his lecture he was about to receive from Weir. John looked at me, shocked at the screaming fit he'd just witnessed. I stepped forward and wrapped my arm tightly around him, pinning him to my chest for a moment. He put a hand on my head, rubbing my back softly.
"You gonna yell at me too?" he asked and I scoffed. I shook my head. "Alright, well I gotta put all this gear back, you wanna come with and we'll grab a beer?"
"Yeah," I nodded. "Yeah, that sounds good."
John POV
Evelyn stood by the window again, arms folded over her chest as she glared out the glass windowpane. I walked up to her with a can in each hand. I could see she was still upset, half of it seemed to be grief or worry, the other was a simmering rage I knew wasn't even close to boiling over. Rodney got off lightly.
"Here," I handed her the can and she cracked it open one handed. I watched her bite her lip as she watched the city some more.
"Thanks," she said eventually, voice coming out cracked.
"Can I ask you something?" I said, staring out the window but watching her out the corner of my eye. She swallowed.
"What?" she replied and took a sip from the can.
"How come you're so angry with McKay but not me?" I asked. If I remembered anything from the many arguments I had with Nancy, it was usually me who was in trouble. "I was there too."
"I know you were," she nodded.
She turned to look at me for a moment before sighing and walked to the seats, taking the same one she did last time. She brought her knees up to her chest and rested her arms over the top of them. She looked so small like that.
"You went out there because Rodney asked you to. Because I asked you to," she started.
"Wait, you didn't ask me to, Rodney didn't even ask, I volunteered.." I started and she cut me off.
"To protect him from himself, I know," she told me, looking over at me. "Just after we had a conversation about what you needed to do. Point is, I can't be angry with you for going out there and doing the right thing, no matter how scary it was when I found out about it going wrong. I'm angry with Rodney because he didn't have to go out there, he didn't have to run those tests and he didn't have to fight till the very last second to stay. He put his life at risk just so he could be right. If it all went wrong, if we lost him, there was no value in that sacrifice. It's not even a sacrifice. It's just sheer stubbornness."
"So.." I started, trying to figure out what exactly all that meant.
"After my brother died, I always kept a professional distance between everyone and myself. The only person I was really close to was my dad, because he was all I had left. Even my old lieutenant, we were close, I'd have died for him, but I kept him just far enough away I wouldn't get hurt," she explained. "But like a parasite, McKay worked himself under my skin, I slipped up. I care about him like he's family."
"That'd make for an interesting Thanksgiving dinner," I said and she chuckled.
"I think subconsciously I was looking for a Charlie replacement, and McKay's clearly used to having a sister," she told me, taking another sip of her beer. "He's endearing, in his own McKay way, and I was fucking terrified I almost lost you two."
"You haven't seen the last of me, not yet," I assured her, feeling my chest puff out a little knowing she cared about me, and that her relationship with McKay was purely platonic, familial even.
After sitting and talking that out, she seemed less angry. She relaxed into the chair more, letting her legs down and she chatted away lately until it got late. Apparently she had to go for a run with Cadman, the two ran together every few nights before bed to unwind. I didn't realise the two were close. Although Rodney did mention something about the two having had a sleepover.
A few days went by and I was still avoiding Rodney. I couldn't deny I was also upset with him over the Doranda system incident. I was on my way to visit Evelyn when I saw him in the corridor. Hoping I'd turned quickly enough, I changed directions and headed for the transporter.
"Oh, Colonel. Colonel!" McKay yelled, jogging after me as I fast walked to freedom. "I've been looking all over for you," he said, catching up. I turned back around to face him.
"I heard," I replied. I crossed my arms.
"I suppose I deserve that. Look, I just um… I wanted to apologise about what happened. I was wrong. I'm sorry. And I wanted to assure you that I intend on being right again, about everything, effective immediately," he said and I wanted to roll my eyes. I smirked.
"That was a joke," he said.
"Good one," I said disingenuously. I turned back to the transporter, intent on going back to my plans to see Evelyn. Rodney rushed forward and tried to stop me.
"I've already apologised to Elizabeth," he told me and reluctantly, I decided to stay and just get this conversation over with.
"And Radek and...and I thanked Colonel Caldwell for caring enough to spy on the experiment from orbit. Sent him a nice little email, actually. But I saved you till last because, um… Honestly, I would...I would hate to think that recent events might have permanently dimmed your faith in my abilities.. Or your trust. At the very least, I hope I can-I can earn that back."
"That may take a while," I answered honestly. I could see he was taking this apology seriously, I appreciated that, but I wasn't able to forgive him just yet. He saddened.
"I see," he said. I smiled.
"But... I'm sure you can do it, if you really, really try," I told him and reached behind me, pressing the button to the area of the city I was meeting Evelyn.
Evelyn POV
I'd just modified the lab's 3D printer to be able to use and print in wood and was pulling out my first test when Sheppard showed up, grin on his face. I smiled up at him, holding my new prosthetic in my hand. I tugged off the porus one I'd made previously and slipped on the wooden one I'd made to fit my arm perfectly. It was snug, pretty comfortable and not as heavy as I thought it would be. Like the silicone one, I'd modified it to be able to store an emergency knife inside.
"Beckett cleared you for active duty again, wanna come on a mission?" he asked and I grinned.
"Where are we going?" I asked.
"It's a mystery," he replied and walked over closer. "Come on, where's your sense of adventure?"
"It fell off in the Blackhawk crash," I rolled my eyes and he laughed lightly. "Fine, but I hate surprises so this better be good."
"It never is, but that's the charm of the Pegasus Galaxy," he told me and I chuckled.
I followed him to the armoury for a briefing and then to suit up. I made eye contact with McKay for a brief moment before I directed my attention elsewhere. I hadn't really seen him in weeks, not since I screamed at him. I realise, the silent treatment and avoiding him like he carried a plague probably wasn't the typical reaction after almost losing someone, but I was still both hurting and furious with him. How could he do something so reckless and dangerous?
I took point when we walked out of the Jumper, Ronon took six, McKay barely in front of him. It was dark and misty as we walked through and the building looked practically medieval. There were a few lanterns on, but it did little to aid us in the shadows we marched through. I didn't have high hopes for this world being particularly beneficial to Atlantis or our expedition but good relations might be a good consolation prize. You never know when networking could come in handy.
"Another great vacation getaway in the Pegasus galaxy," John said.
"Where is everyone?" Teyla wondered aloud.
"There's smoke from the chimneys. They're inside," Ronon concluded.
"Can't say I blame them. There's nothing I hate more than a damp cold," McKay said and I found myself rolling my eyes.
"Let's check this out," John said. He walked across the village square we were in towards a somewhat light up building. It was a tavern, one that sounded like there was a fair amount of traffic inside.
He pushed the door open, Ronon close behind as we stepped over the threshold. There was a moderate level of sound, people chatting away until they caught sight of us walking through the door. Conversation immediately dulled and everyone turned to us. Must not be used to visitors.
"Howdy, folks," John greeted.
"Who are you?" The barkeep demanded.
"I'm Sheppard, this is O'Neill, Teyla, Ronon, McKay," John introduced.
"You from Ratira?" the barkeep asked.
"No," John answered honestly.
"From over the mountains, then?" The barkeep continued to grill us. They really weren't used to strangers.
"A little further," John said.
"Huh," he said, cocking his head thoughtfully. "Then you've come a long way. You'll be in need of food and drink. Sit," he told us and we were led to a table. Ronon pulled the door closed behind us all. The barkeep grabbed an extra chair and put it by the 4 seater he'd led us to. I pulled it over right beside John and sat down. Ronon walked around the table and sat on my other side, Teyla across from me.
"I take it you don't get many strangers around here," McKay said, saying what we all must have been thinking. The barkeep wiped the table down with a rag he had with him.
"No, especially not those that travel near dark," the barkeep answered.
"Why is that?" Sheppard asked. Knowing these people, probably ghosts. Some stupid, old time-y legend that would be some Scooby Doo type villain.
"You really don't know?" he asked in shock. I shook my head.
"Callum," I heard a man say, warningly. There was an older, rather large man standing behind him with his arms folded. He turned to us. "What's your business here?"
"No business, really. We're just travelers," John answered.
"Then you best keep traveling," he replied.
"Yeah," McKay said, awkwardly, his face losing all the warmth it held. There was a small silence throughout the room.
"Alright then," Jon agreed. We all stood but were stopped by Callum.
"Wait," Callum halted us and then turned to argue with the fat guy. "Goran, you can't send them out there."
"They look like they can take care of themselves," Goran said, looking at us. Ronon scanned him, watching where this was going. "It may not even start tonight."
"It's been three months. How much longer do you think it'll wait?" Callum asked.
"Hi, what are you talking about?" McKay asked, sidling up and interrupting them.
"The Daimos," Goran said. Yep, there it was, the old time-y mystery. We all exchanged puzzled looks.
"Never heard of it," John said.
"It lives in the forest. It'll be feeding soon," Goran replied.
"And it is, what, some kind of an animal, or..?" McKay asked, moving his hands around in a keep going gesture.
"It's a creature. It has the appearance of a man, but it can suck the very life from your bones. Leaves only a dead withered husk behind," Goran explained and I sighed. I watched the look of realisation on everyone else's faces as we realised what exactly a Daimos was. I kind of wished it was a Scooby Doo villain now.
"Sounds familiar," John replied.
"We have a different name," I said.
"So you've encountered them before?" Goran asked and Ronon smirked.
"You could say that," he said. Goran and Callum gestured for us to sit down again, Callum fetching a chair for Goran who would now join us at our table. Callum went off to the bar, presumably to do his job. I kept my place close by John's side. I felt safe knowing he was right there to watch my back. Maybe these people wouldn't turn on us, or maybe I was more affected by what happened on Olesia than I thought. Callum returned with a tray of drinks, dishing one out to each of us, Ronon chugged his immediately.
"Look, we know you're not used to dealing with strangers, but we may be able to help you with this little problem you're having. We're used to dealing with this kind of thing," John said. Thunder echoed outside, noise shaking the window panes as lightning lit up the sky.
"We call them Wraith," Teyla told him.
"These are the creatures from the old stories? From the time of the cullings?" Goran asked.
"So you have heard of them," McKay said.
"Yes, but the histories of them are incomplete. They tell of the great ships that descended from the sky, but there's no description of the Wraith themselves. Although there were a few among us who guessed that the Daimos might be one of them," Goran said.
"Why?" Teyla asked.
"Because it, too, came from the sky. It was about ten years ago. A bright light appeared above the village, crashed into the hills. We didn't know what it was, but people were terrified. I went with some of the other men to investigate. We found the wreckage, a few wounded survivors. We didn't know what they were but we decided to take no chances. We slaughtered them, burned the bodies," Goran told us.
"Wise decision," Ronon complimented. I took a sip of the ale that had been brought to us, I hummed softly, it wasn't bad.
"Unfortunately we didn't get them all and although none of us saw it, evidently one of them survived. It took its first victim that very night. We tried to hunt it down, but we couldn't find it. It's been out there ever since. It feeds three, four times a year. Takes two or three people each time. Two years after the crash, it took my own son," Goran said.
"That's it? One Wraith, in the forest?" Ronon asked.
"Yes," Goran agreed.
"I'll be done by morning," Ronon said, loading his gun and pushing himself up in his chair.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. We'll all go together, in the daylight," John said. Ronon stopped, standing by the corner of the table and putting his gun down on the wood. He stood twirling it on the surface as he listened to the rest of the conversation.
"You're really going to help us?" Asked Callum, tray tucked under his arm.
"Well, like the man said, it's just one Wraith. It'd be downright unneighborly if we didn't," John said.
"In that case," said Callum. "drinks are on me."
"Uh, well, let's not forget the food," McKay said, watching the barkeep head back to the bar.
"You should stay here tonight," Goran said. "There are lodgings upstairs. Once Callum has brought you some supper, I'll escort you there."
"Thank you," said Teyla. "That is most generous."
"If you'll really help us, there's nothing generous about it," Goran said.
Callum brought us back food rather quickly and I watched McKay dive in with little care in the world, followed by Ronon. I picked at it gingerly, wondering why we'd gone from being kicked out to get eaten by the Wraith to being treated like kings. I wondered if he'd planned to feed it in one night by sacrificing us to it until he got a better offer. Callum kept the drinks coming and they must have been a lot stronger than they seemed, that paired with my eating very little of the free food, I found myself swaying as I stood to follow Goron upstairs to our rooms.
John slipped an arm under mine to steady me, guiding me by the waist up the stairs so I didn't trip, but I did catch my boots on a couple of them. I leaned on him and Goran smiled at me. He gave the others a room of three single beds and they accepted it gratefully, heading inside to get settled for the night. I assumed there would be a similar situation for John and I but when Goran opened the door there was just one double. Goran smiled at us proudly.
"And for the couple," he said and handed John the key, headed back down the stairs before we could protest.
"I can take the floor," John said as he walked me in the room.
"Johnny boy, I've had so much to drink I honestly don't care," I replied and stumbled away from him to sit down on the end of the bed.
He smiled amused at me, before coming over to help me unclip my P90 like he always did. I yanked off my wooden arm and handed that to him as well. I unclipped my sidearm holster and pulled a bunch of knives off my person. He walked over to the small desk on the far wall of the room and put all our armaments there, having to take several trips thanks to me.
"I never see you take this many things out of the armoury, how are you walking out of there like this?" He asked and I laughed. "You must be fun at airports."
I leaned over my knees to untie my shoelaces, thanking my lucky stars removing them one handed was easier than tying them one handed. I unzipped my vest and pulled off my uniform shirt leaving myself in just a tank top and my trousers. I flopped down on my side, scooting up the bed after the room stopped spinning.
"The hell was in those drinks, John?" I muttered and he laughed. "I never used to be this lightweight." He came over in a similar state of undress and pulled the blankets I was laying on top of out from under me and tucked me in.
I didn't fall asleep right away, the room spent the next hour or so spinning intermittently and I went from being hot to freezing. During one of my boiling phases I kicked off my trousers and the next time I got cold I rolled off to my side and scooted closer to John to steal his body heat. He was snoring away by this point and didn't much notice. I shifted again so I was laying impossibly close beside him but face down in the pillows, John's arm under my chest. He moved in his sleep so he was holding me close while he lay on his back, the other arm resting on the small of my back. His snoring, thanks to the amount of time I spent in the medbay, was a comfort to me now and I drifted slowly off to sleep.