fanficaddict- Wow thanks! here's more!
Orka- you're half-right. :)
angw- I don't think your headache will be relieved just yet. Almost.
Livy1213- I'm glad you like the memory-thingies. :) Clue? 2nd chapter, first set of italicized schtuff.
Porthos1013- Glad you're liking it!
cybersyd42- Thanks! & (points up to response to Livy1213's)
tricky1379- okay. :)
szhismine- yes ma'am. or sir. :)
Dee- You're 'no pun intended' really made me laugh- :) - thanks for the great review.
nightpheonix- Wow! I'm glad you like my own interpretation of McKay's POV. Thanks so much!
Elisa- ah! So many questions that will so soon be answered! (sorry brother successfully succeeded in delaying me.)
:P
Anatolia1- Hee! Sorry! I'm happy you're still enjoying it, though.
nebbyJ- Ooh, great analogy. Here's more!
Greywolf Lupous- Well, you guys get answers soon- but, as for McKay... Glad you liked that line. :D

(11)

.

I closed the laptop with a satisfied 'click,' glancing down at my watch. "Finally." I muttered to myself, sliding off the stool. We had four hours. Probably less, since Atlantis seemed to be shifting even more then before.

Grodin had contacted me earlier as I worked, letting me know that some of the city's primary functions were shutting down. The main intercom system was out, plumbing was malfunctioning, and the sensors wouldn't turn on anymore.

The sensors worried me the most; we could no longer monitor the storm.

I tucked the computer under my arm, heading off to the Jumper Bay to make the necessary modifications to the Jumper's shield. Instead of blocking the lightning, it would have to let the energy pass through the shield and into the toys. If I was right about the shield configurations, it should be relatively easy.

On my way to the Jumper Bay, I had to pass the mess hall.

My stomach growled hungrily as I approached-- as it had been quite some time since I'd eaten anything, but there was absolutely no way I was going in there. The hallucination I had earlier with my father made sure of that- but I successfully managed to block that disturbing memory from my mind. I'd analyze it later; figure out what the hell happened, and then maybe I'd get a moment or two to go see Beckett about those damn memory things, and hopefully he'd say something more then 'you go sleep now.'

I simply did not have the time for it now.

After passing that particularly upsetting hurdle, I made it to the Jumper Bay fairly quickly.

"Careful, careful! That's a torch, and that's my hand!"

"Sorry!" came back an apologetic voice, "If you're getting hit, you should get off the Jumper so I have more room!"

"Who would make sure it didn't fall then? Just be more careful!"

Walking into the circle of parked Jumpers, I looked up to see Major Sheppard atop Puddle Jumper One, holding a ridiculously large antennae upright and skirting around various sparks from Zelenka's welding. A bucket lay near his feet, filled with spare metal parts that were obviously being sacrificed in the name of soldering.

Radek was standing on a small ladder, a large metal mask over his face with only a small slit to see through. He was wearing elbow-length rubber gloves -- which he used to handle the blazing welder, fusing the antennae to the ship. Sheppard had no such safety equipment.

"How's it coming?" I asked Radek from behind, apparently startling him, because he reared back- inadvertently pointing the torch up at John.

"Hey! Hey!" he cried, jumping to the side, but valiantly continuing to hold the antennae up.

"Sorry!" Zelenka exclaimed again, slightly muffled behind the mask and pointing the flame back down towards the antennae's base.

Sheppard glared down at me. "You don't sneak up on people handling torches!"

I rolled my eyes, not feeling much sympathy for him. His hopping back and forth had been greatly amusing, and it's not like he'd actually been injured.

I went to Radek's side, leaning my back against the ship and asking, "Are you almost done here? Because I need to get inside the Jumper."

"Almost." he answered as Sheppard asked, "Why?" at the same time.

"Good." I nodded at Zelenka before glancing up at John, though all I could see was his boot from this angle. "Because I have to alter the shield operations for this plan to even work."

He moved so I could see his face, raising an eyebrow. "Why?" he said again.

I flexed my jaw in annoyance, sudden indignation flaring, "Because I just do, all right! Do I need your permission, Major? Can I do something without you having to know every little reason! Can I?"

His other eyebrow went up with the other one, "Oookay then. I was just curious."

I lifted a shaky hand up to a sweaty brow. Oh boy. This was a familiar feeling.

Definitely at the beginnings of having a hypoglycemic reaction - the shaking, the headache, the sweat, not to mention the killer hunger… but for some reason I just couldn't work up a sense of urgency at it. I mean, I knew I should either be heading towards the medical lab or the mess hall. But I just… I don't know. Didn't want to.

Huh.

"McKay?"

I blinked, looking up and seeing Sheppard staring at me as if waiting for something.

"What?"

"I asked you a question."

I pushed myself off the Jumper, ignoring the wave of nausea that caused while trying to control the urge to be snippy with him. "Well, do me the honor of repeating it."

Instead, he narrowed his eyes. "You're shaking, McKay."

"That was your question?" I said bemusedly, looking down at my trembling hand and muttering, "Not even a question."

Why was my hand shaking like that? I couldn't focus. Oh right. Low blood sugar.

Zelenka had turned off the welder, lifting up his mask to look at me more clearly. "Rodney?"

I lifted my gaze, stating rather indifferently, "I'm having a hypoglycemic reaction."

"Um. Isn't that bad?" Sheppard said from above us.

"Yes." I nodded, "I'll probably start having convulsions soon. That's what's happened in the past anyway, 'cause this one time in college, you know how college is, you can forget to -- oh-- reminds me, I had this one teacher, Miss, uh, damn, I can't think- Miss something, anyway she taught chemistry…" I paused in my mindless ramblings to get some air. "Well, believe you me, she was hot."

Zelenka glanced up at Sheppard, asking warily, "Is he, uh, joking?"

"I don't know." John replied, while Zelenka adjusted the welder to rest against his hip. "McKay?"

I sighed tiredly, suddenly remembering I had a laptop tucked under my arm. "I suppose I should give this to you," I handed the computer to Radek, who nearly dropped it; "You need to upload my program into the toys. It's the one titled 'Save Your Sorry Asses'."

He peered over his glasses at me, "Is it really?"

"I thought it had a certain ring to it."

Sheppard jumped down from the Puddle Jumper, landing behind Zelenka. I guess the antennae was welded on enough that it wouldn't fall over without him holding it. "I think we should go see Beckett now." he announced..

"Yes, because he's been so helpful lately." I spat, crossing my arms insolently, "I'd rather take my chances with… with… Um." My brain wasn't working quite right, so I couldn't come up with anything and I ended up staring at them both curiously, forgetting I'd said anything at all.

Sheppard and Zelenka shared a look.

People were doing that a lot around me lately, and I didn't really appreciate it.

Wait, what didn't I appreciate? Argh, I couldn't remember. "Were we just talking about asses?" I asked them feeling particularly frustrated. I sighed in defeat, mumbling, "I need sugar."

"Correct." John came forward and placed his hands on my shoulders, turning me around so he was pushing me towards the door. He called back to Zelenka, "I'm taking him to Beckett. You can handle the antennae by yourself?"

"Yes, of course." I heard the welder turn back on as we left the Jumper Bay.

My involuntary shaking had continued to increase and Sheppard, still guiding me with hands on my shoulders, exclaimed, "Jesus McKay! Are you going to be able to make it to the med lab?"

"Jeee-zus." I mimicked, giggling stupidly.

He muttered something, but I couldn't quite make it out. We continued down the hall, and though I stumbled a few times, we were making good time.

Until we neared the mess hall.

My already speeding heart-rate skyrocketed, and I became increasingly anxious.

Sheppard didn't notice, though. As if talking to a child, he coaxed, "Here we go, look at that, we're at your favorite place, McKay. Let's grab something that you can eat for the rest of the trip."

I dug my feet into the ground, stopping us about two feet from the door. "No."

"What?" He questioned, pushing against my back, "Come on, let's move it."

I didn't budge. I knew what was waiting behind that door and there was no way John was going to make me go in there.

"McKay!" he grunted, really shoving into me now, "It's just a snack!"

I pushed back just as hard, but in my weakened and confused state, Sheppard was successfully sliding me forward against my will.

"Stop, stop!" I cried as we got nearer, struggling against him. I could practically see my father waiting for me on the other side; skin hanging from his decaying face, rotting eyeballs being eaten away by maggots -- waiting to take me back to the grave with him.

In our frantic struggling, my boots slid out from under me -- landing me hard on my ass with Sheppard falling down onto his knees next to me, cursing in frustration.

I ignored him, gathering what little strength I had left to complete a backwards crabwalk away from the mess hall doors.

Sheppard quickly composed himself enough to jump forward and wrap a hand around my ankle.

"Let go!" I yelled hysterically, shaking the leg in hopes of loosening his grip.

It didn't work out quite like I'd planned, losing my coordination and collapsing down onto my back as my hands went out from under me.

"Calm down!" He ordered, pulling me towards him before I managed to kick him in the face with my military-issued boot. "Fuck!" He released my leg and reared back, covering his quickly blackening eye.

I tried to crawl away some more, but promptly found I had no strength left.

Exhausted, I lifted my head just to see Sheppard watching me wearily, his left eye already swelling shut, still on his knees.

"Okay." he said finally, rising to his feet, "You wait here and I will go and get you a snack."

"Ugh." I answered cleverly, holding my breath as he turned away to press the pad next to the doors, expecting to see my father's corpse once they opened.

Nothing.

The door's slid open to reveal nothing.

He wasn't there.

I let my head rest on the floor, closing my eyes in relief.

---

Dad dropped his car keys into my waiting hand, and I unsuccessfully tried to keep the excitement from my face as he cautioned me on the seriousness of the situation. We stood out in the driveway, the sun warming my back comfortably as I nodded at the appropriate moments in his speech.

I couldn't believe he was actually going to let me drive the 1957 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser. Practically his second son. Actually, his first son, since I came around later. Laboriously kept in pristine condition, washed regularly, put in a special garage during winter month's… and always a big deal when anyone other than my father was permitted to even ride in her.

I'd just gotten my driver's license the day before, so it was very much of a shock when dad announced at breakfast that I would be driving his car today.

Mom beamed at me, and Jeannie glowered jealously as he led me outside. I couldn't help but smirk at my sister before I left the kitchen.

"Are you listening to me Rodney?" Dad demanded, snapping me from my thoughts and looking as if he might snatch the keys back.

"Oh yeah, yeah." I nodded fervently, clutching the keys tightly in a fist as I listed off his points, "Be back before dinner, follow the speed limit, be cautious of pedestrians and watch out for the pigs."

That one elicited a soft smile from my usually grimfaced father, who rubbed a hand over his chin thoughtfully.

Afraid he might be changing his mind, I went to the sparkling car and opened the driver's door, prepared to climb in, but hesitated before lifting a foot inside, glancing over at my father nervously.

He was looking down at the driveway, considering, obviously uncertain about his sixteen year old son driving his baby only a day after receiving his license. But, after an excruciating minute of uncertainty for me, he finally looked up and gave me his approval with a small nod.

I grinned happily, slowly sliding into the forbidden driver's seat

"Wow." I breathed, running an excited hand over my hair. So this is what it felt like to be sitting here. I could see why dad liked it so much.

I glanced up through the front window, and saw him watching me expectantly.

"Oh. Right!" I said, slightly flustered as I opened my fist, remembering the keys. After putting on the seat belt, I held up the key ring, dividing the house keys from the car key, savoring the moment I knew was coming.

I couldn't wait any longer. Eagerly, I inserted the car key, taking a deep breath before turning it.

The engine came to life.

Though I could see he was extremely anxious, Dad managed to give me an uncharacteristic thumbs up as I put the car in reverse and rolled down the driveway.

"Do you…. any idea how close… falling into a coma?" a Scottish lilt woke me from my nostalgic slumber.

That car ride had been one of the happiest times in my life. The freedom, the obvious trust from my father that day, Jeannie's envy, Sarah's surprised face when I'd drove up to her work…

"Yes, I do. I was there, remember?" Sheppard. That was definitely Sheppard's voice.

Oh. Damn. I was back on Atlantis, wasn't I?

"But he said he needed to do something with the shield."

"He's right Carson." Elizabeth said quietly-- and I guess she was back from wherever she'd gone. "We need him up."

A sinking Atlantis.

Beckett sighed disgustedly, asking with clear exasperation, "What? You can't get someone else to fix the shield? We live with dozens of bloody scientists for Christ's sake!"

"Believe me, I tried. No one else knows how to do it." Sheppard told him, sounding just slightly amused. Then, much more seriously, "We either get him up, or we need to evacuate and let Atlantis sink."

I heard someone sigh. I wasn't sure who it was, though.

"Are you sure I'm allowed to get him up?" Beckett asked sarcastically, "Or would that be against the rules?"

… Now what was that about?

"Shut up!" Sheppard hissed, and, oddly, I had the feeling he was watching me now.

"Carson…" Elizabeth said warningly.

"Oops, sorry." he said, not sounding sorry at all. "Slip of the ol' tongue. Forgive me."

The medical bed I was on suddenly began shaking violently, and I heard Atlantis shifting and rumbling again.

It was silent in the room for a moment, before John said tiredly, "Carson, we need him. We have less then an hour."

I'd wasted that much time sleeping, huh? The urge to slip back into unconsciousness was almost irresistible. Just to forget about Atlantis and Stargates and flooding, and remember the blissful day spent with Dad's Mercury Cruiser.

But I couldn't do it. If I did, I knew I'd only have guilt problems later. Damn that conscience… "Oh leave him alone." I grumbled, slowly peeling my tired eyelids apart. "I'm up anyway."

The others turned towards me, surprise written all over there faces. Sheppard had an ice pack pressed against his.

"How long…?" Elizabeth started cautiously.

"Long enough." I said, narrowing my eyes and carefully sitting up, "What did Carson mean, 'allowed?' What's going on?"

"What's going on?" John repeated, conveniently forgetting the first part of my question, "Atlantis is about to be destroyed -- but you're going to save it, right?"

"Of course I am." I told him, and ignoring his pleased look, I went on, "After you tell me what the hell has been going on, and what Beckett meant when he said 'rules'."

Sheppard shot Carson a withering look, but he just stared back defiantly.

Elizabeth crossed her arms and said nothing.

"Well?" I demanded, breaking the awkward silence.

John pressed a fist against his forehead, muttering miserably, "We don't have time for this."

"You're right." I agreed, "So just answer me!"

Elizabeth turned to Carson, "Would you please take the I.V. out of him so he can go with Major Sheppard down to the Jumper Bay?"

I blinked, looking down at my arm. I did indeed have an I.V. stuck in there. I noticed I was still dressed in my uniform., too. No girly pink scrubs for me.

"Now, just wait a minute --" I started before Carson came to my bedside, gently retracting the I.V. tube and slapping on a band-aid. I grabbed his arm before he could turn away, making him look me in the eyes as I practically begged, "Please, just tell me what's going on!"

Carson looked regretful as he easily pulled out of my grasp and admittedly, I didn't have the strength to stop him.

John spoke up, "Come on McKay. Let's get this over with."

I ignored him, staring at Beckett. Gathering what little information I could from the short conversation I'd overheard, I knew neither Elizabeth or Sheppard was going to talk to me. He was my only hope. "Carson?"

Beckett's back was toward me while he turned off various monitoring devices; but he finally answered in a soft voice, "Elizabeth's right, Rodney. You need to go fix the shield."

"But…" I moved my mouth soundlessly, tearing my gaze from the doctor's back and meeting John's eyes. "What is going on?" I finally managed.

He worked his jaw, seeming to be in the middle of some internal conflict as he stared back at me, saying nothing.

"Major?" I urged.

Once again, Atlantis had impeccable timing for interrupting-- but this time was much more violent then the others had been. Medical supplies fell from shelves around the room, bottles shattered, and Carson barely managed to catch a telescope that slipped from a counter, and I had to grasp the edge of the bed in order not to topple off.

Elizabeth, who was leaning a hand against the wall for support, looked over at me and said in her 'I'm boss now' tone, "Rodney, you need to go now."

"Right." I slid off the bed, taking a moment to gain some coordination. "But, just to be clear, I expect some answers when this is done. I'm serious. No more of the 'I'll tell you later' shit you've all been giving me. Immediately when I get back."

"Yes." Elizabeth answered quickly, pushing off the wall. "As soon as this is finished."

I raised my eyebrows at her imploringly-- not quite believing her. "Elizabeth…"

"I promise Rodney." she said, sounding very candid and honest as she repeated, "As soon as this is finished."

I mulled it over, watching her carefully, before finally deciding she was sincere. She sounded sincere, she looked sincere, I'd never seen her not be sincere… "Good." I straightened my shirt, glancing at Sheppard who was watching me as if he was… impressed? I tried to push down the surprise that elicited. Well, he should be. I was going to save us all. Again.

"All right then." I said, striding past Carson and coming up next to Sheppard and Elizabeth. "Let's go Major."

---

---

tbc