Chapter Two: Christmas Conspiracy
John looked around the corner, then jerked his chin to indicate that it was safe to move on, and walked into the mess, Ford following close behind. It was empty save for Nicole Landers, Carson Beckett and Viktor Zelenka who were speaking in low tones. John grinned and slid into a seat beside the Scottish doctor, making him jump.
"Don' do that Major!" Beckett scolded, "I' isn't vera nice."
"Sorry, Doc," John replied, honestly repentant, "I just didn't want to make too much noise."
Ford took the seat next to Landers and put his hands on the table in front of him, a grin splitting his face. "The plan worked like a charm," he said, "And I must say I'm very proud of Niki for actually doing her part."
The redhead scowled at him and hit him playfully on the arm. "Hey! I was an actress at one time you know?"
"Considering we've known each other since we were babies?" Ford retorted, "Yeah, I do know. I meant, I'm suprised you didn't freeze up like you normally do."
"Okay," John quickly interjected, before an argument could be started, "that's not really the point. The point is, we've got confirmation for the party, and neither of our...guests of honor...know that it's for them."
"I do not know," Zelenka said, shaking his head, "Two months...it seems a very long time to keep something like this a secret..." He had been against the whole thing from the very beginning, at least the making it double as a Christmas party.
"Yeah," John agreed, "It'll be difficult. But, we can do it if we're very careful. The show part will help out greatly, so, Niki you'd better go ahead and get started. Whatever you need, just ask," he spread his arms, "we'll give you any assistance."
The red-head glanced sideways at Zelenka and bit her lip, frowning slightly before she nodded her understanding. John rolled his eyes. He'd say something, but he was afraid she'd drop out and go into hiding. With friends, she could be the most outgoing person you'd ever met, but when it came to things like being teased about having a crush on one's mentor in front of said mentor...well she clammed up like a..well like a clam.
"Aye, lass," Beckett said, "An' I'll provide ye with some of my families old stories to look at if ye need 'em."
"Thank you, Dr. Beckett," she said softly, "And now that I think about it...I'm going to need some more singers and instrumentalists if we're going to really pull this thing off. The show I mean. To make it seem real. Actors can probably be found easily enough, considering most of the history aspect is going to be narration with little CGI movies depicting the scenes. The finale is going to be mostly singing though, with special effects. Dr. Weir has already volunteered..."
"Really?" Aiden asked, honestly surprised, "I wonder why..."
"Quit interrupting me, dumb-ass," Niki growled, "As I was saying, Dr. Weir has volunteered, but that's only one person and I was thinking of having a chorus of dancers and singers with a duet for a couple of the songs. So...can any of you sing or play an instrument?"
"I can play bagpipes," Beckett said hesitantly, "but I doubt if ye're wantin' that."
John smiled slightly. "And besides," he added, "It would be easier just to have the computer play the songs, wouldn't it?"
"Yes," Zelenka said, pushing his glasses back up his nose from where they had slid down, "Much easier, on everyone. And, I suppose I could sing if it is absolutely neccessary and you cannot find enough people, Nicole."
Nicole, unsurprisingly, turned bright red and nodded. "A...all right. Well..I'll just get some notices ready. Advertisements for actors, singers...whatever. Um..and..uh..."
"And we'll start planning on what we're going to have at this party, and how we're going to use it to set our dear Drs Weir and McKay up," John said, taking pity on the girl, "Dr. Zelenka, you help Nicole with the stage show, since you two work most often together, and try to come up with a way to get McKay and Weir together with that...then afterwards, we can use it for the party."
The Czech raised an eyebrow, but simply nodded his acquiescence. Thank goodness he wasn't like McKay, arguing every little point he didn't agree with. Though he would argue with McKay when necessary.
"Oh, I already have an idea for that!" Nicole gushed suddenly, "It came to me when she volunteered to sing." She grinned impishly, "But you guys will just have to wait and see what it is when the time comes."
John raised his own eyebrow, and was about to retort when he caught a movement from the corner of his eye. He shut his mouth and turned around, but relaxed when he saw that it was only Teyla. Teyla, with her hair still wet from the shower she had obviously just come from taking, and whose lithe body swayed as she moved, like a cat.
John quickly shook his head when Beckett kicked his ankle under the table, and shot the good doctor a glare, before returning his attention tot he beautiful Athosian. He hadn't quite got around to asking her out, but he didn't want her to think he was too forward. Right now, a teasing relationship suited them just fine. Of course, he'd probably have to hurry up, before his fellow conspirators got the bright idea to set them up as well.
"I apologize for being late," Teyla said, inclining her head graciously, "But I found that I really enjoy taking showers."
John had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from commenting on that one, but it didn't keep the images that filled his mind from surfacing. Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on the way you looked at it.
"Aye, it's one of the many conveniences of home that I'm glad we didn't have ta leave behind," Beckett responded, "I don't know what I'd do if I had ta take a bath with cold water from the sea."
Teyla smiled at the doctor, then looked at John curiously, "Have I missed anything important?"
"Uh no, not really. We were just discussing things. Oh yeah, and the plan worked. So everythings on. Um..can you sing?"
"No," Teyla answered, "Why?"
"Okay, then you're with Ford, Beckett and me. We're going to start planning the party. And the surprise." John grinned engagingly, and spread his arms wide. "Okay folks, lets head our separate ways before people start wondering why people who normally have nothing to do with each other are meeting like this. I'll set up our next time and place and get back to you later. Good luck."
tbc...
Just kidding...(ducks the flying fruit cakes again)
Rodney chanced a look at the woman sitting across from him. She was busy eating her lunch, thankfully, and didn't notice. So he took his time and looked his fill. This was one of the few times when he allowed his newly discovered attraction to Elizabeth to surface. When he knew she wasn't looking.
Only, it wasn't just an attraction, and that's what scared him. Ever since he'd come out of that machine, he'd realized that he was head over heels in love with her. Why else would he dream about her having his baby? Sure, it could just be the machine using her since she was the other person trapped, but there were other signs. Other things that pointed to his poor heart's entrapment.
But first and foremost, she was his friend. His best friend. The first friend he'd ever had. And he wouldn't jeapardize that for the entire mult-verse, on the off chance that she just may--a very remote possiblity--return his stronger feelings. Because he loved being able to talk with her, to tease her, to be teased in return more than anything else. And it would just get so awkward if he tried to make anything more out of it.
She would inevitiably ask about the dream thing. And he would leave. But, again, he didn't want to jeapardize his friendship with her, and that meant he couldn't tell her, but he couldn't lie either. The phrase 'between a rock and a hard place' had never made more sense. Neither did "damned if you do, damned if you don't."
She looked up from her plate, and Rodney quickly shoved a bite into his mouth so that she wouldn't realize what he'd been doing. Elizabeth quirked an eyebrow and gave him one of those smiles that melted his heart.
"So, Major Sheppard and Miss Landers are planning a Christmas celebration," she said, "What do you think of that?"
He quickly swallowed and licked his lips before answering. "What should I think about it? Obviously you've already given the go ahead...I'm perfectly fine with it." He hated it when she looked at him like that.
Except that he didn't. Oh, this was so not fair.
"So, are you going to volunteer to do anything for the show?"
"No. Yes?" Again, she gave him one of those looks, and he knew he'd agree with whatever she wanted. He sighed and looked down at his plate, but a grin began playing about his mouth. He was totally hooked. "What exactly would I need to do? I'm not really musically inclined. Well, I am...but there aren't any pianoes or violins on Atlantis unless General O'Neill decided to smuggle them along with some of his other contraband."
Elizabeth grinned and shook her head slightly. "No, I don't think so. Maybe you could help with special effects or something."
"I do not do special effects," he said flatly, "I am a celebrated...okay well I'm a genius anyway and I am not going to use it for anything so menial as special effects. Unless you say I have to." Damn it! How was a person supposed to do what he wanted when someone had that much control over them?
Her grin grew slightly, but she shook her head in the negative, "No, I'm not going to make you do this. But it would be nice to see everyone get into the Christmas spirt in some way."
"I'll dress up as Santa," he said dryly, "Is that enough 'spirit' for you?"
"Yes," she quipped back easily, not at all put off by his snide manner. Another thing he dearly loved about her. She put up with him.
"Well then it's settled. Ho. Ho. Ho."
What had he got himself into?
Okay...(sticks tongue out at Vana) it's short...but I don't care. Thanks everyone for your reviews..and hope you come back for the third chappie...